New to VT with a router question

[bobbyrab]

Hello all,

Well, I just signed up for VT yesterday after 2+ years with SunRocket. All the talk of SR going under made me very nervous, so, here I am!

With SR, you just connected their Gizmo to the cable modem and you were off and running. I see that with VT, I need to use a router between the cable modem and the VOIP adapter. I do have an old router that I don't use lying around, it is the Netgear MR814v2 wireless router. Can I safely use this router once my adapter arrives from VT in the next few days? I have been reading about routers with QOS capabilities and am wondering if I need to invest in a router that has that. It would be nice NOT to spend the extra money though -- can I please have your thoughts?

Thanks in advance; I am looking forward to getting up and running.

[Heat305]

Hello all,

Well, I just signed up for VT yesterday after 2+ years with SunRocket. All the talk of SR going under made me very nervous, so, here I am!

With SR, you just connected their Gizmo to the cable modem and you were off and running. I see that with VT, I need to use a router between the cable modem and the VOIP adapter. I do have an old router that I don't use lying around, it is the Netgear MR814v2 wireless router. Can I safely use this router once my adapter arrives from VT in the next few days? I have been reading about routers with QOS capabilities and am wondering if I need to invest in a router that has that. It would be nice NOT to spend the extra money though -- can I please have your thoughts?

Thanks in advance; I am looking forward to getting up and running.

You can go ahead use the router. Take a quick peak over at Netgear's website to see if you need a firmware update. The only feature that router does not support is QoS. I would place your ATA in the DMZ. Once your service is up test it out. Call any and everyone you did with you SR. If you have any issues come back and let us know. Folks on here are more than willing to assist you so your VoIP experience can be a good one. The link below takes you to the support page of your router.

http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/MR814v2.asp

[Chulo]

As long as you have a fast connection and you're not a power internet user, you'll be ok with that router. If people on the other end start to complain that you're getting broken up, then you may need QOS.

Just a heads up, if you're gonna put the adapter in the DMZ, make sure to setup a user password (different from admin password) so that it's not easily accessable over the net.

[bobbyrab]

Thanks both of you for your replies. I got my old Netgear router up and running and the internet from the computer is still working so I guess the router is communicating properly with the modem. I have to admit I do not understand the concept of a DMZ and using a different password. When I get the adaptor from VT, I would imagine if I just install it into the router (which is now successfully communicating with the modem) I should be good to go, right?

Sorry, while I am computer savvy, I am certainly NOT network savvy and I apologize for my lack of knowledge with all these acronyms and terms.

[Heat305]

Thanks both of you for your replies. I got my old Netgear router up and running and the internet from the computer is still working so I guess the router is communicating properly with the modem. I have to admit I do not understand the concept of a DMZ and using a different password. When I get the adaptor from VT, I would imagine if I just install it into the router (which is now successfully communicating with the modem) I should be good to go, right?

Sorry, while I am computer savvy, I am certainly NOT network savvy and I apologize for my lack of knowledge with all these acronyms and terms.

Hey bobbyrab, no need to apologize. We all had to creep before we coulds VoIP :D. Below is a link where you can read up on the whole DMZ feature. Pay close attention to your call quality. There might or might not be issues where you need to tweak your ATA. In your case you will need to deal with VT's tech support since your using their provisioned ATA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demilitarized_zone_(computing)

Now about the Admin pwd. Tell VT to change the default pwd on it because you will place it in the DMZ and would feel better if they made it a little more difficult for the ordinary n00b to get into it if they do that is. Let us know how it goes.

[johnzprecision]

I am also from Sunrocket and did not know I needed a router. I would like a recommendation for a router (I do not need wireless) for best voice quality.

[DracoFelis]

I am also from Sunrocket and did not know I needed a router. I would like a recommendation for a router (I do not need wireless) for best voice quality.
If you want "best" voice quality, get a router with a good implementation of QoS ("Quality of Service", or the ability to make some internet traffic more privileged than other traffic). Then setup the QoS to give your voice priority over other internet traffic.

IMHO one of the cheaper ways to get a GOOD QoS router, is to check out the web site http://www.dd-wrt.com and see which routers will take the DD-WRT 3rd party (open source) flash. Then get a router (with at least 4 meg of flash RAM space) that supports DD-WRT, and put that 3rd party firmware on it. At that point you can proceed with configuring the QoS to give your VoIP priority over other traffic (as QoS is NOT enabled by default, and the default QoS settings also don't favor VoIP, so you really do have to setup the details yourself).

NOTE:
Some routers (especially LinkSys units) are router VERSION (not just "model") specific, as to if they can properly handle DD-WRT (with at least 4 meg of flash space). So read the router compatibility list on the DD-WRT web site CAREFULLY before buying a router. Also read the instructions on how to convert to DD-WRT carefully, as the conversion process is where you can most easily goof and make your router useless (so follow the details carefully and to the letter). However, once done the result is very much "worth it" IMHO (I'm using DD-WRT here, so I know how powerful that 3rd party firmware is).

NOTE:
Most of the routers that support DD-WRT are technically "wireless" routers. However, the DD-WRT firmware makes it trivial to turn off the wireless transceiver (essentially turning the "wireless" router into just a wired in router) if that is desired. So if you don't want wireless (or wireless security issues), just turn off the wireless module, and treat the router as if its "just" a normal wired-in router! In fact, that's how I run things here (i.e. I've got my wireless module disabled, and instead just use the 4 LAN jacks on my supposedly "wireless" router).

BTW:
Remember you asked what was "best", which is why I gave my recommendation (above). Lessor routers (and/or lessor router firmwares) will in fact work. However, a good QoS router (properly configured for your VoIP) is IMHO noticeably better than lessor router alternatives. That's not to say that the lessor routers won't work, but well done (router) QoS really does help voice quality issues...

[ktdid]

I wish I had more time to read forums, you can learn so much when you get around people that know their stuff. If you don't mind my horning in, I have a MR814, I don't know about the v2 (is that a version number?). Does it not support QoS? I have had good quality with SunRocket, and so far even better clarity with VT. I would like to have the best I can get and also want to do everything I can to support occasional faxing. I did notice some wierd sounds today on a local call, but the caller did not hear it, saying it sounded very well. Should I get a new router, I don't mind spending the bucks? Can you make additional recommendations? I am willing to go with a higher end unit within reason. Where can I learn about QoS? The link you had to the DMZ is to a page with other links, probably something has moved. The links did lead to another Wiki page regarding DMZ:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demilitarized_zone_(computing)

Thanks for any recommendations. My knowledge of all this stuff is limited, so feel free to treat me accordingly. I install it and if it works, I tend to accept it as is.

[bobbyrab]

Yes, V2 is the version number I think. I installed my phone and adapter today with this router and it seems to be working fine too. My wireless is fine and sound quality seems to be ok but perhaps it could be better, I don't know; I have nothing to compare it to! My only problem seems to be that my customized outgoing message is cut off, starting on my fourth word. Sometimes it also seems to stop in mid-sentence and then continue.

[bobbyrab]

Oh sorry, I forgot to mention that the MR814v2 does NOT support QoS. I for one am not going to spend the money on a new router unless the sound quality drastically changes for the worse.

[billstencel]

I am glad I read this forum. I am a former SR user and didn't need a router for their linksys system. Thanks for all the good advice.

[wmercier]

I have a Linksys WRT54GS wireless router. Can I come off it to my VT Adapter? Can the firmware by chance be set to optimize this combination? Would like to be prepared just on the outside chance I one day receive my final green check and actually receive my VT hardware. I also still believe in the tooth fairy and Santa Clause. Thanks in advance for your response and helpful info.

[Lamer980]

I couldn't have said it better myself - apart from owning all of those Makita Routers that is....

[FreedyGones]

I am also from Sunrocket and did not know I needed a router. I would like a recommendation for a router (I do not need wireless) for best voice quality.

Here's the url http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50001413%2040000028&Manufactory=1413&SubCategory=28&SpeTabStoreType=0 that contains best wired routers with fine voice quality and no distraction.

[Sam100]

My opinion is SR offers very good routers to satisfy all your needs. You better go with that instead wasting extra penny.

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