Cisco VPN Client issues with VT1005 and Netgear router

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 26, 2006 Posts: 2

I am having difficulty with my Cisco VPN Client software since installing the Motorola VT1005 on my network. Here's my current setup:

Cable Modem --> VT1005 --> Netgear WNR854T --> LAN

I use this setup to get optimal Voip service. I do not care that my download speeds go from 6 meg to 3 meg which I saw happen when I implemented this. The problem is that I basically have 2 NATs going on here. This doesn't affect web surfing or iTunes downloads, but it does seem to be affecting my software VPN on my laptop.

If I move the Motorola behind the Netgear, I lose voice quality since the Netgear has no support for QoS, but I solve the VPN issue. I found a device on the forums here and on the web that might solve my problem, but I cannot find out any details or good reviews of it with Vonage. It is the OGV200 from Linksys. It goes between your modem and router to automatically prioritize packets. This would allow me to place the VT1005 behind my Netgear, but still get the quality I need.

So my questions are:
1) Has anybody used the Linkys OGV200 with the following setup?

Cable Modem --> OGV200 --> Router --> VT1005 (or other Vonage Adapter)

2) If so, does it work in regards to good quality voice conversations?

3) Does this OGV200 device act as another router, essentially adding another NAT to my network and still causing me VPN issues?

My ultimate goal is to have 1 and only 1 NAT, gigabit ethernet connections, voice prioritization (QoS), and wireless 'N' connectivity without having to purchase all new networking hardware.

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

This poster didn't seem to think much of it: http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic14927.html .

You might want to just invest in a good router with QoS capability and scrap the one you have. There has been quite a bit of discussion from time to time, particularly about the WR54GL as a main router. Do a search on it and on Nate Hoy, who understands these things well.

Posts: 533

jmchugh00 wrote:

I am having difficulty with my Cisco VPN Client software since installing the Motorola VT1005 on my network. Here's my current setup:

Cable Modem --> VT1005 --> Netgear WNR854T --> LAN

I use this setup to get optimal Voip service. I do not care that my download speeds go from 6 meg to 3 meg which I saw happen when I implemented this. The problem is that I basically have 2 NATs going on here. This doesn't affect web surfing or iTunes downloads, but it does seem to be affecting my software VPN on my laptop.

If I move the Motorola behind the Netgear, I lose voice quality since the Netgear has no support for QoS, but I solve the VPN issue. I found a device on the forums here and on the web that might solve my problem, but I cannot find out any details or good reviews of it with Vonage. It is the OGV200 from Linksys. It goes between your modem and router to automatically prioritize packets. This would allow me to place the VT1005 behind my Netgear, but still get the quality I need.

So my questions are:
1) Has anybody used the Linkys OGV200 with the following setup?

Cable Modem --> OGV200 --> Router --> VT1005 (or other Vonage Adapter)

2) If so, does it work in regards to good quality voice conversations?

3) Does this OGV200 device act as another router, essentially adding another NAT to my network and still causing me VPN issues?

My ultimate goal is to have 1 and only 1 NAT, gigabit ethernet connections, voice prioritization (QoS), and wireless 'N' connectivity without having to purchase all new networking hardware.

How about just leaving things setup the way they are, but moving your PC connections to the VT1005?

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 26, 2006 Posts: 2

I use my Cisco VPN software on my laptop that connects wirelessly to my network. Moving my PCs directly off the VT1005 will not help the situation. I could dumb down my router and make it nothing more than a switch/wireless access point, but the routing functionality of the VT1005 is not that good, so I prefer to use my Netgear's routing abilities.

On a side note, I tried setting up the VT1005 in bridge mode to make everything work. I broke my network doing this and it took a couple of hours to get it back the way it was. I also upgraded the firmware on my Netgear router in the process. I am not positive, but since I did the firmware upgrade and cycled power on my modem, VT1005, and router my VPN has been stable and fast behind the 2 NAT devices.

I still can't understand how every other vendor can implement QoS (Belkin, Linksys, D-link, etc.), but Netgear only offers it in their higher end products.

I would still like to hear any good news regarding the OGV200 network optimizer from Linksys (if there is any). I did find the other forum article stating it was junk, but have found other reviews on the web stating otherwise. Most of those users are gamers, so I am looking for a review strictly relating to performance with Vonage.

Posts: 533 · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 2:30 pm Post subject:

jmchugh00 wrote:

I use my Cisco VPN software on my laptop that connects wirelessly to my network. Moving my PCs directly off the VT1005 will not help the situation. I could dumb down my router and make it nothing more than a switch/wireless access point, but the routing functionality of the VT1005 is not that good, so I prefer to use my Netgear's routing abilities.

On a side note, I tried setting up the VT1005 in bridge mode to make everything work. I broke my network doing this and it took a couple of hours to get it back the way it was. I also upgraded the firmware on my Netgear router in the process. I am not positive, but since I did the firmware upgrade and cycled power on my modem, VT1005, and router my VPN has been stable and fast behind the 2 NAT devices.
Vonage.

Ok, well, it looks like you're set, but if the problem comes up again try following my instructions here to setup your routers. You'll be able to turn off NAT and firewall on the Netgear if you choose to go that route.