Wireless Router Setup

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 31, 2008 Posts: 4

I'm new to Vonage and know very little about networking. Does anyone know how to setup a wireless router along with a Vonage router?

I have a TRENDnet TEW-452BRP wireless g router that I'd like to use along with my Vonage (Motorola VT2442) router/phone adapter and my Motorola SURFboard SB5101 cable modem.

If it matters, I'm also using a MacPro with OS 10.5.4

Posts: 1178 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1178

if you do search on this forum, you will find many examples of folks using a wireless router with their vonage adapter (my signature shows you my setup).

the main concern is what we can QoS (quality of service). this is a feature of some routers that can control which device gets priority. Since vonage is a time sensitive application, it needs the top priority at all times.

I have looked at your trendnet router's quick install guide and it does not tell me anything about qos. can you look up user's guide in the CD? look for qos.

If your trendnet has it, then you should setup the network as follows:

setup #1
internet -> modem -> trendnet -> vonage + MAC.

If your trendnet does not have qos, then I would put it this way:

setup #2
internet -> modem -> vonage -> trendnet + MAC

This way, your vonage device will prioritize your traffic for phone calls.

Many here however do not like setup #2 b/c they have found the vonage devices to be poor routers. Hence many opt for #1 but get a wireless router that has good qos capability.

hope this helps.

Posts: 4751 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4751

You might also want to look at Nate Hoy's explanations here: http://vonage.nmhoy.net/

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 25, 2006 Posts: 6

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For best calls, it is best to place your Vonage router first between your cable modem and any wireless modem. The wired VT2442 is much faster that most wireless modems, has built in QoS and will be virtually transparent to your wireless activities.

It is also helpful to use a Hawking HBB1 booster between your cable modem and you Vonage router.

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 31, 2008 Posts: 4

Thanks for the help everyone.

I tried putting the wireless router in front of and behind the vonage adapter with no luck. I even lost my connection to the internet both times.

I'm starting to wonder if my wireless router is bad.

Posts: 4751 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4751

Does the wireless router work without the Vonage router on line? That's the first thing to check if you suspect that the wireless is bad.

Make sure when using both routers that they're set to use different subnet addressing. For example, if one is using the subnet 192.168.15.xxx, set the other to use something like 192.168.16.xxx .

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 31, 2008 Posts: 4

I can't get it to work without the vonage line. Guess I'll be picking up another wireless router.

Posts: 1178 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1178

b4 your go out a buy a new wireless router do the following.

turn off your modem for 5 full minutes. then power it up.

then plug in your trendnet and turn it on. now see if you have internet access.

I say this b/c the motorola surfboard modems remember the next device's MAC address. So if you switch devices, you need make the modem lose that memory by leaving it off for 5 mins.

please don't go out and buy a new wireless router just yet.

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 31, 2008 Posts: 4

I tried all the suggestions and still nothing.

I ended up buying another wireless router and now everything works great. Thank you everyone for all your help.