VoIP and Technicolor tg582n - Non stop NAT problems

[Click2Post.co.uk]

I'm using a Cisco SIP phone with Sipgate.

I have random problems with NAT.
I should start by saying, I have the phone on the DMZ, and port forwarding 5000 to 5099 TCP/UDP and ports 10000 to 50000 UDP.

For days the phone will work fine, then it will not receive calls, but will make calls, then the other way around, then it won't even register with Sipgate, then it will magically start working fine again and repeat

I have tried 2 different Technicolor tg582n's from Zen, both give same problem.

Any idea's ?

 

[nelop]

hmmmm sounds like it could be a bit of a nightmare to fix this one.

The first thing I would do is make sure the firmware is the up to date on everything.
Its also worth checking that there are no known bugs with your cisco version of firmware that match what you are seeing.

can you get CLI access to the tg582? you might be able to find some log files that show you what is going on

 

[cjd]

Almost certain to be SIP ALG, it's turned on by default and needs turning off.

Of course if you signed up with us, we'd be able to help you with it ;-)

 

[leemason]

Out of interest why do you need the phone in a DMZ with ports forwarded to it? This should not be necessary for a IP phone to work correctly. Does this mean that you have the SIP and RTP ports open to the outside world?

 

[null0]

Is there an option to connect to a SIP proxy on your phone? I had similar issues with my Android SIP client behind NAT and using that sorted it right out.

 

[lazypbx]

Do you have a static IP address ? Perhaps your problem is with your DHCP changes. Try reducing the registration timer on each phone and turning on 'keep-alive' (if the phone has this feature).

I would be worthwhile trying another handset (it's useful to have an extra just for backup). Grandstream make good budget handsets which generally work well behind NAT's.

 

[zero1zero]

CJD has hit the nail on the head... SIP and NAT hate each other.... SIP ALGs have been built into the majority of devices these days the "help" with the battle, although they case major headaches.

Disable the ALG and you should be fine... If you let us all know the Router / Firewall you are using them we may be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[DigitalDaz]

Your not signed up with us but I'll try and help you anyway ;-)

The 582 definitely messes with the SIP using its ALG.

I cannot remember exactly what you need to remove becuase on all mine I rip it out anyway, its quite straightforward and will often fix the NAT issue. Either way you can put it back anyway.

If you go onto the web interface of the 582, find the place where you can back up the config, this should result with you ending up with a file called user.ini.

Make a backup of the file then edit user.ini in notepad or wordpad, whichever diplays correctly and search for lines that either contain the word sip or reference to port 5060 and delete them.

That should be enough if I remember correctly. Then save the file.

Use the web interface to restore the user.ini and you should be good to go.

Any problems, just restore from the backup you made.

Which Cisco is it BTW?

I have a 7960 on my desk and did have the same problem, I too use the 582.

 

[metame]

Almost certain to be SIP ALG, it's turned on by default and needs turning off.

Of course if you signed up with us, we'd be able to help you with it ;-)

i am signed up with you for 2 years now and you COULDN'T HELP ME WITH THAT! the exact same problem ... and that's exactly why i am now spending my time doing what it should be YOUR JOB . Looking online for solutions .....

 

[leemason]

i am signed up with you for 2 years now and you COULDN'T HELP ME WITH THAT! the exact same problem ... and that's exactly why i am now spending my time doing what it should be YOUR JOB . Looking online for solutions .....

Which router do you have?

 

[cjd]

i am signed up with you for 2 years now and you COULDN'T HELP ME WITH THAT! the exact same problem ... and that's exactly why i am now spending my time doing what it should be YOUR JOB . Looking online for solutions .....

Well that seems rather unlikely - SIP ALG is something even I know about - what's your problem specifically?

 

[jake the peg]

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but I had a similar problem with the same router and didn't find much help here, so finally found a solution online. I thought adding it to this thread might help others in future...

The following is copied and pasted from the site I found my solution:

On the latest Technicolor TG582n routers we’ve been sending out for use with our Broadband packages in some network setups incoming calls are not being received on handsets and softphones inside the network. This is due to an issue with the treatment of data packets over the NAT protocol. The previous workaround was to use external static IP addresses on each phone. However, in some network situations this is not desirable (perhaps due to a need to install new cabling and switches).
We now have a fix for the NAT handling issue provided by the manufacturer. The below settings need to be applied by using telnet to connect to the router.
First, you need to make sure that telnet is enabled. This has been disabled by default with Windows Vista and Windows 7, so to enable it follow these quick steps:
Start
Control Panel
Programs And Features
Turn Windows features on or off
Check Telnet Client
Hit OK
Then you need to go to the command prompt and type telnet 192.168.0.254 then hit enter then it will request your router user name: admin and password: the CP number printed on the router
The next task you need to do is paste the following information in to the command prompt telnet session:
ppp ifdetach intf Internet
ppp ifconfig intf Internet mru 1500
ppp ifattach intf Internet
saveall
Then press enter.
Then log in to your router through your web browser by putting in the router ip address which is 192.168.0.254. It will ask you for a user name: admin and password: your CP number. Once logged in click on Technicolor Gateway. Then press Restart my Technicolor Gateway. Let that go through the restart process and when that is done test your phones. They should be back up and running properly.