Best phone adapter for my set-up? other questions also.

Posts: 103

Hello all. I am going to give Vonage a try, with the $24.95 unlimed package. I've always wanted to try them, since they came out, but they only started offering my area code 2 weeks ago. Ok, he is my set-up.
~Time Warner Cable powered road runner, with speeds around: download speed : 998498 bps, or 975 kbps.
A 121.8 KB/sec transfer rate. upload speed : 366233 bps, or 357 kbps.
Sometimes faster, sometimes a little bit slower. I have only had it drop out once for 1 day, since 2000 when I first started my subscription. very reliable.
~Toshiba PCX1100U cable modem.
~Belkin wireless 54g cable/DSL gateway router part # F5D7230-4.
Router is connected by short network cable to modem.
I have two computers (max) on wireless G cards in house sharing the connection, 4 open network ports on router.
My phone line is not home run in my 1980's house. I am not going to use one phone with Vonage or buy new wireless set-up. I am going to run line back to incoming phone line off of street, so I can use all phone connections in my house.
My questions:
1) What is the best (I mean best of all of them) phone adapter for my set-up? I do not need/want another router. where is a good place to get it?
2) how is phone adapter connected to cable modem/router?
3) Is is possible to turn router off at night and keep modem on with this set-up and still use Vonage?
4)anything I should know, that Vonage can't do yet? Am am able to use it just like regular service, pick-up phone and dial 7 digit number, ect? (I am coming from service with USA telephone, with included caller ID, call waiting caller ID, call forwarding, caller ID block.)
5)How do I go about transfering existing phone # to Vonage? How long will it take?
6)Will the voice mail lamp light up on my new cordless phone if I have a message, with Vonnage?
Thank you for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very Happy

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 5:05 pm Post subject:

many comcast users have had issues with the PCX1100U. I have roadrunner with that modem and have no problems.
the linksys pap2 is free at a lot of places (best buy is the only one I can think of offhand). it will plug into your router. so the router, pap2 and cable modem all need to be turned on.
no caller id block.
when you sign up for Vonage, there will be a form you print and fax to xfer your number. send a copy of a telephone bill too.
depends on how the phone works. what phone is it.

if you've wanted to try Vonage for years ("since they came out") I'm surprised at how little research you've done. just reading this forum or vonage.com will answer some of your questions, including ones you haven't thought of yet.

Posts: 34

mini1 wrote:

...Ok, he is my set-up.
~Time Warner Cable powered road runner, with speeds around: download speed : 998498 bps, or 975 kbps.
A 121.8 KB/sec transfer rate. upload speed : 366233 bps, or 357 kbps.
Sometimes faster, sometimes a little bit slower. I have only had it drop out once for 1 day, since 2000 when I first started my subscription. very reliable.
~Toshiba PCX1100U cable modem.

My connection was is about the same, and I also had the Toshiba modem. For me, I had an issue that was resolved when I replaced the modem with a newer model (I chose the Motorola SB5100).

However, do some playing... First things are to check out http://testyourvoip.com/ and see what your real connection is upstream and downstream... Second is to download the shareware version of Ping Plotter http://www.pingplotter.com and let it run (I set my timer between pings to 2 seconds and my packet size to 1200 based on Vonage tech support call) for at least 4 hours to view averages and trends on packet loss, latency and delay (each will contribute to poor call audio).

Quote:

1) What is the best (I mean best of all of them) phone adapter for my set-up? I do not need/want another router. where is a good place to get it?

I'm personally using the Motorola VT1000 (sitting behind my Linksys WRTG54 router using QoS) without issues. Mine came direct from Vonage, but do a search on Google or just by one from Dan (this board) Lol

Quote:

2) how is phone adapter connected to cable modem/router?

Varies by device: the Motorola VT1000 has 2 ethernet ports, one for incoming signal (WAN) and other for outgoing signal (LAN). For me, my cable goes direct to my router, so the router connects to the WAN port and nothing connects to the LAN port on the adaptor. When I first signed up, the cable modem connected to the WAN port and the Linksys connected to the LAN port, but then I upgraded firmware and took advantage of Linksys QoS.

Quote:

3) Is is possible to turn router off at night and keep modem on with this set-up and still use Vonage?

All depends on your LAN topology I guess. Is possible *if* your adaptor sits in front of your router. For curiosity, why?

Quote:

4)anything I should know, that Vonage can't do yet? Am am able to use it just like regular service, pick-up phone and dial 7 digit number, ect? (I am coming from service with USA telephone, with included caller ID, call waiting caller ID, call forwarding, caller ID block.)

Like reebok stated, just caller ID blocking. Biggest caution -- if power/ISP are out, so is Vonage so keep your cellular handy.

Quote:

5)How do I go about transfering existing phone # to Vonage? How long will it take?

See reebok's post. Prepare to wait between 1 (really really really lucky) and much more than advertised 20 business days depending on your POTS. Mine was exactly 24 business days.

Quote:

6)Will the voice mail lamp light up on my new cordless phone if I have a message, with Vonnage?

My Uniden 5.8 GHz model does.

Personally, I love Vonage. I did need to troubleshoot some call quality issues that have been cured once I replaced a 4 year old cable modem, but other than that it's been awesome.

Good luck,
ChrisP

Posts: 103 · Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 8:35 pm Post subject:

Thank you everyone. Just to let you know, I'm still here. I read your replies, and I'm going to start working down the sugestions tomorrow. First step, I contacted my contact at Time Warner Cable, to see what new modems he could come up with. Will be back tomorrow.

Posts: 15 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 21, 2004 Posts: 15

Dude. Please, please, please PLEASE get rid of your Toshiba modem and upgrade. I am in NYC and I have Earthlink cable, which runs over the Time Warner lines. I had the Toshiba model you're talking about and had all kinds of packet loss, dropped connections, etc. It was maddening.

Time Warner upgraded me to the RCA DCM425 modem free of charge. I now have absolutely no problems with Vonage or any of my other network connections.

The Toshiba that you have is a culprit of very severe packet loss and I guarantee you will have serious troubles:

http://www.cablemodemhelp.com/pcx1000.htm

Do yourself a huge favor and avoid all the problems and get rid of that ancient piece of junk, trade it in for some new hardware that really works, and enjoy your phone servide. I pulled my hair out for weeks before I finally realized that it was my cable modem that was the problem. Don't make the same mistake!

Good luck!

Posts: 103 · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 7:53 pm Post subject:

Hello. OK, I am going to get rid of the old, outdated modem. I hate outdated stuff, and yes I do realize that it is the main problem to my home network randomlly crashing, or slowing down. However, I know little about modems, I NEED YOUR HELP-PLEASE.
Here is what I have available to chose from for a new modem. (I can't buy one and put it on the TWC system, that is banned.)
Toshiba: PCX2200, PCX2500
Motorola: CG4501, SB4200
Scientific Atlanta: “Webstar” modems (Models not specified, but if SA tends to be any good I could find out the model #'s)
There is nothing else available, besides what I already have so please don't tell me to go get something else, as I can't.
~Which modem; is the fastest, most reliable, and the best overall, newest one I can get?
If anyone knows where I can get actual ratings/reviews for these please post a link.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP! Very Happy

Posts: 103 · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 8:04 pm Post subject:

chrisp, I'm going to try the ping test once I get a new modem. no point doing yet. If I get some helpful reviews, I could swap it out this weekend.
So you are saying the MOTO VT1000 can be used without the router capabilites? and just sit behind the router?
"All depends on your LAN topology I guess. Is possible *if* your adaptor sits in front of your router. For curiosity, why? "
I want to turn off my wirless router because it is wireless, even thought it is well protected with security features, I like to shut it off, so there is no possiblity someone can hack the signal or hack a computer behind the router. Hackers can get around everything, exept no signal. So, if there is a way to keep it off when not in use with Vonage, and what ever set-up not slowing down my connection, then I would like to know.
When I switched from Verizon to USA telephone, it took them less then 12 hours to switch the phone number over!!! Is that a good sign for a USA to Vonage switch?

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 8:59 pm Post subject:

the VT1000 is not a router. it needs a router to even work (well not technically but if you want computers connected to your broadband...)
if you're that paranoid about your wless network, I'm surprised you have one. not sure how to help you there. you can get a RT31P2 from Vonage (this is what they ship) and plug you wless router into it (this is how my setup is) and then be able to turn off your wless. so it would be cable modem, RT31P2 (phone adapter), then your wireless router.
as a disclaimer, the posts in this thread are long and your setup is confusing me for some reason. so if everything I said is totally irrelevant, just ignore this post. but hope it helps.

Posts: 227 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Dec 10, 2004 Posts: 227

Let me say this, run the speed tests, run ping plotter, and THEN decide whether to ditch your 1100U or not. I'm running Comcast, with the 1100U, and using the PAP2. My connections are teriffic! Point being, everyone's experience is going to be a little different (as many people say the 1100U works, there are just as many to say it stinks). Test YOUR connection first and then decide. Unless, of course, you truly want a brand new modem. For me (being a tech/admin) I believe, if it works and works well, don't change it until it proves otherwise. Just my .02 cents.

Posts: 103 · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 3:53 pm Post subject:

Thank you for your help. I would like to just get a new modem, so can anyone help me out where to find reviews of these?