Grandstream GRP2601L Essential Lite IP Phone, 2 Lines, WireGuard VPN

Overview

A home worker’s desk phone usually needs a virtual private network (VPN) router between it and the office phone system. The Grandstream GRP2601L builds the VPN in: it is a two-line desk phone from the GRP2600 Essential Lite range with a WireGuard client and GS-FEC packet-loss protection, so it reaches the office phone system over an encrypted tunnel on an ordinary broadband line. It has the same shape and screen as the GRP2601, two 10/100 Mbps ports and an adapter in the box.

Is it right for you?

• Suits remote and home workers who need a secure link to the office phone system without extra hardware.
• Suits high-volume roll-outs by service providers and IT teams, with Grandstream Device Management System (GDMS) cloud provisioning and a software development kit for integrators.
• Suits unstable broadband links, where GS-FEC helps calls survive packet loss.
• Choose the GRP2601LP instead if the desk has a Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch port, or the GRP2601LW if it has no network point and must use Wi-Fi.

Key features

• 2 lines and 2 Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) accounts, so one desk can handle two calls or two numbers.
• 2.41 inch monochrome screen (132 x 48) with 4 programmable softkeys, so the menus are simple to follow.
• One 10/100 Mbps network port and one 10/100 Mbps PC port, so a computer can share the desk’s network cable through the phone.
• 5-way audio conferencing with Opus and G.722 wideband codecs, so a small group can join one call from the phone.
• Built-in WireGuard VPN client, so a home worker’s phone reaches the office phone system over an encrypted tunnel without a separate VPN router.
• GS-FEC forward error correction, designed to keep speech intelligible through up to 70% packet loss on a poor broadband link.
• Multicast paging, shared line appearance and a 500-entry phonebook.
• Zero-touch cloud provisioning through GDMS, with secure boot and SRTP call encryption.

What else you need

• A SIP account for each line, from a phone system (IP PBX) in your building or in the cloud, or from a hosted voice over IP (VoIP) provider. The phone registers to any of them over standard SIP, and works with BroadSoft, Metaswitch, Kandy, 3CX, Zoom, NetSapiens, RingCentral, Asterisk, FreeSWITCH and OpenSIPS platforms.
• A mains socket at the desk for the 5 V DC, 0.6 A adapter that comes with the phone.
• A network cable to the desk: this model has no Wi-Fi.
• Only if you want the phone on a wall, the GRP_WM_A wall mount bracket, sold separately.
• Only if you want a wired headset, one with an RJ9 plug; electronic hook switch (EHS) control works with Plantronics, Jabra and Sennheiser headsets.

Installation

A desk phone is a plug-in job that an office IT person or phone installer can do: fit the handset cord, connect the network cable and the power adapter, then enter the SIP account details in the phone’s web interface. For a roll-out of many phones, an installer can push the settings through GDMS or TR-069 instead.

The supplied desk stand holds the phone at a single 45 degree angle.

For wall use, fit the GRP_WM_A bracket. Screws and wall anchors are not included with the bracket, so match them to your wall. Reverse the hookswitch tab under the handset rest so the handset stays put when the phone is upright.

Software and licences

GDMS cloud provisioning and TR-069 let an installer or IT team configure, monitor and update phones centrally, and the web interface covers a single phone. The GS EXT smartphone app can act as a virtual expansion module, adding programmable keys on a phone screen.

Before you buy

• The GRP_WM_A wall mount bracket is sold separately and comes without screws or wall anchors.
• It is made for indoor desks, with an operating range of 0 to 40 °C.