Originally from Sipura – the VoIP specialist acquired by Linksys’ parent Cisco in 2005 – the SPA942 is a Sip-based (Session Initiation Protocol) IP phone that can be used with an in-house exchange and/or public Sip services. Aimed at the business user, it can support up to four lines and features an extensive list of call-handling options.
Unlike cheaper IP handsets we’ve seen, the SPA942 is a solid and professional-looking piece of kit with a positive key action and built-in speakerphone. It can be used flat on a desk, propped upright using the stand provided, or wall-mounted. A user-programmable backlit display is also built in with four associated softkeys and directional menu button. Plus there’s a headphone socket, voicemail indicator and dedicated message retrieval and call-hold buttons.
A two-port Ethernet switch is built into the hardware. One is marked Wan and is used to attach the phone to the network. The other enables a desktop PC to share the same connection, helping to reduce the amount of cabling required. Support for 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE) comes as standard, with a separate AC adapter as an option where PoE isn’t available.
Installation was straightforward, although somewhat complicated by the number of programming options available. Unless otherwise configured, the phone gets its IP address using DHCP, after which you enter the required Sip line connection settings via a remote web browser. Up to two independent Sip connections can be programmed with support for two more via a licence upgrade.
Users can then set up their own personal directory (up to 100 entries) and speed dials. They can also choose customised ringtones, with distinctive ringing based on calls made and received as a standard feature.
Other options are dependent on the PBX or gateway service involved, but the firmware supports an impressive range of business telephony features. Everything from putting calls on hold with selective or automatic forwarding, through to call pickup, music on hold and intercom facilities. A call-timer is built in, along with basic call-logging features.
We tested the phone using first a Windows-based PBX (Swyx – see review on page 134) then a couple of public Sip services (Free World Dialup and Sipgate). All were very simple to configure, requiring just a username, password and the URL of the Sip gateway.
We did, however, experience a few problems with a Nat-protected internet connection and dynamic addressing. However, these are common to all Sip-based services and we discovered plenty of online help, much of it specific to the Linksys hardware. The only real issue was the initially baffling array of options, few of which need any form of tweaking to get the phone to work.
Call quality will, of course vary depending on the service and network infrastructure. However, with a good choice of codecs available (the firmware that does the digital voice encoding/decoding), we achieved results on a par with a conventional business phone, and overall we were very impressed with the Linksys package.
Another plus is the ability to securely configure the phone remotely, enabling service providers and resellers to set up and upgrade the phone to work with their services in advance.
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