Frequently dropped calls - Cablevision, CT

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 31, 2006 Posts: 5

Hi, my first post here, I hope its acceptable, my Vonage has been rock solid until I got a new router last autumn. I could do with some help to try and sort it out, thanks in advance.

Problem: frequently dropped calls.

Location: Milford, CT
ISP:Cablevision, Optimum Online, Cable

2006-01-31 23:41:03 EST: 1250 / 1444
Your download speed : 1250 kbps or 156.3 KB/sec.
Your upload speed : 1444 kbps or 180.6 KB/sec.

Modem: 3Com CMX
Vonage Adaptor: VT1005
Wireless Router: Netgear WGT624

Setup: 3COM > WGT624 > VT1005 & Clients

VT1005 config changes, NAT/DCHP disabled.

Issue: Had Vonage for over a year now, originally with a Siemens Wireless router and it was rock solid. I changed the router to the Netgear (to get 80211g) and dropped calls started occurring. I put the VT1005 before the router but it started interfering with my internet connection so I put it back behind the modem. I did turn if NAT/DHCP on the VT1005 because I was concerned it may be banging heads with the netgear. Still the same prob, frequent dropped calls. Incidentally how can I get to the motos web page, in front of the netgear its 192.168.100.1 but I can't get to it when its behind the netgear.

At this point I wouldn't mind getting a new router if someone can recommend one that won't break the bank and works well with Vonage.

test results:
MOS Analysis From You TO the Target Location
MOS analysis chart
Media Quality
MOS
4.2 / 5.0
(Best with G.711 is 4.4)

Degradation Sources
Codec 0.57 76.7%
Latency 0.00 0.0%
Packet Discards 0.17 23.3%
Packet Loss 0.00 0.0%
Codec G.711 (PCM at 64kbps,
20ms RTP payload,
80kbps IP BW)
Round-Trip
Latency 115 ms
Packet Discards 0.7%
Packet Loss 0.0%
Loss Periods
Min: 20 ms
Avg: 20 ms
Max: 20 ms
Random Loss
Jitter
Min: 0 ms
Avg: 7 ms
Max: 39 ms
Signaling Quality
Post-Dial Delay 78 ms
Call Setup Time 78 ms
Media Delay 172 ms

MOS Analysis FROM the Target Location To You
MOS analysis chart
Media Quality
MOS
4.4 / 5.0
(Best with G.711 is 4.4)

Degradation Sources
Codec 0.57 96.8%
Latency 0.00 0.0%
Packet Discards 0.02 3.2%
Packet Loss 0.00 0.0%
Codec G.711 (PCM at 64kbps,
20ms RTP payload,
80kbps IP BW)
Round-Trip
Latency 115 ms
Packet Discards 0.1%
Packet Loss 0.0%
Loss Periods
Min: 20 ms
Avg: 20 ms
Max: 20 ms
Random Loss
Jitter
Min: 4 ms
Avg: 9 ms
Max: 27 ms
Signaling Quality
Post-Pickup Delay 70 ms
Call Setup Time 83 ms
Media Delay 103 ms

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:14 am Post subject:

Dan:

Same name, same town, same cablevision.

You are aware of the cablevision upgrade going on right now, correct?

I am in Bayview Beach (Gulf beach) and my office is on the Harbor/Green (1 New Haven Ave).

We received it last week at both locations, but prior to that the CV service was in and out for a bit.

Plan on more of that as they bring the new Boost service in.

I am not familiar with the Netgear WGT624 but I have all kinds of Linksys gear and very few issues.

I hope this helps

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 31, 2006 Posts: 5

Thanks Dan,

I was vaguely aware of it but I thought the problem was my netgear. Its all irrelevant right now because after I made my post I checked on the off chance for a firmware upgrade and it seems to have bricked the netgear. I never liked the thing anyway.

I have my old 802.11b router in there now which worked flawlessly with Vonage so it will be interesting to see if the problems go away.

I will have the wife call mother in law tommorow, that should be a very good test.

So I guess I am looking for a router recommendation.

dconnor wrote:

Dan:

Same name, same town, same cablevision.

You are aware of the cablevision upgrade going on right now, correct?

I am in Bayview Beach (Gulf beach) and my office is on the Harbor/Green (1 New Haven Ave).

We received it last week at both locations, but prior to that the CV service was in and out for a bit.

Plan on more of that as they bring the new Boost service in.

I am not familiar with the Netgear WGT624 but I have all kinds of Linksys gear and very few issues.

I hope this helps

Posts: 1125 · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:40 am Post subject:

Recommendation: WRT54G (GS/GL). If you buy a straight G version, watch what version it is. Version 4 or before work the best with Vonage.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 9:16 am Post subject:

Correction: WRT54GL only.

WRT54G and WRT54GS are now all the new yucky V5 hardware with the new VxWorks operating system, and no capability to load aftermarket firmware like the excellent older Linux-based units.

If you manage to luck into a G with a serial number of CDFA or lower, or a GS with a serial number of CGN6 or lower, then you have a good router on your hands - BUY IT. If not, put it back on the shelf and mail order a WRT54GL.

Posts: 1125 · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 9:20 am Post subject:

Nate's correct, he corrected me earlier after this was already posted. Very Happy

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 31, 2006 Posts: 5

Thanks for the recommendation guys, problem is I googled for the GL and tried buy.com and mysimon.com and no one appears to have it in stock. There are plently listed on ebay but I am weary of getting the right version.

I found plenty of the new G routers in local stores for around $60, I am asking for the same problems if I get one of those ?

If someone knows somewhere that has one can the please PM me a link.TIA

PS I know remember why I moved my router before vt1005, I use bittorrent heavily (I am English and I like to download British TV programs) and when Bittorrent is running the moto will go dead periodically taking down phone and internet, no matter how low I drop the bandwidth it still happens.

Posts: 400 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: May 05, 2005 Posts: 400

Try disabling the wireless routers firewall. It may be the culprit with your phone going down due to packet traffic sent by phone adapter.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:08 pm Post subject:

The WRT54G MAY work for you, but I've heard lots of stories of problems with the new V5 hardware.

If you can't find a GL, time to go stock-surfing at your local store. Wink

WRT54G: Serial numbers starting in CDFB are the new junk. CDFA and earlier are Linux.

WRT54GS: Serial numbers starting in CGN7 are the new junk. Serial numbers starting in CGN6 are Linux. Serial numbers CGN5 and earlier are not only Linux, but with twice the memory, and are highly sought after by stock surfers everywhere.

WRT54G V5 (CDFB) = WRT54GS V5 (CGN7) = VxWorks (closed source) with 8MB RAM (not enough to load aftermarket firmware)

WRT54GL = WRT54G V4 and prior (CDFA and earlier) = WRT54GS V4 (CGN6) = Linux (open source) w/16MB RAM (enough to run aftermarket firmware).

WRT54GS V3 and prior (CGN5 and before) = Linux with 32MB RAM (enough to run some very advanced firmware versions).

Hope this helps... Wink

Posts: 21 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 20, 2006 Posts: 21

Setup: 3COM > WGT624 > VT1005 & Clients

Is that the 3Com CMX they were giving out a while ago? If so go to your local branch and get the free loaner they give out. It is a TERRIBLE modem.