Call straight to VM w/o Ring; VM not stuttering

Posts: 83 · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 7:50 pm Post subject:

I use a Linksys BEFSR11 - with DHCP switch OFF. My Linksys does not allow me to use Reserved DHCP. Nor does my SMC Barricade router or my Belkin router (I use all 3)

I use a Windows 2000 server to shell out DHCP addresses and I can add a Reserved MAC address to that. You can do the same with a Linux server.

Hope this helps.

Guest

This problem is recognized when the phone doesn't ring and the call is forwarded abruptly to voicemail. Also, you might notice dropped calls after quite a few minutes.

This happens with practically all Linksys NAT routers and many other manufacturers. The only way around this problem is to configure the router to forward Vonage network traffic (port forwarding) to the ATA 186.

All I know is the NAT timer "pin-hole" expires. When this happens the router persistently blocks all inbound traffic that usually passes through. Maybe you can call tech support like I did and get them to drop the SIP registration interval the ATA is set to make from 15 minutes to 5 minutes. It worked for me!

Good Luck,
Ganuu

Linksys BEFSR41
Rev:1.43-Sep-04-2002

Posts: 220 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Aug 19, 2003 Posts: 220

Yesterday the phone went straight to VM again, so we decided to try to get the ATA away from the Linksys.

We tried using the switch to split the IP address, but it wasn't successful. It would pull an IP -- a 192 address -- but there was no dial tone. If you immediately did 80# again, the IP would go to all zeroes. Only when we put it back behind the router did it work and get a dial tone. (couldn't even get it to get a dial tone connected directly to the cable, which I thought everybody could do, which is a bit odd).

I will probably find a time when we have lots of time and call support or email and ask them to call us. We've got the ports forwarded but apparently there's still some problem with the Linksys. Next step would be to try a different router, maybe a Netgear or a DLink, and use the Linksys on the back of it. Since they're different brands, it's my understanding we won't have to do anything but just attach it as if it were a switch.

We still have a few weeks until our line transfes so we'll just have to keep tweaking. With the announcement of Comcast doubling bandwidth, that can't hurt!

Laurel