What kind of router do I need?

[amy23]

I need to replace my Belkin 802.11g router. Ever since I added my Vonage
device, I lose my internet connection when I try to upload pictures or simple
Excel email attachments from both my desktop and my laptop. It doesn't seem
to be strong enough? I have cable internet. My desktop is connected
directly and runs Windows XP and my notebook is wireless and runs Vista.
I'm at a total loss. I've seen routers with G and N and have no idea what
the difference is. I don't want to buy a new one and have the same problem.
I appreciate your suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Stu]

I`m not a VoIP expert and this is really an `Off Topic` request you have made
to this NG which is primarily concerned with those having issues or wanting
advice on Windows Defender - Microsoft `s Anti Spyware solution. I did Google
and scored a hit with a Wikipedia entry which I thought you might find useful:

Service Requirements:

In order to use the service, customers must purchase or use a "Vonage"
branded "VoIP router" or a phone adapter that connects to their main router
or broadband modem. In addition, an upload speed of 90–200 kbit/s as well as
a reliable/QoS optimized connection is necessary to make calls without
substantial lag or jitter. Your quality of service needs to be at or above
80. It is important to know that 90 kbit/s upload speed is the minimum needed
for one line; if you have two lines then you would need 200 kbit/s to support
a clear Vonage call. If you have a satellite dish for your ISP (internet
service provider) make sure to test your speeds before you sign up. Satellite
with upload speeds in the 4-5 hundreds still does not mean you can have a
seamless transition to Vonage. Also with the dish QOS is more important, and
needs to be right around 80. You can test your speeds at various sites on the
internet; upload speed is the only thing you need to worry about.


If your current setup does not meet those requirements, perhaps a call to
Vonage support would better assist you.

Stu

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Fwiw, I've seen a couple of N series routers now--one from Belkin and one
from Dlink, as I recall. Both of them implemented QoS--although, of course,
whether the device at the other end of the ISP connection does so I've no
idea.

The Belkin N series router was inexpensive, and as easy to set up as any
such device I've ever seen. These new routers have substantially more
horsepower in them and do some slick stuff at setup time, as well as
implementing features that weren't possible with the older generation
routers.

Someplace like practicallynetworked.com or broadbandreports might be a good
place to get pointers on specific routers that work well with Vonage.

 

[Stu]

Nice advice Bill. I went (impulsively) into the world of wireless networking
little over a year ago - a router is a router right and will give you great
speeds? Wrong! They do between router and comp but are only as good as a
connection to your ISP. On the security front, I should have read more and
now realise mine (Belkin G series) won`t conform to the new standards over
the horizon - that is, if its not already in place. I have another `long
winded story` about software compatibility which is better left for another
time.

Stu

 

[Stu]

And .. there is, of course, the ease an convenience of creating your home
network ....

Stu

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Wireless is among the fastest changing technologies these days. There's no
right answer--as I recall, the N standard is still not final--so everything
being sold as N may not "quite" be standard.....

(in the end, much in the way of standards in networking come down to
plugfests (can you call it that when it is wireless?) in which all the
vendors get together and see whose stuff breaks whose--i.e. "measure
interoperability."