Config for Linksys Wireless-G Router, with Motorola ATA, and

Posts: 18 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Apr 08, 2004 Posts: 18

This message board was instrumental in getting my Vonage configuration tweaked perfectly. Before using this configuration I experienced both garbled voice and slower Internet speeds when simultaneously telephone and surfing/email/copying files.

Mad

Vonage Customer Support was very responsive and friendly, but they wanted me to place the ATA in front of the Linksys which would mean paying for another IP address.

So, my starting configuration was:

WISP Modem* -> Linksys Wireless-G Router -> Motorola ATA
-> 3 other computers

* WISP Modem is just like a DSL or Cable modem

1. Use a web browser to connect to the web admin page of the Linksys router. (Default address is 192.168.1.1, no user name, password is “admin”). Go to the Applications and Gaming Page to display the Port Range Forward settings page. Use the following settings for Application, Start, End, Protocol, IP Address (all with Enable ON):
a. App1, 5060, 5063, Both, 192.168.1.2
b. App2, 69, 69, Both, 192.168.1.2
c. App3, 123, 123, Both, 192.168.1.2
d. App4, 10000, 20000, Both, 192.168.1.2
2. Locate a PC or laptop that is NOT on your network. Use the pass through cable that came with the Vonage unit (mine was dark gray) and connect the computer to the PC port on the Motorola ATA.
3. Use a web browser to connect to the web admin page of the Motorola ATA (Address for admin is always 192.168.102.1).
4. Click the Basic page and set the static IP address to 192.168.1.2 (the same address that you forwarded the ports to) and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. The gateway should be the address of your Linksys Router 192.168.1.1.
5. Power down everything, then power up in this order:
a. WISP (or DSL/Cable) modem
b. Linksys Router
c. MTA
d. PCs
6. Do you have dial tone? Do you have Internet access from the PCs? If yes, you’re done.

Posts: 22 · Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 11:33 am Post subject: Linksys Setup

You are correct in your setup but you will notice that most people do not forward port 123. Until I started to forward 123 my service was marginal but I have not had to reboot since adding the port, which is 4 weeks now.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 2

I have a Linksys G router as well and I haven't had to forward any ports. Are the port forwards to ensure the updates go through ? I have my router in front of my MTA and haven't had any connection or voice quality problems.

Posts: 18 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Apr 08, 2004 Posts: 18

Steven -- if you're in from of your router then you won't need to forward ports. If your's works that way, then keep it intact.

Posts: 67 · Full Forum Member Joined: Mar 22, 2004 Posts: 67

Just a few notes about this. First, if the MTA is set to do NAT you would not, in fact, need 2 IP addresses. The MTA will work like a router. It will get one WAN address and then assign local LAN addresses to everyone out on the PC port.

That being said, this is an odd setup. Here's why. You have:

WISP -- LinkSys -- MTA -- PC{3}

Right?

So that means that the MTA will throttle the hardline PCs but NOT the WiFi PCs!

If it were me I would either put everything off the LinkSys:

WISP --- LinkSys --- /MTA + PC{3}/

So all the PCs and the MTA would be plugged into the LinkSys ports.

If you really want the MTA in front, just make sure NAT is turned on and go

WISP --- MTA -- LINKSYS -- PC{3}

This makes port forwarding a pain though and may prevent VPN and other things (like things that need a range of ports opened).

I had tried this configuration and putting the router into the MTA's DMZ but that appeared to be broken when I last tried it. The MTA would pass ICMP packets but not UDP or TCP.

Anyway, if things are working, great. But I thought I'd point out the wireless issue to you.

Posts: 18 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Apr 08, 2004 Posts: 18

Hi wd5gnr -- I'm actually using the second set up that you diagramed. It's hard to diagram this using text, but I have
WISP -> Linksys Wireless Router -> MTA + 3 PCs

The MTA is hard wireed to the the Linksys, but the 3 PCs are running wireless with IP address and routing served up by the Linksys.

I really like this setup and am ready to kill the landline. I think that I'll run this for the week, and then cancel Ma Bell.

Doug

Posts: 67 · Full Forum Member Joined: Mar 22, 2004 Posts: 67

OK, I just didn't understand. This is more or less how I am running also. It seems like most people who use this setup are happier compared to those with the MTA in front. On the other hand, I would guess that most of us also have excess upload bandwidth.