Linksys (RT31P2) Router

The Linksys RT31P2 router is a home and small office router that allows an Internet connection to be shared among multiple network devices/computers. There is one standard network connection for connecting to your WAN or Internet access point. There are three local network connections. It also provides two standard telephone ports that access Internet for their service via SIP and Voice over IP (VOIP). The approximate cost of the unit is $90 depending on where you purchase it and what telephone service provider you use. The unit implements a type of quality of service (QoS) where voice data is prioritized higher than regular network traffic. Comparable units include the PAP2 from Linksys, and the D-Link DVG-1402S, Grandstream 486, and Sipura 2000. I have also reviewed the D-Link unit.

Before you run out and plunk down your money you should think well ahead about what telephone company you want to commit to. There are several versions of this router available, and some of those versions are locked to specific VOIP providers. The most notable of these is Vonage. For this review I am referring to the RT31P2-NA model, purchased from a company called Inphonex.com. The NA model is not locked to any specific provider so you to choose freely who will provide your telephone service. Beware that most of the units for sale on eBay are locked to Vonage.

For the non technical reader and user, the RT31P2 acts as a type of "splitter". It goes between your home computers and your Internet connection. In the most basic of home networks you should be able to disconnect the home PC(s) from the Internet connection, connect the Linksys router in its place, and then reconnect the home PC(s) to the Linksys. Then setup your telephone service and connect your telephone to the Linksys unit. That's it. There is no need to install any special software on your computer. Any changes that are needed are handled via an Internet browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape. I used both and both worked fine.

For the technical network user …. The RT31P2 WAN connection supports DHCP, Static IP, RAS (modem access), PPTP and PPPoE. Depending on the Internet service you are using, one of these options is sure to work on your network. I tried Static IP, DHCP and PPPoE, and decided to use PPPoE with my ADSL modem. The Linksys router authenticates and connects to Internet over the DSL modem without any problems. The WAN side also supports RIP-1 and RIP-2 for dynamic routing but I left this disabled. The LAN ports are configurable to support to DHCP or static IP addresses. You can also set the network range of addresses the DHCP server will issue, as well as the static IP address used by the router. For those that are interested in NAT configurations, the router fully supports port forwarding. I was able to get several Internet applications working that do not play well behind NAT boxes.

The voice settings allow independent configuration for line 1 and line 2. You can enter a display name to identify each line, user ID, authentication user and password, and the SIP server. You may specify NAT traversal settings if necessary for your SIP provider. There are a host of caller ID and call waiting settings and your SIP provider will give you this information as appropriate. Each line has eight speed dial settings that can be set via the telephone or the web interface. The router supports voice quality settings (CODEC) including G.711u, G.711a, G726-40, G.726-32, G.726-24, G.726-16, G.723 and G.729. I have always been successful with using the best quality setting of G.711u. Your SIP provider may specify something else.

The front of the unit has green LED indicators for power, link for the LAN and WAN ports, and one LED for each telephone port. The WAN and LAN LEDs blink to indicate traffic. The phone LEDs light solid when the port successfully connects to the SIP provider, and blink when the line is in use.

In use I noticed no difference in throughput by having the router in between my PC and the DSL modem. Network lines always negotiate to 100Meg/Full duplex. The telephone section worked fine. I was able to program my frequently used numbers by dialing the memory location number, then *, and then the number. For instance I could dial 2*18005551212. Accessing speed dial is done by pressing the memory number and # button, like 2# or 7#. Voice quality was flawless on every call and the person I called never reported any problems hearing me. I left test messages on different voice mail systems and listened with a hard line phone. The quality of the sound was fine. I found the ability to use different SIP providers on each line especially useful. I was able to assign one line for domestic calls and one for international calls.

In conclusion, if you are fed up with paying outrageous taxes and phone bills for long distance, and you have some type of broadband Internet connection, this unit may be the perfect thing for you. It allows you to share your Internet connection with multiple PCs, and to have the voice traffic prioritized for the best telephone clarity. I recommend you shop around for VOIP/SIP providers. Some offer pay-as-you-go plans, the choice I prefer as most of my calls are international, not domestic. If you wish to use your Linksys router for incoming calls or you make mostly domestic calls you will find other plans that give you a dedicated telephone number and some amount of minutes per month. I would recommend looking at Inphonex.com, Broadvoice.com, Stanaphone.com, and netphone.click4.com. There are many many other vendors so look around.

The one drawback to this unit is the power supply. Linksys only supplies a power unit that accepts North American 110V 60Hz electric. If you plan to use the router in another country you will need to get an international power adaptor that can provide 12 VDC at 1000ma. There are several available on Internet but it would be nice if Linksys would provide a smaller switching type power unit that will work on most any input electricity. The only other gripe I have is the limited amount of information available from Linksys regarding the telephone features. For instance, you cannot find anything on their website or in the included documentation on how to program the speed dial.