Linksys RT31P2 & PAP2 differences ?

Posts: 69 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jan 10, 2005 Posts: 69

What are the differences between Linksys RT31P2 and Linksys PAP2 phone adapter?

Which one is the better one?

I can get PAP2 for free (after rebates) from CompUSA.

TIA

Posts: 448 · Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 6:43 pm Post subject:

The short answer is, the RT31P2 is a broadband router/firewall plus phone gateway, while the PAP2 is just a phone gateway. Which one is "better" depends on your needs, but realize that with the RT31P2 you can choose to use it either at your border in place of your current router, or as a LAN device like the PAP2 (it's comfortable in either role).

If you don't care which, I'd say go with the one that is most cost effective. There have been a few posts complaining that rebates take far beyond the promised time to be processed (and some have yet to receive them), so that might be a factor in your decision. I know it was in mine. It cost me $13 more to order from Vonage rather than do the Retail/Rebate deal, but I was willing to spend $13 to avoid a $50 rebate headache.

Your mileage may vary.....

Posts: 646 · Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 8:54 pm Post subject:

I would prefer the RT31P2, myself.

The RT31P2 has QoS (Quality of Service) when you use it as a rotuer. That gives the outgoing voice packets priority over data from your computers.

If you're using the PAP2 without QoS, then file uploads from the computer can cause your outgoing voice to become very choppy and delayed. Also note that if you're using the PAP2, you still need a router to share the Internet connection.

Some routers have QoS built-in, so you can give a certain port high priority. If your router can do that, then the PAP2 would be fine.

Posts: 37 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Dec 29, 2004 Posts: 37

rebus wrote:

There have been a few posts complaining that rebates take far beyond the promised time to be processed (and some have yet to receive them), so that might be a factor in your decision. I know it was in mine. It cost me $13 more to order from Vonage rather than do the Retail/Rebate deal, but I was willing to spend $13 to avoid a $50 rebate headache.

Your mileage may vary.....

I purchased the Linksys PAP2 from Comp USA three weeks ago for $50. I just today received the $25 CompUSA gift card. The $50 rebate is not "supposed" to be issued until after 90 days of Vonage service. I think this is part of the confusion for some people, since most rebates would come within 6-8 weeks normally. But, I've read that some Vonage rebates get mailed out way before the 90 days are up. So, like you say, YMMV. I am just happy to get $25 back that fast. Twisted Evil

Posts: 69 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jan 10, 2005 Posts: 69

Thanks for the quick replies.

Quote:

The $50 rebate is not "supposed" to be issued until after 90 days of Vonage service

That was the main reason made me think twice.

I order the service from Vonage directly, though they charge $9.99 for shipping and handling for RT31P2. But Vonage said they would refund that money if I don't like the service within 14 days.

Quote:

The RT31P2 has QoS (Quality of Service) when you use it as a rotuer.

That means, I can dump my existing router Netgear MR814 v2 and use the RT31P2 as both broadband router/firewall plus phone gateway. Rolling Eyes

Posts: 37 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Dec 29, 2004 Posts: 37

sbmlat wrote:

That was the main reason made me think twice.

I order the service from Vonage directly, though they charge $9.99 for shipping and handling for RT31P2. But Vonage said they would refund that money if I don't like the service within 14 days.

I'm not trying to persuade you one way or the other. But, just to set the record straight, you can cancel withing the 14 days and return the device to your local retail store and have no out of pocket expense for shipping the unit back, as far as I understand it.

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 9:07 am Post subject:

and keep in mind that the 14 days starts when you order. so if it takes the device 5 days to get there (weekend, whatever) then you're down to 9 days right off the bat. Personally I ordered mine from Vonage, but there are pros and cons to everything. just being able to make an informed decision for yourself is half the battle.

Posts: 70 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jan 11, 2005 Posts: 70

paul248 wrote:

I would prefer the RT31P2, myself.

The RT31P2 has QoS (Quality of Service) when you use it as a rotuer. That gives the outgoing voice packets priority over data from your computers.

If you're using the PAP2 without QoS, then file uploads from the computer can cause your outgoing voice to become very choppy and delayed. Also note that if you're using the PAP2, you still need a router to share the Internet connection.

Some routers have QoS built-in, so you can give a certain port high priority. If your router can do that, then the PAP2 would be fine.

I don't want to use the adapter as my router. Both adapters offer QOS correct??

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 3:02 pm Post subject:

PAP2 does not offer QoS. It's not a router, therefore it can't.

Posts: 21 · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 3:09 pm Post subject:

It's my understanding that the PAP2 does not have QOS. The router you connect the PAP2 to does the QOS and should be set accordable. The RT31P2 has QOS for voice so it may be easier, IMO, (use the defaults) to setup for many users. You can always plug your own router into the RT31P2.