Whirlpool

After Googling around and find nothing about this ATA, I decided to take the plunge and buy one to replace an SPA-2000 connected locally to an Asterisk box.

It has 2 FXS ports and and features a router with a WAN port (something that the SPA-2000 doesn't have).

One design feature that I hated with the SPA-2000 was the FXS and ethernet/power ports were on different sides. With the 2102, all ports are on the same side.

Setup was a bit confusing as there were 2 RJ45 ports named "Internet" and "Ethernet". I plugged the cable into the "Ethernet" port, but it simply refused to register with the Asterisk server. Anyway, the moral of the story was you have to enable bridge mode in the router section and connect the cable to the "Internet" port. You can then set a static ip or set the unit to acquire a DHCP address from an existing router/DHCP server.

Whilst I haven't used the router, the settings looked pretty simple and features lacking compared to other routers.

The voice settings are pretty much exactly the same as the SPA-2000, so it was easy to copy and paste the dial plans etc over to the 2102.

When I plugged my phone in, I was pleasantly surprised that the voice quality was excellent - no background "hissing" noise whatsoever - a problem that plagued the SPA-2000. In addition, the 2102 uses a 100mb full duplex (i think) network connection, as opposed to the 10mb half duplex connection of the SPA-2000.

Overall, I'd say if you are looking for an ATA with 2 FXS ports, buy this one. For about $120 (including shipping), the voice quality and features are excellent.

M Bison, how is the unit going? Still all good?

Anyone else bought this model or the SPA-2100?

Any reason you went this modem over the cheaper PAP2?
DrE

Actually, the 2102 is the replacement for the 2100. It has the same functionality as the 2100, only it comes in the smaller form factor, which I prefer. All the physical connections are on the rear panel, and the LEDs are on the front.

Something weird that I noticed on my 2102, is that the LEDs for "Line 1" and "Line 2" are reversed. The FXS ports on the rear panel are correct, however.

The port named "Internet" is the port "facing" the Internet, or WAN side. Naming the ports WAN and LAN may have made it simpler for some (those who understand those terms, that is). So I don't have a problem with the "Internet" label, but I agree the other port simply named "Ethernet" has to be deduced.

I quite like the 2102. I had the 2100 before it, and had it lock up on me several times until it simply failed altogether. At that point, it even refused to accept new firmware, and essentially just became a brick. I've had the 2102 for only two months, but it has been totally reliable.

YMMV

still going strong after 2 weeks.

AbNormal writes...

Something weird that I noticed on my 2102, is that the LEDs for "Line 1" and "Line 2" are reversed.

Just got my 2102 today and the same thing with the LED and rear port naming. Just a silly mistake from Linksys. Luckily not a costly one!

AbNormal writes...

The FXS ports on the rear panel are correct, however.
So you have matched up the ports with the lines in the web utility?

Although, at the end of 12 months you could return it and say its faulty? and they couldnt argue could they!

Now time for dial plans etc etc

If you don't use the router function in it, why not buy PAP2V2?

Benny writes...

If you don't use the router function in it, why not buy PAP2V2?

it was only $10 more and i want to run all my internet traffic though it (which you cant do with the PAP2) and hence utilise QoS if needed.

At this very moment i have it set up like a PAP2 ie connected after the router. Just to get things moving along, but once i have a couple of hurdles sorted i will be moving it between the modem and the wireless router.

If you don't use the router function in it, why not buy PAP2V2?

Two reasons... First, the incremental cost is minimal, and it makes the device more versatile should you check into a hotel that has (wired) internet access in your room, say. Not only can you get your phone service up and running, you still have the extra LAN port to connect up your PC. Otherwise, it would be one or the other.

Second, the default web access is via the LAN (Ethernet) port. This makes the Internet (WAN) side more stealthy, and "anyone" connected on this side could not get into your SPA device and play with it. You CAN open the WAN side for remote admin if you want, but by default access is unavailable.

Devices without the built-in router have no other way to configure their device EXCEPT via the single exposed port, making it somewhat more vulnerable.

Just my two cents...

Can the SPA2102 let you use different providers via the dial plans?
line 1
ie, local calls using carrier 'a' AND international calls using carrier 'b'?

I've had some issues with the spa-2102. I find it tends to reboot itself quite often. I've noticed it does this while I'm passing lots of traffic like bittorrents. Anybody else run into this problem?

Also ping time are crazy high while torrenting and having a conversation on the phone. If you disable QoS it fixes the problem.

abrunet writes...

like bittorrents
This unit is only a lite usage router so i'm not surprised BT causes problems, you would be best to set it to bridge mode so it's just an ATA and use another more powerful router with QoS.

Or exchange it for a Linksys WRT54GP2 all in one.