[BC] Two input router?

[Kirk Harnack]

DANA PUOPOLO wrote:
> I have heard these broadband boosters work by giving priority to UDP packets.
> If that be the case then they should make a decent difference with VOIP,
> especially if you have a marginal upload speed.

Answering Kirk Harnack's question:
> On another subject, what do you think of a device like the Hawking HBB1 
> Broadband Booster.  I rarely have problems with my VoIP line or other 
> streaming connections (inbound or outbound), but once in a while I feel 
> the need for some basic QoS-type of packet prioritizing.  Your thoughts?


I just received a Hawking HBB1 "Broadband Booster" today.  Purchased 
from Buy.com.  Installed between my cable modem and my Linksys RV042 router.

The HBB1 has a blue LED which indicates that it's prioritizing certain 
packets.   That LED lights occasionally when there's nothing special 
going on with my LAN.  When I use my Vonage ATA to make a call, the 
light is almost steady ON during the conversation.  I've noticed that 
there are no audio dropouts in either direction when making a Vonage 
call when using the HBB1 - and I did have occasional audio drops without it.

The downside is that DSLREPORTS.COM says that my download speed has been 
cut from about 5750 bps to 3300 bps.  Upload speed tests about the same 
- about 325 bps.

The HBB1 doesn't seem to work on audio or video streaming packets.  The 
direction booklet indicates it mostly works on VoIP traffic and online 
games (which I don't play).


Kirk Harnack