What seems to be random network connectivity loss

Posts: 33 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Jan 18, 2004 Posts: 33

jeff.westhead@pobox.com wrote:

Currently I have my MTA in front of my router but I seem to be having some problems.

Before we moved I tried hooking the MTA to one of my router ports. I found when I loaded a web page I could hear a click or a quick spike of noise or distortion on the phone. But before the move I had DSL which was at best 768/128. Now I have cable internet which is more like 2200/250 so hopefully it will work better.

I'm using the netgear MR812v2 router. I also have a Linksys BEFW11S4 (I think). Any thoughts on which router would be best? Or any tips on how to maintain good voice quality with the MTA hooked up to a router port rather than in front of the router?

From what I gather reading this forum, the MTA seems to work best behind a router. In fact I plugged mine into a Network Everywhere NR401 by Linksys with no additional configuration on my part without any problems. (it even seems to work well over 802.11 wireless). For reference, my cable modem gives me 1836/366.

Posts: 83 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 83

timl2k4 wrote:

gfoulks wrote:

well as soon as my router comes in I'll be sure to do as you outlined. right now this is the only way to do this.

Well, you defintely should not be required to have a router to get good Vonage. I'm suprised no one has responed with similar problems.

**snip**

People have reported similar problems...all over the boards. The issue is simple...the moto cannot sustain any volume of port scans. When it gets too many, it either hangs or, if you are really lucky, reboots. I see 90% of the problems are people who just have to have it in front of a router wich is equivalent to your configuration. Unfortunately for now, it really needs to be behind a router.

Posts: 243 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Jan 18, 2004 Posts: 243

Makes sense because I do get a ton of port scans. It's fine for my PC because I have a firewall running on it but as for the ATA it's not protected unless I get a router to put in front of it.

Thanks,
Greg

Guest

[Greg, I am a new Vonage user also and put the ATA between the cable modem and the router because the installation instructions recommended that to ensure a higher priority and therefore bandwidth = quality of Vonage conversation. I have been having outages that require a reboot to reconnect. Based on the responses to your point, I will now try putting the ATA behind the router to see if that will fix the problem.

behind quote="gfoulks"]I was wondering if anybody using a cable modem has experienced this little issue.

While I was online tonight I noticed that twice my network connection was lost. I saw the little bubble come up saying that the network was disconnected and it cycled back up again just as quickly as it went down.

Is this a known issue and is corrected by some kind of setting in the ATA?

I've never seen this kind of behavior until I introduced the ATA to my network. Like I said it's only happed twice in the past hour and a half but it could be a issue later when I connected to my office via VPN.

Thanks,
Greg[/quote]

Posts: 9 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 14, 2004 Posts: 9

I've been having a slightly different problem. I have my Vonage box (Cisco ATA 186) sitting behind my Linksys router (BEFSR41). I'm running on a TimeWarner Road Runner cable modem.

Incoming transmission is crystal clear but I'm told that now and then outgoing drops out (sounds like I'm in a box or drops completely). I have asynchronous connection, but my speeds have been measured around 341 KB/sec upload and 927 KB/sec download. I know they vary. But shouldn't that be fast enough to carry a voice transmission?

I have not upgraded the firmware on my router because I had similar problems with another application. I've also have done the recommended Port Forwarding to no avail.

Posts: 25 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Feb 14, 2004 Posts: 25

I also have Road Runner, almost identical on upload speed. The problem, I think, is indeed Road Runner. My too shows 300+ upload most of the time. However, if you check it throughout the day you will find it varies quite a bit. While it is usually not enough to be noticeable, when I have had the Vonage problems you described, I have jumped off the line immediately and checked the upload speed that instant and have found it almost nil, 50 or less. It doesn't happen often, but I think this is the culprit. Maybe it is because lots of people in the neighborhood are on RR and tying up bandwidth. I would be interested to hear if DSL users see the same degree of fluctuation on upload speed. Unfortunately, though, DSL is not available in my area.

Posts: 8 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 20, 2004 Posts: 8

I have had a similar problem. If I connect my cable's Surfboard, Vonage Box, NetGear 10/100 switch, NetGear 10/100/1000 switch, Airport and PowerMacs in any combination, my OUTGOING voice drops out of the call and the network connection to the internet stalls. Hanging up restores the connection and allows me to make another call, without restarting anything. It's enraging. Tech support has been of value similar to what's been reported here.

I'm thinking one of the following options:

1. Getting another internet connection only for the phone.
2. Replacing the NetGear switches, which have been bulletproof and problem free for three years.
3. Putting the Vonage box in a nice, hot fire.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Posts: 8 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 20, 2004 Posts: 8

I should add one more thing: if I only talk on the phone, the connection holds, no matter how long the call. If I use the internet only (mail, browser, streaming audio) it works all day long without a hitch.

Strange.

Posts: 8 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 20, 2004 Posts: 8

Unless I'm missing something, I don't think there are any ports to forward on the NetGear Switches. Do you mean the Surfboard?

We have tried the Surfboard -> Switch -> Vonage Box route, and this doesn't work for us.

I'd like to keep the Vonage service, but not if we can't get it to work correctly.

What have others used succesfully for switches or routers?

thanks!

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 24, 2004 Posts: 3

I have had Vonage for a bit over a month and have also installed it for a bunch of customers over the past few months.

We had no problems but just started getting the BEFSR41 version 3 units and the first person has issues left and right from day one. I upgraded our test router and the problems started for us as well.

It seems that if you have a BEFSR41 you shouldn't upgrade the firmware!

I did also note that while several Vonage reps told me that there shouldn't be an issue that the most popular Linsys router out there is not listed as compatible on their site!