Newbie question WRT54G & QOS

Posts: 55 · Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 5:15 pm Post subject: Newbie question WRT54G & QOS

I have just bought a Linksys WRT54G after my Netgear WGT624 started crapping out every 2 hours or so. I considered purchasing a Linksys router w/vonage because I think that it would prioritize the U/D streams for Vonage, but I'm a tightwad and wouldn't shell out the extra $80 for it as I already had Vonage service.

A brief look through the WRT54G's interface, I noticed that it can prioritize throughput for devices either plugged in to a port or by MAC address. As I P2P fileshare, if I was to utilize 90% of my upload bandwidth for P2Ping and set the router to give high priority to the port which my Linksys PAP2 is connected to, would the router scale my upload speed down from my computer so that Vonage had the bandwidth it needs?

Also, If someone could give me a more effective method of using QoS for Vonage, I'd be grateful.

Posts: 1123 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 1123

If he doesn't post here, look for posts by "NateHoy". In his signature block are FAQs that address QOS, and even walk you thru it. I highly recommend you take a look at them.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 8:23 pm Post subject:

Which version of the WRT54G do you have? (alternatively, what are the first four digits of your WRT54G's serial number)?

The WRT54G has a "issue" with P2P that can easily be fixed with aftermarket firmware, IF you don't have the new "V5" hardware introduced late last year.

These articles were written with putting an existing Vonage router (which you obviously do not have) behind an existing WRT54GL (which is the same hardware as the older WRT54G).

http://vonage.nmhoy.net/wrt54gl.html

http://vonage.nmhoy.net/wrt54glqos.html

Posts: 241 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Mar 17, 2006 Posts: 241

Please allow me to piggyback on here with a newb question of my own.

I've just signed up with Vonage -- getting the free RT31P2 box from the website since that's the minimum they're offering; I plan to connect it behind a WRT54G Ver. 5 router running v1.00.6 firmware. It should arrive Tuesday or Wednesday.

All the PCs in the house are wireless; I only have a print server wired to the WRT54G.

Is configuring QoS as simple as setting the Upstream Bandwidth to 90% of my measured upstream bandwidth and setting the Vonage box to "Highest" priority (either by MAC or by port on the 54G)?

Is it desirable to enter an Upstream Bandwidth figure as opposed to leaving the setting at "Auto"?

Thanks in advance...
PDH

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 8:01 am Post subject:

http://vonage.nmhoy.net/qos.html

I don't have much experience with the V5 hardware, but I have yet to see a Linksys router that does good calculations of the upstream number. Obviously, my QoS experience is limited to the WRT54G V4 with HyperWRT, and the WRTP54G I needed to put the WRT54G in front of. I've had other routers, but none with QoS.

HyperWRT shows the data rate it calculates. In my case, my router would calculate about 1,500k upstream if left to do the job itself. Basically, that means that leaving the data rate on auto would make QoS useless to me.

I don't know if the V5 shows the calculated upstream, but if it does the best thing to do is to set it on Auto, max out your upstream for a while (send yourself some big files via email or something), then go back and look at what it came up with. If the number is higher than your actual measured upstream data rate, then QoS isn't going to do you much good.

Posts: 55 · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 3:35 pm Post subject:

Darn it, I have a v5. Thanks for the advice tho.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 3:51 pm Post subject:

paulanddonnaknight wrote:

Darn it, I have a v5. Thanks for the advice tho.

You have three options. I'd start with #3, then if it doesn't work out, decide whether #2 or #1 is your preferred...

1. Put up with it.

2. Trade the WRT54G in for a WRT54GL or WRTSL54G.
- The WRT54GL is an older WRT54G, rebranded with about a $10-20 price premium (In my opinion MONEY VERY WELL SPENT!!!).
- The WRTSL54G is a shiny silver box repackaged WRT54G with a USB port on the back so you can attach a USB drive for Network Attached Storage (and, mor importantly, can run aftermarket firmware just like a WRT54GL).

3. Call Linksys and start by politely asking if they will trade out your WRT54G for the older and more reliable and functional version. Increase your insistence (set whining on stun), and continue pestering them until they agree. Stay polite, but firm and insistent, for best results (nothing gained by pissing off the rep who might be able to help you, and he's just a phone jockey - not his fault). Several people have been able to do this, after being elevated to Tier 2 support or better. It's worth a shot.

Posts: 241 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Mar 17, 2006 Posts: 241

Thanks for the help. I've set up the WRT54G to give Highest priority to the Vonage RT31P2 and set the upstream bandwidth to 220k bps (the measured bandwidth is about 256kbps). Seems to be working just fine.