Customer Reviews

Cisco-Linksys BEFN2PS4 EtherFast Cable/DSL Voice Router

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've got 2 10baseT computers on a separate hub, connected to the Uplink port of the Linksys, then 1 100baseT laptop and a 10baseT desktop connected directly to the Linksys. The Linksys is connected to the cable modem, and all 4 computers have high speed internet access. I also have a telephone connected to the Linksys, which gives me cheap net2phone calls over the internet, with no computer involved. Everything works great, but to get net2phone to work I had to set the Linksys to use the static IP the cable company gave me to connect to the internet, rather than allowing the cable company to randomly assign the Linksys an IP with DHCP. But all my computers on the network are randomly assigned IPs by the Linksys, since the Linksys is also a DHCP server.

This is a good router for a small business/office LAN since it is also a switch - even make things better. The interface via web browser is easy to use, however, it would be nicer if Linksys provided a telnet console option to the router. THe VoIP feature is great, I use it almost daily for my long distance calling in the US. I wouldn't recommend using it to call internation though, it's not Linksys's fault but Net2Phone's fault. THe international voice quality is noticeable lower than that of a regular phone or phone card. So if you do a lot of int'l calling, the VoIP feature with Net2phone will not please you. Otherwise, it is a great choice.

I bought this plugged it in to my network then plugged a cordless phone in and started making phone calls. The rate of 3.9 cents a minute was much cheaper than my other second line and its about the same quality so I canceled my second phone line. I guess this is where voice over IP is going. Works just like a regular phone... that's the way it should be...

The Linksys router did not have an account number or pin number in the box for the Net2phone service. Both Linksys and Net2phone blew me off after hours of phone holding, computer answered e-mails, and phone conversations. Both companies do not care to support this product, so save yourself some grief and time and stay away from it.

I've an iCafe with less than 10 PC's, I used to make calls using a PCI card from other manufacturer and ecerytime a phone call was made and a client was using this PC, the computer used to fail. Therefore I always tried not to use this computer for normal internet but only for calls (8PCs - 1=7pcs for my business).

Besides, my ISP gave me 1 IP address. so I was doing NAT using a linux server. Linux is quite good but customers dislike to sit in linux machines (it's somehow different after all), therefore I was working with only 6 PC in my iCafe.

Now with the linksys router-phone, I've again 8 pcs and the quality of the calls are quite good. Just a few drawbacks:
1- The router doesn't offer cache, therefore I'm not saving bandwidth in this way.
2- No echo cancellation, and in fact no means to control the quality of your calls (volume of the speaker, mic, etc) as well as the usual problems from net2phone's bundle hardware: No way to know exactly how long the call lasted.
3- Sometimes I can hear no dialtone.. or calls simply doesn't get along... you've to switch off and on the router in order to get the call feature back working.
4- I got no net2phone account so now I've to pay local resellers for my phone cards. Linksys nor net2phone knows how to recover my account, or give me a new one.

Not too happy. It turns out that my unit was returned by a previous customer, who had already activated the account. This has caused untold confusion, and guess what, customer service are completely incapable of solving this rather extraordinary set of circumstances. Ended up with some other customer running up bills on my credit card!

Why can't Net2Phone and LinkSys build some decent echo cancellers? Neither the network side, nor the CPE side has decent echo cancellation. Not acceptable.

The only thing keeping me from giving this product 5 stars is its non-existant Macintosh support. Linksys could invest maybe another *day* of someone's time and support Macintosh computers with this product. Since I'm multiplatform, I was able to configure it using a PC...

If you want to use MAC address spoofing to have the Linksys present a particular MAC address to the cable company, you will need to do a firmware update to add the feature. This was not a big deal, but it is an extra step.

The Net2Phone feature works as advertised and seems to be of reasonably high audio quality. It's sort of like being on a cordless instead of a wired phone. Hook a cordless to it and have twice the fun!

I bought this Linksys voice router last year so I could make cheap long-distance calls. This is an excellent router. I use it to interconnect 3 of my PC's on my LAN. Phone capability is good but don't dump your phone line just yet.

I'll focus my review on the Net2Phone technology of this router.

Pros: You get $0.04/minute rate anywhere in the US with similar rates to other countries (check http://linksys.net2phone.com for more information). I bought this router from Amazon, I hooked it up to my LAN, connected my phone, entered my credit card info with Net2phone and started making calls right away. Sound quality is generally good (reminds me of a typical cellular phone) but it doesn't compare to a landline on a corded phone. The unit works best with a corded phone and speakerphone. It's also compatible with a cordless phone, but there's more hiss. Also, unlike those 10-10 numbers, you don't have to pay a "connection fee" for each call.

Cons: I wouldn't recommend you dump your landline. Keep your cellular phone at the very least. First of all, Net2phone service has been shaky. In recent months, there have been a few outtages where I couldn't call parts of Eastern Europe at all. Second, you must have a fast Internet connection for this to work (DSL or Cable). In addition, you won't have a direct Net2Phone line that you could call home. There might be an 800 number that'll have your extension, but I haven't looked into it. Also, VoIP technology (voice-over-IP) won't allow you to make data calls (fax, ISP, etc.).

Overall: 4 stars out of 5. Excellent Linksys router. I deducted one start for no incoming calls capability and shaky Net2Phone service.

Easy to install, fairly fool-proof and reliable for those wanting a router with voice through capabilities. Net2Phone is more problematic, taking several calls and complaints to get them to fix the account...finally they did it. Phone works flawlessly (no echo)as does the router. I am very happy with the item.