computer connects with usb wirless int adapter, not router

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 22, 2006 Posts: 2

my computer uses a usb wireless network adapter, we all share the internet connection in the house, the wirless router is upstairs. can't i directly connect the Vonage phone adapter to my computer because it's accessing the internet using its' usb wirless internet adapter? i also have an extra router and when i hook it up to the phone adapter the phone adapter's internet light turns on even though the router doesn't have connection to the internet yet. is there a way to directly connect my online computer to the phone adapter without a router in between, if this is not a possibility, i don't know how i'm going to do it. please help. thanks.

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

Yes. If your computer is connecting wirelessly and also has a wired ethernet card, then you can set it up to bridge the connection to the ethernet port and from there to the Vonage adapter. Of course, you'll have to have your computer on all the time to get phone service.

You might prefer to get a wireless access point. Use that to connect wirelessly and plug the adapter into it.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 22, 2006 Posts: 2

thanks steve for your reply. i'm not sure how to bridge connections but i'm going to try it out and use the help menu on windows xp if i need directions. if you know of a reference or resource for this type of thing let me know. thanks again.

Posts: 36 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Dec 27, 2006 Posts: 36

I would change all USB network connections of any kind wired or wireless, to wired ethernet or wireless PCI or PC Card ethernet.

dsl/cable modem (wired) to wireless router (wired) to Vonage device. all other computers get internet from wireless AP.
set router to have Vonage device on DMZ.

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 18, 2007 Posts: 4

In addition, I would double check your System Settings under Device Manager and click on each USB device to make sure the "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" under "Power Management" is DESELECTED. Otherwise, everytime your computer goes to a screen saver or logs off you will be without Vonage because the USB device will be turned off.

If I were you, I'd go with the ethernet and physically connect the Vonage adapter to your routers because even though you may have everything checked, all it takes is a short burst of electro waves or a combination of a weak signal and a hiccup and it WILL knock out your connection thus dropping the Vonage service. When this happens, the adaptor sometimes requires a power cycle.

Good luck and keep it simple. Very Happy

-Matt

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 22, 2007 Posts: 1

I connect to the internet via a verizon dsl card. When I bought my Vonage device, the associate at OM said I could connect with that. Is there any additional hardware that I would need. I already get cable TV in my rent package, and it would be odd to get Bell South dsl, considering we're trying to sever the apron strings to Ma Bell.