Problem with VT1005 and WRT54G

Posts: 13 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 06, 2006 Posts: 13

Here's my network setup: SB4200 cable modem (RoadRunner) into VT1005, then into Linksys WRT54G (Version 5... I know, I know. It was a Christmas present. I'm stuck with it for now.), then into my computer.

I was losing my internet connection downstream from the VT1005 intermittently (while the light stayed solid on the VT1005) so I tried to hook the WRT54G up first, then the VT1005 downstream (and my PC downstream, off another port). I set a static IP on my computer and the VT1005, and enabled QoS to give the VT1005 priority. This setup produced horrible results with my phone service-- no incoming calls, intermittent loss of connection on the VT1005, etc.

After doing extensive troubleshooting with a *great* Vonage guy this weekend, he says maybe there's something wrong with my VT1005, but he couldn't tell. He also said he couldn't send me a new ATA, since my VT1005 is out of warranty. Or rather, he could send me one, but I would be charged $99.95. I said, "Why would I pay that when I could just sign with another Voip and get a free box?" to which he said, "very good question."

As long as I keep the VT1005 first in the chain, things work ok. But I want to put my router first, for network performance/reliability. Have I missed something?

Posts: 168 · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:30 pm Post subject:

Here I go, sticking my neck out a bit but I have the same model router you have and I have no problems. Understanding wireless is not exactly my cup of tea, however my wife mentioned recently that she recently upgraded the firmware on ours.

Are you sure you have the latest firmware?. you can get it at Linksys web site.

Posts: 2257

Hmm. The WRT54G V5 isn't as good as the ones that came before it, but from what I understand it works pretty well as a consumer router. However, static IP and DHCP renewal issues did plague it in the earlier firmware releases, from what I've been told.

Click here for the Linksys site with the latest firmware.

Alternatively, if you want to "upgrade" it to an older version, call Linksys. At one point, they were doing free (for the cost of shipping) swaps of V5 units for V3 units, which are somewhat more tried-and-true and can take third party firmware to make them even better. I don't know if they are doing it any more, and I don't know whether it would solve your problem, but hey - it's a free phone call to ask.

Anyway... on to the problem.

Do you have any trouble with a computer connected (hardwired) downstream to the VT1005?

When the WRT54G is first in line... are you forwarding any ports to the VT1005? My understanding is that with most devices you don't have to, and the Vonage site doesn't refer to any port forward needs for the VTech devices. I'd take all port forwards out of the WRT54G if you have any, then hook it up with just a computer (Internet -> WRT54G -> Hardwired PC), and try the www.testyourvoip.com test to check out port 5060 and make sure that works fine.

If it does, then I'd add the VT1005 and see if it works.

Worst case, you can do exactly what you suggested - get a new Vonage device with a new account. Since you're past a year, you won't pay a cancelation fee, though you'll more than likely lose your current phone number. A Vonage rep may be able to help you keep it, though...

Posts: 13 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 06, 2006 Posts: 13

Thanks for the replies. I have the latest WRT54G firmware-- 1.00.4, which I flashed the minute I got it out of the box.

I'm not doing any port forwarding on the WRT54G-- just plugging in static DNS servers, and setting the QoS to give priority to the first port, where the VT1005 is connected. When I put the WRT54G first, I don't have any problems with the PC connected to it.

Hmm, a free "upgrade" to an older version? Might have to try that one...

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:28 pm Post subject:

Cheep wrote:

Hmm, a free "upgrade" to an older version? Might have to try that one...

I won't guarantee it'll fix your problem, mind you. If the VTech is working just fine on the 'Net on its own but has problems maintaining a consistent link for locally connected computers, and it has a problem being a client on a router that isn't giving you any problems, then it's doubtful that the WRT54G V5 is your problem.

But, in my opinion and in that of others, the prior WRT54G releases are better than the V5. So as an issue completely separate to fixing your problem, hey, it's worth a shot if you want to play with third party firmware and really get that router cookin'.

Just to review:

Modem -> VTech -> WRT54G -> LAN Result:LAN getting drops.
Modem -> WRT54G -> LAN (including VTech) Result:LAN works OK, no Vonage connectivity from VTech.

Other things you can try.

1. Modem -> VTech -> single hardwired PC
- Test to see if the PC is reliable. This will eliminate any issues the WRT54G may have being a client to the VTech (unlikely, but I want to eliminate it as a possibility).

2. Modem -> WRT54G -> LAN (including VTech):
- Turn off SPI firewall on WRT54G and see if the VTech starts working.
- Turn off QoS on the WRT54G (this is unlikely to fix anything, but it's worth a shot).

Post the results to these experiments here and we'll see if that narrows it down for you. Thanks.

Posts: 13 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 06, 2006 Posts: 13

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear-- my phone adapter is a Motorola VT1005, which I understand Vonage no longer sends out.

Also, just to clarify my problem:

Modem -> Motorola VT1005 -> WRT54G -> LAN Result: LAN getting drops, but phone works fine-- no problems making or receiving calls.

Modem -> WRT54G -> LAN (including Motorola VT1005) Result:LAN works OK, Vonage connectivity from VT1005 is there, but doesn't work well at all. As in, I can get a solid light, and usually can dial out, but not always, and incoming calls don't work at all-- they get forwarded to my "network unavailable" number (my cell).

Thanks for the suggestions, though-- I'll try them when I get home and report back.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:48 pm Post subject:

Cheep wrote:

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear-- my phone adapter is a Motorola VT1005, which I understand Vonage no longer sends out.

OOPS! No, you were clear enough. I just did a search for VT1005 and the Vonage search engine sent me VTech first, so I thought, in my stupidity "VT, VTech, hey we have a winner!" My bad.

In any case, the Vonage page still gives the same info for the Motorola VT1005, so my stupidity didn't result in bad information at least:

http://www.vonage.com/help.php?article=152&category=39&nav=5

You can TRY forwarding ports 5060 and 5061 to the VT1005. However, it shouldn't be necessary. If the problem is in your router, I suspect disabling the firewall will help. But for what you are trying to do, the WRT54G V5 should be a perfectly capable router.

Posts: 18 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Nov 30, 2003 Posts: 18

Charge $9.95 because of out of warranty ?!?! ****?

I've been a Vonage customer for 2 1/2 years. On my 4th ATA (Started with Cisco, when that wouldn't send a ring signal to my phone, then went to VT1005, when faxing quit, tried another VT1005, when faxing died again switched to RTP300.

At no time was I EVER charged for a bad ATA. The only cost involved was a deposit on my credit card while they cross shipped and the cost to ship (which was always returned via slow boat to china)

I think you need to chat with customer service on this. I've never had an issue with who was paying for problem solving!

Posts: 13 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 06, 2006 Posts: 13

Ok, I forwarded all the ports listed on the VT1005 page you linked above (including 5060 and 5061) to the static IP I set up for the VT1005, and it didn't solve the problem. I tried disabling the QoS on the WRT54G, and it also didn't help.

Running the modem->VT1005-> PC seems to work fine, as does modem->WRT54G->PC.

For some reason, the testyourvoip.com test still tells me that port 5060 is blocked. Why is that? I have Sygate Personal Firewall on my PC, but I've turned it off to troubleshoot all this.

Posts: 13 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 06, 2006 Posts: 13

Oh, and one more thing I noticed that really makes no sense. When I hook up the way I want (modem->WRT54G->VT1005 and PC on ports 1 and 2 of WRT54G, respectively), my phone service is screwy, as I've said. I can make outgoing calls usually (just can't receive them). But, when I'm on the phone, I lose the internet connectivity on my PC! What sense does that make? The PC and the VT1005 are on separate ports of the router-- why the heck would using one make the other die?