why not in-out ethernet ports?

[feeth]

My moto cable modem only has one ethernet port out. So how do I hook up both the PC and the phone adapter to the cable modem at the same time? :confused:

My old sunrocket phone adapter had an in and out port so you could pass the signal thru to the PC.

[Chulo]

My moto cable modem only has one ethernet port out. So how do I hook up both the PC and the phone adapter to the cable modem at the same time? :confused:

My old sunrocket phone adapter had an in and out port so you could pass the signal thru to the PC.

The sunrocket adapter has a built in router. The router can divide the internet connection to be used by more than one device. You will need to buy yourself a router that will divide the connection for your PC and adapter, or you can buy a combo device similar to the one you had with sunrocket.

The advantage of buying a combo device (assuming you dont need a dedicated router for some other purpose) is that the combo device usually has built in QOS or "Quality Of Service". This is a machanism that allows the VoIP device top priority for internet traffic (So that there are no voice quality issues when your PC demands alot of bandwidth).
QOS is available in dedicated routers as well, but these are typically more expensive.

An inexpensive light-duty combo device would be the linksys SPA-2102 (I purchased from Telephonydepot.com for about $65 if I remember right). Research this a little more before you make your decision though.

Good luck!

[feeth]

Thanks for the info.

Can I somehow use the sunrocket unit?

[Chulo]

depending on your model theres a good chance somebody has already unlocked it for use w/ VT. I would search the forums at www.broadbandreports.com for your model.

[DracoFelis]

My moto cable modem only has one ethernet port out. So how do I hook up both the PC and the phone adapter to the cable modem at the same time? :confused:
You do what virtually all other people with a home LAN do. You get a cheap "router" (they can be had for as little as $30 these days, but spending a little more for a decent one with QoS can improve your sound quality), to share your internet between multiple "computers" (in this case one of the "computers" is actually your VoIP adapter).

You then plug the "router" (not your computer) into the modem port, and set your router to share your internet connection. You then can plug multiple "computers" (or in your case your computer and your VoIP adapter) into your "router", and be happy. And since most home routers have at least 4 jacks on the LAN (home networking) side of the router, you should have more than enough jacks for just 2 devices (your PC and your VoIP adapter) with "room to spare" (in case you ever want to add additional equipment to your LAN.

And if/when you ever get enough devices that even the router doesn't have enough ethernet jacks, you can easily use a cheap "network switch" (or even multiple network switches) to extend the number of jacks even further. So even when you fill up your router's jacks, you can still easily add yet more equipment on.

For example, my home LAN consists of my (DSL) modem hooked up to my router. The output of my router is then sent throughout the house (to various ethernet jacks) via multiple ethernet wires and 3 different small/cheap "network switches". This gives me multiple jacks around the house that are all enabled, and all have full support for my LAN (which means I can communicate within my house and/or access/share my internet from any of those jacks). Oh yeah, I've currently got the following devices hooked up to my LAN (in addition to two laptops I sometimes hook up on a spare ethernet jack, when I want to use the laptop): 3 computers (2 windows boxes + 1 linux box), 2 VoIP adapters (my main SPA-3000 which has both ViaTalk and several other VoIP accounts enabled on it + my older SPA-2000 I am also using for an additional "phone line" at the same time), 1 networked color laser printer, and 1 network attached disk drive (so I have a common area all computers on my LAN can access/store files on). And all the computers and VoIP adapters have full internet ability, and both the printer and the networked disk are available from any computer on the LAN (as they are fully networked). And furthermore, my router' not only shares my internet (for every device in the house), it also has a "firewall" that helps protect everything in the house from internet based attacks. And remember, I have several unused (but active) ethernet jacks around the house, so it's easy to add addition computers (such as one of my laptop's or maybe my dad's laptop when he is visiting) to my LAN whenever the need arises...

And like you, my "modem" only has one ethernet jack (I just used the "router" and "switches" to add additional jacks as needed)! So the "trick" to expanding your LAN, is to get (and setup) a home "router" (so you have something sharing your internet). Then if (and only if) your needs grow beyond just the router (as they did in my house), you can add in additional "switches" to share your router jacks even further...

EDIT:
In general the router approach is the most flexible. However, you are correct that VoIP adapters exist with in/out ethernet jacks. ViaTalk doesn't supply them, but you would be able to buy one yourself (such as the SPA-3102 you can order from http://store.voxilla.com/voip-products/linksys-spa3102.html, among other places), and then use them as a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device/equipment) adapter with ViaTalk. So that is an option if you really want to go that route.

However, you should be aware that adapters with in/out ethernet jacks, are really just VoIP adapters with a very minimal "router" built in. So in general it will be cheaper (and give you a higher quality router as well), to just get a decent router and plug both your VoIP adapter and your computer into that router (vs trying to get a VoIP adapter with a cheap/poor router built in)...

[feeth]

Thanks friends for all your help. Try to find an inexpensive router or switch at a local store. Office depot has one for $12, but of course they don't carry that in the store, mail order only.

It would be nice if Viatalk would let you know in advance that you need a router/switch.

[Chulo]

Yes I forgot to point out the least expensive option lol. I was only prioritizing QOS due to my own VoIP experiences (I've found it necessary for outgoing voice quality due to limited upload speeds), but that's probably only because my internet use demands it- remember if you're not using the internet, the phone will have nothing to compete with for it.

But if you do use the internet and the phone, I would HIGHLY recommend a QOS enabled device to give your phone priority.

[DracoFelis]

But if you do use the internet and the phone, I would HIGHLY recommend a QOS enabled device to give your phone priority.
Good point. A QoS enabled router isn't a "must", but (properly setup) it can improve voice quality (by putting your VoIP adapter ahead of your web browsing for any bandwidth it needs).

IMHO one of the better ways to get a reasonably cheap QoS router (and yes, QoS routers are more expensive than some non-QoS routers) is to plan to install the free (donations welcome) "open source" http://www.dd-wrt.com firmware on your router. IMHO DD-WRT has a very good implementation of QoS built right in (although you still have to configure it properly, if you want to use it to prioritize your VoIP adapter over your other internet browsing).

NOTE:
Since this firmware doesn't work with all routers, be sure to verify on the http://www.dd-wrt.com which routers you can buy to install that firmware (then follow VERY CAREFULLY the instructions for converting your router from stock firmware to the DD-WRT firmware, or you risk ruining your router in the upgrade).

BTW: If you do go with a DD-WRT powered router, be sure to enable the "DNS Masque" caching DNS server. And it doesn't hurt to also add "cache-size=900" to the "Additional DHCPd Options" box (on the "services" tab of the DD-WRT web interface), to increase the DNS cache size. Doing this will let you point your various computers (including your ViaTalk VoIP adapter, if you ask ViaTalk for the admin password for your adapter) to your own local (caching) DNS. This is often much faster (and usually more reliable) than using your ISP's DNS servers directly.

[DracoFelis]

Thanks friends for all your help. Try to find an inexpensive router or switch at a local store.

WARNING:
"Routers" and "switches are NOT interchangeable! Be sure your first devices is a "router", and later devices (plugged into your router) are "switches".

The reason for this is that most ISPs these days only give you ONE internet address. And only "routers" (not switches) have the extra logic needed to share a single internet address (by converting it to multiple local LAN addresses). So you do want a "router" as the device you plug into your "modem". However, if you ever get all the jacks in your router filled up, you can then use (cheaper) "switches" to give your LAN more jacks (as your router will still hand out additional LAN addresses to those extra switch ports).

i.e. the rule of thumb here is one router (first), and then if (and only if) you need/want more jacks (or want to share single cables with multiple devices) add in "switches".

[feeth]

WARNING:
"Routers" and "switches are NOT interchangeable! Be sure your first devices is a "router", and later devices (plugged into your router) are "switches".

The reason for this is that most ISPs these days only give you ONE internet address. And only "routers" (not switches) have the extra logic needed to share a single internet address (by converting it to multiple local LAN addresses). So you do want a "router" as the device you plug into your "modem". However, if you ever get all the jacks in your router filled up, you can then use (cheaper) "switches" to give your LAN more jacks (as your router will still hand out additional LAN addresses to those extra switch ports).

i.e. the rule of thumb here is one router (first), and then if (and only if) you need/want more jacks (or want to share single cables with multiple devices) add in "switches".

You are correct about the switch not working as a stand alone device with the phone adapter. Borrowed a switch from a friend and that would not work. Pick up a wired router and it worked for a while. I had to disconnect everything and now I can't get the phone 1 light to come on. I unplugged power from the modem, router and then adapter. Waited a few mins....power to modem and wait till all the lights are on, then router and adapter. CAn't get it to work. I'll call tech support.

[vtjosh]

You are correct about the switch not working as a stand alone device with the phone adapter. Borrowed a switch from a friend and that would not work. Pick up a wired router and it worked for a while. I had to disconnect everything and now I can't get the phone 1 light to come on. I unplugged power from the modem, router and then adapter. Waited a few mins....power to modem and wait till all the lights are on, then router and adapter. CAn't get it to work. I'll call tech support.

What make/model router did you end up getting?