Question about vonage usage in wireless internet.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 2

Hi,

I am living in a University Dormitory which only wireless internet is available, and neither ADSL nor cable. If I want to use the Vonage service, how can I do it? Is that ok if I buy a wireless acess point which can collect the wireless signal to the wire and then transfer to the telephone modem?

thanks for your time,

yi

Posts: 646 · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 2:49 pm Post subject:

You could get a WRT54G (they're as cheap as $40 in some places) and put the 3rd-party Sveasoft firmware on it. From what I've read, that gives you the option of using "Client Mode" which will share the wireless connection to a wired network.

Never tried it, though, so I'm not sure how well it works.

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:43 pm Post subject:

I'd suggest the WRT54GS (more RAM, larger ROM = more stability) over the WRT54G. Definitely use the 3rd party software. I can say that I used my WRT54GS to use my neighbor's internet (when 2 people are paying, the higher bandwidth costs become reasonable) and didn't hit any major problems. Unfortunately he's moved away, but I still have all of the old equipment. I haven't tried it with Vonage yet, but as soon as my phone adapter arrives, I can run a test on it. What sort of signal level do you get now?

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:50 pm Post subject:

or if you want to use something designed for that application, you could use a wireless bridge (i.e. linksys WET series)
search for wireless bridge for a lot more info.

Posts: 646 · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:51 pm Post subject:

Oh, and try a call to Boston on www.testyourvoip.com from your computer to see if your WiFi connection is "good enough" for Vonage. Post your detailed results here for the incoming and outgoing directions.

Posts: 646 · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:59 pm Post subject:

Reebok: why use the right tool for the job, when you can pay less for the wrong tool, and hack it into doing the job?

/mulches the leaves with a lawnmower.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 2

thank guys so much,

I just tried Voip test, the score is 3.7, which is similar to a decent cell phone. Another question, what is the difference between wireless bridge and wireless access point? I saw some place, tigerdirect.com, sell a very cheap access point for just $20, is it ok for the Voip?

have a good weekend.

Posts: 646 · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 6:31 pm Post subject:

The primary purpose of a primary access point is to give wireless clients access to a wired network. What you're looking for is the reverse... it provides wired access to a wireless network.

I think some access points come standard with that ability to run backwards, but don't just buy anything unless you're sure it has that capability.

Posts: 497 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Apr 29, 2005 Posts: 497

Quote:

I think some access points come standard with that ability to run backwards, but don't just buy anything unless you're sure it has that capability.

Most do but they only work with other devices of the same brand, without serious setting modification.

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 10:32 pm Post subject:

Not all access points can work in reverse, in fact most can't. The Linksys WRT54G(S) routers are well supported by aftermarket firmware. I wasn't aware that Linksys had a true bridge out on the market, always used the WRT54GS routers w/Sveasoft firmware (www.sveasoft.com) and did it that way. Even done a few commercial radio broadcasts and web streams over them in bridge mode.