2 Computers sharing broadband..

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 21, 2004 Posts: 2

I'm thinking of signing up for Vonage after my Talk America bill keeps going up. My Dad and I share my Comcast broadband via a Linksys router (not wireless), the modem is a rented Motorola. Will the quality of my calls be degraded by having two computers online? Also, being in a wheelchair, is it very difficult to hook things up, I usually have to call someone to help me? BTW, I'm in MI, Comcast cable, Toshiba laptop XP, if that helps to clarify. thanks alot, Doug

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 7:39 pm Post subject:

it shouldn't be an issue unless the computers (even if it's only one) are using a lot of bandwidth. And even then, the device Vonage sends you (likely the RT31P2) should help out with that with the QoS (search this forum for more info on that if you're so inclined).
so to make a long story short, having two computers shouldn't affect your service. and yes, you may need someone to help you hook it up.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Oct 02, 2004 Posts: 2

Hi Doug696.

I'm in OH using Comcast with as many as 3 PCs on at one time. When the service decides it is working it works regardless if all three PCs are connected. The problem I'm having lately is with the service not working a lot. Even all indicators show all is okay I can't place or take calls. I get a dial tone and the phone will ring. I tested incoming calls from a cell phone. The phone rings and when I pick up, nothing. From the calling phone the phone continues to ring till it goes to voicemail. This has been happening on and off for a couple weeks now. At the same time I'm not having any problems surfing. When I try calling support they either will not take my call or I am on hold for an hour or more. I'm pretty much decided I'm going to dump Vonage and go with Earthlink Unlimited Voice. You might want to do some research and consider your options.

Hey Vonage! You hear this? Your service is serious need of fixing, especially when it comes to customer service! Rolling Eyes

-- SeaDog

doug696 wrote:

I'm thinking of signing up for Vonage after my Talk America bill keeps going up. My Dad and I share my Comcast broadband via a Linksys router (not wireless), the modem is a rented Motorola. Will the quality of my calls be degraded by having two computers online? Also, being in a wheelchair, is it very difficult to hook things up, I usually have to call someone to help me? BTW, I'm in MI, Comcast cable, Toshiba laptop XP, if that helps to clarify. thanks alot, Doug

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 8:10 pm Post subject:

did you miss the "adding 600 jobs" thing?
perhaps that will alleviate some hold times once they're in place. granted not all 600 are for tech support, but...

http://www.vonage-forum.com/article1302.html

Posts: 4 · Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 9:52 pm Post subject:

I'm in Michigan as well (Ann Arbor area) and use Comcast with a SurfBoard modem hooked up to a Microsoft 802.11g router (I may be the only one in the country who still uses Microsoft!); we have several computers splitting the signal and can talk on my Vonage connection without issue. Comcast supplies a pretty good connection, at least in my area.

I found the Motorola Vonage box extremely easy to set up. I do have the box plugged into my router (cable modem->router->Vonage box) which allows me a trouble-free Internet connection and good voice quality too.

Everything works differently for everyone though or we wouldn't need forums, I guess!

Good luck!

Doug

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 21, 2004 Posts: 2

Doug, do you have to do anything to the router specifically? I hate messing with my set-up which works flawlessly. Funny you saying your from Ann Arbor,, Moms dragging me out there tomorrow for an all shopping excursion to Briarwood, hope I survive LOL. Thanks for the replies everyone, Doug (too)

Posts: 4 · Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 5:13 am Post subject:

In my instance, I didn't have to do anything with the router, I just plugged it in and it worked. Having read a lot of messages in this and other forums, it may just be dumb luck; seems others have had to adjust settings, etc.

Enjoy shopping...Briarwood's starting to get busy!

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

Another guy with dumb luck. Plugged it in & it worked. 4 phones on Vonage, along with 3 PCs, an Xbox & a MediaMVP pulling video to the living room from the office.
Only issue I've ever had was an echo in about 1 in 10 calls we make.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 25, 2004 Posts: 2

I've been using Vonage for about 2 months now and love it Very Happy

. I'm located in Daytona Beach FL and using Brighthouse for cable with Road Runner internet service. I'm also using IPCop 1.3 for my firewall with the Motorolla Voice terminal I picked up at Circuit City. Installed in less than 5 mins and up and running. I have the 3mbps down and 384kps up service which averages around 2.5 or greater down and atleast 300 up. I don't have any problems with echo or any other voice quality issues and have had the setting at Highest or 90kpbs since installing. I'd make sure to check ping times as well as packet loss for any voice quality issues. I have the VT plugged into a switch connected to my IPCop firewall. With this kind of bandwidth, I have both computers online and never loose voice quality. You can hear a little degradation every so often if you download a huge file or something but nothing to worry about. I've also taken the adapter to another location with DSL and also works perfectly there. Ping times at both locations average around 30-40ms. All of the features I've tried so far work flawlessly--network avail transfer, caller-id, call transfers, click to call, caller-id blocking, voicemail, etc. With IP cop you can get traffic graphs, firewall reports, throughput statistics, etc. I also use IPCop on both ends at my apartment and business for a flawless VPN Connection. Everything works great.