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Question

Should I return this router?

Mar 2, 2016 12:19PM PST

see my other tread http://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/new-cable-modemrouter-now-voip-is-spotty/?ts=14567751821237

I have isolated a problem with a new Netgear N450 cable modem/router to the device itself. The problem is that when on the phone (Vonage - VOIP) I keep cutting out. It's fine on my end, but the other person tells me that I am cutting out.

I went back to the old cable modem/router and I don't have the problem any more. Should I conclude that this is a bad unit? Should I return it and get another N450 or a different one altogether?

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Yes.
Mar 2, 2016 12:26PM PST

I looked at it and it's a combo modem router. At 111ish bucks you are in the bargain area. If your current modem works and you want a better WiFi or router, my choice is to add that. I'm using a TP-Link C9 for a reason here. It's dual core CPU seems to handle more stuff than the prior single core models.

You have a working modem. Missed why the change.

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Here's why...
Mar 2, 2016 1:25PM PST

At $10/month to rent one from Time Warner I figured I should just buy my own. Then, I figured why should I have another router hooked up to the cable modem. That's just more wires and cables and yet another thing plugged into my power strip. I thought that I'd just try to simplify things.

My research showed, and you can correct me, that spending $250 for this type of thing just gets you more bells and whistles, not better connectivity.

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For now
Mar 3, 2016 9:21AM PST

I find that getting a modem is best. Those combination things tend to be under price pressure so you don't get the best you can get.

If I was to replace the modem, the Motorola surfboards are highly rated. Some model number from memory is the SB6131 and such. Then add your own router. I think I paid 130ish for the C9 router and it seems fine.

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Returned it - all set now!
Mar 3, 2016 5:25PM PST

Okay, I bit the bullet and drove an hour each way to BestBuy and returned the Netgear and got the Motorola. Voice over Vonage is now flawless. Good news is that they both use 192.168.0.1 so all my static IP addresses for my cameras, Plex, etc all worked out of the box. I just had to do four port forward settings and a call to TWC and I was done in a half hour.

Thanks for all your help. I greatly appreciate it. My wife is in awe that the tech community is so willing to help out people.

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Thanks for the update.
Mar 3, 2016 5:30PM PST

If you can share, which model modem and router did you get? I'm sure folk want to know.

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I got the Motorola/Arris Surfboard SBG6580 cable modem/route
Mar 4, 2016 7:33AM PST

I know you'll be upset with me but I bought a Motorola/Arris Surfboard model SBG6580 which has a router. N300/300 dual band, with four Ethernet ports My thought process was this, it is the same cable modem as the higher prices units and I can plug my TV, Tivo box into it and if I want better WiFi I can get a new WiFi router. My current one is about four years old. I am getting the same effective WiFi bandwidth with the new box as with my old router (over wifi, consistently about 35 mbps. That's plenty.)

By the way, after talking with the Netgear and Vonage folks again the "fix" for the intermittency issue is handled in three steps:

1. Turn off firewall
2. Assign a DMZ to the Vonage box
3. Do port forwarding on the Vonage box

None of these worked for me so that's why I returned it and went with the Arris device as that's the brand that TWC provided me originally and I didn't have any problems.

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That is
Mar 4, 2016 9:07AM PST

The modem that most seem to like inside. I know folk like the all in one package at times. Good to read it's working now.