[VoIP] Recordings / My Asterisk & Router

[John Novack]

As many of us know, SIP can be a problem, especially with NAT.
I have both Stanaphone and Gizmo as SIP providers, one is my portal for 
users to access CNET, and although I don't often rely on it for my ONLY 
connection to the PSTN, it mostly works.
I also have Vonage with their locked ATA on the LAN side of my router.
I use an 8 port Linksys consumer grade router with no related problems. 
When I used their 4 port version, with different firmware, SIP would die 
after about 18 minutes, sometimes killing all Internet access, sometimes 
coming back. This was with Vonage, Stanaphone and Gizmo.
Once I changed the router to the 8 port version, I had no more problems.
It has a completely different problem. My ISP is Comcast, and every so 
often they go on a tear of changing IP addresses, it seems not simply 
for me to annoy me, but they are doing some sort of network 
re-configuration or a fall back network or ??? No sense in calling 
customer service. I get better answers from my dogs!
So when they are in this mode, I either have to tell the WAN DHCP to 
release and renew, or at times power cycle the router.
I have no high energy RF to upset my router, as Jeff does.
I have often though of going up a level or two with routers, but just as 
I explore the current field, things settle down for many weeks/months so 
the issue moves to the back of the line.
I currently have built a small MonoWall configuration. I may go that 
route. The last time I tried, I had difficulty getting CNET to work, 
though everything else seemed just fine.

Anyone have experience with other routers they would care to share?

John Novack

Spock71 wrote:
> Everytime I see no messages for a day or so, I think something's wrong with my e-mail client, listserve subscription, or the mail daemon at CNET; but I think it's actually the fact that nobody has anything to say at the time.  So, that being the case, I'll add something.
>
> I had planned previously to purchase an Intertex router to solve my SIP problems that I've been having with no-audio calls going out from my box completing over that protocol.  I decided to hold off thinking the problems would somehow be worked-around, and that, according to John I didn't need a costly router to get everything I want to work on my * box, as IAX calls are great with very few or no difficulties.
>   Now this evening, 2 of my PSTN calls (via VoicePulse) over my ITSP were prematurely cut off after less than 30 seconds.  Now I don't know if that occured as a result of my opening up additional ranges of ports in my Linksys 300N router, or if there was actually a VoicePulse issue.  Since I've very rarely had difficulty with VoicePulse actually failing during a SIP call, I prefer to think it is the 'former', or something related to my Linksys 300N.
> While not very likely due to routers from Linksys I've used before (and placing them in front of my 3-set windows looking S.E.), it is certainly possible that I may have affected the poor lil plastic-enclosed 300N when I transmitted on H.F. frequencies for the first time last night on SSB on 3 bands (160, 80 and 40 meters) with between 40 and 100 Watts RF.  Previously, I'd used only the VHF/UHF bands of 2-meters and above, which is 144 MHz. and up, with no difficulties.  Additionally, I don't believe consumer-grade routers are built with a high quality of care or components.
> Since the possibility of damage exists, and since I canNOT tolerate failure on SIP over my ITSPs VoicePulse and BroadVoice, I placed and order for an Intertex SurfinBird IX67 FW AIR GW2 router this morning, which may or may not arrive tomorrow via Priority Overnight FedEx, as I ordered.  This router has 2 FXS and 1 FXO port, along with a built-in SIP proxy mini-server and full total integration of that proxy with the firewall and with NAT hardware/firmware.  This router ALSO supports full SIP and other media types on it's 4-port LAN despite other-brand routers' omitting that support in total favor of built-in SIP ports that a few do have, and the rest who don't have any support for SIP or IAX at "all".  The cost was over $300 but I feel it is well worth it, since this router is a commercial-grade router in addition to it's VoIP/SIP speciality-design.  I also plan to place it at least 3 feet from the edge of the window opening(s).  {I only wish it had a metal case too, for add
>  ed RF protection since the case can be grounded}.  This model also has wireless 802.11 b/g support.
>
> After the Intertex is installed and configured, the recordings I spoke of previously will be made available.  Some will be put on the * box, but I think alot will be put on this neat lil device I forgot I had until tonight: an AEC (Automation Electronics Corp.) model 712 "The Messenger" mini-IVR system.  It appears in good shape still; it has 6 line-ports (RJ-45), handset port (RJ-11), Remote Change line port (RJ-45), and C.O./PBX switchable termination for each of the 6 lines, and a separate Ext. MIC jack (which can be used as a line-level input via an attenuating mini-phone jack patchcord).  With over a dozen function buttons, a numeric keypad and a 5-digit LED readout, I think it rises above any ordinary consumer-grade voicemail or audio storage system.  I wonder if any of you fellows have had experience with this or other AEC-brand equipment.  It seems heavy and of good sturdy quality (with a metal case, of course).  I found this at one of the many hamfests (Amateur Radio
>   flea-markets) that I've been to.
>
> You should know that hamfests can be a trove for telephone equipments as well, especially collectors.  I've seen manual-ring phones, a couple fan-tail plunger lineswitches, 500- and 2500- type phones, 1A2 and other partial and WHOLE keysystems, and 1 or 2 entire PBXs at some of these hamfests, especially the larger hamfests.  I have yet to find an entire CDO central office, but I've seen a few selectors/connectors since I've been a ham or 20 years, as well as a crossbar switch or two, and some misc. telephone gear and equipment and parts I wasn't familiar with.  If any of you live close or within decent traveling distance to Dayton, OH, you might want to make the journey there this coming Spring, since it is THE LARGEST hamfest in the world with people traveling from outside the U.S. to attend it.  I believe they still have the site http://www.daytonhamvention.com as the official website.
>
> At any rate, I'll update on here as I get this lil gem of mine set up for my audio recordings and place it online with 1 or 2 assigned (perhaps more) numbers.
> 73's,
> de  Jeff   (KA3RXE)                                                                  Amateur Radio:  A National Resource
> _______________________________________________
> VoIP mailing list
> VoIP at ckts.info
> http://lists.ckts.info/mailman/listinfo/voip
> Project Web Page: http://www.ckts.info/
>
>   

-- 
Dog is my co-pilot