Best router for Magic Jack?
Moderators: Bill Smith, Pilot
Best router for Magic Jack?
Has there been on clear cut winner of a router to be used for Magic Jack? Or is it basically any Linksys that can run Tomato? I have a gift card to use at Best Buy and I don't think my Linksys router is very good for Magic Jack - WRT54G version 5. I'm now starting to get the infamous caller can't hear me issue or dead air.
I don't think a router will fix the problem you described. The only difference a router can make is improving "choppy voice" via QoS traffic shaping. And, fixing buggy manufacturer firmware which seems to plague newer Linksys routers.
The Tomato firmware seems to have the best feedback concerning QoS. But, DD-WRT supports more routers, has more features, etc.
Mark
The Tomato firmware seems to have the best feedback concerning QoS. But, DD-WRT supports more routers, has more features, etc.
Mark
See the MagicJack Wiki (FAQ, How-To, history and more).
There's nothing wrong with your router that VXWorxKiller and DD-WRT can't fix. Seriously, though, there's nothing wrong with that router at all if you want to use it in a normal home setting. If you don't intend to do heavy gaming, need to boost the wireless transceiver's power setting, etc., that router is (was) just about the best one in the market, even with native firmware.
Even as Linksys stripped the guts out of the WRT-54 product line, aftermarket firmware is still able to add features that Linksys left out, but take up no space, like putting the router into WiFi client mode and boosting its power.
I don't see any reason for you to trash that router.
Even as Linksys stripped the guts out of the WRT-54 product line, aftermarket firmware is still able to add features that Linksys left out, but take up no space, like putting the router into WiFi client mode and boosting its power.
I don't see any reason for you to trash that router.
Ok, guys, thanks for the feedback! I guess I'll keep my router. az2008, I thought that I read on here that my problem could be fixed with a better router that manages the traffic better, but I must have misread. I guess this particular problem just goes along with MJ's deteriorating like you said before. Hopefully these recent problems won't last much longer.
The only problems I've seen affected by a router are choppy voice (QoS-capable router or a router that can be flashed with a firmware with QoS). And, incoming calls that end after 30 seconds and/or don't stop ringing even after they go to voice mail. (Buggy router firmware.).yarddawg7 wrote:az2008, I thought that I read on here that my problem could be fixed with a better router that manages the traffic better, but I must have misread.
I haven't seen anyone report that the fade out, dead air behavior can be fixed by a router.
Mark
See the MagicJack Wiki (FAQ, How-To, history and more).
Choppy voice - Router
I have choppy voice syndrom...I was thinking it was my PCs power problem, not the router. My router is DLink DL624. It is old; should it be replaced or can I add the firmware you reference with Qos? I would love a solution to this ...I want Magic Jack to work! Thanks!
Before considering new hardware, remember that QoS can only prioritize bandwidth within your own home. So, the first thing to do is to test with your own two hands.
The router's QoS feature can give your MJ PC priority over other devices in your home. As a test, turn off all of these other devices in order to give that PC 100% of the bandwidth. If that improves your call quality, QoS will likely solve your problem. If not, don't waste your money on a QoS capable router.
Likewise, if your hosting PC is doing other things besides hosting the MJ it may not be giving enough system resources to the MJ. Shut down as many other processes as you can inside the PC and see if things improve. If they do, you can follow the advice in one of the threads here that talks about prioritizing MJ within a PC running your OS (which you don't mention).
The router's QoS feature can give your MJ PC priority over other devices in your home. As a test, turn off all of these other devices in order to give that PC 100% of the bandwidth. If that improves your call quality, QoS will likely solve your problem. If not, don't waste your money on a QoS capable router.
Likewise, if your hosting PC is doing other things besides hosting the MJ it may not be giving enough system resources to the MJ. Shut down as many other processes as you can inside the PC and see if things improve. If they do, you can follow the advice in one of the threads here that talks about prioritizing MJ within a PC running your OS (which you don't mention).
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oldtimercurt
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Task priority
I'm running Thin Client 5710 upgraded to 1GB RAM with stock XPe. It's mostly dedicated to MJ. In task manager, processes tab, I've boosted the MJ process priority to Real Time, the highest allowed. Subjectively, the call quality has never been better. Virtually no hiccups. So any issues I have now "must be at your end."
Router is D-Link DIR-615. The TC and Desktop are hardwired; printer and wife's laptop, are wireless. QOS is turned on but frankly I've not noticed any difference either on or off. I don't think the QOS is very sophisticated because On and Off are the only options I can see.
OTC
Router is D-Link DIR-615. The TC and Desktop are hardwired; printer and wife's laptop, are wireless. QOS is turned on but frankly I've not noticed any difference either on or off. I don't think the QOS is very sophisticated because On and Off are the only options I can see.
OTC