SPI Firewall, Netgear WGT624

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 03, 2004 Posts: 1

Unfortunately, I found this thread AFTER I had already bought and unpacked my Netgear wireless router. Like others have said, it is a wonderful router, just doesn't play well with the Vonage box.

I will save you a lot of time and trouble with this post. I have good news and bad news.

The good news is, if you are upgrading from a wired router (on which Vonage worked correctly), then you are in luck - you don't need to return the Netgear router.

The bad news is, your new Netgear router is pretty much just going to be your switch to enable you to do things wirelessly. Your wired router will still be your router.

Here's the method:

1. Dig your old wired router out of the trash and apologize to it for ever thinking you could do better.

2. In the wireless router, go into the router admin page and switch DHCP off and assign a different IP address to the router. Make sure you set it up for wireless networking, with your encryption and security keys and all that. Save and quit.

3. Hook up your old wired router the same way you had it before, when Vonage worked and the world was good. Once you confirm that you have Vonage service back, and internet connectivity, go have some food and a beer. Make sure you have an extra ethernet cable for the next step - I used the shiny blue one that came with the new router.

4. Come back.

5. Now, use the ethernet cable to connect one port on the wired router to another NON-WAN port on the Netgear wireless router. This is what screwed me up - both a networking guy and the Linksys website say to connect the port to the uplink (WAN) on the wireless router. Trust me enough when I say this does not work. I was so mad. Anyway, connect one free port on the wired to a free port on the wireless.

6. SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN. Boot up the broadband modem, wait for the blinkies to stop, boot up the wired router, the wireless router, and then the Vonage box.

You should now have your Vonage service working, internet connectivity on all of your wired machines, and wireless connectivity through the wireless router. As always, your mileage may vary. I figured I would be safe getting a Netgear wireless router, since my Vonage worked on the Netgear wired router. Oh, was I wrong.

DLee
http://www.threateningletters.com
(When a kind word just isn't enough)

PS - Vonage customer service gave lame support, basically changed my box to look for a different server even though my issue involved not getting an IP address from my router. Still haven't heard from Netgear customer support.

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 24, 2004 Posts: 5

Netgear has released firmware v4.1.4 for the WGT624. They now certify that this release fixes the Vonage problems. Tested for over 48h now...no problems, even on calls >45min.

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 01, 2004 Posts: 1

lurx wrote:

Netgear has released firmware v4.1.4 for the WGT624. They now certify that this release fixes the Vonage problems. Tested for over 48h now...no problems, even on calls >45min.

I've had this firmware for over a week and callers still experience dropped calls. IE - I can hear them, but they can't hear me - then disconnection.

What is your setup? Are you forwarding tcp/udp ports?

My setup:
Comcast Cable -> Netgear -> Motorola 1005

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 24, 2004 Posts: 5

I have the Cisco ATA adapter (instead of the Motorola), and it connects to the WGT624 via a wireless bridge (instead of CAT5). Otherwise, the setup is straight out-of-the box.