Can I switch from after to before router?

[TonyScarpelli]

I have a home network behind a wireless router. Everything is working fine. My computer has a fixed IP address so I can call home from work.

I want to do a test that connects ahead of the router. I connect my computer ahead of the router and I can't seem to get a connection to work this way. My computer refuses to connect to the internet.

I tried to create another connection but I can't seem to get it to work.

I think it's because of my single network card and the fixed IP address, but don't know for sure.

Is it possible to just create another connection to do this, or do I have to install a second network card?

Or is there another solution?

Thanks.

Tony Scarpelli
Clinical Engineering Dept.
Maine Medical Center
Portland, Maine 04102

 

[bracadar]

It sounds like you are trying to connect to your ISP modem. The one before your wireless router. Your ISP's modem is handing out DHCP unless you have a static IP from your ISP. This is why you can't connect to the internet. If you set your PC to receive DHCP you will be able to connect to the internet. Your best bet is to purchase a static IP from your ISP. Hope this helps.

 

[acl03]

bracadar is right. If you don't have special "fixed-ip" service from your ISP, you must use DHCP to get a public IP address from your cable company.



Thanks,
Andrew

 

[TonyScarpelli]

Yes, that's right, I have a Time Warner cable modem ahead of my router.

But I don't want to change my current connection settings since they work well for me now.

I just want to set up another connection to go around my router because I want to find out why the MagicJack USB telephone device isn't working behind my router. I've already set the ports in my rounter and in my Firewall, but still can't get it to connect to the Internet. I want to see if there are some other router settings I have to make or determine if it's not working correctly.

Can I just create another connection, or do I have to get another network card to do this?

Thanks.


Tony Scarpelli
Clinical Engineering Dept.
Maine Medical Center
Portland, Maine 04102

 

[smah]

I suppose that you could create a new connection with DHCP properties, then disable the current fixed/private connection. Remember to do the reverse when you're back behind your router. Also keep in mind that when connecting directly to the internet (in front of your router) your system is open to the internet and could potentially be attacked if you have any unpatched vulnerabilities.

 

[bracadar]

Take a screen shot of your current settings, allow DHCP and connect to your modem to see if your MagicJack will function properly for your initial testing. If it does, then you need to tweak your router to allow VOIP and whatever else MagicJack needs to connect.

 

[bracadar]

There isn't much at their website. You probably checked this already.

magicJack uses ports UDP 5061, TCP 80 and TCP 443
If your NAT uses a SIP Application Layer Gateway, you should turn this off. Check the documentation provided by the vendor on how to do this.

http://www.magicjack.com/site/magicfix.html

Hope this helps.

 

[TonyScarpelli]

Thanks for all the tips.

Connecting in front of my router is just a temporary thing so I can troubleshoot this device.

And yes, MagicJack has a live helpdesk and I've chatted a few times with them. I did set all the ports in my router they use, and in the Windows Firewall, and looked at all the FAQ's, and I just think it's something not going through my router correctly.

At any rate, have any of you all seen this USB device? It can connect your regular phone to the internet. It costs about $30 for the device and the first year or use, and $20 a year after that. It allows national and I think some international calls. It's a lot cheaper than cable phone, so I hope I can get it to work.

Thanks again. CU

Tony Scarpelli
Clinical Engineering Dept.
Maine Medical Center
Portland, Maine 04102