knn2001
04-21-2007, 11:47 AM
I subscribed to ViaTalk about 3 weeks ago and right now I can say that I am satisfied with the service. I did have a few problems that I was able to get fixed working with ViaTalk tech support. I am posting some details that others may find useful.
- Home network: Almost entirely Linksys based with about 12 IP devices connected both wired and wirelessly, over both 802.11G and 802.11B (I have two wireless bubbles if you will)
- ISP Provider : Verizon (FiOS) – 15mbs down / 2mbs up service
- Main router : Linksys BEFSR41
- ViaTalk device : PAP2T - firmware 3.1.15(LS). Device connected directly to one of the LAN ports of BEFSR41.
Initial problem: No dial-tone after connecting PAP2T to home router per installation instructions and powering things up.
Cause: Totally messed up configuration inside PAP2T.
How it was fixed: 30 minutes of tech support conversation on day of installation (over my landline!). Was given admin login UID and pwd to get into PAP2T and ser parameters the way they ought to have been in the first place. I suspect the unit was not checked by ViaTalk before shipping
It helped that I am a techie and from the comms industry since I helped the tech support more than they helped me as we were troubleshooting and fixing.
It helped to set the device to have a static IP address (192.168.1.xx) to get rid of any DHCP dependencies. IF YOU DO THIS, make sure ViaTalk sets up the configuration/profile file on their database accordingly. Else it will revert back to DHCP during their next push.
Second problem (after a couple of days of use) : Called party complained of hearing poor quality and low volume of our end. We could hear them well.
Cause: PAP2T gain values perhaps too low according to ViaTalk tech support)
How it was fixed: Outgoing and Incoming gain values in PAP2T increased from -3 to -1 (not that this is a negative value and so -1 is greater than -3).
Third problem (after a week of use) : Annoying level of ‘static’ and ‘interruptions’ on certain calls, not in all calls.
Cause: Not fully explained by ViaTalk but fix below appears to have solved the problem
How it was fixed: Set up port forwarding on main Linksys router to forward 5060 to 5085 and 10,000 to 20,000 to PAP2T (UDP protocol on both).
After all the above, I am quite pleased with the service. Things have been extremely reliable. I am sure this is in part because of the FiOS reliability and 2 mb/s upstream bandwidth. Still, I have not given up my land line. May be after a few more weeks of testing ViaTalk, I will gain enough confidence to do so.:)
Hope some will find this info useful. I'd be happy to share even more details should someone need it.
- Home network: Almost entirely Linksys based with about 12 IP devices connected both wired and wirelessly, over both 802.11G and 802.11B (I have two wireless bubbles if you will)
- ISP Provider : Verizon (FiOS) – 15mbs down / 2mbs up service
- Main router : Linksys BEFSR41
- ViaTalk device : PAP2T - firmware 3.1.15(LS). Device connected directly to one of the LAN ports of BEFSR41.
Initial problem: No dial-tone after connecting PAP2T to home router per installation instructions and powering things up.
Cause: Totally messed up configuration inside PAP2T.
How it was fixed: 30 minutes of tech support conversation on day of installation (over my landline!). Was given admin login UID and pwd to get into PAP2T and ser parameters the way they ought to have been in the first place. I suspect the unit was not checked by ViaTalk before shipping
It helped that I am a techie and from the comms industry since I helped the tech support more than they helped me as we were troubleshooting and fixing.
It helped to set the device to have a static IP address (192.168.1.xx) to get rid of any DHCP dependencies. IF YOU DO THIS, make sure ViaTalk sets up the configuration/profile file on their database accordingly. Else it will revert back to DHCP during their next push.
Second problem (after a couple of days of use) : Called party complained of hearing poor quality and low volume of our end. We could hear them well.
Cause: PAP2T gain values perhaps too low according to ViaTalk tech support)
How it was fixed: Outgoing and Incoming gain values in PAP2T increased from -3 to -1 (not that this is a negative value and so -1 is greater than -3).
Third problem (after a week of use) : Annoying level of ‘static’ and ‘interruptions’ on certain calls, not in all calls.
Cause: Not fully explained by ViaTalk but fix below appears to have solved the problem
How it was fixed: Set up port forwarding on main Linksys router to forward 5060 to 5085 and 10,000 to 20,000 to PAP2T (UDP protocol on both).
After all the above, I am quite pleased with the service. Things have been extremely reliable. I am sure this is in part because of the FiOS reliability and 2 mb/s upstream bandwidth. Still, I have not given up my land line. May be after a few more weeks of testing ViaTalk, I will gain enough confidence to do so.:)
Hope some will find this info useful. I'd be happy to share even more details should someone need it.