VOIP technicality

[#1]

I've seen various stuff about using VOIP when landline goes.

One concerns an ATA plugged into router LAN port, then having a VOIP provider, so the landline number still functions normally.

So, possibly dumb question is about the m.o. for that.

Whether cable/fibre, for normal internet usage the powered-up modem/router is connected to exchange. To actually use the internet you access the router and tell it to "login" to your account. When finished, go back in and logout or set the timeout delay for autologoff.

For the VOIP to work I'm thinking you need to be logged in for whenever you might want to make or get landline calls, right?

There's no trickery involved with thr router/ATA to allow phone use while not logged in ?

Of course I've also seen where the VOIP service involves an app on a mobile phone - so have your "landline wherever you are" - which precludes all that guff above.

Still like to know though

[#2]

To actually use the internet you access the router and tell it to "login" to your account. When finished, go back in and logout or set the timeout delay for autologoff.

No, the router is connected all the time. You're thinking of the old days of dial-up where you were potentially charged for the time connected. These days its an 'always on' connection.

There's no trickery involved with thr router/ATA to allow phone use while not logged in ?

As above, since there is always an internet connection, the ATA doesnt have any problem allowing use of the phone all the time.

[#3]

Umm, I bow to your expertise. But not so.

The modem/router - I say that because, as you know,  the 'modem' is the part that does the connection, and one can have a seperate modem [vdsl/adsl] into a router [provides the device connections,firewall etc] - can certainly stay powered up but not necessarily logged in.

One will find in the setup pages of either single/combined item a "connect/login" button/icon. Once clicked that's you logged in with your ISP account and ready to surf or whatever.

That's what I did on my combined before coming in here nad have done since my ADSL days. The modem/router has been powered on for months but "un-loggedin"since last night and when I'm done here I'll reboot my pc and let the router autologoff.

[#4]

Yes, there is usually a connect/disconnect icon to allow the PPPoE session to by connected/disconnected. Some routers also have the option to automatically disconnect the session on a no-traffic timeout. However, the default is usually no timeout and even if a timeout were to be set, these days so many devices will constantly 'chatter' that the connection will never drop.

I'm not sure what advantage you believe there is in not maintaining the connection ?

In the old days you sometimes had a data allowance and so when idling continuously some of that would be used up. Nowadays all internet products are 'unlimited' so there's really no reason to disconnect.

In any case, an ATA would almost certainly send 'keep alive' packets at something like 30 sec intervals to maintain its connection.

[#5]

@fishtank 

I am wondering which modem/router you are using?

If it's a plusnet supplied one then your broadband user will always be logged in.

[#6]

@fishtank 

On FTTC and FTTP there is no real reason to switch off a modem / router when not in use. Hence any ATA connected to the router would be "always on"

The real problem comes with power cuts - no power, no VOIP.

Brian

[#7]

@bmc I dont believe@fishtank is powering off the router, merely using the PPPoE 'idle timeout' to drop the connection.

What I don't understand is why ?

[#8]

Back online! so thanks to all so far.

Yes, the combo -not PN hub- is always powered -sync light shows-  but I choose to login and logout of PN as needed.

I actually had stopped coming to the Forum for almost 2 years and it managed to lose my username, so I've had to register anew.

When I was on ADSL I had some issues with droputs and speed and when asking in the Forum and PN Tech people would reply they expressed surprise at the graphs of my access and I had to say why the periods of no activity were unrelated to my problems.

Anyway I take the point about the ATA and needing to be connected. So thanks again.