Vonage over ADSL - do I need to buy a router?

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 11, 2005 Posts: 2

Hi All -

I'm located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and am attempting to connect Vonage over my 512/128 kbps ADSL line. The first problem is that the ADSL modem connects to my computer via USB, so I need to buy a replacement modem that connects via Ethernet.

But once I've done that, will I need to do anything else? Or at that point will I simply be able to plug in the Vonage phone adapter as usual?

I've heard that using Vonage with ADSL requires a router as well? Is this true?

Note: My ADSL requires that I log in everytime I boot my computer; it does not stay automatically connected.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 9:18 am Post subject:

there should be an adapter you can buy if you want to skip buying the new modem. Vonage sends the linksys RT31P2 if you order from them, which is a router, so you should be covered there. You'll want to be sure to set your call quality to the lowest setting in the Vonage features page, because with a low upload speed like that, coupled with (I assume) international calling, you may have some issues. even without intl calling I wouldn't put the quality setting above the middle.
Not sure how your dsl works, but you'll probably need to set the RT31P2 to PPPoE which allows you to specify a username, password, etc.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 11, 2005 Posts: 2

thanks for the quick reply.

Not sure I understand why I won't need to buy the new modem. You're saying there is a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, and that will allow me to take the USB cord from the modem and plug it into the Vonage box?

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 9:48 am Post subject:

this is where I saw the information (another Voip company):

http://sunrocket.com/get_help/troubleshooting.html#usbport

My high speed Internet connection uses a USB port, not an Ethernet port.
The gizmo currently only supports an Ethernet connection. You will need to switch your high-speed Internet connection from USB to Ethernet in order to use SunRocket Service.
If your computer does not have an Ethernet card, you can purchase a USB to Ethernet Converter to connect your computer to the gizmo, and ultimately the Internet.

Posts: 13 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 10, 2005 Posts: 13

You'll want to be sure to set your call quality to the lowest setting in the Vonage features page, because with a low upload speed like that, coupled with (I assume) international calling, you may have some issues. even without intl calling I wouldn't put the quality setting above the middle

Where do you change this setting and how? I have been on the Linksys site where you can change from "Obtain IP automatically" and some other options, but where do you change the settings for audio quality?

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 4:46 pm Post subject:

vonage.com, log in, features, bandwidth saver.

Posts: 646 · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 5:50 pm Post subject:

Porteno wrote:

thanks for the quick reply.

Not sure I understand why I won't need to buy the new modem. You're saying there is a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, and that will allow me to take the USB cord from the modem and plug it into the Vonage box?

I wouldn't get your hopes up on finding such an adapter. You can get a USB adapter to hook your computer into ethernet, but I've never heard of an adapter that lets you hook a USB modem into ethernet.

It sounds like you'll need a new modem. It was a pretty stupid design to not have the Ethernet port in the first place.