Optimizing VoIP Connectivity: Disabling Application Layer Gateway on the ZXHN H167A Router
Published on:
October 17, 2023
In the realm of network optimization, disabling the Application Layer Gateway (ALG), a critical component in network routers responsible for translating network traffic for specific applications, takes center stage. Focusing on the ZXHN H167A router model, this blog post sheds light on the importance of turning off ALG for VoIP connectivity. By deactivating ALG, you can enhance the performance of your VoIP system, ensuring it operates smoothly without any interference from the router.
Remote work presents a host of technological opportunities and challenges - one such challenge is ensuring seamless internet connectivity, both in the office and for people working remotely. In our pursuit of a reliable solution, we came across the ZXHN H167A model router, an OEM device utilized by Claro, a prominent internet and phone service provider in the Dominican Republic.
For VoIP technicians, it's imperative to delve into router configurations to guarantee optimal performance for both desktop phones and Vodia Web Apps; this means ensuring robust two-way audio communication. In this blog, we'll guide you through the process of disabling ALG on the ZXHN H167A router, a crucial step in deploying the Vodia phone system effectively with these routers.
The Application Layer Gateway (ALG) is a crucial component in network routers - it supports the translation of network traffic for specific applications. In certain scenarios, however, especially for VoIP technicians, disabling ALG can make the deployment of VoIP systems more efficient.
Steps to Disable ALG on the ZXHN H167A Router
Access the Router Interface: begin by entering the router IP address into your web browser. Log in using your credentials to access the router's settings.
Navigate to Advanced Settings: once inside the router interface, locate "Advanced Settings" or a similar tab; this section typically contains advanced configuration options.
Find the ALG Configuration: within Advanced Settings, look for the ALG configuration, which is where you can modify ALG settings.
Disable ALG: tick the box or select the option that allows you to disable ALG; this will prevent the router from intercepting and modifying VoIP traffic, which is crucial for optimal functioning of VoIP systems.
Save and Reboot: after disabling ALG, make sure to save your changes and reboot the router.
By following these steps, you can enhance the performance of your VoIP system when deploying it with the ZXHN H167A router. Disabling ALG ensures the router doesn't interfere with VoIP traffic, which is vital for seamless communication. As a VoIP technician, optimizing router settings is a crucial aspect of delivering top-notch service to your clients. Happy deploying!
To configure your desktop phone, reset your VoIP phone to factory default and follow these guidelines to provision a VoIP desktop phone with the Vodia PBX.
A streamlined integration connects the Vodia PBX with the ElevenLabs Voice AI Platform using a lightweight IVR JavaScript script and native SIP REFER for call transfers. Audio and call control are handled entirely through standard SIP signaling, while all conversational logic, prompts, voice selection, and routing rules are configured in the ElevenLabs dashboard. This approach removes the need for webhooks or WebSocket connections and keeps the PBX side intentionally minimal, making the deployment clean and production-ready.
Multi-tenant architecture allows MSPs to manage multiple customers efficiently on a single, secure PBX while maintaining strict tenant isolation. By sharing infrastructure, MSPs can reduce operational costs, apply updates and security patches centrally, scale customers on demand, and onboard faster without increasing complexity. As cloud and SaaS models continue to dominate, a well-designed multi-tenant phone system provides the control, flexibility, and reliability MSPs need to support growth, evolving requirements, and modern communications workloads.
A flexible, cloud-neutral PBX built for real-world deployments in 2026, Vodia supports MSPs, enterprises, and service providers with an open, SIP-compliant platform designed for scale. With Vodia PBX version 70 arriving in Q1 2026, the platform brings multi-tenant hosting, reuse of existing IP phones through centralized provisioning, built-in WebRTC softphones, transparent licensing, and partner-driven support, giving organizations full control over modern business telephony without lock-in or hidden costs.