Belkin Pre-N Router

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 05, 2005 Posts: 2

I purchased this router as a replacement for my "POS" Netgear router. It does have super range, but it does not play well with VOIP. Audio was "choppy." A call to Belkin Technical Support and I was told that the Pre-N router will not work with any VOIP. They suggested purchasing a Belkin "G" router. So, I'm back to my Netgear "POS" router.

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:24 am Post subject:

stick with the tried and true wrt54g series or wait until an n standard comes out.

Posts: 159 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Aug 05, 2005 Posts: 159

Wow! This helps... I need to solve my QoS issue with my RTP300 and am on the fence between the Belkin Pre-N and the WRT54g... I like the range that the Belkin Pre-N offers but then I also like the tried and true WRT54G...

If I go with a WRT54G do I need to be worried about which sveasoft version will work with a specific revision of the WRT54G or WRT54GS?

All for QoS.......

Posts: 16 · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 4:16 pm Post subject:

I have had the Pre-N and Vonage PAP2 working toghether for almost a year and have not had one issue works great for VOIP.

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 5:03 pm Post subject:

kpdillon wrote:

If I go with a WRT54G do I need to be worried about which sveasoft version will work with a specific revision of the WRT54G or WRT54GS?
All for QoS.......

yes, if you want to use sveasoft. here is a loist of what works:
http://www.sveasoft.com/modules/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9344

Posts: 159 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Aug 05, 2005 Posts: 159

I just went out and purchased a Belkin Pre-N and a WRT54GS v3. Used latest firmware for each (no Sveasoft yet) and using rsync to another computer over SSH (TCP/22) I can still mangle my voip connection pretty good even with QoS set by Mac address.

Doesn't look like my WRT54GS v3 is supported by the free alchemy stuff but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to try that out easily...

Maybe I have a misconception of QoS. Here's the HW config I've tried with these new routers:

1) SB5100-->Belkin Pre-N-->RTP300 & PC hanging off Pre-N (port 1 & 2 respectively)
2) SB5100-->WRT54GS-->RTP300 & PC hanging off WRT54GS (port 1& 2 respectively).

At this point am I just dreaming that I use RSYNC and upload files while on the phone? Or do I definetly need to get a hold of Sveasoft?

Since these default firmwares can't handle my particular situation I guess I need to take the heat off of the builtin RTP300 QoS and the expectations I have for it.

Thoughts please.

Posts: 159 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Aug 05, 2005 Posts: 159

Ok, so I loaded Free-Man/Basic 1.0.4 and it turned the WRT54GS v3 into a blue brick. Exhanged it for a WRT54GS v2 (Yes, they had two of them, (thanks for the link/info rebook!)...

I was very skeptical, but the firmware loaded correctly this time. I configured the QoS and WALA!!! To my amazement finally my voip is getting priority and it's not broken up anymore on the other end when I run my upload rsync program!!!

I wanted to keep the Belkin Pre-N because of it's awesome wireless range or I would have preferred to get the WRT54GS v3 working but I'm not sure what the status of the sveasoft software is for those (i.e. have they been released yet or not)... and I didn't feel like paying $20 to find out.

Anyway, this took a lot of trial and error experimentation but I now know first hand that QoS settings in default linksys/TI firmware may work for the average web surfer but does not work good for geeks like me.

I am also pleasantly surprised how feature rich this firmware is..... If it wasn't for Vonage I'm not sure that I would have discovered this.

Now if I backup my digital pictures to my bro 'n laws computer using rsync over SSH for windows and my wife picks up the phone, she won't complain about Vonage quality anymore.... Victory!!!

Sorry about the rant...I hope this helps anyone else that runs into a similar issue. I still feel this should be addressed in the RTP300 or other VOIP adapters but given that the default latest Linksys firmware didn't address my QoS issues properly leads me to believe that this won't be addressed in the voip routers any time soon.

TTFN,
KP

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 1:29 am Post subject:

The WRT54GS is the only way to go for cheap QoS. I've yet to have one of these let me down. Even used them in a pinch where I should have used full-fledged Cisco routers and gotten away with it.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 08, 2004 Posts: 3

I was having the same problem with the choppiness, I disabled the firewall and it works fine now.

Posts: 400 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: May 05, 2005 Posts: 400

ChurchGuy wrote:

I have had the Pre-N and Vonage PAP2 working toghether for almost a year and have not had one issue works great for VOIP.

as long as you disable the firewall and dmz.