Anyone using the new Linksys/Cisco VOIP router from Vonage?

Posts: 70 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 17, 2004 Posts: 70

Is anyone using the new Linksys/Cisco VOIP router from Vonage? How does it work? I'm wondering if it gets rid of the echo I get occasionally.

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 10:08 am Post subject:

which one is that? the RT31P2?

Posts: 70 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 17, 2004 Posts: 70

I think there are two options. The wired version is the PAP2:
http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=651&scid=38

Posts: 70 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 17, 2004 Posts: 70

Actually it looks like they list both as possibilities.

http://www.linksys.com/press/press.asp?prid=170

I'd prefer using the PAP2 as I already use a Netgear switch/router/firewall.

Posts: 20 · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 12:22 pm Post subject:

I use the Linksys RT31P2 , haven't had any issues with it so far but I only been using Vonage for like 9 days.

Posts: 70 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 17, 2004 Posts: 70

TheSauceMaster wrote:

I use the Linksys RT31P2 , haven't had any issues with it so far but I only been using Vonage for like 9 days.

So hows your network setup, Saucemaster? And hows the quality of the phone calls?

I ask because I've been using Vonage for about 5 months. I've tried using the Moto ATA in front of & behind my existing router. It doesn't work at all behind it & when it's in front, occasionally I get calls with an echo in them. Anyway, I'm curious if the Linksys will get rid of that.

Thanks.

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 1:31 pm Post subject:

I have an RT31P2 and my network is set up like this:
cable modem, linksys vonage device, wireless router, computer. Call quality is fine, better than it was with Packet8. I think I've gotten an echo once or twice, which is explained at vonage.com if I remember correctly.

Posts: 70 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 17, 2004 Posts: 70

reebok wrote:

I think I've gotten an echo once or twice, which is explained at vonage.com if I remember correctly.

Thanks Reebok. As I recall, the explanation is basically just that it's a network issue. No real fix, right? I'll have to look again.

Posts: 20 · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 1:43 pm Post subject:

Well mine is setup just like they tell you here https://www.vonage.com/help_knowledgeBase_article.php?category=45&article=467

I have had 1 time of a echo , but that person was on a cell phone so it could have been the cell phone , never have had a echo when I call anyone on a landline.

Posts: 15 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 13, 2004 Posts: 15

I spent a long time on the phone, 5 am this morning because that is the only time I could get through, and got one of the more educated, but opinionated tech reps. He said that he has been in the IT/Networking business for years and that if I was having all the problems that I am, many stated here in this forum, that most of it is either related to installation or the nature of the beast. Of which I realize part of it was true, but there are other variables involved also. Like, an overloaded/over sold system, questionable hardware (the Motorola modem which I have to have on the back side of my router due to severe speed reduction when on the front), and other user unavoidable bugs and ticks. He was pretty certain that the adapter was fine and offered to send me the new Linksys, which he informed me was made by a third party not Linksys nor Cisco, which is what I have tried to get someone to do for a while now. But I got that hmm feeling and opted to wait for the Netgear that is just now started testing.

The rep also said that the Linksys not a widely liked unit and they are having many sent back. Well I really don't care for Linksys due to their snotty Tech Support, which has been a problem for years, and we'd have to get tech support from them for the router end of the device. I had their gear when they were the only game in town, but never again. But now that there are tons of vendors and the cost is so low, it's easy to shop.

Anyway, the rep spoke of packet loss, SPI filtering, digitizing voice (the Nature of the Beast stuff), not installing as I was told to (which I have changed, nothing noticeable in service improvement yet) and the like, of which some of it made sense. But I got the feeling that it was mostly an excuse. Because I never had these problems, many that are system related, before when the service had thousands less on it.

I can not access my SoftPhone Control area, dropped calls, the echo (which the rep blamed on the phone I was using, all of them, "excuse"), shredded, not choppy calls, CallerID dropping all the time needing the modem to be power cycled often until the Motorola patch comes out, hours to get through to tech support and billing (indicator of system overload), inconsistent operation of the web features (another indicator), and more. I think I'm gong to move my VoIP to my ISP as soon as they activate a couple of features that I need. Plus, the one flaw in the SoftPhone, having to have a separate number, which my ISP will not need, has become convenient. So that might make things a bit difficult.

Well, I think they are just over selling the service and can't keep up. Who knows this growth spurt could be what is needed to kick them in the butt to get things done right. We'll have to see. But as long as I'm not getting what I am paying for, I'll be looking for alternatives.