> > I'm using this service. If your infrastructure (HOT/ADSL) is reliable, it
> > works pretty reliably as well.
> >
> > They give you the AudioCodes MP202 adapter, as someone has already
> > mentioned. One thing to note is that they put this adapter in front of your
> > PC / router (i.e. it connects to the modem, and the router connects to it),
> > and it takes your public IP to itself and performs NAT. They don't give you
> > the password for the administrator account on the device so basically you
> > lose your public IP, for what it's worth. This is absolutely ludicrous, to
> > me. They set it up in DMZ mode so that incoming connections are forwarded
> > to your router / PC, but if your internal IP changes for some reason, you
> > need to bug them to reconfigure their box. If you have anything at all that
> > requires a public IP anyway (dynamic DNS?), you're out of luck.
> Not sure I understand how your internal IP can change. You can always ask to
> have the MP202
> offer the same IP to the other device. One IP range dhcp.
The IP can change for many reasons. But that's not the point. When you buy an
Internet connection you expect a public IP, not a NATed IP. Unless you're at an
airport. They could at least have provided the user with administrator access
to the box that is holding his public IP.
> > Another thing is that they set up traffic shaping on this box so that the
> > VOIP calls are not affected by heavy traffic, and the speed degradation is
> > quite noticeable.
> >
> > Bottom line, the calls are cheap, but it screws with your Internet
> > connection in various ways, and it's basically only as reliable as your
> > connection -- and let me tell you that you don't realize how unreliable
> > Internet infrastructure is here until you put your phone on it.
> If you are running a server on your internet connection you should know how
> reliable it is.
> Doesn't NV offer a voice mail box as part of their phone service? For me,
> both cables and adsl are very reliable. Perhaps the internet reliability
> depends on your location.
They do offer a voice mailbox, but what does that have to do with reliability?
There's nothing more annoying than a phone call cut in the middle. And that can
happen even if service is lost for just a few seconds. This is something that
you otherwise may never notice, even if you're running a server.
And reliability probably does depend on the area, but also very much on luck,
it appears. I had it working fine here for a year until disconnections started,
and then 9 (!!) visits by HOT technicians weren't enough solve the problem.
This included replacing all cables down to street level, and replacing the
modem, twice. I had to switch to ADSL eventually. When it works, it works, but
when it doesn't, may the God of bits & bytes have mercy on your soul...
--Alex
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