Broadband Analog Telephone Adapters (ATA)

As the name implies, Analog Telephone Adapters are devices which convert the analog signals generated by your conventional telephone into digital 'data packet' signals that can be carried via the Internet. Conversely, they also translate the digital signals received by your Internet Connection into Analog signals that you hear through your conventional Telephone Handset.

The primary advantage of these devices is that they enable you to use your existing analog telephones to make cheap VoIP calls (this includes 'cordless as well as 'corded' models).

Analog Telephone Adapters come in a variety of models and interfaces. The majority of these devices are aimed at high-speed Internet Users insofar as they usually incorporate a Network or 'Ethernet' (RJ45) input and a conventional (RJ11) telephone jack output (into which you'd plug your conventional phone). The beauty of this design is that your computer doesn't need to be switched 'on' in order to make and receive calls.

USB Phones

USB Phones are quickly becoming the most popular VoIP device for PC to Phone users. Low cost and ease of use combined with the familiar layout of a conventional telephone handset contributes to the USB phones' popularity.

USB phones are quite simple. They are essentially an integrated speaker, microphone and keypad which interfaces with your computer via a vacant USB port. USB VoIP phones typically resemble their conventional telephone handset counterparts and function in much the same way.

The main drawback associated with USB VoIP phones is that your computer needs to be turned 'on' in order for the USB handset to function. Whilst this generally won't be a problem for the majority of 'high-speed' Internet users (i.e., users with 'always-on' Internet connections), for those of us on 'dial-up' Internet connections, this may prove more than a 'little' annoying.

Another drawback associated with USB VoIP Phones is that not all PC to Phone Service Providers support their use. Check with your vendor and/or PC to Phone Service Provider to ensure that your USB Phone is supported.

USB Phones typically start at around $25 USD and increase depending on the model and manufacturer. Expect to pay a little more for a USB VoIP Phone that incorporates an LED or LCD display.

PAP2 Factory Reset

WARNING! If you're using an unlocked PAP2 previously supplied by Vonage, your adapter will revert back to the settings from the factory after resetting and will immediately attempt to 'phone home', re-provisioning itself from Vonage! If you'd like to reset your PAP2 then re-unlock it, make sure that you disconnect it from the Internet prior to performing a factory reset!

Resetting your PAP2 to its factory default settings (often referred to as a 'hard reset') is done via the built-in IVR (Interactive Voice Response) menu. To access the IVR, simply pick up a telephone that is connected to the PAP2 and dial:

* * * *

(yep, 4 stars) This will activate the IVR 'Configuration Menu' (you'll hear a voice tell you this) after which point, simply press the following sequence of keys to 'factory reset' your PAP2:

7 3 7 3 8 #

Funnily enough, the above key sequence spells 'R E S E T', followed by a #. You'll be asked to confirm your selection - simply press 1 to continue. That's it.

PAP2 Speed Dial
The PAP2 has provision for 8 'speed dial' numbers or SIP addresses. In the PAP2s web-based administration pages, they're numbered 2 thru 9 (with number 1 seemingly inaccessible - hence 8 'useful' memory slots). The speed dial settings can be programmed either via a telephone connected to the PAP2 (IVR), or via the PAP2 web-based administration pages.

Method 1 (IVR): Programming the speed dial via a PAP2-connected telephone
Step 1: The Linksys PAP2 has provision for two telephone lines and each line can hold up to 8 speed dial numbers. To program a speed dial on line one, pick up a phone connected to line one and dial *74. You should immediately hear a steady tone at which point you should assign the speed dial memory number (i.e., any number between 2 and 9 inclusive). After assigning the memory number, you should immediately hear the same steady tone and at this point, enter the full telephone number that you'd like to program (area code and number). I should mention that the way in which you program your speed dial number will vary depending on your dial plan. As a general rule, if you're dial plan allows for standard North American dialing, simply dial 1 followed by the area code and number. If you're programming an international number, dial 011 then the country code, area code and number.

For example, to program (416)555-1212 into speed dial slot number 2 on line one, do the following:

1.Pick up line one and dial *74
2.You should immediately hear a steady tone at which point, press 2 (the memory slot into which we want to program our speed dial number)
3.dial 14165551212
4.That's it!
Step 2: To dial the speed dial number that you programmed in step 1, simply press the single digit memory slot assigned to that number, followed by the # key. For example, to dial the example number from step one (416-555-1212), dial 2# (the memory slot assigned to that number, followed by the # button)

Method 2 (web admin): Programming the Speed Dial via the PAP2 built-in web administration pages
Speed dial numbers can be assigned using the built-in web server function of the PAP2. To access this feature, you'll need to log-in to your PAP2 as either a 'User' or 'Administrator' and navigate to the 'Advanced View' of either the 'User 1' or User 2' page (User 1 represents speed dial settings for line 1 while User 2 represents speed dial settings for Line 2). Once in the appropriate page, you'll see the 8 speed dial memory slots to the right of the 'Speed Dial Settings' tab. Simply type the full number that you'd like to assign to each slot (appropriate to your dial plan) and click the 'save settings' button at the bottom of the page. Once saved, your speed dial numbers can be accessed in the same fashion as those assigned in Method 1. Simply press the memory slot to which you assigned your number, followed by the # key. SIP Dialing can be accomplished by typing the SIP address of the person to whom you'd like to call in one of the Speed dial memory slots in lieu of a conventional number. Note: In order for SIP dialing to work, your VoIP Service Provider(s) needs to support this feature.