Callers can't hear reliably

Posts: 14 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 28, 2006 Posts: 14

I have a Motorola VT2442 set with a static IP address behind a Linksys WRT54G using the 2 cable method. I can hear callers perfectly but they have a tough time hearing me as it breaks up while I'm talking. I have tried a couple VOIP speed tests with the Linksys QoS for the VT2442 port disabled and set at high. Here are the results. Please tell me what I'm doing wrong so I can fix this. Thanks!

QoS disabled:
Speed test statistics
---------------------
Download speed: 3301744 bps
Upload speed: 304336 bps
Quality of service: 67 %
Download test type: socket
Upload test type: socket
Maximum download pause: 16 ms
Average download pause: 15 ms
Minimum round trip time to server: 47 ms
Average round trip time to server: 98 ms

VoIP test statistics
--------------------
Jitter: you --> server: 4.1 ms
Jitter: server --> you: 8.4 ms
Packet loss: you --> server: 0.0 %
Packet loss: server --> you: 0.0 %
Packet discards: 0.0 %
Packets out of order: 0.0 %
Number of supported VoIP lines: 5
Estimated MOS score: 3.9

QoS set at High:
Speed test statistics
---------------------
Download speed: 3752720 bps
Upload speed: 307880 bps
Quality of service: 75 %
Download test type: socket
Upload test type: socket
Maximum download pause: 94 ms
Average download pause: 16 ms
Minimum round trip time to server: 60 ms
Average round trip time to server: 105 ms

VoIP test statistics
--------------------
Jitter: you --> server: 3.6 ms
Jitter: server --> you: 8.4 ms
Packet loss: you --> server: 0.0 %
Packet loss: server --> you: 0.1 %
Packet discards: 0.0 %
Packets out of order: 0.0 %
Number of supported VoIP lines: 5
Estimated MOS score: 3.8

Posts: 34 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Sep 14, 2006 Posts: 34

k, first I would put the motorola 2442 in front of ur wireless router. Obviously this is a bandwidth issue. If u want to leave it the way it is now you will probably have do some port forwarding.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:51 pm Post subject:

Generally, stutter as heard on the other end indicates some sort of bandwidth problem. Do you have QoS set up on your WRT54G?

I have found, in my limited experience with Vonage devices, that their QoS is sadly lacking. However, the WRT54G needs to be configured properly in order to work.

Here's a little information on QoS and some tips on how to make it work:

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

Posts: 14 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 28, 2006 Posts: 14

Thanks for the replies. I put the Linksys back to QoS disabled for the Vonage port and it works much better. I was hoping to avoid putting the 2442 in front of the wireless router but I'll probably do that at least to test it out. I guess I just have more faith in Linksys as a router than Motorola.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:20 am Post subject:

I may have not been clear, sorry.

The QoS on your WRT54G should work great, once it is set up properly. The key is to adjust the upstream bandwidth manually to 90-95% of your measured upstream bandwidth (with QoS turned off).

So,

1. Turn off QoS on the WRT54G, and on a quiet network connection run a speed test.

2. Go into the WRT54G setup screen, and enter 90% of the measured upload speed.

3. Set the MAC address of your Vonage adapter/router into the QoS of the WRT54G, set as HIGHEST.

That should be it.

Posts: 14 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 28, 2006 Posts: 14

Thanks for the additional note. I'll give that a try!

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 15, 2006 Posts: 2

I have a simular setup (VT2442 behind a Linksys with QoS).

QoS is really only an issue if you are doing high bandwidth things (eg games, downloading movies, etc.)

Have you played with the bandwidth saver feature? I had people complaining about my voice with this set to the default (highest). The complaint that my voice was "too soft". I changed it to the medium settiing and haven't had any problems with voice quality since.

-Zef.

Posts: 14 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 28, 2006 Posts: 14

I give up. I tried the two bandwidth suggestions and it wasn't that great. Fortunately I had someone patient with me and I kept changing settings and calling back. I could always hear an echo on my end which I never heard before.

I think I'm going to have to try and change everything so that the 2442 is in front of the Linksys.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:52 am Post subject:

What model WRT54G are you running? (it should be printed on the bottom near the serial number, or just post the first 4 digits of the serial number), and

what firmware is it running (on the upper-right side of any of the configuration screens)?

Posts: 14 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 28, 2006 Posts: 14

WRT54G version 2. Firmware Version: v4.30.5