Loss of service?

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 03, 2006 Posts: 16

I have what seems to be a really odd and frequent occurence. I'm using Earthlink Cable (through Time Warner) and am using the Linksys WRTP54G Router.

Occasionally, and just about once a day, the phone gets no dial tone. I've run tests frequently on this site and it's always said that I could have four phone lines going at once if I wanted.

Simply, the light on the router for the phone line blinks off. We even have a new phone. Logging into the router shows that Provisioning has Succeeded and that the call is simply idle.

The only way I've seemed to fix this (when it doesn't do it by itself, and it usually takes awhile) is I had to reset the router. The thing is, I can't stand by and watch to see whether the light is on or off. What if I were to miss calls? Not to mention this line is mainly for my mom and I don't want her messing with my hardware.

Any clues as to what might be up? I have no idea what other information to offer up. I do a lot of downloading, but like I said I;ve done tests even during the downloads and it comes out fine.

Thanks!

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

sigterm wrote:

Any clues as to what might be up? I have no idea what other information to offer up. I do a lot of downloading, but like I said I;ve done tests even during the downloads and it comes out fine.

The information you should post is listed here. This may well be a tough one, since you describe it as a problem that is intermittent in nature, but posting this information is the starting point.

How is the quality of your service when it's working?

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 03, 2006 Posts: 16

Hey Steve,

Here's all the information!

1. Flushing, NY (Queens)
2. Earthlink Cable through Time Warner Cable's Connection
3. Bandwidth: 3.0Mbps Down/256k Up
4. Modem: RCA Broadband DCM425
5. Adapter/Router: Linksys WRTP54G
6. Setup of Network: Cable -> Cable Modem -> Router/Adapter -> Phone or Computers via Wireless
7. Issues:

a. Phone service just stops working occasionally. The light on the router for the phone line just isn't on anymore. Internet connection is still active and logging into the router shows that the Voice Provisioning has succeeded, along with phone number. A new phone has been installed as well as a new phone cord and still the same problem. I download a lot but even during downloads (hardly any upload traffic btw), speed tests from this site as well as InternetFrog.com show that I'm well within what I need (2.8Mbps - 3.02Mbps down / 230 - 250k Up). The only solution I've found for this at the moment is I had to restart my router, which is a big pain plus a worry as we're never sure when the thing goes off. How will we receive phone calls? Not to mention I don't want the others messing with the hardware.

b. Bad voice quality, from an echoing sound (the volume has been turned down as per Vonage's recommendation but still occurs sometimes), to the other end saying we sound choppy. Originally, this was extremely bad and then I realized BitTorrent was uploading a TON of stuff. So I set upload limitations and the like and it's better, but people here still say it's horrible, and they are not looking for crystal clear connections. Even when I set the bandwidth saver to use less (right now it's on "Normal") it's still pretty bad. Again, the people here only care that each side can be understood. They say it's hard to hear the other end occasionally and this is with a varied number of people they've called and have received calls from. And again, speed tests during these incidents still come in well within what's needed.

c. If a person has us on hold for awhile, the call just gets hung up, and we're sure it's not their phone. This has happened several times with different people.

8. The Testyourvoip.com site doesn't seem to be working for me, nor for my gf whose on her own connection at her house. But I'll get that when I can get that.

---

I might have to end up doing what Nate said and purchase ANOTHER router to put in front of this that can handle QoS better and the like (right now, it's enabled but everything is on Low Priority as is the default). That seems kind of insane that I would have to go through this if the router and the firmware is at fault. Definitely not a nice first few weeks of Vonage. I shelled out an extra $30 to make use of the wireless access then have to drop another $50-$60 to make the phone work? Sheesh. This has turned into a major headache.

Any help at all would be appreciated.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:01 pm Post subject:

If your "downloading" includes P2P or BitTorrent, it's likely that the iptables connections table is being filled up.

I see you've dropped my name already, so I won't tell you what you need to do. You already know. Wink

Drop a few bucks of your Vonage savings into a decent router, and call it a lesson learned. The WRTP54G is a fantastic Vonage device - rock solid, clear voice, reliable, well designed, etc. As long as you don't expect it to be a router under heavy load.

EDIT: I wasted TWO MONTHS of HELL before I made the decision ot jump to the new router. I did everything to try and make the WRTP54G work, and I'm not exactly a newbie when it comes to networking or P2P. You can "waste" some money on a new router, or you can waste a lot of time THEN "waste" the money. Your call. (grin)

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 03, 2006 Posts: 16

I do use Limewire a lot. I'm seriously considering following your advice. It's just I'm tired of blowing all this money away.

The router you're talking about is the Blue one right? I just ask because some sites are bringing up a router when I search for that model as a silver one, much like mine.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: well...

sigterm wrote:

I do use Limewire a lot. I'm seriously considering following your advice. It's just I'm tired of blowing all this money away.

The router you're talking about is the Blue one right? I just ask because some sites are bringing up a router when I search for that model as a silver one, much like mine.

I hear you, I went through the same "I'm spending money on something that was supposed to save me money! ****?!?!" deal too. Wink

My router cost me $50 at the time, and my Vonage line is $50 a month cheaper than an equivalent line from Verizon, so I've already saved enough to justify the cost.

The router I have had good luck with is now called the WRT54GL. IT is blue Amazon sells it for about $75. You do NOT want a WRT54G unless you can get one with a serial number starting in CDFA or earlier. I'm sure lots of other routers would work well, too, but I have had GREAT luck with the WRT54GL and aftermarket firmware.

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 03, 2006 Posts: 16

I can't seem to find that one on Amazon. I only find the one without the L at this address:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007KDVI/sr=1-1/qid=1139164082/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-5766710-2152733?%5Fencoding=UTF8

I found it on Dell's site for $69 though.

and I still can't seem to connect to testyourvoip.com. Is this just me?

What's the big difference between the one with the L and the one without besides the $10+?

Thanks again Nate!

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:19 pm Post subject:

Oh. Amazon has discontinued the WRT54GL. Dagnabbit! Sad

The problem with the new WRT54G and WRT54GS is that Linksys has stripped the best thing (Linux) out of them and redone them with a VxWorks Operating System that is not nearly as good, and cannot accept third party firmware. The WRT54GL is the only thing you can mail order any more that will guarantee you Linux.

If you can find a WRT54G with a serial number starting in CDFA or earlier, or a WRT54GS with a serial number starting in CGN6 or earlier, they are still Linux based units and will do very well for you. You may be able to find them in your local store on stocl (serial numbers are printed on the corner of the outside of the box, so you can tell what you are getting before you buy - there are no external differences between the routers).

However, it looks like Linksys may be closing off their entire Linux line in the WRT54G series, which is a shame.

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 03, 2006 Posts: 16

I've made my order with Dell along with a much needed power strip.

I'll let you know how things go! It's got an 'L' at the end of it Razz

.

Setup was fairly easy you say? I really hope so.

Thanks again!

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 4:18 pm Post subject: Re: Alright well...

When you get it, go to http://www.polarcloud.com/tofu/ and download the latest version you see there (current is 13c), extract the ZIP file, and upload the WRT54GL's firmware using that file, then follow my QoS guide to get QoS optimized. It's Good Stuff (tm). Wink

Congrats on finding a GL.