Engin Voice Box Overview
The Engin Voice Box 1 and the Engin Voice Box 2 are rebadged Sipura ATAs. The Voice Box 1 is a Sipura SPA-2000 and the Voice Box 2 is a Sipura SPA-3000. Engin lock the ATA so that you can’t change the configuration of the device. This is good for people that are not technically minded because you can’t muck anything up.
This section contains information about using a locked version of these hardware devices. If you have an unlocked version you should refer to the section SPA-2000 or SPA-3000.
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| Engin Voicebox 1 | Engin Voicebox 2 |
If you are not sure which of these devices you should purchase, then refer to the purchase advice section on the home page.
Changing Settings on a Locked Engin Voice Box
Original source from voixx on www.whirpool.net.au.
When you purchase an Engin Voice Box, it is locked by Engin so that you cannot get into the configuration settings through a browser. You can however still make changes to the settings by using the configuration menu accessable from the telephone dial pad.
This proceedure applies to the Engin Voice Box 1 (SPA-2000) and Engin Voice Box 2 (SPA-3000). You must unplug the PSTN line from the Engin Box before starting and then replug when finished.
Static IP Address
1. Pick up the phone Dial 4 Stars. The Voice will say “Sipura Configuation Menu …” Click here to listen
2. Hit 100# This checks to see what the DHCP status is. If disabled then you already have a Static IP Address. If DHCP is enabled then proceed as follows:
3. 110# – write down the IP (call it a.b.c.d)
4. 120# – write down the network subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0)
5. 130# – write down the gateway (call it e.f.g.h)
Now you know the DHCP allocated IP address, subnet mask and gateway. The next step is to change the IP address to a static address. The subnet mask and the gateway will stay the same.
6. 101# 0 # then 1 to save (this turns off the DHCP)
7. Hang up.
Next we will set the new IP address. You need to select an IP address that will work effectively with your router and each router is different. Some routers require you to allocate a range for the router DHCP ie from 192.168.1.10 thru 192.168.1.50, and then allocate static ip addresses outside this range. Other routers simply allow you to reserve a particular ip address within the DHCP range for the static device.
So depending on your router, select an ip address. In this example we will select 192.168.1.152
8. Pick up Dial 4 Stars and hit 111# 192*168*1*152 # then 1 to save
9. Hang up.
Next we will set the new subnet mask
10. Pick up Dial 4 Stars and enter 121# 255*255*255*0 # then 1 to save (this is assuming the previous subnet was 255.255.255.0)
11. Hang up
12. Pick up Dial 4 Stars and enter 131# e * f * g * h # then 1 to save (e,f,g,h were the settings you wrote down in step 5)
13. Hang up.
ALL DONE
To check that everything worked OK.
14. pick up Dial 4 Stars and enter 110# – shows new IP address
15. 120# – shows new subnet (same as old 255.255.255.0)
16. 130# – shows new static gateway (same as old)
Unlocking your Engin Voice Box
BEFORE you use it for the first time
Engin Voice Boxes actually come unlocked from Engin. The first time you connect the box to the internet and register it for use with Engin, a configuration file is sent to the box from Engin. This configuration file is what ‘locks’ the box so you can’t change it. If you have purchased an Engin Voice Box and don’t want it to be locked, then you need to ring Engin BEFORE you plug it in and configure it. Tell them the type of box you have purchased and that you want to sign up as a VoIPer customer rather than an Engin customer. You will still be a customer of The Engin Broadband Phone company but they will treat you differently. Engin customers get telephone support and remote management of the ATA. VoIPer customers only get limited email support and no telephone support.
The advantage of unlocking it before you use it is that you wont have to pay a $33 fee to unlock it later. The downside is that it can be difficult to configure. It is possible to switch from a VoIPer to an Engin customer if you are having trouble configuring the setup. To the best of my knowledge, there is no charge to switch from VoIPer to Engin.
After you have been using it for a while
In March 2006, Engin commenced charging $33 to unlock your voicebox, although they should do it for nothing provided you are willing to wait until the end of your billing cycle. If you want to do this, send them an email and request the change a couple of weeks before your bill is due. Send your email to feedback@engin.com.au and request that you be placed on the VoIPER plan. You must provide the following details:
Your full name
Acct Number
Engin Phone #
Password
Date of Birth.
If you want to keep your current phone number, you must specifically request that you want to keep it when sending the email. They will wait until the end of your billing cycle then unlock the box. When they have done this, it will stop working and they wont advise you. Refer to the details in the Service Providers\VoIPER section for how to get it running again under the VoIPER network. Back to Top
