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ASUS Integrates VOIP and PSTN Into Motherboards
yahyamf writes "ASUS recently announced that their TeleSky telecom adapter will now be included in two of their motherboards. The TeleSky converts an ordinary house phone into a multi-functional Skype phone. With one jack connected to the house phone and the other to the ground telephone line, the TeleSky can switch the house phone connection between the PSTN and VoIP networks. While it sounds interesting, how would this compare to the dedicated VOIP adapters available from SIPURA and others?"
I'm not trying to do the standard Slashdot post. I'm actually serious. Does anyone know if it works in Linux? The system requirements on the page state Windows, but that's rarely a good indicator. I would definitely plan to have one of these motherboards in my next PC if the adapter works in Linux.
They integrate a line interface in the mainboard, which is mostly a glorified connector to the soundcard. The telephone acts as a microphone and a speaker. That's it. The VOIP is all software.
So what's the situation here? Did Asus get licence for embedding skype technology in hardware? Or did they just learn how to use it?
To answer poster's question on comparison: the main advantage (IMO) to having PSTN access is fallback.
;)
I can think of some cases where long distance might be different, and you might want to use VoIP for some numbers and PSTN for others, but we just implemented a new PBX at my office with a feature wherein if our VoIP calls encounter a certain amount of packet loss, if they drop below a certain audio quality (not enough bandwidth available), or if we just plain old feel like it, we can switch our voice access from our T1 to our four old fashioned copper n' wire lines.
It provides security. Bosses like security.
ACs are modded -6. I don't read you, I don't mod you, I don't see you. Don't like it? Don't be a coward.
Good, I can manage all telemarketers through a single motherboard.
Really, I use a lot of onboard services on my little network system these days. A 500GB HDD for network storage, printer attached for printing across the network, I run my internet service through it and it does FTP and HTTP externally for my personal remote access to my network. Why not have it do VOIP telephony too? Sounds convenient enough, and none of my other resources on the system would draw overhead hardware-wise.
Would I recommend this kind of setup for a poweruser that likes to cut down on all background processes on their overclocked Windows gaming rig? Nah. But it's keen for those of us that like to have a main system for our use, and a small server that sits off in the basement running the little things.
So of course, the question of whether or not there's Linux drivers for it is very valid.
Sipura doesn't exist anymore. Its now part of Linksys.
www.atacomm.com - The Leader in VoIP Product Distributi
The problem is that it would certainly require your computer to be on. I'd rather have a router with a VOIP capability: no need to switch on the computer and no need for (presumably) Windows-only drivers.
This is why I buy Gigabyte motherboards.
Also WTF is a phone line? VoIP goes over the net (re: ethernet) not a POTS (otherwise what's the f'ing point?).
Why not integrate a PS3 into it while you're at it?
Tom
Someday, I'll have a real sig.
I'm sure there are many technical reasons why current motherboards aren't compatible with CPUs 7 or 8 generations old (I suspect a 33MHz 386 on a 1066MHz FSB might fry quite quickly) and trying to add compatibility would require so many obsolete and expensive components dedicated to the legacy processor that you'd barely be testing the real motherboard at all.
There are also good marketing reasons such as adding a built in "test if it works before I put it in a PC" diagnostic implies something of a lack of confidence in your product's reliability.
It's far more efficient to put in simple diagnostic components that output (as many do) an audible failure indication when the fully-built system is booted. I've had my share of duff motherboards and ranted and raved at the time wasted constructing and then dismantling a PC but I think a built-in test CPU is overkill.
And behold, a command prompt and he who sat upon it, his name was shutdown and -h 3:11 followed with him
Why on earth would someone prefer proprietary VoIP in a motherboard when one can have those cheap Sipuras/linksys 3000 with much more functionality, open standards backed from most VoIP leaders, no need for a computer nor to have a it 24/7/365 on, with little power requirements, fall back to PSTN when Internet fails, plus a tone options. It is really a no brainer.
In the long run Skype is doomed.
I was just talking to somebody the other day about the reliability of VOIP, cell phones, etc. in case of emergencies. I remember as a kid when Ma Bell was a monopoly here in the US. We rented our phones from them, couldn't hook up additional phones, answering machines, or any other "unauthorized" devices to our phone line. I also remember when deregulation began and suddenly we suddenly owned the phones that we had rented for so long, and got stickers from the phone company to stick on the bottom of the phones indicating that they were now ours and not theirs.
But I digress. One other thing I recall clearly is that even if there was a prolonged power failure, even one lasting multiple days, the telephones always worked. The power needed to run the entire telco system is provided from the phone company. Each central office has huge banks of lead-acid batteries and backup generators to provide electricity in the event of a power failure. You could pretty much guarantee that your phone would work for days while nothing else in your house did, a comforting thought if any emergencies arose.
Today, however, with the advent of voip, cell phones, etc. it seems like the promise of always-availble telephones is bound to disappear eventually. VOIP surely won't work if your cable modem or DSL router (or your ASUS motherboard) doesn't have any power. How will you recharge your cell phone during a power failure once you've drained its battery?
Don't get me wrong - I think all this new technology is great, but at what cost? Many people these days probably don't realize that hardwired land lines provide a reliability that all these modern gadgets can't in times of emergencies. I just wonder if the telcos will eventually give up on providing that reliability if they feel it's no longer providing a costly & desired service.
Have people forgotten what a modem is already?
I connected my phone to router (some sh**ty Speedtouch). It work like magic. I diverted all calls through router so they go over internet. They are free in most of Europe, States, Australia, and so on (voipcheap.com). Plus they're dirt cheap to use in South America (for my wife). ... + ....
:)
If I want to still use PSTN I just dial 9 + number... It works even without power, just SIP is disconnected and only PSTN works.
And most important: that router is also wireless and is dirt cheap. And it doesn't take any resources from motherboard. And has built in DynDNS client +
So my question is: What's the point of using Skype? Which in addition uses YOUR bandwidth to connect calls of other users!
That my 2 cents (sorry I'm in UK, 1 penny
"an experienced, industrious, ambitious, and often, quite often, picturesque liar" - Mark Twain
Their protocol is proprietary and their software is closed source. They refuse to release their code under the GPL or document their protocol so that people can develop open source clients. How this crap is permitted in 2006, I do not know, but I would never install their badware on my computer. (Not that I could, since it is not compatible with my operating system.)
Looks to me like it integrates full FXS and FXO interfaces on the motherboard as opposed to a "glorified sound card".
My POTS line is far from reliable.
Does anyone remember fried modems from storms? Here is your crispy motherboard.
Or use an ATA. In combination with a open source softswtcih (Freeswitch, Yate, OpenPBX.org, ...) you can do some amazing stuffs like FoIP (T.38 with OpenPBX.org), voicemail (to email), conference, forward to VoIP/mobile/PSTN, ....
Why are people sticking to a non-open protocol and non-free program is beyond me, there are so much open and free stuff that are much better.
Too late! They are already letting it rot, I know a Verizon tech who tells me so. They have completely cut their maintenance crews in his area of Maryland and only do repair work as needed. He has horror stories of trying to find free pairs for new lines too. They are betting the farm on FIOS and expecting to lease out the copper to 3rd parties who will have to pay for it's maintenance I guess. Honestly the end goal isn't clear but he bitches to me quite often about how much work it's making for him these days...
Build it, Drive it, Improve it! Hybridz.org
I had my last land line phone service in 2003. Even though I live in a metro area, its still more advantageous to have a cellular radio phone. I travel quite often, have family and friends on the same network, I cant see the point of a land line being relevant in todays society. Maybe when the Dial up Enternet was the only way to travel or perhaps Telco ADSL. Seems like incorporating this into a motherboard is only asking for the mobo to be antiquated at its onset. IMO!
Anyone who knows the name, is guilty just the same!
My TA supports ANY phone to be plugged in, and the AT&T Callvantage VoIP service supports, as long as you're willing to reserve bandwidth for it, Fax/Modem over VoIP. The TA is a small box, smaller than the cable modem, you plug it in, and it does what it does, brainlessly. I can't see how putting any of this function on a PC is a step up.
Does anyone know if it works in Linux?
And make sure you don't fall into the trap I did of accepting binary drivers for an Asus product. I bought an Asus Pundit-R for a MythTV box c. September 2005. It's a soup-to-nuts ATI solution, integrated graphics, chipset, ide controller, etc. ATI discontinued linux support for it as of June 2006 as "old hardware" and won't answer my mails about it. So, there's no driver that can run in modular Xorg and power the TV-out feature or do hardware 3D.
Looks like a Matrox G550 is the only way to go to get open source TV out, but if anybody has other ideas they're pretty pricey.
My God, it's Full of Source!
OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
during our power outage resulting from the ice storm last week. There's one in the home office, one in the kitchen at the other end of the house, one in the garage on the wall and one in the basement/storm shelter. Yes, I live in the Midwest.
Our phones have worked without a hitch through hits by two category 2 tornados and an ice storm. Thank goodness the phone lines are underground between us and the CO. Fortunately we do have a generator so that, although we were "off the grid" for about 15 hours, we weren't without power for long. I have absolutely no plans to do without POTS. I did miss my cable modem, but I still got my Internet/email/slashdot fix via dialup.
We were just having this conversation here at the office since one of the people had an almost discharged cell phone and no POTS at home when the ice storm hit. Her truck had 1/2 inch of ice all over it so it wasn't possible to get into it to charge the cell phone there. I suggested that she get one of those handcranked rechargable light/radio units with a lighter jack so a cell phone can be charged that way.
"Do the Right Thing. It will gratify some people and astound the rest." - Mark Twain
It seems like there is some confusion on what this feature can actually do. These motherboards let you connect your computer to your phone line so that you can make and receive Skype calls using any regular phone. All you have to do is plug your phone and your computer into the same phone network. You no longer have to use a headset or microphone like most people use when using Skype.
This kind of thing is very useful to people that make a lot of international calls but want the convenience of not being tethered to the computer. Making Skype calls can be annoying; in my case, it involves connecting a Bluetooth headset and loading the Skype software. Picking up the telephone is much easier, more comfortable and can be done without getting out of bed.
One great feature would be if the Skype functionality could work when the computer is powered off (but still plugged in). Before you flame me for being an idiot, let me tell you that I own an Asus motherboard that can play CDs with the power off. A very small part of the motherboard is always powered and supports some basic functionality. I don't know if the Skype stuff works with the power off and I wasn't able to find any manuals or specifications that explained this, so I would guess that the computer needs to be on.
... two category 2 tornados and an ice storm ...
Have you thought about moving to Australia?
"Cats like plain crisps"
We use analog adapters with fax machines at work. Yes it's weird but it works exactly like a normal fax and there is no degradation of quality in doing it.
Sometimes my arms bend back.