|
Linksys Analog Telephone Adapter Comparison
Linksys has several models of analog telephone adapters in
their product line. From the wildly popular "PAP2" to the lesser known SPA2102,
Linksys provides quality products with several FXS, FXO and Ethernet port
configurations. This article will review the different models, model number
changes and what the difference between a locked and an unlocked adapter is.
The part numbers reviewed here are as follows:
SPA1001
SPA2002
PAP2
PAP2T
SPA2100
SPA2102
SPA3000
SPA3102
What is an analog adpater?
An analog adapter also known as
an analog telephone adapter (ATA) is a small device that converts an analog
signal into digital signal. In this case it is an analog telephone signal into a
digital telephone signal (VoIP).
An analog adapter lets you use an analog telephone on a
VoIP network because it has one or more FXS ports that you plug an analog phone
into and one or more Ethernet ports that connect to a data network. Because VoIP
runs over a data network, the analog adapter connects (adapts) the analog signal
from an analog phone to VoIP which runs over the data network.
What is the difference between a locked and an unlocked adapter?
A locked adapter is an adapter where the software has been locked to a specific
service provider. If you buy locked adapter you can only use it with the service
provider that the software has been locked to. Vonage for instance locks the
Linksys PAP2 to their service, if you buy a PAP2 from Vonage it will be very
hard if not impossible to use it with a different provider.
An unlocked adapter is not locked to any service provider
and can be used with any provider that supports the adapter. This does not mean
that it will work with every provider, only that the adapter has not been locked
to a specific service provider. It is always a good idea to call a service
provider before signing up with them to see if they support the adapter you want
to use.
*Voiplink only sells unlocked adapters
How do I tell the difference between a locked and an unlocked adapter?
With Linksys this is pretty easy, on the packaging if the
model number above the barcode has an -NA then it is unlocked. As shown in the
picture below, there are several places on the packaging that show the model
number, but only the one above the barcode will have the "-NA" if it is unlocked.
This difference between locked and unlocked adapters has caused some of
confusion for people, hopefully this article clears it up. If you still have
more questions please contact a customer service representative at 866-987-8647.
What analog adapters does Linksys sell?
Linksys currently sells four different analog adapters and the main difference
between them is how many and what kind of ports they have.
Linksys SPA1001
The base model is the SPA1001, which includes a single FXS port for
connecting an analog telephone and a single Ethernet port for connecting to a
data network. Like all Linksys adapters, the SPA1001 uses the SIP protocol
and has all of the basic telephony features you would expect like call waiting,
caller ID, caller ID blocking, call transfer and more. For more information
please visit our SPA1001 product home page here.
Linksys SPA2002
The Linksys SPA2002 has been renamed by Linksys to the
�Linksys PAP2� see below for more information.
Linksys PAP2
The Linksys PAP2 (formerly SPA2002) is one step up from the SPA1001 in
that it has two FXS ports to connect analog phones to. So instead of connecting
one analog phone as with the SPA1001 you can connect two. The Linksys PAP2
has been revised to the Linksys PAP2T and most if not all PAP2�s shipped
will now be the PAP2T.
Like all Linksys adapters, the Linksys PAP2 uses the SIP protocol and has all
of the basic telephony features you would expect like call waiting, caller ID,
caller ID blocking, call transfer and more. For more information please visit
our Linksys PAP2 product home page here.
Linksys PAP2T
The Linksys PAP2T is the most recent revision of the
PAP2, it has twice as much memory as the PAP2 which makes the device very
stable and it also supports two G.729 concurrent calls. The PAP2T has the same
port configuration of the PAP2 and SPA2002 (two FXS ports and a single Ethernet
port).
Linksys SPA2100
The Linksys SPA2100 is similar to the Linksys PAP2, in that it has two FXS
ports for connecting two analog phones. But it also includes an extra Ethernet
port and a built in router. The two Ethernet ports - one for the internal
network (LAN) and one for the external network (WAN) allows you to put the
device on the edge of the network or section it off from other devices so they
do not interfere with telephone calls. This is handy if you have a lot of other
devices on your data network or you do not have a data network at all, because
the SPA2100 will create its own network or a sub network inside of your
existing network.
The SPA2100 does require more technical knowledge than
the previous adapters, but if you find you need its extra functionalities it
might be worth learning more about data networking.
The SPA2100 has been revised, the new model number is
the SPA2102. Most if not all SPA2100's shipped will now be the SPA2102.
Linksys SPA2102
The Linksys SPA2102 has the same port and router
configuration as the SPA2100 but it has more memory and the Ethernet ports
have been upgraded from 10Mbits to 100Mbits. This provides more bandwidth for
the device which is useful especially if other devices are using it as the
gateway. The router functionality of the SPA2102 is the same as the SPA2100, so
it provides the same benefits as the SPA2100 for separating or creating
networks.
Linksys SPA3000
The Linksys SPA3000 is a very popular model because it includes an FXS port and
an FXO port. The FXS port allows you to connect a standard analog telephone like
all the other adapters but the FXO port allows you to connect an incoming analog
telephone line to the adapter. This is useful if you want to have a fail over
connection incase something goes wrong with your internet connect or VoIP
provider. If something does happen, you will have a back up line that will use a
standard telephone connection to connect through.
The SPA3000 has been officially discontinued by Linksys,
but at the time of this writing (01-09-07) they can still be found in the
distribution channel. The replacement model of the SPA3000 is the SPA3102
(described below), orders for the SPA3000 may be shipped the SPA3000 or the
SPA3102.
Linksys SPA3102
The Linksys SPA3102 is the replacement model for the
SPA3000. The SPA3102 is similar to the SPA3000 except that it has a built in
router and extra memory for storage. It has one FXS port for connecting to
analog telephones, one FXO port for a failover analog connection, and two
Ethernet ports. The two Ethernet ports � one for the internal network (LAN) and
one for the external network (WAN) allows you to put the device on the edge of
the network or section it off from other devices so they do not interfere with
telephone calls. This is handy if you have a lot of other devices on your data
network or you do not have a data network at all, because the SPA3102 will
create its own network or a sub network inside of your existing network.
Conclusion
Since it's acquisition of Sipura in 2005, Linksys has
become a leader in the VoIP analog adapter market. Linksys has an impressive
model line up that covers just about every need for the residential / soho
buyer. It has released new products, upgraded existing products and added
features on a consistent and timely basis. Their adapters are well documented on
the Internet and most service providers support at least one model from Linksys.
What adapter is best for you depends on your application,
but it's a pretty sure bet that Linksys have a model that will fit your needs.
As always - talk to the service provider before signing up
to see if they support your adapter!
To browse the Linksys adapters Voiplink has to offer click
here:
Linksys Analog Telephone Adapters
Thomas Baxter
Voiplink.com
PS: Many thanks to the members over at the Voxilla.com
forums for helping clear up all of the many changes, revisions and upgrades to
the Linksys adapters.
|
