How do I disable SIP ALG on the Westell 9100em??
cflannagan
Newbie

This is showing up in the Security log:

SIP ALG: Failed parsing. Error code: -1019 [repeated 5 times, last time on Nov 30 18:26:12 2009]

So I know that it is currently enabled. I need it disabled in order to resolve an issue I have with a videophone.

It shows current firmware version as 1.02.00.04

Thanks,

CFlannagan

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Re: How do I disable SIP ALG on the Westell 9100em??
cflannagan
Newbie

Anyone have luck in finding out how I can disable SIP ALG on Westell 9100em with the given firmware version?

Thanks, CFlannagan

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Re: How do I disable SIP ALG on the Westell 9100em??
Hubrisnxs
Legend

never heard of such a feature,   you can probably take a gander in the manual.   

I only have the actiontec manual online,   the westell one I have here, and it references SIP but not in any meaningful way.   the best thing that it says you can do is under QoS.    But I am not familiar with how to define those properties.  maybe one of our more advanced users may be able to help you, but I think if anything you would find better help by contacting westell directly on that one.   or the vendor of the equipment you are trying to configure.   

QOS is found under the security options of the westell GUI

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Re: How do I disable SIP ALG on the Westell 9100em??
cflannagan
Newbie

Did that this morning with no luck.

Actually I began with Verizon's tech support line. Described issue to rep, and rep was receptive and understood my issue (simply can't find setting to turn SIP ALG off), but was not sure how to do it. Transferred me to Westell tech support, who promptly hung up on me saying I need to handle all tech support issues through Verizon, not them.

Called back at Westell number, hoping to get a different person (different results), but was told the same thing, that I need to call through Verizon tech support.

So, I called back to Verizon tech support, this time making sure the rep does not transfer me, but ask Westell himself. He came back and said that Westell told him the router has no such feature. I explained that if that is true, why are there "SIP ALG parsing failure" multiple entries in 9100em router logs? He said he agreed, but was just telling me what Westell told him.

Because of my deafness, I depend on using videophones to make calls, and this is also the same device I would use during emergencies (using e911 service). My wife, who is also deaf, is pretty bothered that she is unable to answer videophone calls (she gets email alerts for incoming calls), because we only get black screen on our end (the other end can see us fine). 

See Google search results link here for keywords "9100em sip alg parsing error" http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=9100em+sip+alg+parsing+error&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

All those results showed up, but visiting those links did not give me insight on how to turn SIP ALG off for 9100em. 

I really need to get this resolved so we can have the functional equivalency of having phone line working in our house, which is a must for anyone who values security. 

Really, is there no way to turn SIP ALG off?

CFlannagan

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Re: How do I disable SIP ALG on the Westell 9100em??
Hubrisnxs
Legend

well from what I read, it's configurable as a QoS parameter, which means you need someone familiar with how to configure QoS for VOIP and Video Conferencing.   You likely won't find that out of any fios technician, and then questionably out of a westell technician.     People can correct me if I am wrong, but I am pretty confident you're going to need a specialist or a private technician to come in and help you configure it properly if your real concern is getting that turned off.

How did you come to the conclusion that this SIP ALG was in fact the culprit.   I understand we see the error code, but interpretting what that means might be a different story,  maybe it has different symptoms or would manifest it self differently then what you're seeing?

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Re: How do I disable SIP ALG on the Westell 9100em??
cflannagan
Newbie

Because apparently there is an option to turn off SIP ALG in other routers - namely, ActionTec routers - see here: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19960898-Equipment-SIP-ALG-wasnt-enabled-enabling-seems-to-help

SIP ALG should be configurable, IMHO, based on what I read - it is the culprit for many VOIP and IP telephony related problems (just google on it).

Hopefully it is coming out in the Dec 4 firmware update for Westell routers (I was told about new firmware coming up by Verizon tech support rep) but I wouldn't count on it.

How did I determine SIP ALG is the culprit? Well, it is the conclusion of exhaustive testing over a period of two days, involving a bit of packet sniffing and two co-workers (I work in the engineering dept for a telecommunications company) who methodically eliminated all common causes (we as a company regularly get tickets and calls relating to how to configure router/others properly for operating with a variety of videophones and also software-based solutions). 

At this point my only alternative is to configure Westell router as a bridge and let my 2nd router handle the routing responsibilities, but I want to make sure I've exhausted this route (ie: there REALLY is no way to turn it off). I just need someone who is an expert on Westell 9100em router to tell me he knows for a fact that there is no way to turn it off, and that there is no upcoming firmware versions that will add SIP ALG toggle into router settings like ActionTec routers has in their settings views.

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Re: How do I disable SIP ALG on the Westell 9100em??
spacedebris
Master - Level 2

Ok I know that this is not exactly what you want. but have you considered, going down to the local computer store. purchase a cheap plain wired D-link router (I choose dlink because it needs no configuration to work with verizon), and place it between your phone and Verizons router? That should solve the issue as the phone will no longer need to deal with the firewall in the westell.

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Re: How do I disable SIP ALG on the Westell 9100em??
cflannagan
Newbie

"Ok I know that this is not exactly what you want. but have you considered, going down to the local computer store. purchase a cheap plain wired D-link router (I choose dlink because it needs no configuration to work with verizon), and place it between your phone and Verizons router? That should solve the issue as the phone will no longer need to deal with the firewall in the westell."

That is actually the setup I am using right now (how I want it to be, and how it was set up originally).

Internet -> Coaxial -> Westell 9100EM -> DLink DIR655 -> my home networking. 

Having my videophone connected directly to Westell 9100EM instead also does not work. Same issue persists. All because of "SIP ALG Parsing Failures". 

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Re: How do I disable SIP ALG on the Westell 9100em??
cflannagan
Newbie

To correct my previous reply: DIR 615, not 655. Irrelevant difference anyway.

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