Static IP Issue

Ok guys so I'm not too techy with static IPs however this is what is happening and my questions.

I was told that by using static IPs, things get sent straight over the internet without going through any firewalls etc. I'm with Aquiss and today I purchased 8 static IP addresses (5 usable).

I use a Netgear modem and the reason I got the static IPs was due to there being a delay in some VoIP calls so wanted to get a direct connection to the internet.

So I had to change my subnet mask to 255.255.255.248 which then only allows me to allow 5 users for DHCP on my router. First of all, if I use all these static IPs myself, if someone pops on my connection, will they be assigned an IP address automatically? What would the IP address be for example, let's say the range of static IPs were 111.111.121-126. Will it not assign them anything?

Also, if my computer has been assigned an IP address automatically, if I go to http://whatismyipaddress.com, should it show that static IP address or should it show that of the routers?
It currently shows the routers even though I'm on a different IP than that.

Any advice guys?

Thanks Jack

There may be a terminology mismatch here.

A static IP just means it doesn't change. e.g. my laptop always has a static address of 192.168.0.4.

You have a group of public IP addresses, also called routable IP addresses(which by their nature also happen to be static). Those number are unique to you and no one else in the world can use them. Whereas my local or non-routable IP address is probably shared by millions of computers in the world.

Have a look at http://www.howstuffworks.com/nat.htm

John has answered re a part of the topic. I think you were just referring to the external address(es) assigned to you by your ISP. These can be a single dynamic, single static/fixed, or a group of statics, (multiple static IPs).

Single dynamic is allocated to you each time you connect to the ISP, and comes from a pool the ISP has. ISPs also have to pay to have IP addresses issued to them to allocate to customers, so may decide to pay for 100,000 when they have 150,000 customers, in the expectation that they will never have more than 100,000 trying to connect at the same time.

Some dynamic IP addresses turn out to be very "sticky" - the pool is so arranged that even if you disconnect for a couple of weeks, next time you connect you get the same one. O2/Be for instance. But you cannot rely on this if it matters.

Single fixed means the ISP has to make sure they have enough for every customer who wants one, plus if they also offer dynamic some more for the pool. This is why some ISPs charge extra for a static IP address.

Multiple static IPs like you have just obtained just means that all traffic sent from elsewhere to those addresses all get sent to your router, and in your router you direct each to fixed internal IP addresses, one for each piece of equipment you have connected.

However, re

I was told that by using static IPs, things get sent straight over the internet without going through any firewalls etc.

I believe that to be absolute twaddle. Otherwise anybody wanting to hack into your macine would just get themselves a static IP address and go straight through your router and software firewalls. Clearly this isn't what happens.

So following the logic that you use in your post...

111.111.111.120 is your network / subnet address and unusable by any device.
111.111.111.121 would typically be assigned to your Netgear modem for the PPPoE / PPPoA connection (this may need to be entered on the Netgear itself for the connection, or it may be handed out to the Netgear on connection by the Aquiss RADIUS - confirm with them which is required)
111.111.111.122 - 126 are for your other devices. You can assign these manually to devices or configure the Netgear to hand these out using DHCP on your LAN as and when different devices connect to it. Not familiar with Netgears but look for something like LAN DHCP settings in the admin interface.
111.111.111.127 is the broadcast address for you subnet. Any packet arriving to that IP will hit every device in the subnet.

You will need to disable NAT (Network Address Translation) on the Netgear - this is what is making your computer appear with the router's IP.

Big caution - with a routed subnet like this your devices are probably not protected by the Netgear's firewall so will need their own protection.

Thanks for all your replies guys.

Just one thing though - whenever all the static IPs have been used up, does it move on to non-static IPs and which address would it use for this?

Whenever I choose the subnet 255.255.255.247 it only lets me select that 5 DHCP users are allowed to join the network.

In reply to a post by GeeTee:

Big caution - with a routed subnet like this your devices are probably not protected by the Netgear's firewall so will need their own protection.

Ah, so that is what he has been told re going straight through firewalls. That makes sense, but it isn't quite what was posted here .

i.e. devices need a software firewall? Or some fancier intermediate hardware.

I felt that the OP raised a number of topics, and that they might be better addressed individually.

Nothing to do with me not knowing the answer to most of the questions.

whenever all the static IPs have been used up, does it move on to non-static IPs

Does what move on to non-static? Within your LAN, or wrt the outside world? Read John's link.

Your block of 8 is all you have. If you need more then you have to ask for more.

When you say "if someone pops on my connection", what do you mean? A guest connecting wirelessly to your router to get internet access?

No so say I have used all of my 5 static IPs for 5 IP phones and they use the static IP range (all I've got) of 111.111.111.210-215.

If, for example, I logged in to the network on a laptop, what would my IP address be if it was assigned automatically seeing as I have no static IPs left?

Your router will have one of the public/static/routeable IP addresses assigned to you. Your router will assign your laptop a local/non-routeable IP address, e.g. 192.168.0.5.

In reply to a post by john2007:

I felt that the OP raised a number of topics, and that they might be better addressed individually.

Nothing to do with me not knowing the answer to most of the questions.

I wasn't inferring that you don't know the answers. In fact I'm absolutely certain you know far more than me on this subject .

I just thought that although the article you link to might have been sufficient, and I admit to looking what it was and thinking, perhaps erroneously, that it looked a bit formidable.

You could be right that was the place to start. I thought a basic explanation, as I posted, might be easier for him first. At some point I also advised him to read your link as well, but seem to have lost that bit during re-arranging things . Sorry.

In reply to a post by john2007:

Your router will have one of the public/static/routeable IP addresses assigned to you. Your router will assign your laptop a local/non-routeable IP address, e.g. 192.168.0.5.

Ahhhh!

Now I get it ! That's one of the reasons less than 8 of the block are available for internal assignment, one of them works just like a normal single IP address?

Are you sure because it says nowhere about local IP addresses?

Just says about an overall IP address it should use.

Posted these for reference by the way:

http://i53.tinypic.com/k3of1g.png
http://i54.tinypic.com/4ihglz.png

Thanks again guys, great help as usual

It really depends on the router. In my experience on the majority of consumer grade DSL routers having devices on a routed public IP range on the LAN side removes them from the router's firewall control - so yes they may need additional protection. Of course this depends on what ports the device in question is listening on... for example some SIP/VOIP phones have web and telnet interfaces to configure them - probably wouldn't want that publically accessible even with a secure password.

As said I'm not familiar with Netgear routers so I'm not giving specific advice, just warning of potential risks. I know on Speedtouchs (now Technicolor) routers the firewall rules can be hand crafted to protect public routeable IPs on the LAN.

Damn, we need another smiley. When I said I didn't know the answers I was being truthful but used a smiley to spare my feelings!

So... presuming the devices you have on your LAN using public IPs are permanent... it will probably be best to:

a. assign public IPs to the permanent devices statically (by configuration on the devices in question)
b. configure your Netgear to route this subnet to your LAN (usually not hard to do on most DSL kit but I don't know Netgear so can't help)
c. have DHCP and NAT running on the Netgear to assign private IPs in the 192.168.x.x range to more transient devices

Some consumer grade DSL routers will fall over trying to do this kind of complexity if they also run a SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) firewall. So if you have weird problems try disabling any SPI options during troubleshooting.

edit - typo

Edited by deleted (Fri 15-Apr-11 00:55:58)

Yes, I think so.

The OP has been given a network.

.0 is the network address
.1 is the router address
.2-6 are his usable public addresses
.7 is the network broadcast address

In reply to a post by GeeTee:

Some consumer grade DSL routers will fall over trying to do this kind of complexity if they also run a SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) firewall. So if you have weird problems try disabling any SPI options during troubleshooting.

Or get a decent router

That or configure your LAN side devices to only listen on relevant, suitably robust ports on public IPs. May not be possible on consumer grade kit of course.

I find it a little poor that consumer grade DSL routers are being shipped that can't cope with this function. But I guess if you are serving 1mill+ customers every few pennies saved on hardware adds up - 99.99% of customers won't encounter the problem.

Kinda' catching a grip of what you guys mean now.

So if all statics run out, it'll go back to the master IP...

Can you check this out and see what I should do here? Does my router have the option? (Sorry, mentioned I had a netgear... mixed it up. Have a linksys wag354g).

Jack

In reply to a post by GeeTee:

But I guess if you are serving 1mill+ customers every few pennies saved on hardware adds up - 99.99% of customers won't encounter the problem.

That's the whole point- consumer grade kit will handle what the vast majority of users require and no more- there's no need and it keeps the price down.

If you want a bit more functionality then pay a bit more and go for SOHO grade kit, it's not really expensive.

It's simply another instance of what I've said many times on this bbs (but it's never made any difference )- you get what you pay for.

Pretty much all routers can do what is required. I don't know Netgears or Linksys well enough to advise how to configure them to do what you want.

What devices are using the static (public) and master (private / NAT'd IP) range?

You've only got the vast majority of the UK public to convince that cheap does not necessarily mean good value.

Best of luck with that

There are 4 IP phones and one laptop using it.

Thanks!

In reply to a post by GeeTee:

You've only got the vast majority of the UK public to convince that cheap does not necessarily mean good value.

Best of luck with that

You're right, of course

Maybe I shoulld re-register as Canute_the_2nd

Lost me there - Egyptian Pharoes (sp?) are not my speciality!

You are not on your own, Bill.

I get sick and tired of this "Cheap is Better" attitude, nowadays !

- Alex

Wrong sort of sand.

In reply to a post by GeeTee:

Lost me there - Egyptian Pharoes (sp?) are not my speciality!

Canute- ruler of England who demonstrated that even kings can't turn back the tide.

So.. your router gets one of your static IPs, most likely the first - it has to in order to route traffic. Your 4 phones get the other 4 public IP addresses.

Your laptop will have to exist on a 192.168.x.x address and have its internet access NATed (network address translation) through the router.

See my previous post on how to achieve it from an IP routing point of view - I can't help any more with how to configure your kit specifically as I've never been hands on with anything of the same make.

Good luck - it is possible and no doubt simple once you know how

I despair ! - (Check link Canute)

Bill is obviously alluding to the futility of resisting the tide of
ignorance and apathy, currently prevalent in this country.

What do they teach for history, in school, these days !!

- Alex

/me admits history fail. What on earth were Danepak doing running England? Small world and a history conveniently forgotten for most here I expect.

We're such a mongrel nation... explains a lot.

"These days"? My History lessons ended 23 years ago. They never got further back than 1066 and all that.

My history lessons ended more than 35 year ago !

The education system obviously went downhill since then.

About the time that comprehensive schools took over.

- Alex

It must have done. You can't blame comprehensives though, I was fortunate enough to be born to parents who could afford to put me through grammar school - still clueless on the Canute reference however. The curriculum didn't cover it, was mostly focussed on European recent history - 19th and 20th C.

Being able to draw a map of the major Ruhr and Rhine coal mining areas hasn't really helped much in life.

Wasn't meaning to get at you, in particular. Just the system.

I get the impression that the curriculum moved to the more
modern periods, when it came down to history.

I have my own blind-spots too, though.
Never could get a handle on the Victorian period !

It's been a long day's work and I am feeling knackered.

Sorry, if you were offended in any way.

- Alex

Not offended in any way. I'm glad I went through the system when I did and more so that my parents chose to go grammar for me - I'd have sunk without a trace in a comprehensive environment. I needed a rigorous boot up chuff to keep me awake then, I wouldn't have got that in the comprehensive world.

Fascinating how values and acceptable behaviour change.

In reply to a post by RSTSGeek:

I have my own blind-spots too, though.
Never could get a handle on the Victorian period !

Maybe that's because they never talked about it.

In reply to a post by GeeTee:

Lost me there - Egyptian Pharoes (sp?) are not my speciality!

Bah!

History (A, A). Spelling and punctuation (B, C).

Obviously you have had a number of technical answers to your post on how your block of static IPs will work.

However, I believe the whole reason you have a block of IPs could have been fundamentally flawed in the first place. Your VoIP calls are unlikely to change at all by going over to the static IPs except if there are specific ports that need to be forwarded and by using a static you completely bypass the firewall (and therefore all protection) of the router. This is generally not a great idea unless you were putting in a dedicated firewall to provide that protection.

It is likely that if the VoIP problem is being caused by the firewall that it is more due to the fact that the VoIP may need ports forwarded to it to allow unfettered communication.

What VoIP are you using and have you looked at the port forwarding requirements of the product?

To reiterate - placing most devices directly on the Internet without a firewall is generally a bad idea.

In reply to a post by jdowning640:

Ok guys so I'm not too techy with static IPs however this is what is happening and my questions.

I was told that by using static IPs, things get sent straight over the internet without going through any firewalls etc. I'm with Aquiss and today I purchased 8 static IP addresses (5 usable).

I use a Netgear modem and the reason I got the static IPs was due to there being a delay in some VoIP calls so wanted to get a direct connection to the internet.

So I had to change my subnet mask to 255.255.255.248 which then only allows me to allow 5 users for DHCP on my router. First of all, if I use all these static IPs myself, if someone pops on my connection, will they be assigned an IP address automatically? What would the IP address be for example, let's say the range of static IPs were 111.111.121-126. Will it not assign them anything?

Also, if my computer has been assigned an IP address automatically, if I go to http://whatismyipaddress.com, should it show that static IP address or should it show that of the routers?
It currently shows the routers even though I'm on a different IP than that.

Any advice guys?

Thanks Jack

Hi, you want the 3CRWDR300A-73-UK wireless router, the firmware is all made out for 8 Static IP addresses a real easy router to configure and this model has VPN tunnelling, its a gift with the USB wireless adapter.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150360?utm_source=goog...

http://www.dabs.com/products/3com-11n-adsl-router-bu...

http://www.trustedreviews.com/3Com-ADSL-Wireless-11n...

3Com is now part of Hewlett Packard networking
http://h17007.www1.hp.com/us/en/support/converter/in...

HP Networking V110 ADSL-A Wireless-N Router � HP Part No: JE459A
http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item...

Edited by deleted (Fri 15-Apr-11 10:49:16)

In reply to a post by jdowning640:

I was told that by using static IPs, things get sent straight over the internet without going through any firewalls etc. I'm with Aquiss and today I purchased 8 static IP addresses (5 usable).

Not true. A static IP can be assigned to a node on a network (router, PC, printer etc.). A firewall filters network traffic based on IP address, protocol, port etc. One has nothing to do with the other in that perspective. If a static public IP is assigned to a node, such as a PC, and the node transmits to the Internet, the Internet will see said static IP address. The PC will be 'seen' by the Internet. If however, NAT (Network Address Translation) is used and the PC is assigned a private IP address, NAT will translate the IP at the router to the IP assigned public address, and although your private IP might be 192.168.7.2, the Internet will see the public assigned address. For the sake of simplicity, the difference to most users with a public dynamic IP is that when they reboot their router, there's a chance the IP will change. Getting a static IP is handy for lots of reasons, which I won't bother with, but you can see this.

NAT has the secondary purpose of being a firewall since the PC's IP is different to the IP used to access the Internet. The PC isn't 'seen' in the same sense, so unsolicited probes to the 'seen' IP stop at the router and don't progress to the PC.

In reply to a post by jdowning640:

I use a Netgear modem and the reason I got the static IPs was due to there being a delay in some VoIP calls so wanted to get a direct connection to the internet.

Dynamic IPs will work with VOIP, but static IPs make things easier in the long run. Perhaps some ISPs might insist on a static IP for this (I don't use VOIP so can't elaborate).

In reply to a post by jdowning640:

So I had to change my subnet mask to 255.255.255.248 which then only allows me to allow 5 users for DHCP on my router. First of all, if I use all these static IPs myself, if someone pops on my connection, will they be assigned an IP address automatically? What would the IP address be for example, let's say the range of static IPs were 111.111.121-126. Will it not assign them anything?

Not sure why you want to have static IPs assigned dynamically on your net. Surely the point is to have them assigned by you and not the router, then the IPs 'stick' to the nodes for VOIP purposes.

The 255.255.255.248 subnet mask is required for the static IP block assigned. Don't worry too much about it. Just accept that your static IP nodes should have the subnet mask of 255.255.255.248 set. The mask determines the number of addresses in the subnet (eight in total, six usable, one of which is assigned to the router).

Using my own example, but your eight IPs (otherwise known as the subnet) are utilised as follows:

x.x.x.0 - Network address
x.x.x.1 - Router address
x.x.x.2 - Usable address
x.x.x.3 - Usable address
x.x.x.4 - Usable address
x.x.x.5 - Usable address
x.x.x.6 - Usable address
x.x.x.7 - Broadcast address

While we're on the subject, your router uses a default of 192.168.1.1 for the local IP address. This is part of the private network addresses range, which is usually used with NAT to serve many nodes from one public IP address on a router. My guess with your router would would be to set that to x.x.x.1 (per the list of IPs above) and the mask should stay as 255.255.255.248.

Assign the four IP phones as x.x.x.2-5, 255.255.255.248. As for the laptop/DHCP, I would be guessing completely now, as you might want the spare IP for any other node attached (be it a laptop or PC). If you paln for more than the one extra device, then NAT/DHCP is the way to go. If not, just assign the remaining static IP to the laptop.

In reply to a post by jdowning640:

Also, if my computer has been assigned an IP address automatically, if I go to http://whatismyipaddress.com, should it show that static IP address or should it show that of the routers?
It currently shows the routers even though I'm on a different IP than that.

It would seem your 'router IP' setting is acting in the way a single IP setting for a router would in private addressing setup. NAT is enabled, and it looks like it might be working. See what happens when you disable NAT. Be aware that no NAT equals no 'firewall effect' from the router, unless it has a real firewall in operation. Very wise to have a firewalls on each of the other nodes of the network.

When you say that 'whatsmyip' sees the router IP, is it one of the static ones, or does it see 192.168.1.1 or something else?

There's a lot more description of the setup in and around this post in another thread.

He seems to be trying to provide free phone calls and internet access to guests in a small hotel. See the post at 14-Apr-11 20:48:40 in that thread.

Pffft. Not reading all that. My post took long enough. The application of the nodes shouldn't matter unless he's adding in static routing to other routers, in which case, it's a different ball game.

Thanks camie, very helpful.

Just some background information, we run a restaurant and accommodation and we have 4 VoIP phones (on this same line) going to the restaurant so we can answer calls and 5 cables coming from the modem to suites for guests.

Is it possible you guys could help me fill out what goes in here?

I would very much appreciate it as I'm a technophobe when it comes to static IP although I have learned lots from you guys. You don't know how much I appreciate it.

http://i52.tinypic.com/4u9pg6.png
http://i56.tinypic.com/2j4oyzd.png
http://i54.tinypic.com/2ch0so2.png

Frankly it might be better if your state exactly what you want to achieve.

You want 4 phones on static IPs?

The 5 cables are for the phones or for guest Internet access, seperate from the phones?

What is your ideal scenario?

That way we might be able to work out whether or not your kit is capable or even required.

Well I'd like the 4 IP phones on static IPs and for everything else to be assigned an internal IP.

Thanks camie,

Jack

You need a router that will do NON-NAT and NAT simultaneously

I'm thinking a draytek 2820 is more inline with this business type role, than the netgear range (which netgear router do you have?).

It is still not totally clear why you need the voip phones on public IP's.

If I was speccing this up as a job, I would suggest a Guest network via Wifi or specific ethernet sockets, with rate limiting to avoid one person grabbing the lions share of any capacity.

The VoIP being on a seperate network and connection to avoid congestion issues that will impact call quality. Also the voip network setup so that people cannot just plug a PC into that and get full internet access to the world.

Remember as the owner of the connection, when people do dodgy stuff it is you the solicitor/police come talking to.

In reply to a post by jdowning640:

Well I'd like the 4 IP phones on static IPs ...

Why?

I'm far from expert on this side of it, but more than one poster who seem to know what they are on about seem to me to have strongly recommended against it. You appear from your earlier threads to have an unresolved problem re latency which fixed IPs aren't going to solve. Was everything actually working before you went down the 8 static route?

... and for everything else to be assigned an internal IP.

That bit seems easy, again already explained by others?

Sorry if I was being rude or arrogant.

Someone had mentioned to me that static IPs are best for VoIP so I went ahead and got some from Aquiss. It was a £12 setup charge so there's no point in throwing them out now really. Besides, I'd like to access the IP phones remotely if something does go wrong with them if I'm on holiday or something.

The latency issue still isn't fixed however I think that thread is dying out and there's not much I can do.

Is that Draytek good? Can you buy such a thing as a QOS attachment which hooks up to the modem and prioritizes all traffic in and out to it?

Thanks
Jack

The key is what VoIP handsets and which service are they using?

There are some voip systems that behave fine behind NAT, and some that may not, or get confused when multiple handsets are present.

They are Cisco SPA942 phones and are using an internet VoIP service called Gradwell.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

You need a router that will do NON-NAT and NAT simultaneously

That was where I was stopping and thinking...how to get one static IP address to be a NAT'ed address. In the end, I was coming back to using NAT and forgetting the static IPs.

One alternative could be to get a second router and setup a static route between them, using the existing router as a DHCP server for the non-static requirements (with NAT enabled, firewall happiness etc).

That way, you can even choose the new router specifically for staic routing and having a solid firewall onboard, or at least well-setup filtering.

If I was doing this at home (and when I've done this at festivals too) what I've done is one device handling the ADSL termination and NON-NAT, then a seperate cable/DSL router providing NAT services on one IP. With any other services needing a public IP connected to the external router.

Keeps PC's away from other things etc

Static IP's are nice and easy, BUT a static IP IS NOT A PUBLIC IP. I think someone may have suggested something, and you went a step further.

The 2820 supports QoS, and can even take two phone handsets and make them into voip handsets.

Yes.

Altenatively, the 5th IP could be assigned to an old PC, setup as a DHCP server, with lots of security and filtering. I'd suggest Linux, but not sure if the OP wants that.

I wish things would just work

I haven't got room to put an old PC in (if you can see where the modem is on the old thread) however I do have another router I can use.

I want a really good advanced QoS feature but is there any for a low price? I don't even know why I bought static IPs as I don't even know how to work them. Just keeps coming up 'Checking DNS' on the IP phone now whenever I typed in the external DNS.

Jack

Looking at that handset, I see lots of posts about port forwarding, so with multiple phones on the same NAT router, it might be better to assign a public IP to them.

VoIP is not my speciallity, but if the poster is of limited technical ability a managed service from people like http://www.gradwell.com/phoneservices may be worth considering.

http://www.gradwell.com/support/kb/article.php?id=245 is worth a read as covers port forwarding and multiple phones, see the bit about which shows that NAT is perfectly fine - just a little time spent configuring and assigning STATIC not public IP addresses.

Configuring multiple phones in one private network

You actually bought a block of Public IP's.

Unplug that phone and give a computer the exact same setup IP wise (make sure its software firewall is on) if the config is correct you should be able to see the internet.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

You need a router that will do NON-NAT and NAT simultaneously

Correct. The only routers I know that do this is Draytek, via the LAN IP Network Configuration. You have a NAT range and a IP Routing (No-NAT) range.

All phones in the office are assigned as the original poster is asking for, each with a fixed IP (that can be accessed remote) and then all devices that do not need remote access are assigned from 192.168.* ranges. All work together flawless.

Ironically today we been looking ourselves for another brand of router that does both NAT and No-NAT at the same time, without any luck. I can't personally believe that only Draytek do this.

But he seems to be asking for this based on incorrect advice based on asking a question caused by misinformation.

So far as I can see a fairly bog-standard setup will supply what he needs. There is a huge difference between what a user wants and what he needs, (Lesson 1 of Systems Analysis training circa 1966), as the wants are usually based on the status quo (irrelevant here), or a lack of knowledge/information on his part. As seems to be the case here.

His answer to why he wants to continue seems to be that he has spent £12 so may as well continue. I haven't had an answer as to whether or not things worked before he got the block of IPs and tried to use it.

I think it likely ian72 was on the right tack in this post. And camieabz when asking what is the actual "business need".

There is no point in people who clearly understand how to supply what he is asking for, (just debating the best method), doing so if what he is asking is the wrong question. He says

Someone had mentioned to me that static IPs are best for VoIP so I went ahead and got some from Aquiss. It was a £12 setup charge so there's no point in throwing them out now really.

So, was he wrongly advised, and if so what is now the best course of action for him?

He continued

Besides, I'd like to access the IP phones remotely if something does go wrong with them if I'm on holiday or something.

I wonder how important that is to him if it becomes complicated and/or expensive, compared to writing off the 8 IP addresses and adopting a simpler solution to the business needs?

(Edit - typoes).

Edited by RobertoS (Fri 15-Apr-11 23:11:03)

In reply to a post by jdowning640:

I wish things would just work

Don't get too discouraged. We throw ideas around, giving them a few punches to see if they are worth their salt.

In reply to a post by jdowning640:

I haven't got room to put an old PC in (if you can see where the modem is on the old thread) however I do have another router I can use.

Fair enough. No room for a PC removes one option.

In reply to a post by jdowning640:

I want a really good advanced QoS feature but is there any for a low price? I don't even know why I bought static IPs as I don't even know how to work them. Just keeps coming up 'Checking DNS' on the IP phone now whenever I typed in the external DNS.

Jack

That router you have (WAG354G) has QoS settings for popular protocols and specified ports. No one is suggesting your throw it away.

The static IP block may or may not be ideal for your situation. Andrew's post regarding Gradwell's support page on private static IPs behind a NAT setup is definitely worth a read/think. Perhaps a quick phonecall to Gradwell, followed by a phonecall to your ISP to see what they think about Gradwell's recommendations and to see if there are any potential problems. Ask, ask, ask. You'll never know otherwise. You learn far more in IT when things don't work than when they do.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

So, was he wrongly advised, and if so what is now the best course of action for him?

*sighs*

Can I please get on the record, before fingers get pointed at us, at no point have we given out bad advise. The advise regarding his required setup was given to him by another 3rd party, not Aquiss.

We have followed a customer request for an account upgrade, which was ordered and actioned.

RobertoS, as you replied directly to my post. If your belief is that we were the ones who gave out the advice or spec, then your deeply wrong. I would advice consulting with the original poster to obtain detail of where the advice came from originally.

In reply to a post by aquiss:

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

So, was he wrongly advised, and if so what is now the best course of action for him?

*sighs*

Can I please get on the record, before fingers get pointed at us, at no point have we given out bad advise. The advise regarding his required setup was given to him by another 3rd party, not Aquiss.

Smiles at Martin.

I don't think I have implied the advice was anything to do with you Martin, if I have it certainly wasn't intentional. I start from this, in his opening post - "I was told that by using static IPs, things get sent straight over the internet without going through any firewalls etc."

The next sentence in that post does say that as a result he purchased a block from you, but please note in my first reply to him I quoted only the first sentence, and excluded everything else. That was not accidental - it was specifically intended to avoid any implication that you were responsible for the advice. I still believe this - it was nothing to do with you. Aquiss were asked to supply, they supplied, period! I doubt if they were even asked for an opinion.

Later in the thread, and in your post that I replied to, which is where you seem to have become disconcerted by me, I merely point out that the whole drift of expert advice on how to use these 8 IP addresses ignores the fact he may not need them at all. The best solution for him is what is needed, not necessarily what he is asking for and not the technically perfect one for someone with more complex needs. My statement "But he seems to be asking for this based on incorrect advice based on asking a question caused by misinformation" merely refers back to my original quote, and I repeat - is specifically intended not to point at yourselves.

My taking issue with you about the advice on the setup to use them is a different issue, aimed as I said at all the contributors who are doing their best to help him do that. My question is, with his real needs, may he be better just forgetting about the block of 8 and just using one, just as a normal static or even dynamic address?

I hope that clears the air - I certainly do not blame you for the situation, or contest the appropriateness of such a setup for yourselves. I replied directly to you as given the multitude of contributors, and the fact you are implicitly agreeing on the requested setup by saying you are using it, it seemed the obvious thing to do.

In drafting this reply though I started to wonder; if everything is working flawlessly why are you looking for a different router? But that is irrelevant to the issue of whether or not you gave incorrect advice in the first place.

You clearly did not.