Changing Router Mac Address

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 10, 2006 Posts: 3

I would like to switch from my current router to a wireless router. I have read here that it is then necessary to call Vonage to have them switch the Mac Address for the account. Is there any reason I couldn't just change the Mac Address of the new router to my current Mac Address. I see there is an option with the routher I have now to input a new Mac Address and I am assuming that all routers have this option. Am I missing something here?

Posts: 4751 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4751

I don't think it will work. The adapter will report the cloned MAC to your internet service provider, but I believe it will report the true MAC to Vonage. If they didn't do it that way, all people would have to do is give the MAC address associated with an unlimited Vonage account, and everyone in the neighborhood would get free service.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 10, 2006 Posts: 3

When I check my current Vonage router settings, there is an option that says:

You may enter an alternate MAC Address to override the actual Motorola Terminal Adapter MAC Address."

I assumed that meant it actually changed the router address.

Posts: 33 · Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 4:10 am Post subject: MAC address swap

You will have to call for a MAC address swap only when you have a new un-opened wireless router with two voice ports to replace your current router.

FYI ~ Anyone who tries to register a router which has previously been registered with Vonage is flat out of luck unless you are the person who previously registered it. Many people have purchased routers on eBay or previously returned store merchandise and have not been able to use the product with Vonage.

You may want to call 888 250-1799, which goes straight to a human being, then ask for assistance with "Choppy Audio" and they will switch you to the New Jersey Technical Support. When connected, you will be dealing with an English speaking technical support person who can easily swap the MAC address registered on your account.

Posts: 4751 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4751

sgmiller wrote:

When I check my current Vonage router settings, there is an option that says:

You may enter an alternate MAC Address to override the actual Motorola Terminal Adapter MAC Address."

I assumed that meant it actually changed the router address.

For some purposes it does. If, for example, your ISP is set up so that your PC is registered and their modem will only hook up with that PC, then cloning the PC's MAC will often allow it to connect to the modem as if it were the PC. For other purposes MAC cloning doesn't work. Hooking up to Vonage is, I believe, one of them.

Posts: 27 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: May 28, 2006 Posts: 27

Steve48 wrote:

I don't think it will work. The adapter will report the cloned MAC to your internet service provider, but I believe it will report the true MAC to Vonage. If they didn't do it that way, all people would have to do is give the MAC address associated with an unlimited Vonage account, and everyone in the neighborhood would get free service.

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Your answer is an economic one for Vonage. But the real answer is a technical one, not just for Vonage but for ALL Internet telephony, here's why (hint : it has nothing to do with outgoind calls) :

If 2 or more adaptor has the same MAC address (real/clone don't matters), then when i call you, all the adaptors will ring at the same time or only one adaptor will be picked randomly to ring. In any case, 99% of the time it will ring at the wrong house! Do you want that to happen????

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 10, 2006 Posts: 3

Got it. I was not familiar with this whole subject.