Nathan,
I have mine working on a 7100 demo kit with the tutorial license turned on and only communicator running. Communicator doesnt need link to run if you are using basic UC mode for SMTi phones. When you set up Communicator be sure to configure the IP address of the phone that your communicator is looking for. The SMTi series of phones basically have a built in Link.
Let me know if you have any questions.
-Ross