Newbie mistake: phone adaptor, cable modem, but no router

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 25, 2007 Posts: 3

Hi, I am a new Vonage customer who didn't do enough homework before subscribing, so now I need help...

Today I bought a Linksys PAP2 Phone adaptor and then subscribed to Vonage with it. What I didn't realize was that if I want to make calls with Vonage, I have to disconnect the modem from my computer to connect it to the phone adaptor, because both adaptor and modem have only one ethernet port. My understanding is that the only way to solve this is by getting a router.
1- What exactly is the purpose of a router? why aren't all modems routers, or all phone adaptors routers?
2- My cable connection is provided by RoadRunner: would they be able to provide me with a new modem/router?
3- If I return my phone adaptor (to CircuitCity), where can I find a non wireless phone adaptor/router?
4- Any other suggestions?

Thank-you so much!

Posts: 14 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jun 05, 2006 Posts: 14

a router is used for intenret connection sharing, which you need to make your comp and pap2 work at same time.
time warner would probably not change your modem, unless it is defective.
best advise i can give is if you really want to return your Vonage device,why not just get a motorola vt2142 as replacement.vt2142 has built in router, in that way you can use comp and phone at same time.hope this helps.

Posts: 1179 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1179

to make your life easier, return the pap2 and ask Vonage to send you a router/phone adapter like the motorola one instead.

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

If you do return the PAP2 and if you've already used it with Vonage, please let the retailer know that. Otherwise they may re-sell it, and the buyer could have problems.

Posts: 226 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Oct 15, 2006 Posts: 226

other devices that you may choose from (they have built-in routers)
* motorola vt2142
*motorola vt2442
*linksys rt31p2
*linksys wrtp54g
*linksys rtp300
*linksys wrt54gp2
*d-link vwr

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 25, 2007 Posts: 3

After talking with three different Vonage customer service representatives this morning, they basically told me that they sell devices to customers who still have to create an account, and because I had created one already with the Linksys Pap2, I was to buy a phone adaptor with router from a retail store. Not being my "first" device, I would loose any right to rebates.
Once I had my new adaptor/router, I was to call them to install it on my existing number.

I have the feeling that this kind of issue gets you a different response according to who you speak to, and after reading your suggestions and other topics on this forum, I think I may just buy a router (I was thinking of the Linksys WRT54G which has good reviews).

Any more suggestions are more than welcome.

Thank-you!

Posts: 217 · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:04 pm Post subject:

I think your easiest solution is to simply get a router. You can buy a cheap Linksys 4 port router for very little. Get that, plug in your PAP2 and your computer and you're done!

Skelp wrote:

After talking with three different Vonage customer service representatives this morning, they basically told me that they sell devices to customers who still have to create an account, and because I had created one already with the Linksys Pap2, I was to buy a phone adaptor with router from a retail store. Not being my "first" device, I would loose any right to rebates.
Once I had my new adaptor/router, I was to call them to install it on my existing number.

I have the feeling that this kind of issue gets you a different response according to who you speak to, and after reading your suggestions and other topics on this forum, I think I may just buy a router (I was thinking of the Linksys WRT54G which has good reviews).

Any more suggestions are more than welcome.

Thank-you!

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

Skelp wrote:

I have the feeling that this kind of issue gets you a different response according to who you speak to, and after reading your suggestions and other topics on this forum, I think I may just buy a router (I was thinking of the Linksys WRT54G which has good reviews).

Sounds like an excellent plan to me.

Posts: 1327 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1327

You already have the Vonage device, just buy a router, not sure if you require a wireless one or not. I am using the Linksys WRT54G and I have no problems using it with the Motorola Vonage device.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 25, 2007 Posts: 3

I did it! bought the Linksys WRT54G router, and installed everything with no problems (very user friendly).

So now I have Vonage, which has been working fine (and they say that within only 4 business days from my activation, they will complete the number transfer... wow), and a wireless connection for my laptop and printer.

I probably could have had less devices and wires had I done my homework properly, but it's all working fine!

Thank-you very much for all of your help/advice!