UPDATE 1: Yes, TP-Link reads and reacts. The beta firmware from the end of March has led me, the fourth star to admit (as a leap of faith that they will be soon officially available without request or pre-installed) - changes in so far as known, see below.
UPDATE 1.1: No more beta: now officially available on the product website.
UPDATE 2: The original firmware by the way is based on OpenWRT Backfire, as far as I can see from the short flying over the file list from the GPL Code Center. But in particular were dnsmasq, sshd / dropbear and the package manager away, with the CUPS Also, a DDNS client or re-install similar left.
First the good points:
- Establishment without any problems via the web interface: tplinkmodem.net dialing the router via WLAN or LAN, [edit] or [/ edit] call 192.168.1.1 (default), enter the access data in the wizard, as it on the telecom document are, and the Internet connection is available. Speed is excellent.
- Establish the Internet telephony also problems. Although the numbers must be specified individually - the other manufacturers apparently seem to do automatically - but what the heck, you can not change the phone number so as underwear. Fits.
- Sign of the handsets to the DECT base station: also there's a wizard, by clicking, selecting the appropriate menu options in the handset, and the router is calling back to check. Prima.
- Range of WLAN and DECT: wonderful.
- Answering to a USB stick: untested, but looks good. Delivery of messages as MP3 e-mail might be nice, but hey - that can each VoIP provider also already, and sitting at the source / server.
- The software has many, many screws and functionalities. Firewall? Parental Control? Data rate control? Guest-Fi? VLAN tagging? IPv6? I won everything there, and yet so many more that I do not know even begin.
- [Edit] nonsense: No small drawback; because of only one USB port. Only the second on the side and not behind - eyes on before Rezensionsaufschrieb ... [/ edit]
However, various shortcomings of the software encounter (based on firmware version "0.8.0 12:11 v002f.0 Build 150206"):
- I use DECT / GAP standard handsets from Siemens Gigaset range, younger and older. The Gigaset A24 unfortunately indicates neither time nor reception strength - a gift. The Gigaset A415, however it works.
- Achieved with beta firmware: The router registers the phone numbers outside caller via CLIP (Calling Line Identification), as the call log shows the web interface. Unfortunately, these notified neither to the handsets are still forwarded to a connected directly wired telephone. Interestingly, however, the principle to be working, because at internal calls internal numbers are displayed ?!
- Achieved with beta firmware: The PBX is, how should I say, kept very simple. Too simple. (How) can transfer calls from one handset to the other? (Why) can during a call (not) to communicate to the outside the other two handsets - because there's only two channels? This was even the Eumex from the beginning of the millennium, which so far did their service better.
- And you could not make the internal telephone numbers configured by the user, instead of number the cable telephones digit and three-digit handsets?
- Announced for the firmware update: Unfortunately, only DynDNS and No-IP can be used as a DynDNS provider. I am certainly not a network specialist, but even I could program the support for other vendors who ans DynDNS protocol stick (read: almost all). Too bad, because almost all the other settings are much freer configurable! Even if it is done manually, the outside of the router, one must ensure that the traffic to geraet.meine-domain.tld not and then goes back only to the outside to the inside, but directly behind in the house.
- Another drawback: the print server. The VR200v expressly advertised as a Linux-compatible. What me in this case is so important, although not, but I translate as "standards-compliant, no special software vonnögen" in the spirit. Unfortunately, it is not without a TP-Link-own program (only for Win and Mac) appeal, which well simulates a USB port via LAN print server. And unfortunately I can not install on the Windows service laptop that need it most, because there is a latch pushed by the roll sensor. If it does a very simple TCP / IP (LPR) access is possible, I ask the support to appropriate information.
- This one may be due to quite my inadequate knowledge: Up to now I was on the computer in the network access not only by current IP, but also via DHCP hostname. This is not now - does anyone know if and how you can set up the? [Edit] partly confirmed, and passed on to the developer: The Windows name services seem to work for it, but the DNS server running on the router, which can not be successful. Unfortunately no configurable dnsmasq - see above 2. Update [/ edit]
- [Edit] Anything else's wish list: It would be very convenient if one of the Notification LEDs could be coupled to the voice mail and new messages will flash. Whether someone calls, you hear, hopefully, without LED - but to determine whether a call to the mailbox, you have obviously currently on suspicion call the router or boot up a PC and dial - technically perfect, but live far away. Unless at least on the handsets also news on the AB would appear. Technically possible - Siemens makes it before, but probably via a proprietary protocol - but still a second option would be desirable. [/ Edit]
- Finally: An SSH server would be handy, and if it's only for tunnels and not to configure ...
And then there's one more thing that surprises me: on the GPL-side TP-Link's for VR200v no downloads. There is a known router manufacturer to his happiness (sources of WRT54G publish) was forced. Since TP-Link seems mitzulesen yes: Power but so what - there are so many enthusiastic people who by their forces would be willing you lose weight work and help to a lot of publicity, and your hardware already enjoys (see DynDNS comment.) a good reputation. An open-source router with a functioning telephone and DECT support that would be something?
[Edit] I know Luftschlösser - probably there are firmware parts on which third parties have rights, and of course takes a lot more to a router software than "just" a Linux kernel. But about CyanogenMod or DD-WRT prove that even the moderately tech-savvy population quite appreciate the possibilities of open and extensible systems, and this affects also noticeably promotional. The less interested buy namely eh no "free" router, but take Speedport, EasyBox, or the provider-labeled FritzBox variant ... [/ edit]
Conclusion:
Currently AVM is probably with the current boxes Fritz still expected a tip of the nose. Who what looks simple, which is currently still better off there until the software "ripened" is. Especially the area telephony is definitely still too rudimentary.
I have nevertheless decided to use the TP-Link, because I've had good experiences with the manufacturer. In addition, so far most of its equipment was eventually supported by OpenWRT and similar projects; then belonged to the latest firmware problems of the past. For an all-in-one solution with DECT PBX I've got as quickly give no hope, but you should not anyway ...
