VoIP Tech Chat

Got iPad?

As newspapers (what are those?), media outlets, and even tv sitcom’s have reported, this past weekend Apple’s iPad hit the shelves to every Apple fanboy’s and gadget aficionado’s delight. Come Monday, we now have our first reported issues.

Several users and news organizations report experiencing a much smaller wifi range when using the iPad compared to any other wifi device. Here’s an account from TechCrunch’s Michael Arrington:

Count me in as someone who’s having iPad Wifi issues as well. The device works fine near the router, but on the other side of the house, nada. But my Macbook pro and my Nexus One and other various devices I’ve brought into the house pick up wifi just fine in that area.

Early Macbook Air users complained of Wifi issues, too. I eventually abandoned the computer because the only place Wifi worked was in the Apple store, even though I was using Apple networking equipment at home.

So, are you one of the estimated 700,000 people who purchased an iPad this weekend? Are you experiencing any issues with wifi signal?

Suggested Reading

• Trouble In Paradise: iPad Users Complain Of Wifi Issues (TechCrunch)
• Report: Wi-Fi issues plague iPad owners (TG Daily)
• Apple iPad owners report Wi-Fi connection issues (Apple Insider)
• iPad Fail: Users Experiencing Issues (PC World)

Linksys WRT310N Wireless N Router

So in July, Fred purchased a new wireless router (Linksys WRT310N) for use with Comcast’s high speed internet. Having had used Linksys routers with VoIP for many years, Fred remained confident that the new model would perform nothing less than “awesomely.” Bottom Line: Fred was wrong.

When first installed, the Linksys performed well. Speed tests indicated downloads of 6 – 8 MBs and the wireless N router provided excellent range. Transfer speeds between wireless devices were excellent, VoIP devices performed well, and the 4 ethernet ports allowed non-wireless devices to integrate nicely.

Sometime around October, the home network started to act less that satisfactorily. The internet would randomly become accessible to only certain devices, the wireless signal would randomly “die,” and most annoyingly, the speed of the Internet became significantly slower (as in less than 1MB down and and around 1MB up).

As with most networking issues, the problems can be attributed to many sources. With the exception of Internet speed, most problems would immediately be resolved after rebooting the Linksys router. At first, Fred incorrectly thought that Comcast was to blame for the slow speeds… and yes, it was an incorrect thought. To test this, the modem was connected directly to a device; bypassing the Linksys. Download speeds topped 15MB.

Apple Airport Extreme

After switching back and forth and reproducing results consistently, the connection speed through the Linksys never topped more 1.5MB down. No matter what settings were modified, the speed simply did not increase.

Enter the Apple Airport Extreme (imagine Fred really emphasizing “Extreme,” kind of like Dan Cortese from MTV Sports… and yes it’s an early 90’s reference). With the exception of the iPhone, Fred has been very happy with Apple products. Although the Airport Extreme has only 3 ethernet ports, the router does have a USB port and built in support for USB printing and/or shared drives (with a USB hub, you can do both). The Linksys does not natively support printing or shared hard drives.

Set-up was simple, although different than the Linksys. And, all techs know, different is never a day in the park. That being said, very simple, very quick, and up and running within 5 minutes. Connecting an ethernet switch to one of the Airport’s ethernet ports allowed additional wired devices to connect at Gigabit speed.

Oh, the download? The Linksys WRT310N would hit the wall at 1.5MB. The Airport Extreme? 20MB down, 3MB up.

Speed Test from SpeakEasy.net

snom introduced a new VoIP phone recently, the snom 820. We’re always excited to see new VoIP telephones enter the SIP market, especially ones that easily integrate with Asterisk and multiple VoIP solutions. And with built in WiFi, this phone looks to be a great addition to any deployment.

snom markets the 820 as reflecting “the 8 experience:”

The snom 820 is a new step in combining high class telephony with an extraordinary design. The snom 820 is the beginning of a superior line of business VoIP phones. It´s extraordinary elegance and performance combines both: latest technology and well known snom features. The snom 820 is an amazing experience for everybody who is used to the basic world of telephony.

The telephone boasts an impressive array of features such as:

• high resolution color display
• wideband voice
• integrated WiFi
• 5 way conferencing
• for all features, download the datasheet from VoIP Tech Chat

Pricing seems to range from $375.00 – $500.00.

CNet news reported a new method for cracking common WiFi encryption. The new method targets the WPA (or Wi-Fi Protected Access) method of securing wireless networks. Unlike past exploits, this new method reportedly does not use dictionary attacks and can be performed in less than 15 minutes.

WEP (or Wired Equivalent Privacy), the other common encryption for WiFi, also contains many security vulnerabilities. Recently, known issues in WEP security were exploited to commit the largest data breach in US History. The target? Wireless cash registers secured with WEP.

Current recommendations suggest using WPA2 when securing wireless networks.

Hotspot users, there’s a new merger in town. Andy Abramson at VoIP Watch shares his views on the new merger. He also uses the word Machiavellian. Very nice.

Traveling with Fred and Patrick can be adventurous. If nothing else, the facial expression of the unlucky passenger winning the “I got to share a seat with Fred or Patrick on Plane” lotto is fantastic. Yes, we need to diet, but that’s another post. Besides the adventures in spacial planning one must overcome to sit on a plane these days, communication while traveling also provides challenges. Thankfully, the majority of places travelled provide wireless Internet access — via either HotSpot or, our favorite, Free WiFi. Mmmmmm… free WiFi.

VoIP allows us to connect like never before. Sure, most (if not all of this audience) use Mobile phones; but there are times where a cellular signal simply doesn’t exist. And with a cellular phone, you don’t have complete direct access to all of your “local” functions. Enter the WiFi phone — perfect for those times where you have ample WiFI signal and simply don’t feel like running your softphone client.

With most WiFi VoIP phones, one easily connects to the Wireless Access Point, registers, and makes calls. However, if the WiFi network requires a “click through” acceptance, a web logon, or a similar HTTP (web page) acceptance, the Wireless VoIP telephone becomes as useless as Brussels Sprouts in a buffet.

The Linksys WIP330 WiFi VoIP Phone includes a web browser, complete with mouse capabilities, allowing you to logon to hotspots, click ok buttons, or do any of the commonly required tasks of gaining access to WiFi networks. This one feature not only makes the WIP330 stand out from the crowd, it also makes it one of the only devices you can use while traveling.

Fred purchased a Linksys WIP330 in early August and is ready for the 3 month review…

First the Negatives

Battery Life: You’ll charge the phone every day. And, if you use the phone heavily, perhaps 2x / day. On the positive, the included cord is long enough to allow use of the phone while charging.

Voice Quality: Although no complaints from “the other side” of the conversation were received, the voice quality can be choppy; regardless of the codec used.

Overall Quality: Poor. Within three months, my speaker seems to have blown, causing the ringer to sound like a robot screaming for help while trapped in a well.

Any Positives?

Usage: Easy to use, saves WEP passwords, remembers last location.

Hotspot: Works GREAT at hotspots, airports, restaurants, schools, and every WiFi access point tested.

Bottom Line?

Decent WiFi phone with the ability to access almost any hotspot imaginable. Battery life needs improvement. If you need a WiFi phone that must be used at hotspots or Access Points with click through agreements, this is your phone. If you don’t need it, it’s a little too expensive for what you get