[debbiewake]

I am in a small office of 6 people. We use VoIP phones and Internet for our computers. We opened our office in February with just 3 of us and bought a router that was recommended by our VoIP provider to work with their equipment. After several weeks we were having slow internet connections and dropped calls. We had both our phone provider and our internet provider run test - all of which came back with no problems. The issue continued and finally we insisted that the internet provider come out and check. He ran speed test directly from the cabling and then again through our router. He determined that the problem was through our router - which had much slower speed! He said that our router did not allow adjustment to the WAN Port Duplex(whatever that is - sorry). He made an adjustment from his company but said he could not promise that it would last - and it didn't. We have now added more people to the office and things are slower than ever and we are getting dropped calls more frequently. Our phone provider gave me a list of recommended routers but when I went over it with our internet provider - they said most of these routers were for home use. We currently have a NetGear 3300 and I am desperate for some guidance on what would work best for us. Can anyone help??

Thanks!
Debbie

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I notice that the router you mention is also a DSL modem. Tell me you're not trying to use VoIP over a DSL connection. What are your advertised and actual connection speeds? Are you getting any choppyness in your call aside from the drops? That would indicate insufficient bandwidth. Also noteworthy-- when it comes to computer hardware, the difference between consumer and enterprise products is usually pretty much packaging and warranty. They might treat you better on the phone, too.

Also, as a small router, it has only a limited number of ethernet ports. Are you connecting the VoIP phones by hard wire? How many devices do you have?

There's not really anything that would make a router "good for voip." Get something that can do 1000 MBps so your local network traffic isn't in any danger of slowing things down, is well reviewed, and has Quality of Service options. Oh, and not terribly expensive. Full or half duplex would only likely matter if the router's speed were 100 MBps or less.

[GryphonGuy]

I notice that the router you mention is also a DSL modem. Tell me you're not trying to use VoIP over a DSL connection. What are your advertised and actual connection speeds? Are you getting any choppyness in your call aside from the drops? That would indicate insufficient bandwidth. Also noteworthy-- when it comes to computer hardware, the difference between consumer and enterprise products is usually pretty much packaging and warranty. They might treat you better on the phone, too.

Also, as a small router, it has only a limited number of ethernet ports. Are you connecting the VoIP phones by hard wire? How many devices do you have?

There's not really anything that would make a router "good for voip." Get something that can do 1000 MBps so your local network traffic isn't in any danger of slowing things down, is well reviewed, and has Quality of Service options. Oh, and not terribly expensive. Full or half duplex would only likely matter if the router's speed were 100 MBps or less.