V-Portal not connecting to Verizon DSL through Westell Modem

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: May 16, 2008 Posts: 7

My problems start when I try to replace my VT1005 with the new V-Portal. I can not get it to connect to the internet following the same sequence.

1. Tampa Fl
2. Verizon DSL
3. 3 Mbps/768 Kbps
4. Westell Wirespeed C90 36R516
5. Motorola VT1005
6. Modem---->Vonage Adapter-->PC
7. No Problems > 95% time

1. Tampa Fl
2. Verizon DSL
3. 3 Mbps/768 Kbps
4. Westell Wirespeed C90 36R516
5. V Portal
6. Modem---->Vonage Adapter-->PC
7. No Internet connection

I've tried to reboot all devices numerous times, I have tried DHCP and PPPoE settings. I have tried to both spoof and clone the MAC address of both the PC and the router, I have disabled the clone option, and lastly I have called Vonage, all without success. The old VT1005 works fine in the DHCP mode (PPPoE not enabled) so I would think this should also be on the V-Portal. However, some indicate it needs to be PPPoE. Whatever the case, neither seem to work. Any ideas? Both adapter's MAC addresses are registered in my account and I am able to move my lines, but w/o internet connection, it doesn't seem to matter.

With the Motorola I get the following data:
Download speed: 2847448 bps
Upload speed: 669376 bps
Quality of service: 99 %
Download test type: socket
Upload test type: socket
Maximum download pause: 17 ms
Average download pause: 11 ms
Minimum round trip time to server: 79 ms
Average round trip time to server: 188 ms

VoIP test statistics
--------------------
Jitter: you --> server: 1.6 ms
Jitter: server --> you: 7.1 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: 11
Estimated MOS score: 3.9

Posts: 4674 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4674

If you plug your computer directly into the Westell using DHCP, does it connect to the internet? Are you getting phone service with the V-portal?

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: May 16, 2008 Posts: 7

Yes, my computer will connect directly to the Westell with DHCP assigned by the PC.

I do not get any voice or internet connection when the new V-Portal is between the Westell and PC. By the way, I forgot to say there is a D Link Router after the Motorola adapter and before the PC. So the actual set up is Westell - Motorola - D Link and then the PC. It appears that if I put the new V portal after D Link it may work, but I want to have the V portal immediately after the Westell.

Posts: 527 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 527

You say you cloned the MAC adress, since the D Link Router is after the Motorola adapter, I presume you cloned the DLinks MAC address, right?

Posts: 4674 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4674

None of this makes much sense. The VT1005 will connect to the DSL modem using DHCP, the computer will do the same, but the V-portal won't. Right??

Weird. Let's start over. You said that the computer would connect to the modem using DHCP assigned by the PC. Hopefully, you meant DHCP with the address assigned by the Westell. If that's correct, let's try to repeat that. Plug the PC directly into the Westell and verify that it gets to the internet. Then put the V-portal into the setup between the Westell and the PC. Leave the D-link out. Do you get to the internet now?

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: May 16, 2008 Posts: 7

Yes, I just read the comment from the 'Windows Control Panel/Internet options/Network Connections/Local area connection/Support' that said "Assigned by DHCP" I assume this means the PC accepts the IP address from what is upstream?

Starting over as suggested, I find the PC will not connect to the Westell directly (I am not sure what I did with the PC last time I tried, it was late in the evening!), but the the VT1005 will connect to the Westell DSL modem without problems . I've been using it that way for over 2 years.

The V portal will not connect to the Westell directly. I have tried to both spoof/Clone the D Link and even the PC itself. However, I am not sure the Clone option works as stated. It seems the spoof option displays the new MAC address more readily.

The Westell does not recognize anything but the D link router at this time. However, when I installed the D Link about 1 year ago (swapped out a Microsoft router), I don't remember having to set up the Westell in any specific way.

Hope this helps clarify the situation.

Posts: 527 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 527

Have you looked at the DLink configuration?

Is it set to accept an address via DHCP (WAN side)?
Write down it's MAC address
Do you have DNS entries set on the WAN side or are they automatic?
Do you have a Gateway address assigned or is it static.?

Try and duplicate these settings on the V-Portal, with the DLinks MAC Address.

NOTE: according to the VPortal user Guide:

MAC Cloning and MAC Spoofing are almost identical. MAC Cloning is a specialized form of MAC Spoofing. Both MAC Spoofing and MAC Cloning copy a MAC address from a specific device onto the V-Portal.
In the case of MAC Cloning, it takes the MAC address of the computer that is viewing the V-Portal Web UI (the computer that is plugged into the Ethernet port of your V-Portal) and automatically “clones” it onto your V-Portal. This essentially copies the MAC address of your computer onto the V-Portal.
MAC Spoofing allows you to manually enter a MAC address to be used in place of the MAC address of the V-Portal.
You can only enable one or the other. If MAC Spoofing is enabled, MAC Cloning will be disabled and vice-versa

So use MAC spoofing

If this fails, write Down the Status of the DLInk - WAN side
IP, Gateway and DNS. Manually assign these to the VPORTAL WAN side and see if this works.

Posts: 527 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 527

I recomend the above as two thoughts come to mind:

1. The Westell DSL modem wants to see the same MAC address
2. The Westell DSL modem only assigns one IP, and it is leased by the DLink . . . and will not release another one.

If the 2nd step outline above, (assigning the same IP under lease) does not work, I would simply try one up or one down and see if that helps. If not, I would contact the DSL provider.

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: May 16, 2008 Posts: 7

I have looked at the DLink configuration and tried to duplicate it, but without success in connecting the VPortal to the Westell. However, since the Dlink is after the Motorola, wouldn't the Motorola be the device I should try to duplicate? I've tried both and neither work. Here are the current settings on the Motorola, immediately after the Westell DSL.

WAN IP Address Assignment Dynamic
IP Address XX.XXX.XX.13
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway XX.XXX.XX.1
DNS Servers XX.XXX.112.12
XX.XXX.96.12
DHCP Server/NAT Enabled
Configured MAC Address XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:9C (PC's MAC address)
Factory MAC Address XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:2A
Line 1
Phone Number
Caller ID
1-555-555-1234
555-555-1234
Line 2
Phone Number
Caller ID
1-555-555-2345
555-555-2345

The Dlinks settings are also DHCP, with an MTU size of 1500, primary and seconday DNS settings of 0.0.0.0 with the factory MAC address of XX.XX.XX.XX.XX.F9

However, from the DLink status page it says: Default Gateway : XXX.XXX.102.1
DNS : XX.XXX.112.12 XX.XXX.96.12

So, the latest is I have set the VPortal to DHCP, an MTU size of 1500 and spoofed three different MAC addresses, the PC ending in 9C, the Dlink ending in F9, and then the V portal itself ending in b3.

None of them will connect. When I look at the V Portal status page I see a red note that says that is doesn't have a WAN IP address. It also does not show any numbers for the DNS servers. I assume this is just a indication the V portal is not connecting?

"If this fails, write Down the Status of the DLInk - WAN side
IP, Gateway and DNS. Manually assign these to the VPORTAL WAN side and see if this works." I have not seen how to manually assign these in the Vportal. If I figure this out, then I'll also try to assign a number one up or down as suggested.

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: May 16, 2008 Posts: 7

"If this fails, write Down the Status of the DLInk - WAN side
IP, Gateway and DNS. Manually assign these to the VPORTAL WAN side and see if this works." I have not seen how to manually assign these in the Vportal. If I figure this out, then I'll also try to assign a number one up or down as suggested.

I think I figured this out in the V Portal. I selected static IP instead of DHCP. I then entered all the pertinent information from the existing Motorola (not the D link)and success! The V portal now shows internet connection and tells me to wait a few minutes for the phone line indicator. Now, since I have it configured for static IP address, will it renew when the lease is up? Or, will it crash after the lease expires? Once I get connected, can I go back and change it to DHCP?