best phone adapter? (recommendations)

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 23, 2007 Posts: 2

My phone adapter got hit by lightning and I need to buy a new one.

I had a RT31P2 by Linksys

Are there any to steer away from?

Are any of the newer ones better than my old Linksys?

Wireless would be nice but is not mandatory. I have a Netgear wireless router I have been putting behind the phone adapter

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 2:29 pm Post subject:

Normally, I'd say something like a PAP2 (the cheapest and simplest of all of them, since you'll probably have to pay for it yourself) and put it behind your router. Unfortunately, I've heard VERY mixed results with putting Voip gear behind NetGear routers, and the PAP2 lacks a passthrough port.

Even so, the PAP2 may be worth a try, especially if you buy it retail and can exchange it for something with a passthru if things don't work out.

You can also call the Vonage cancellation department and see if you can sweet-talk them out of a replacement (used) RT31P2 or equivalent - can't hurt to ask....

Given the cost of a Vonage-enabled router or device with a passthrough, if the NetGear doesn't work out with the PAP2, you may be better off (money-wise) replacing the NetGear rather than getting a Vonage all-in-one.

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

The D-Link VTAs have also been getting good review is you want to keep the Netgear. If you want a configuration similar to what you've had, the Motorola VT2442 has been doing a good job for me.

Posts: 881 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 881

If you would like a wireless adapter, I would "conditionally" recommend the Motorola VT2542. I say "conditionally" because, if you experience a power outage or have to reboot the device, any settings, including security that you set up on the device will be loss and you will have to reconfigure your settings. This issue is due primarily to a firmware update that was recently released. A new firmware update to correct this issue is reportedly due to be released in the very near future. As for a Voip device, the Motorola VT2542 is an excellent phone adapter.

Posts: 187 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Feb 14, 2007 Posts: 187

What's a "passthru"?

Mark

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 7:59 am Post subject:

RE: Passthru

Some Vonage devices have two Ethernet ports, one to hook to the Internet and another to hook to a single computer. The Vonage device acts as a low-end router with one client.

Posts: 187 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Feb 14, 2007 Posts: 187

Sounds like the first NAT router I ever used - I think it was a Linksys BEFSR11.

You could connect a switch to the LAN port to support more clients. Same with the Vonage "passthru" devices?

Mark

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 8:48 am Post subject:

Not sure. To be honest, I've never actually used one (I have a WRTP54G, but I'm not even using that as a router any more).

Some "passthrough" devices similar to it will only hand out one IP address, meaning a switch would not work.