Linksys PAP2
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[edit] What is the PAP2?
The Linksys PAP2 is an Analog Telephony Adapter (commonly referred to as ATA), which allows for the connection of a “normal” telephone to a VoIP provider using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) protocol. The device is one of Linksys's first entries into the Consumer / SOHO Voice over IP devices market.
The device is based around a Sipura SPA-2000 ATA (packaged in a more aesthetically pleasing case, with multiple LED’s and slightly customised firmware), which did create some interesting responses from the industry, who were a little surprised that Linksys wasn’t using it’s parent company’s own technology (Cisco Systems are renowned for their enterprise class VoIP hardware).
The PAP2 is probably most commonly known for being included in retail bundles for popular VoIP services such as Vonage and AT&T’s offering. However, what a lot of people don’t realise is that the hardware is very often locked down to that specific provider (for example, if you buy a Vonage PAP2 [aka, the PAP2-UV] it is locked to using Vonage’s services only, and is not easily un-lockable yet).
An unlocked version of the device (which is directly comparable with the Sipura device), is available through certain online retailers. This is referred to as the PAP2-NA, and retails for around £40 GBP.
The units have 2 RJ11 sockets, which allows for two "lines" (each with their own unique SIP registrar / username etc, for truly separate configuration), however in the case of the locked units, the second line may be inaccessible, unless your provider specifically sets it up (i.e. if you had two Vonage lines).
[edit] Why is the PAP2 so cheap, when the Sipura device isn't?
One would imagine that the PAP2 has been designed specifically to fit into the "newbie" sector of the market, and as such it has been priced at a level that will attract consumers. More often or not, the units that are being sold as part of VoIP provider bundles are sold for much less than the unlocked (-NA) units. - This is comparable to subsidy pricing schemes used by Mobile Phone networks to entice you into upgrading to the latest models.
Another opinion on the matter would be that because Linksys are a significantly bigger company than Sipura (although, as of 30 July 2005, Sipura is now part of Cisco-Linksys) thus they could offer better discounts than Sipura could directly, due to their buying power.
[edit] Are the locked devices unlockable?
For a while, people were able to unlock the "locked" devices offered by providers such as Vonage, however since mid November 2005, a firmware update has been released which "corrects" some of loopholes being used to unlock the devices. In one particular instance, Vonage have actually withdrawn some of their PAP2's from UK retailers such as Comet Group Plc in order to replace them with units containing the newer firmware, so that there is little chance of them being unlocked.
[edit] What hardware drives the PAP2?
The PAP2 is powered by a ESS Visba 3 (ES3890F) chipset. It utilises a Realtek RTL8019AS 10BaseT Ethernet controller, which provides a 10 Mbit/s/ half duplex connection to a LAN.
[edit] Firmware
Getting firmware updates for the PAP2 has proved to be quite a controversial issue. Users who have units that are locked (i.e. the Vonage ones) automatically get their updates via TFTP from their provider’s servers. However, in the case of the unlocked (-NA) versions, there is no such provision in place (for obvious reasons).
This has lead to several users asking Linksys for firmware updates (i.e. to the new Version 3 firmware, which solves a lot of the problems in earlier releases), and being refused because they aren’t Linksys partners.
Thankfully however, the PAP2 Support group on Yahoo! (see below) does have copies of the firmware, and makes them freely available.
[edit] Useful Links
- Linksys Product Information - Information about the PAP2
- PAP2 Support Group - An unofficial support group for the PAP2 on Yahoo! Groups.
