Network Set-up with VoIP

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 16, 2005 Posts: 3

If someone can help out...

I am currently using a wired Linksys BEFSR41 Router/Switch for home networking. This device is directly connected to a Toshiba cable modem. I have 3 PCs hooked up to the router with a plan on adding a network printer.

Since I would need to add a router anyways (5 ports - 3 PC, 1 printer, 1 vonage), I am assuming that getting the RT31P2 Linksys/Vonage Router is the way to go. However, which device would come first after the modem, BEFSr41 or RT31P2?
See below:
#1 Modem->RT31P2->BEFSR41->3 PCs, 1 printer
#2 Modem->BEFSR41(1 printer)->RT31P2->3 PCs

My first thought was #1, this way I keep all the PCs and potential printer on the BEFSR41.

I havent made the switch yet, though the VoIP speed test I get a QoS of 45-55% and it varies saying my connection can handle 1-4 phone calls, depending on when I run the test.

I am using Comcast in NW Illinois (4Mbps download, 384kbps upload). WinXP SP2, 3.0Ghz, 1Gb RAM.

Any help with the set-up or comments from other Comcast users in the area would help. If it helps, I do play MMOs (World of Warcraft, EQ2, etc).

Thanks,
Bill

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 2:12 pm Post subject:

if you have a toshiba pcx1100 you should replce it before you even bother getting voip. I would go with route 1. other people will probably come say why, but it's been talked about over and over and I don't feel like typing it all out. there is somewhat of an explanation at vonage.com if you actually wanted to look at the website of the company.
http://vonage.com/help_knowledgeBase_article.php?category=45&article=61
don't worry about the qos score too much. use testyourvoip.com, detailed results for a good indication. post the results here if you aren't sure about them

Posts: 77 · Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: Network Set-up with VoIP

Gimril wrote:

Since I would need to add a router anyways (5 ports - 3 PC, 1 printer, 1 vonage), I am assuming that getting the RT31P2 Linksys/Vonage Router is the way to go. However, which device would come first after the modem, BEFSr41 or RT31P2?
See below:
#1 Modem->RT31P2->BEFSR41->3 PCs, 1 printer
#2 Modem->BEFSR41(1 printer)->RT31P2->3 PCs

Setting #1 gives you QoS (Quality of Service priorizes voice vs data transmission) and does not allow full VPN (see other topics).
Setting #2: no QoS and no full VPN
Setting #3: Modem->BEFSR41(3 PCs)->RT31P2->printer : Full VPN from any PC, no QoS

If you don't do VPNing, choose setting #1 (with or without PCs on RT31P2) in order to keep QoS.

Posts: 31 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Mar 16, 2005 Posts: 31

Hi,

Looks like your configuration here : http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2004/12/connect_linksys_rt31.php

I havent had a chance to test it, waiting for RT31 to arrive, but seems like a pretty good solution. Mine would be almost identical, only different router REFSR81

Posts: 482 · Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 12:23 am Post subject:

Yes, if you don't need to run a PPTP VPN server, go with #1 and don't forget to turn off DHCP and NAT in the BEFSR41.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 16, 2005 Posts: 3

OK a few more questions:

A) I am assuming that using config #1 I will still be able to access a remote VPN, but not host my own VPN. Correct?

B) What effect does QoS have on bandwidth? Will I see issues if I get a phone call while playing World of Warcraft?

C) Is there any specific modem that out performs others using VoIP?

Thanks,
Bill

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 16, 2005 Posts: 3

Here my results from www.testyourvoip.com:

Better Quality:
MOS 4.3 / 5.0
(Best with G.711 is 4.4)

Degradation Sources
Codec 0.58 86.1%
Latency 0.00 0.0%
Packet Discards 0.09 13.9%
Packet Loss 0.00 0.0%

Codec G.711 (PCM at 64kbps,
20ms RTP payload,
80kbps IP BW)
Round-Trip
Latency 127 ms
Packet Discards 0.4%
Packet Loss 0.0%
Loss Periods Min: 20 ms
Avg: 20 ms
Max: 20 ms
Random Loss

Jitter Min: 0 ms
Avg: 7 ms
Max: 32 ms

Conserve Bandwidth:
MOS 4.2 / 5.0
(Best with G.729 is 4.2)

Degradation Sources
Codec 0.81 96.8%
Latency 0.00 0.0%
Packet Discards 0.03 3.1%
Packet Loss 0.00 0.0%

Codec G.729 (CS-ACELP at 8kbps,
10ms RTP payload,
40kbps IP BW)
Round-Trip
Latency 143 ms
Packet Discards 0.3%
Packet Loss 0.0%
Loss Periods Min: 10 ms
Avg: 10 ms
Max: 10 ms
Random Loss

Jitter Min: 0 ms
Avg: 7 ms
Max: 47 ms

Signaling Quality Post-Dial Delay 78 ms
Call Setup Time 78 ms
Media Delay 172 ms

******************
Does this bode well?

Thanks again,
Bill[/b]

Posts: 14 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Apr 09, 2005 Posts: 14

Gimril wrote:

OK a few more questions:

A) I am assuming that using config #1 I will still be able to access a remote VPN, but not host my own VPN. Correct?

B) What effect does QoS have on bandwidth? Will I see issues if I get a phone call while playing World of Warcraft?

C) Is there any specific modem that out performs others using VoIP?

Thanks,
Bill

This thread has been inactive, but since no one answered the above questions, I thought I would add a few of my own to see if they can all be answered:

1. Why shouldn't the Toshiba 1100 be used?

2. I the same hardware and would like to set mine up using any of the options mention here, but I'm getting an error when trying to access http://192.168.15.1 when plugging the voip router directly into the computer to configure the router. Someone suggested reassigning the ip of the router to 192.168.1.2, but how do you do that?

Thanks,

Meantone

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:17 am Post subject:

here are a few threads on the pcx1100. if you took the time to search yourself you would find more.
http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic2172.html
http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic2310.html
http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic2197.html
http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic3783.html
http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic2546.html

2. care to describe the error? you could assign it another ip through another router but that shouldn't be necessary. where did you see that?

Posts: 112 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Jan 17, 2005 Posts: 112

I will tell you on a personal experiance.

Deep 6 the PCX1100. I had one, it was 5 years old. I bought it when I lived in AZ and had Cox for my ISP. When I moved back to MA, it worked ok, no problems. As soon as I got connected to Vonage..the modem couldnt handle the packets. I got a new Moto SB5100 from Compusa, and my Vonage has been great, my line speeds are OK, based on the 384/4000.

Take my advise..if you want Vonage, you need to upgrade that Modem.
My theory..If you want to save money, you may need to spend some to get going.