AudioCodes MediaPack™ 252 (MP-252) is a sophisticated, feature-rich, multimedia home gateway for broadband networks with Multi-play support. Launched at TMC's ITEXPO, it sports a built-in ADSL2+ modem, multiple antenna wireless LAN connectivity, DECT handsets supporting HD VoIP, Bluetooth interface for connecting cellular phones and optional battery backup. With its USB ports (3 in one model, 1 in another) , it even has support for being a print server, and can connect to file servers and UPnP AV Media Servers. I spoke with AudioCodes Alan Percy, Director of Business Development in the ITEXPO press room to learn more about this innovative all-in-one gateway for Multi-play services.
More Features Than You Can Shake a Stick At
The ADSL/ADSL2+ modem supports up to 24Mbps. It features a 10/100 Ethernet WAN port (optional connection to cable modem or FTTH ONU) and Four 10/100 Ethernet LAN ports. It has built-in WiFi supporting 802.11 b/g/n up to 150Mbps. It also has a built-in Router, Firewall, NAT and advanced traffic prioritization mechanisms. Basically, it has every network function you'd need. I really like the 802.11n support.
The integrated DECT/CAT-iq™ Home PBX supports up to 6 DECT extensions supporting 4 concurrent HD VoIP calls. It has 2 analog FXS ports for analog phones and fax machines. It supports guaranteed QoS for IPTV service and has Mobile@Home - Bluetooth support for mobile phone synchronization. It has advanced TR-069 management, interoperable with leading Auto-Configuration Servers (ACS), which is important for carriers and service providers.
Customers will not be able to purchase this product directly. Carriers, service providers and channel partners will take the product and configure it for their ADSL2+ service offering. Although they are not doing direct to consumer or purchase directly from Amazon, Alan said their channel could do so. They are considering an Ethernet version that doesn't have the ADSL2+ requirement. I'd certainly love to have a single all-in-one device that combines my router, firewall, DECT phones, etc. I should add that Alan said they designed the box to be sleek enough that you could connect the device in your kitchen.
Alan told me that they are also announcing an Android and iPhone app that resellers can brand and put on each respective app store. This app would allow you single number identity on your mobile phone. You will be able to make and receive phone calls to your home phone number via this application. Cool stuff!
It's called Home&Go and is comprised of the MediaPack 252 Multimedia Home Gateway and the AudioCodes VoIP Mobile Access Solution (VMAS).AudioCodes' VMAS client has compatibility with most leading smartphones operating systems such as the Apple, Symbian, and Android, Service Providers can bundle their residential services with mobility services across broadband cellular, broadband wireline, home and public Wi-Fi, DECT and Bluetooth personal area networks.
Although the MediaPack 252 has a mini-PBX in the unit, it doesn't have a local answering machine (hence no Flash memory either). One reason is because Audiocodes is targeting service providers where the voicemail is hosted (and a value-add).
Each DECT handset has a set of unique SIP URIs with multiple call appearances. (each call appearance has their own SIP URI.) You can make extension-to-extension calls. You can even run an SMB with each DECT handset having a unique DID or a unique extension with a hosted auto-attendant since each handset has a set of unique SIP URIs.
The MP-252 is ideal for operators, seeking new revenue generators with state-of- the-art features, such as:
- High-speed wireline broadband access with optional WAN backup using 3G USB dongles
- HD VoIP Telephony and PBX capabilities, including flexible configuration of individual SIP accounts per DECT extension
- Provision for IPTV and gaming (QoS guarantee), high-speed WLAN for streaming
- Home Media sharing storage disks, printers and security cameras
Full Specifications:
| Model | ADSL +4LAN | WiFi | DECT HD VoIP | VoIP 2 FXS | Bluetooth | USB 2.0 |
| MP-252-BW |  |
802.11n | |
1 | ||
| MP-252-WDNB | |
802.11n | |
|
|
3 |
| ADSL | ADSL (ITU-T G.992.1 Annex A, B), ADSL2 (ITU-T G.992.3 Annex A, B, I, J, L, M), ADSL2+ (ITU-T G.992.5 Annex A, B, I, J, M) Multiple VC/PPP connections, PVC Scanning |
| Ethernet WAN | 10/100Mbps Ethernet port, configurable for optional connection to Cable/xPON modems |
| 3G backup for ADSL | Optional support for 3G USB dongle for WAN backup |
| Data Protocols | IPv4 (IPv6 ready), PPPoE, PPPoA, PPTP, L2TP, DNS proxy, Dynamic DNS, DHCP Client, Server and Proxy, IP Multicast (IGMP proxy, snooping), NAT – RFC3022, Application Layer Gateway (ALG), Port Triggering UPnP auto-configuration and port-forwarding (IGD) |
| QoS | IEEE 802.1p/Q (QoS & VLAN Tagging) ToS/Diffserv QoS Traffic prioritization and shaping |
| Data Security and Firewall | SPI Firewall, URL filtering, Advanced Access Control, Denial of Service Prevention, Configuration File Encryption, Web Authentication, HTTPS provisioning |
| SIP Security | SIP over TLS (SIPS) |
| Wireless Standards | Integrated 802.11b/g/n WiFi Access Point, Multiple SSID support |
| Wireless Security | 802.1x authentication, WPA, WPA2, WPA/WEP mixed mode, TKIP Encryption, MAC Filtering, WPS, Web authentication |
| Signaling Protocols | SIP over TCP/UDP – RFC 3261 Interoperability with leading Softswitches Up to 4 individual SIP accounts with 4 concurrent calls MGCP (upon request)* |
| Media Processing | Voice Codecs G.711μ/a-law, G.729A/B, G.723.1, G.722 (for HD VoIP) Analog Signaling Caller ID (Bellcore, ETSI, DTMF), MWI DTMF detection and generation, in-band and out-of-band Customized tones generation T.38 Fax Relay, VBD (Voice Band Data), Bypass High definition fax over HTTPS for enhanced reliability and security |
| DECT | GAP and CAT-iq 1.0 certified (MP-252-WDNB) Software upgradability to comply with future CAT-iq versions Up to 6 registered DECT handsets An optional DECT handset design |
| Home PBX | Up to 4 lines/telephone numbers with flexible assignment to DECT extensions Call Waiting, Call Hold, Call Transfer, Call Forward, Hot Line, 3-Way Conference with local mixing, Network 3-Way Conference, Do Not Disturb, Flexible dialing plan |
| Mobile@Home | Mobile phone connection via Bluetooth Address book sharing Use of DECT handset to receive/make mobile calls at home |
| File Server | Support for USB 1.1/2.0 NTFS/FAT32 storage devices Windows networking and file sharing, WINS server |
| Print Server | Support for USB 1.1/2.0 printers LPD, Microsoft Printer-sharing Protocol (CIFS), Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) Printer administration, management, and diagnostics via simple web-based interface |
| Media Server (optional) | UPnP AV Media Server (1.0, 2.0) for streaming audio/video content anywhere in the local network |
| Auto Provisioning | Automated firmware and configuration upgrade via HTTP/HTTPS/TFTP/FTP |
| Administration and Diagnostics | Internal Web Server for Configuration and Management TR-069, TR-104, TR-111 Integrated SNMP agent CLI over Telnet Advanced debugging and diagnostics tools Embedded BroadSoft PacketSmart agent for QoE lifecycle management |
| Weight and Dimensions | 170x225x35 mm, 300g |
| Power | Power +12 VDC, 2.5A External Power Adaptor, 100-240 VAC/50-60 Hz |
| Battery Backup | Optional battery backup for up to 4 hours idle/30 min. talk time (FXS) |
| Temperature Range | Operating Temperature 0° to 45°C, Storage Temperature -25° to 80°C |
