How should I set up my equipment for better bandwidth?

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 06, 2004 Posts: 4

Hi! I know this has been posted in different ways, and I have read through many of the posts, but I'm feeling pretty computer illiterate at the moment! Ever since I set up my Vonage equipment the way they suggested, I have had very slow bandwidth on peer to peer sharing and other downloads. I'm kinda of confused on how to set it up and what cables should be connected where. Right now, this is my setup: Ethernet cable from Arris Cable Modem to Motorola WAN port.....Cable from PC port on Motorola to Internet port on Linksys router model # BEFSR41 V3....Cable from PC to Port 1 on Router. As I said, this has dramatically decreased my bandwidth. How should the cables be connected in order to increase it? Thanks in advance for any help.

Posts: 110 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Mar 06, 2004 Posts: 110

You should put the Motorola box "behind" your Linksys router...

You may also need to open up a number of ports on the router via the setup pages in order for this setup to work (but perhaps not ... if the Linksys router is not too old, it should have the ability to do UPNP port forwarding (don't waorry about what it's called) and automatically handle everything for you). So let's first just try getting the wiring right.

Firstly, turn OFF and / or unplug EVERYTHING.

Unplug the ethernet cable that runs from the Motorola box to the cable modem, and insted run that line from the Motorola box to port 2 on the Linksys router.

Now... disconnect the cable from the PC port on the Motorola that runs to the internet port of the Linksys router, and instead, run that cable from the internet port of the Linksys router directly to the Arris cable modem instead.

OK... now restore power first to your cable modem... wait a few mins, then restore power to the Linksys router... wait a few mins, then restore power to the Motorola box and then your PC.

Having done all this you might be up and running at first, but, if the port forwarding is needed, you might find that after 30 mins or so you lose a dial tone, or your incoming calls just don't seem to ring. If you experience this, then the easiest thing to do is to call Vonage support, tell them the brand of router you have and tell them you prefer to keep the Motorola box BEHIND your router and want some help setting up port forwarding.

Generally, it should be noted that peer-to-peer services are greedy little bandwidth hogs and may not always play well with VOIP. What we have done by changing your wiring configuration thusly, is essentially demoted the Motorola box down a rank in the chain of command over your bandwidth , and it will not longer be able to ensure that you have enough bandwidth to make / receive calls. This is usually referred to as Quality of Service (or QOS), and is why Vonage recommends putting the box in front of your router.

However, most people here do prefer the wiring config I've just described because it also affords you a greater degree of security on the internet and ultimately, you have have enough bandwidth to spare to still run the peer to peer stuff, yet keep Vonage calls coming and going just like before.

Good luck and let us know.

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 06, 2004 Posts: 4

thanks for your advice...i tried connecting it the way you said and i still had problems. i ended up calling vonage first and then someone at linksys. thankfully, this tech woman knew what to do (the one yesterday totally screwed up my configurations) and now i have everything running properly through the router, and peer to peer is back to normal! Thanks again for your help!