Routers

[stevebig]

I've seen post out here for the D-Link having issues with Magic Jack Plus and getting the error 3. I've tried all the fixes i could find on the web.

I asked Magic Jack support for a recommended router and they just gave me the run around and wouldn't answer a simple question.

Does anyone here have the MagicJack Plus working plugged into a wireless router without it giving a error 3 within a few minutes to a day?

What kind of brand router are you using? Thinking about just buying a new cheap router to see if it will fix the issue, much easier than dealing with MJ support.

Thanks

[MagicJackLinux]

Hi. I saw this post. I do NOT have that type of Router, I use a wired setup. BUT my old Llinksys routers were a pain and the last one died after a firmware update. Turned into a brick like a week after upgrading. So I gave up. Bought a 45.00$ one box Action-TEC. It was so much easier than stupid Linksys and their CD that you have to use to start it. One push of a button and it's all automatic. OK, I was set up with it and the Window showed 000-000-0000 and nothing else. I couldn't call out. I discovered you had to check the box in "outgoing" next to Yahoo Messenger listing in Action-TEC routers. I'm sure it's that port range that uses their setup. Once I did that, Calls went through and the Contact list filled in. I also went to the Router website and checked their forums like this. It helped a lot. Could be something to do with the Security tab and programs listed like mine was. Good luck.

[IvanJ]

I posted this under "MJ Not Working in Stand Alone". I had to first disable my Router Mac Code Filtering. I use Mac Code Address Filtering. I then entered the Mac Code for the MJ into the Filtering List. Enabling the Router Mac Code Filter and everything worked. You can test the MJ when you are disabled also. (The DHCP Client list will show you the MJ Mac Code. It will be a (null) entry.) I have a Belkin router.

[SteveHC]

I may catch some flack for this response, but here goes regardless:

I've used the original MagicJack for almost a few years FLAWLESSLY (on a cheapo Sylvania netbook no less!), and now *also* a new MagicJack Plus flawlessly (connected directly to router) for a few weeks. I've used a number of router models and brands over the years.

For my money, the best/most reliable routers seem to be Belkins and Netgears, with the Belkins tending to be the better constructed of the two. D-Links and Linksys are as far as I'm concerned among the WORST. If you *really* want to get the very best bang for your buck, buy a factory-refurbished (TRULY factory-refurbished) Belkin (or Netgear) - it'll be better than most brand-new D-Links or Linksys.

But regardless of whatever brand of router you use, you MUST make it your business to become THOROUGHLY familiar with your router's capabilities and configuration settings! Do NOT rely on any "set-up wizard" to set it up - take the time to use the router's web browser-based GUI to set it up properly and thoroughly.

My general recommendations for using MagicJack Plus:

After registration via a computer, connect it directly to one of your router's ethernet ports.

DISABLE SSID broadcasting. ENABLE connection filtering by MAC address and USE ENCRYPTION (WEP, WPA or whatever).

Set your router's QoS setting(s) by MAC address and set your MagicJack's MAC address QoS priority to highest (AND NO OTHER MAC address to highest); DELETE or EDIT any QoS "rules" that came pre-defined with the router that you do not absolutely need or which have other devices or applications set to highest priority. DISABLE WMM if there is ANY chance that someone on your network would be using an Internet and/or networked multi-media application at the same time that you're using the MagicJack-connected phone(s).

Leave NAT to enabled - and "secured" - but turn OFF/DISABLE "SIP ALG" (if your router allows this).

Leave UPnP OFF, and do NOT try to mess around with your router's automatic port configurations (in other words, do NOT mess around with port triggering or port forwarding) unless it's ABSOLUTELY necessary (and these days it's almost NEVER necessary).

In a more general sense, configure your router to CONSISTENTLY and CONTINUOUSLY maintain its connection with your MagicJack Plus (meaning its MAC and IP addresses). Otherwise you may find yourself having to repeatedly unplug/plug in, or disconnect/reconnect the ethernet cable, to re-establish that device connection. And make SURE that your router's speed setting is correct given that of your ISP account!

At least once per month power down and restart/reboot your modem, router, and MagicJack Plus.

From my observation, at least 99% of all current MagicJack and MagicJack Plus "problems" are not the fault of the MagicJack unit itself but rather with the router or - MOST frequently - the router's settings.

[cduggins]

I have a Linksys by Cisco and just plugged it in and it's working great. No error messages.

[SteveHC]

I have a Linksys by Cisco and just plugged it in and it's working great. No error messages.

- You're lucky, 'cause many of them have had screwy NAT (and other) programming that's made their off-the-shelf use with MagicJacks unreliable. And some have had not-so-hot manufacturing q.c. that's resulted in them crapping out far sooner than they should (I know far too many Linksys wireless router owners who have to CONSTANTLY unplug and restart them, even without MagicJacks). Hopefully the latest models are less buggy and more reliable, but for MY time and money I wouldn't recommend that the typical MagicJack consumer buy one cause if the MagicJack service etc. starts acting screwy or fails it could be a REAL you-know-what to try to figure out if the problem's with the router hardware, the router's settings or programming, or the MagicJack device itself. That's why I *especially* recommend that anyone who's not REALLY network-savy (and patient) to buy nothing but the *absolute* best and most reliable wireless router they can, even if it means spending a few extra bucks more.

[SteveHC]

I have a Linksys by Cisco and just plugged it in and it's working great. No error messages.

- Yeah, I see that the newest Cisco co-branded Linksys routers seem to be MUCH better than the older ones... but unfortunately with their current model line-up it seems you have to spring $$ for their higher priced models to get the configurable features you need to optimize them for VOIP without having to "flash" the firmware with the more sophisticated (and less user-friendly) "generic" open firmware commonly available on the Internet (e.g. Tomato). Netgear more often provides the configurable features we need even in their less expensive models.

[Matt9876]

I have a Linksys by Cisco and just plugged it in and it's working great. No error messages.

+1 , Linksys/Cisco routers work great with the MJ+/MJ.

If you own an older unit by all means update the firmware if you can.

[dkmontgomery]

I have a gateway 2 wire router/modem by AT & T. It is wireless and has 4 ethernet ports. I believe this may be my problem with the magicjack plus. I had previously tried to hook up a skype free talk box to it and never could get it to work. I also utilize CENTURYLINK as an internet service provider.

I am thinking I need to make a mode and router change.

Is it better to go with a basic modem and purchase a router to connect to the modem?

[SteveHC]

I have a gateway 2 wire router/modem by AT & T. It is wireless and has 4 ethernet ports. I believe this may be my problem with the magicjack plus. I had previously tried to hook up a skype free talk box to it and never could get it to work. I also utilize CENTURYLINK as an internet service provider.

I am thinking I need to make a mode and router change.

Is it better to go with a basic modem and purchase a router to connect to the modem?

- My opinion: There's nothing *inherently* wrong with going with a modem & router combo unit. But you really want a router that has as many user-configurable features as possible within its "off-the-shelf" web-based interface, and most modem/router combo units that I've seen do not have as many user-configurable router features as most separate router units on the market do. BTW - CenturyLink's a perfectly fine DSL service provider, but if you stick with them (as opposed to going with cable as your broadband source) by all means do NOT stick with your current AT&T/Gateway router/modem unit!!! If you really want a combo unit at LEAST buy yourself the very best Motorola unit you can afford (their modems are considered to be among the very best in the industry, and the router portion of their combo units are at least so-so but *I've* never heard of any known incompatibilities regarding them... doesn't mean there aren't any, just that I personally haven't heard of any). But if you really want to play it safe then definitely get a top-notch Motorola modem, and the very best separate router that's known to work well with MJ and which you can afford. STAY AWAY from oddball router brands and D-Link's; your best bets in routers these days are probably the *newest* Belkin, Linksys and Netgear models (the Belkins overall seem to be the least buggy, but that's only relative and subjective as they ALL seem to have their own weird quirks... I think Belkin's web-based GUI is the best organized of the bunch, FWIW).

[dkmontgomery]

I have a gateway 2 wire router/modem by AT & T. It is wireless and has 4 ethernet ports. I believe this may be my problem with the magicjack plus. I had previously tried to hook up a skype free talk box to it and never could get it to work. I also utilize CENTURYLINK as an internet service provider.

I am thinking I need to make a mode and router change.

Is it better to go with a basic modem and purchase a router to connect to the modem?

- My opinion: There's nothing *inherently* wrong with going with a modem & router combo unit. But you really want a router that has as many user-configurable features as possible within its "off-the-shelf" web-based interface, and most modem/router combo units that I've seen do not have as many user-configurable router features as most separate router units on the market do. BTW - CenturyLink's a perfectly fine DSL service provider, but if you stick with them (as opposed to going with cable as your broadband source) by all means do NOT stick with your current AT&T/Gateway router/modem unit!!! If you really want a combo unit at LEAST buy yourself the very best Motorola unit you can afford (their modems are considered to be among the very best in the industry, and the router portion of their combo units are at least so-so but *I've* never heard of any known incompatibilities regarding them... doesn't mean there aren't any, just that I personally haven't heard of any). But if you really want to play it safe then definitely get a top-notch Motorola modem, and the very best separate router that's known to work well with MJ and which you can afford. STAY AWAY from oddball router brands and D-Link's; your best bets in routers these days are probably the *newest* Belkin, Linksys and Netgear models (the Belkins overall seem to be the least buggy, but that's only relative and subjective as they ALL seem to have their own weird quirks... I think Belkin's web-based GUI is the best organized of the bunch, FWIW).

Thank you much for this insight! I greatly appreciate it.

[dkmontgomery]

Well I have a Belkin N750 DB Dual Band 450 Mbps 4-Port Gigabit Wireless N + Router F9K1103 on the way along with a Motorola Netopia 2210-02 ADSL2+ Gateway Modem. I am thinking my ATT 2 Wire has been a problem. We will see once I get the new modem and router. This will be the first time I have went with a separate router and modem. Looking forward to see what happens.

[mjplus2000]

Well I have a Belkin N750 DB Dual Band 450 Mbps 4-Port Gigabit Wireless N + Router F9K1103 on the way along with a Motorola Netopia 2210-02 ADSL2+ Gateway Modem. I am thinking my ATT 2 Wire has been a problem. We will see once I get the new modem and router. This will be the first time I have went with a separate router and modem. Looking forward to see what happens.

Is your ISP providing you with those for free as replacements? Just curious.

[dkmontgomery]

Well I have a Belkin N750 DB Dual Band 450 Mbps 4-Port Gigabit Wireless N + Router F9K1103 on the way along with a Motorola Netopia 2210-02 ADSL2+ Gateway Modem. I am thinking my ATT 2 Wire has been a problem. We will see once I get the new modem and router. This will be the first time I have went with a separate router and modem. Looking forward to see what happens.

Is your ISP providing you with those for free as replacements? Just curious.

No. I have always used my own modems over the last several years. I ususally keep an eye out on Ebay for good deals.

[dkmontgomery]

Hi! Believe it or not I did just get my situation resolved. My 2 Wire has always worked great. I tried just about every thing one could do with the options and setting of the gateway. I ended up purchasing a Belkin N750 Router off of Ebay. I then installed the router through one of the 2wire ethernet ports and then I set up the new router. This solved my issue! I hooked the magic jack up to the Belkin Router and no trouble now. The Magicjack plus is working great now away from the computer.

I think there is something to do with the way the 2 Wire Gateway operates. Really not sure what the deal is. But the Belkin appears to be a great router.