Dynamic or static routing

[mfoam99]

On the server configuration there is an option for Dynamic or Static routing. Can someone explain to me what the difference is? Why do you chose one over the other?

Thanks

[connervt]

If you have a ViaTalk supplied device, they can provision it (change it's settings) remotely.

If you choose Static Routing, the server you choose never changes in your device.

If you choose Dynamic Routing, if they have a known problem with the server you have chosen, they will switch you automatically to a (better) working server.

If you have your own device (BYOD), they never change your server setting.

[stevedealy]

This issue just about soured me on VT. I have the PAP2T, a Belkin router and Wide Open West cable internet. For the first three days after I got my new VT service, my Phone1 light - and dailtone - would just go out randomly; sometimes after one, hour another time after six hours. Quite unacceptable for a phone service, since each time it would require a power-cycling of the PAP2T to restore connection.

I was starting to get ticked off at Support, as each time I was told there was something else that I was supposed to do: put the PAP2T in DMZ, assign it a static IP, set port forwarding on these ports, now open this port, Turn OFF Firewall COMPLETELY.....

I finally, on my own, changed DYNAMIC ROUTING to STATIC ROUTING in the Control Panel, and bingo: solid connection 100%!!! I've been able to turn Firewall on Router back on now, also.

So DYNAMIC ROUTING has a special place in my heart!

I am VERY SURPRISED that Support didn't even suggest this FIX.... and it is NOWHERE in TROUBLESHOOTING docs. To be on the SAFE SIDE: START with STATIC ROUTING until you have the time & flexibility to monitor the connection for a 24hr period. I don't know if it's my ISP or the Belkin router, but it was a HUGE issue for me.

P.S. VT is much better audio quality than Packet8

[jnuzzi]

FWIW, I have been on DYNAMIC from the beginning and I have never had any issues.

I think it would be better to start with DYNAMIC and then change to STATIC if you have any issues.

Just my $.02 ;)

[bubbanc]

I'm also hoping we could get some VT clarification on this. I believe that the dynamic routing feature is a part of the PAP2T setting 'Use DNS SRV' that actually controls whether your PAP2T uses dynamic routing. I've turned on debugging and syslog and can see the PAP2T make DNS queires looking for other servers with this enabled, so I'm not sure this is something that is a VT-only configuration.

[DracoFelis]

FWIW, I have been on DYNAMIC from the beginning and I have never had any issues.
Whereas I've been doing "static" (as a BYOD customer) for my entire time with VT, with few troubles. So clearly this is a YMMV thing.

I think it would be better to start with DYNAMIC and then change to STATIC if you have any issues.
Probably. :)

Another thing to keep in mind, is that even if/when you are "static", you still have some (limited) dynamic routing. The reason for this, is that a "static" address is resolved by DNS (to the actual IP). But if/when a VT server goes down for an extended period of time, VT will (apparently) temporarily change the DNS entry to point to the IP address of one of their other servers (thereby giving all "static" users of that server, a temporary redirect to another server that is functioning).

[jgb1jgb1]

I noticed the same thing.
See the thread titled "VT solid after disabling dynamic routing failover".
My service is solid as a rock since switching to static. I set it back to dynamic last weekend just to see if it still went down but people calling told me that the call quality was bad so I sent it back to static and will not look back.
Since the line is solid now I am of the opinion that VT is great!

[gavmitchau]

I was actually switched to a server by support after reporting some echo on international calls, and also issues of the other side not being able to hear me.. the ATA never found the new server, I had to change it back manully to the SE setting to get anything to work, prior to that change it was not even on a server?