Multiple RTP300s - How to Configure?

Posts: 57 · Full Forum Member Joined: Feb 23, 2005 Posts: 57

Here's the deal.

I've ordered two RTP300's to replace my Motorola VT1000 and my Linksys RT31P2.

This is my current Configuration:

SB5100 Cable Modem (Comcast) to Motorola VT1000 to Linksys RT31P2 to computer.

What's funny is right now I get garbled audio on the VT1000, but if I hang up and call the same place from a line on my Linksys, the audio is clear. If I hang up the linksys line and try again with the VT1000, it continues to be garbled. This shows it's not a bandwidth problem because the RT31P2 is sitting BEHIND the VT1000. Perhaps the VT1000 is starting to fail.

Either way, I'm replacing both units for a consistent RTP300. My question is how can these get set up. Should I just daisy chain from the SB5100 to the RTP300 to the next RTP300? Or is there another configuration? Has anyone ever even connected two of these devices to eachother successfully yet?

Posts: 177 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 177

If you check out some of the other posts here, I would say that the RTP300 needs some firmware quality improvement before it should be used as the primary router.

IMO, your best bet would be to have something like a Linksys WRT54GS running Alchemy firmware as your primary router (with QoS enabled) with the two rtp300's sitting behind that...

Posts: 127 · Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 3:34 pm Post subject: T1

Posts: 57 · Full Forum Member Joined: Feb 23, 2005 Posts: 57

rcb116 wrote:

T1

By simply writing the characters "T1" I'm assuming you mean I should purchase a DS1 from the local telco? If this is what you mean, this will obviously never happen, because if I had the money for a T-1 I would simply make it an integrated T-1 with phone lines....

I never said that I use more than one line at once. I have two adapters, two lines on each (total of four) but I NEVER use more than one line at a time. A 6.0/768 cable modem should be sufficient for one line. Finally, as I said above, I would call a number on my VT1000, hear crackling, hang up. Call again from my Linksys router sitting BEHIND the Motorola. The call was as clear as a bell. I then hung up the Linksys. I then tried the VT1000 again with the same number again and I heard crackling.

So, this unfortunately doesn't answer any of my questions.

Posts: 57 · Full Forum Member Joined: Feb 23, 2005 Posts: 57

polarisdb wrote:

If you check out some of the other posts here, I would say that the RTP300 needs some firmware quality improvement before it should be used as the primary router.

IMO, your best bet would be to have something like a Linksys WRT54GS running Alchemy firmware as your primary router (with QoS enabled) with the two rtp300's sitting behind that...

So it sounds like these RTP300's have mixed reviews. Some posts I've read said they are clearer and have faster data connections. I appreciate your advice, it just seems as if the WRT54GS would be a slight bit overkill since I have no need for wireless. Do you have another recommended router that I could use?

Perhaps I should look for some Cisco routers with QoS and get ready to open up the wallet?

Posts: 177 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 177

chupper wrote:

polarisdb wrote:

If you check out some of the other posts here, I would say that the RTP300 needs some firmware quality improvement before it should be used as the primary router.

IMO, your best bet would be to have something like a Linksys WRT54GS running Alchemy firmware as your primary router (with QoS enabled) with the two rtp300's sitting behind that...

So it sounds like these RTP300's have mixed reviews. Some posts I've read said they are clearer and have faster data connections. I appreciate your advice, it just seems as if the WRT54GS would be a slight bit overkill since I have no need for wireless. Do you have another recommended router that I could use?

Perhaps I should look for some Cisco routers with QoS and get ready to open up the wallet?

The cool thing about the WRT54GS is that it is cheap and loaded with functionality due to the Sveasoft Alchemy 3rd party (freeware) firmware (customizable, includes QoS, vlan-level management, PPTP VPN server, et. al).

Even if you disable the wireless portion, the Alchemy firmware makes the supported WRT54 equipment IMO the best consumer-grade router out there today.

If nothing else, it's cheaper than real Cisco gear... Wink

Posts: 57 · Full Forum Member Joined: Feb 23, 2005 Posts: 57

polarisdb wrote:

The cool thing about the WRT54GS is that it is cheap and loaded with functionality due to the Sveasoft Alchemy 3rd party (freeware) firmware (customizable, includes QoS, vlan-level management, PPTP VPN server, et. al).

Even if you disable the wireless portion, the Alchemy firmware makes the supported WRT54 equipment IMO the best consumer-grade router out there today.

If nothing else, it's cheaper than real Cisco gear... Wink

I had a feeling you would say that sir Smile

!

Yea, that's what I was thinking. Well thanks for the advice. My RTP300s are scheduled to arrive either tomorrow or Friday, so I'll plug them in and give em a try. If I have any problems I'll drive over to CDW and pick one up.

Thank you sir.

BTW - I'll let everyone in here know how this dual RTP300 setup goes.

Posts: 18 · Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 7:18 pm Post subject:

I've got dual RTP300's behind a Netgear WPN824 and as far as connectivity everything is great. One strange thing I have is that one of the RTP300's won't work with my 2 line corded phone, while the other one works just fine with it. As far as other phones in the house, including another 2 line which is cordless, I have no problem. I've talked to customer service and they can't find anything out of the ordinary. Please post how your dual RTP300 setup works. I'm not sure where I'm going next with my issue other than getting the RTP300 replaced, but I'd be curious to know if anyone else has any strange issues with this setup.

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 9:04 pm Post subject:

I use a WRT54GS here (wireless disabled) and love it. QoS works seamlessly. I've used these in places where I really should have had a full managed switch & Cisco router and gotten away with it. Running Sveasoft Alchemy on all of my WRT54GS routers, btw.

Posts: 57 · Full Forum Member Joined: Feb 23, 2005 Posts: 57

Alright polarisdb and VonageTPA. I'm taking your advice.

My two RTP300s are arriving today and the WRT54GS I ordered will arrive tomorrow.

A question - I was wondering where I can get the firmware for the WRT54GS. I noticed Sveasoft has a site and they charge you $20 for the latest & greatest firmware. I don't mind paying if I get great firmware out of the deal. Is that what I should do?

And finally, with your guys's configuration - do you have any port forwarding set up to go to the RTP300? If so, that will be tricky because I'll have two routers to forward ports too....

Thanks guys.