DSL install

[tcat]

I am awaiting my VT equipment and have a quick question. Looking at the VT installation diagrams, they don't really show where the VT box goes in relation to a DSL modem and a computer.

I currently have phone jack split to phone and to DSL modem, then ethernet to computer. Does the VT box go before or after the DSL modem? I can't seem to figure out where the ethernet jack on the VT goes (to DSL modem or to computer)?

I should be able to use my current DSL phones (keeping my AT&T DSL line of course), and the new ViaTalk phone at the same time, correct?

I have Uniden cordless phones (2 phone 900 hz., and 2 phone 2.4K). I hope things are clarified when I get my equiment, but it's not real clear from what I can find on their website. Thanks!

[sbradshaw]

I am awaiting my VT equipment and have a quick question. Looking at the VT installation diagrams, they don't really show where the VT box goes in relation to a DSL modem and a computer.

I currently have phone jack split to phone and to DSL modem, then ethernet to computer. Does the VT box go before or after the DSL modem? I can't seem to figure out where the ethernet jack on the VT goes (to DSL modem or to computer)?

I should be able to use my current DSL phones (keeping my AT&T DSL line of course), and the new ViaTalk phone at the same time, correct?

I have Uniden cordless phones (2 phone 900 hz., and 2 phone 2.4K). I hope things are clarified when I get my equiment, but it's not real clear from what I can find on their website. Thanks!

What you will need is a dsl/cable (broadband) router that you can plug the ethernet cable of the modem into (instead of directly from the modem to the computer). The router will then need to be configured to authenticate properly with your DSL service (instead of your computer doing that). Then you can plug both the computer and VT provided phone adapter into the router and use them both at the same time. Hope this helps.

Here is a link in the forum to a discussion about routers: http://forums.hostrocket.com/showthread.php?t=20629

[tcat]

Thanks... not as "easy" as they make it sound. I thought for $268 (for 2 years) they send you the equipment you need. I don't care about wireless, just want VOIP and an internet connection. Is there a "cheap" piece of hardware to use with my Dell 4600 and AT&T DSL connection? Kind of false advertizing if you ask me, "To take advantage of the savings offered by our VT_Unlimited plan, you must have Residential Broadband Ethernet Internet Access (Cable Modem or DSL)...", "no initial equipment fee...". They don't tell you that you can't use your computer if you want to connect their phone adaptor. How about an ethernet cable "T"?

[Brian188]

Unfortunately, you will need a router to run VT and a computer. Your only other option is to get an ATA that is a router. I wouldn't recommend that route as you would need to configure the ATA to work. You can pick up a router anywhere from $20 - $220 or more. On the plus side, if you ever want to add another computer, Xbox, another ATA, etc. you can.

[tcat]

So I can't just put a splitter on the ethernet port on my Speedstream 4100 DSL modem? Just want to make sure I ruled out the easy path.

Is the "NETGEAR RP614" good enough? I found it for about $24.

[KLH]

Nope, you can't put a spliter on the modem.
Unless you only have one device on at a time (computer and linksys adapter cannot be turned on at the same time). But I suspect that you would like to still be able to make/receive calls even when your computer is turned on, so it wouldn't work.

[tcat]

I figured that after the other comments. I think I'm going to try this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127013 (D-Link DI-604), it's cheap and seems to have a lot of positive reviews. Thanks guys!

[tcat]

Bought the D-Link DI-604, worked great 1st day, but I seemed to have lost internet the next morning. I rebooted everything, but still no VT. Yesterday, I got a message while checking email on-line "your IP address changed during this session, you will be cut off shortly..."

I am on AT&T DSL. Do I need to plug anything special into the PPPoP page when going through the set-up wizzard? Pretty sure I have dynamic IP.

[NY Tel Guy]

Bought the D-Link DI-604, worked great 1st day, but I seemed to have lost internet the next morning. I rebooted everything, but still no VT. Yesterday, I got a message while checking email on-line "your IP address changed during this session, you will be cut off shortly..."

I am on AT&T DSL. Do I need to plug anything special into the PPPoP page when going through the set-up wizzard? Pretty sure I have dynamic IP.OK, you chose to add a router to your DSL connection and that works but the easier way to do it with less power supplies etc is to replace your DSL modem with a wireless one thta also has 4 wired Ethernet ports. That's the way I used to do it when I had DSL. You can use any DSL modem as long as you get the correct VCI/VPI so it identifies you as an AT&T DSL user. Additionally, you'll need to make sure your username and password are correct IF you are on PPPoE.
The PPPoE versus DHCP from AT&T needs to be defined so you know which protocol they use. The DHCP server needed to issue IP addresses to your PC and VT box at the same time is an entirely different thing.

What's your status currently?

[tcat]

Thanks. I "think" I got it working (at least it is right now). I didn't have my user ID and password plugged into the D-Link WAN page. I am on the internet and made a phone call, so far so good. Will give it a day to see if it stays "lit". I am very happy with voice quality, and certainly with price. As long as AT&T doesn't raise their cost too much, it's about the same cost as Road Runner. Once I get reliable VT service, I'll drop my $10, 120 minute AT&T LD rip-off, and it will be cheaper.

Speaking of price, since I just signed up, I'm not sure about how they bill me each month. I signed up for the 1 yr. get 1 free ($268 with fees and taxes). Do they bill you the $2.50 (or whatever the "extra fees" are), monthly; or do they bill a full amount each month and deducted it from the $268 already paid? Thanks for your help!

[hrtanya]

The $2.50 invoice will be posted on the 15th of each month, and the amount will be charged to the credit card on file.

[firewall]

The $2.50 invoice will be posted on the 15th of each month, and the amount will be charged to the credit card on file.

I just saw in another forum that this fee can be charged all at once. Is this true?

[KLH]

I just saw in another forum that this fee can be charged all at once. Is this true?

Submit a ticket saying that you would like to prepay the fees, and they will charge your credit card 2.50 x how ever many months your contract is.

This will create a credit on your account, and each month 2.50 will be deducted from that credit.

[fareal]

Submit a ticket saying that you would like to prepay the fees, and they will charge your credit card 2.50 x how ever many months your contract is.

This will create a credit on your account, and each month 2.50 will be deducted from that credit.

Thanks for the clarification, I will have to do that when I renew and the fees are included. But I also remember Brendan posting in the DSLR forum that Viatalk plans to implement a new billing system that will do away with this odd way of billing fees separate from other parts of the service.