Connect Obi202 from wall ethernet cable instead of router
DDavis:
Right now I have my office computer connected direct to the internet with an ethernet cable (routers in computer room). Can I connect the Obi202 direct to my office cable and then to my computer instead of connecting direct to router? Or do I have to go the wifi adapter route
Thank you!
SteveInWA:
I think I understand your question. The one-word answer is "yes".
Let's explore further. You aren't connected "directly to the internet", technically-speaking. Your office has some form of internet service entering the building, and it goes into some networking equipment, depending on the sophistication of your network. At minimum, that internet connection goes to a router and one or more Ethernet switches. Then, all the network-connected gizmos in the office connect to Ethernet switch ports (RJ-45 jacks), or to a WiFi access point on the same router/switch.
Your computer is currently connected to the Ethernet switch. You could leave it that way, and also plug the OBi's WAN or LAN port directly into the same Ethernet switch (using another port/jack of course), or you can plug the OBi's WAN port into the Ethernet switch, and then plug your PC into the LAN port on the OBi. The latter option will take advantage of the OBi's built-in router and Quality of Service (QoS) function, to prioritize the OBi's voice packets vs. the computer's packets. If you only have one Ethernet jack nearby, this solution will work.
However, the built-in router in the OBi 202 isn't designed for high throughput, and its Ethernet interfaces are limited to 100Mbps vs. 1Gbps. If you are doing network-intensive work on your computer, you may notice the difference.
I wouldn't recommend using WiFi to connect the OBi. Load on the WiFi access point from other users in the office may cause poor VoIP performance on the OBi.
So: which option do you want to select? There are some settings involved, depending on your choice.
drgeoff:
There are two other options:
1. Use the OBi202 in bridge mode instead of its default router mode. That turns it into a 3 port ethernet switch. The WAN port for the wall connection, Th LAN port for your computer and one internal port for the OBi itself.
You can set bridge mode by dialling ***0. Then 31. The current value will be read back. 0 means router mode and 1 means bridge. Press 1 to enter a new value, eg 1 for bridge and then #.
2. Procure an ethernet switch and use that to "expand" the existing wall connection. A 5 port switch can often be had for $10 to $20 depending on whether you need a Gigabit/s one. This could be a good option if you plan to connect more wired ethernet devices.
RFC3261:
Quote from: drgeoff on November 10, 2015, 05:04:35 am
1. Use the OBi202 in bridge mode instead of its default router mode. That turns it into a 3 port ethernet switch.
A 10/100 switch. Which (as SteveInWA mentioned) may have an impact on the PC network performance.
Note that adding your own switch (either the OBi or a "cheap" commodity one) may not be in compliance with some corporate network/security policies or practices (and there may be both administrative and technical methods to enforce those).
And note that some corporate network/security practices/policies may either restrict, or limit, the ability for VoIP solutions to work successfully.
So, in all cases, the first step is to talk with the enterprise network/security support staff to request advice.
drgeoff:
As I don't have a 202, I cannot perform the following test myself. Perhaps someone who does have one might volunteer.
When operated in bridge mode does the throughput between the LAN and WAN sockets increase compared to what is attainable in router mode? And if yes to what rate?
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page