hardwire vs. networking multiple lines

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 14, 2006 Posts: 1

I have a working existing networked Vonage system via Comcast cable in my home office (2 motorola adapters for a fax line and 3 phone numbers using a 2 line phone system and 1 single cordless phone which is run into another room via a long unsightly phone extension cord. The Linksys BEFW1154 with a Linksys 5 group workgroup switch also networks 2 computers in the office. Prior to Vonage install, I had 2 active phone lines coming into the house and both come into my office as well as a few other places in my house.

The existing system is a tangle of spaghetti and all the routers, adapters, cords and power plugs take up a lot of space in the office. I have children and confidential patient medical files in my office so I need to keep it locked when I am not in there. Thus, I need the home phone with base in another room.

Now, before any jumps me too hard for not following previous forum postings, which I have, kept in mind this was set up by my computer guy; I am not a techie but have basic knowledge & want to understand this.

My questions are 1) can I run a combination of hardwire for phones and the router for computer networking both off my Comcast cable line? 2)Do I lose the computer notifications of incoming calls if the phones are hardwired into the phone jacks via the adapters? 3)What other features are lost by hardwiring? 4)Since I have 2 phone lines coming into the office & need two adapters for the 4 Vonage numbers, plus need computer internet connectivity for the computers, how do I that with 1 Comcast modem? 5) Lastly, if hardwiring is not recommended in my situation, what would I gain by changing from Motorola VT 1005v adapters to Vonage recommended wireless adapter/router combo?

Your time spent in answering these questions will be greatly appreciated as I have a little success in getting answers from the Vonage help desk and their tech support folks. If anyone is willing to call me to discuss the above, I can provide a toll-free number.

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

newbie wrote:

I have a working existing networked Vonage system via Comcast cable in my home office (2 motorola adapters for a fax line and 3 phone numbers using a 2 line phone system and 1 single cordless phone which is run into another room via a long unsightly phone extension cord. The Linksys BEFW1154 with a Linksys 5 group workgroup switch also networks 2 computers in the office. Prior to Vonage install, I had 2 active phone lines coming into the house and both come into my office as well as a few other places in my house.

The existing system is a tangle of spaghetti and all the routers, adapters, cords and power plugs take up a lot of space in the office. I have children and confidential patient medical files in my office so I need to keep it locked when I am not in there. Thus, I need the home phone with base in another room.

Now, before any jumps me too hard for not following previous forum postings, which I have, kept in mind this was set up by my computer guy; I am not a techie but have basic knowledge & want to understand this.

My questions are 1) can I run a combination of hardwire for phones and the router for computer networking both off my Comcast cable line? 2)Do I lose the computer notifications of incoming calls if the phones are hardwired into the phone jacks via the adapters? 3)What other features are lost by hardwiring? 4)Since I have 2 phone lines coming into the office & need two adapters for the 4 Vonage numbers, plus need computer internet connectivity for the computers, how do I that with 1 Comcast modem? 5) Lastly, if hardwiring is not recommended in my situation, what would I gain by changing from Motorola VT 1005v adapters to Vonage recommended wireless adapter/router combo?

1. I'm not sure I understand. You're already running your router off your Comcast cable, and it in turn is running your Vonage adapters, which supply 4 phone lines. If you hardwire from the adapters into your house wiring, nothing changes as far as Comcast is concerned. Was that your question?

2. No. Using hard wiring to distribute your phone service from the adapters doesn't affect your computer notifications.

3. No features are lost. There have been some problems with Caller ID being affected by the use of house wiring with RTP300 and WRTP31G adapters, but those have been pretty well fixed by firmware updates.

4. Again, I don't understand. You don't have 2 phone lines coming into your office- at least not any more. You have 4 phone lines that come into your office multiplexed on the single Comcast cable. They become 4 individual lines there in your office by virtue of the operation of your modem, router, and adapters. You are free to send those lines out of your office using house wiring if you wish (those 2 lines you referred to ). You also ask how you can provide phones, computer connectivity, and so forth with just one Comcast modem, but you're already doing that so, again, I don't understand.

5. The use of hard wiring probably is recommended in your situation, but we need to understand what you're trying to do a bit better.