Linksys Router and 80# question

Posts: 37 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 37

Hi All,

So far so good with Vonage although I am having an issue.

I have a Linksys BEFS41 4 port router with the latest firmware. Every once in a while it now locks up. I am unable to ping the router (Time out). I replaced the cables to make sure. Of course my phone calls go dead when this happens. I can reset the router and it goes about working but this has happened several times.

I do believe it may have actually started just before I got the Vonage though as I did have the router lock up when the my wireless laptop and main computer were going at the same time but it is more frequent the last week with Vonage.

I have noticed more choppiness and lag before I reset the router and then it sounds much better aftwards.

I do have a great broadband connection (2Mb/s down 384 up) with great ping times.

Question #1) Any recommendations on what to try with the router?
Question #2) This probably doesn't matter but I did dial 80# when I first set Vonage up and never got an IP address announced. In fact, I still don't. Is this a problem or normal? I can still call people Smile

Question #3) I did miss a phone call the other night where the person called the number and it didn't go to my forwarded number in case of broadband being down and went to my voicemail. I didn't realize til the next day as I wasnt near my computer and didn't check email.

The question part is DOES THIS HAPPEN OFTEN to most users? If so then I need to probably start using my answering machine at home instead of Vonage voicemail.

Thanks in advance!
Dean

Posts: 37 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 37

I managed to solve this issue by getting a Netgear RP614 Router and getting rid of the Linksys.

So far so good and I can now get the IP address announced also. I do not like the Linksys routers. I had to many problems with it.

Hopefully no more problems with routers locking up or at least just once in a blue moon.

Dean

Posts: 44 · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2003 3:42 am Post subject:

Hi Dean

Glad to hear that you got your problem sorted, its certainly nice to see success stories where people have had problems and fixed them themselves.

I'll agree with you on the linksys front, I've seen no end of problems with them personally (although I've never owned such a device, I'm too cheap and have a Computer performing the function of one of these devices on each of my broadband connections - much more flexible that way).

The fact that the problem got worse after you added the Vonage ATA to your system is probably indicative of the units inability to handle either more than one 'client' (the linksys will see the ATA as another computer), or to handle traffic for a greater amount of time (the ata sends out 'keepalive' requests to vonage's servers every so often).

Anyhow - glad its sorted, another satisfied customer hopefully.

Posts: 37 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 37

Fraiser,

Well I have worked in IT for 12 years so I should fix the problems myself Smile

However, I really do believe it probably is a firmware problem with that router since I have had more problems with the newer firmwares. I could backrev it and go through all that but I just don't feel good about the firmware that Linksys (or Cisco) is releasing.

I wouldn't even not recommend the Linksys router to people but after getting on the boards lately, I have been seeing less problems with the Netgear for my specific needs. I already have the Linksys sold to a friend. I am going to let him try it for 30 days and if it meets his needs, he can pay me my asking price. If he doesn't like it, he can return it at any time.

Dean

Posts: 44 · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2003 5:26 pm Post subject:

Hi Dean

I work in IT too, and I tend to live, breath and sleep computers Smile

I agree entirely with what you're saying - lets hope the router works out for your friend Smile

Again, I find a dedicated computer to the job much more flexible, but it does depend on what you're wanting. Some people would find leaving a computer switched on 24/7 a little extravagent just to share the 'net, OTOH, I have 15 machines on at home 24/7 all doing various things.

Hope it all works out anyway, and enjoy the Vonage Smile

Posts: 37 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 37

Fraiser,

You are obviously a Linux guy. I have no problem running Linux as a router, etc. I don't trust Microsoft for that.

I love Linux as a server but I just can't get into it as a workstation which is a big push in strategic directions for companies as cost saving measures. The truth of the matter it is not ready.

I think Windows XP is the best desktop OS that Micro$oft has come up with but the glaring security holes and massive amounts of patches are unbelievable. Too many evils.

Trust me. I would run Unix, NetWare, Sun, and probably even the Mac before I would run Win 2k with Active Directory as a enterprise solution. Heck I would prefer to run Banyan Vines over Win 2k.

I will defintely be keeping my eye on the open source world. I got to admit that I love mySQL which I believe could replace many of the big bucks DB's without any problems.

These days all of my time is spent on technical architecture and strategic planning so Open Source has my attention!

Dean

Posts: 9 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 14, 2003 Posts: 9

This may be a dumb question... but, did you pick up the receiver, then press the oval red-lit button on the ATA 186... then press 80# on the phone... this should give you your external IP address...

Dan

Posts: 37 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 37

Yes I did but it only beeped. It was strange. The phone still worked and sometimes my router would show it as having an IP address assigned and other times it wouldn't.

Very strange..