Vonage Users -- Experiences With Using Adapters That Have Routers

[Jingthing]

OK, I use Vonage and my TOT DSL connection is PPPoE type.

This means there is a user login id and password (automatic) to use the internet.

My current Vonage adapter does not have a router. It connects directly to my DSL modem from TOT.

I want to update my Vonage adapter but the only one offered by Vonage to me is their "Vonage Box" which includes a router.

With this setup the yellow ethernet wire goes from the computer to the Vonage box instead of the computer to TOT DSL modem.

The Vonage documentation indicates that with PPPoE DSL connections the Vonage box must be configured with id and password info the same as the DSL modem. It seems easy enough to set up from the documentation. However, since this is quite a different setup than I have been using, I am wondering if there are potential problems with this.

Thus posting here to see if people using PPPoE DSL connections in Thailand are using Vonage adapters that include routers, and whether this has worked OK for them. If not, what kinds of problems?

BTW, I don't have wireless.

Here is the documentation about Vonage box adapter with router and the issue with PPPoE DSL.

http://www.vonage.com/support/files/pdf/VonageBox_QuickStartGuide.pdf

Edited April 25, 2011 by Jingthing

[Pib]

It's been about 2.5 years since I've used my Vonage adapter here in Thailand since I canceled my Vonage number and stayed with another VOIP service (8x8) due to lower cost and a little better service. But I'll probably change back to Vonage late this year if they still have their new Vonage Lite plan. I'm paid up on my current VOIP service through 31 Dec on their annual plan payment deal which knocks like 20% off the cost. I'm on a TOT DSL plan also.

Anyway when using my previous Vonage adapter which was also a router with 3 LAN outputs, I just hooked its yellow internet input connector to one of the LAN connectors on my wireless router, never used the VOIP adpater LAN outputs, and I don't remember having to enter the DSL modem User ID/password in the Vonage adapter. I think you only have to do that for certain DSL ISPs (very few) depending on the type DSL system they have.. Exact same setup for my 8X8 VOIP adapter which is also a router. I just have it hooked to my wireless router and I'm not using my TOT User ID/password in the VOIP adpater... the VOIP adapter is just assigned an IP address from my wireless router and works just like I would have hooked another "wired/RJ45 cable" device to the wireless router such as plugging my laptop directly into the wireless router vs going wireless.

TOT does use PPPoE but I would first try it without entering the User ID/password in the VOIP adpater; then if it don't work, enter the User ID/password to see what happens. It won't hurt nothing.

Edited April 25, 2011 by Pib

[Jingthing]

Thanks very much. Assuming I get the new Vonage Box I had planned to try it first without setting the id/pwd to see if it worked. I am a little curious about the way you set yours up as it sounds different than detailed in the Vonage box documentation, which doesn't seem to give the option of NOT using the Vonage box as a router.

[Pib]

It's just the way the Vonage router documentation is written. Guess they think there may be less problems in just using the DSL modem and Vonage box/router versus using a DSL modem, wireless router, and then the Vonage box/router. Makes the setup sound simpler...VOIP use so easy; besides, no one uses a wireless/separate router now days so why talk about it in the VOIP adapter documentation. The documentation for by 8x8 VOIP adapter was the say way. If I remember right, the expanded manual documentation which comes on the CD with the adpater (probably can also be downloaded from the Vonage web site) and the Support Section Q&A on Vonage web site gives detailed info on hooking the adpater up to a router (wired or wireless).

Edited April 25, 2011 by Pib

[Rice_King]

It has been a few years since I used Vonage here in Thailand. I used my Vonage router behind my Linksys router as outlined here in this thread on the Vonage forum.

The basic instructions are:

1. Disable NAT and DHCP on the RT31P2 (the Vonage Router)

2. Connect a patch cable between the Internet port and a LAN port.

3. Connect one LAN port to the other router

4. Connect the last LAN port to your computer

Here is a photo from my setup.

Edited April 25, 2011 by Rice_King

[lomatopo]

The Linksys PAP2 is widely available here, ~ 2,500 baht. It is an ATA/VoIP phone adapter only. It works with Vonage, and several other VoIP service providers.

[Jingthing]

Following up on this, I have decided that I want to use my current DLINK adapter (only an adapter/not a router) until it poops out. It has been working perfectly and I really don't like that the only current option from Vonage is an adapter with a built in router. Anyway, here's my plan. I plan on buying a new Vonage box in the US (40 dollars at Frys) as a BACKUP and then NOT activate it. When my current "obsolete" DLINK dies, then I will try to activate it (move the number to the new device). As far as I can tell, Vonage will accept that. I plan on getting the backup device only because the old one is so old and I don't want to be caught without my Vonage number while trying to get one shipped from the US (which they don't do directly anyway, you have to have someone else ship it).