How to turn off SIP ALG on Netgear router

SIP ALG is used to try and avoid static NAT configuration on the router. However, its implementation varies by router and often makes it difficult to interoperate a SIP ALG-enabled router with a PBX-enabled router. In general, you will want to disable SIP ALG and configure port mapping on the router.

What is SIP ALG?

SIP ALG stands for Application Layer Gateway and is common in all commercial routers. Its purpose is to prevent some problems caused by the router's firewall, by inspecting VoIP traffic (packets) and modifying it if necessary. Many routers have SIP ALG enabled by default.

There are many different solutions for SIP clients behind NAT, some on the client side (STUN, TURN, ICE), others on the server side (RTP Proxy such as RtpProxy, MediaProxy).

In general, ALG usually operates in the router or client-side LAN port. In some cases, some client-side solutions are not valid, such as STUN with Symmetric NAT routers. If SIP proxies do not provide a server-side NAT solution, then an ALG solution may have a place.

ALG understands the protocol used by the specific applications it supports (in this case, SIP) and performs protocol packet inspection of traffic passing through it. A NAT router with an integrated SIP ALG can record the information within SIP messages making signal and voice traffic between the client behind the NAT and the SIP endpoint possible.

Should you disable SIP ALG?

You may be wondering whether you should enable or disable your SIP Application Layer Gateway (ALG). The short answer is that you should disable it. This is not the default factory setting for your router, so you'll need to contact your IT service provider or follow the instructions that came with your specific router model to disable it.

Enabling SIP ALG can create a variety of problems at inopportune times, such as interrupting work conversations, blocking incoming calls, or failing to establish two-way audio transmission.

How to turn off SIP ALG on Netgear router

In this article, TipsMake.com will show you how to turn off SIP ALG on Netgear router. SIP ALG on this router is known to cause problems with VoIP calls.

Follow these step-by-step instructions.

Option 1: Disable SIP ALG in WAN Setup

1. Open the Netgear router configuration by browsing to its LAN address (http://192.168.0.1 by default).

2. Log in to the router's configuration. The default username is "admin" and the default password is "password".

How to turn off SIP ALG on Netgear router Picture 1

3. In the main menu, select Advanced > WAN Setup .

4. Enable the Disable SIP ALG option .

5. Click Apply.

From now on, SIP ALG has been disabled on your Netgear router.

Option 2: Disable SIP ALG in Advanced settings

1. Open the Netgear router configuration by browsing to its LAN address ( http://192.168.0.1 by default).

2. Log in to the router's configuration. The default username is "admin" and the default password is "password".

How to turn off SIP ALG on Netgear router Picture 2

3. In the main menu, select Security > Firewall > Advanced .

4. Uncheck the Enable SIP ALG option .

5. Click Apply.

After saving the changes, the Netgear router has SIP ALG disabled.

Hope you are succesful.

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Samuel Daniel

Update 17 October 2023