Author Topic: Wireless router failing? (Read 684 times)

SteveBailey · « **on:** June 28, 2007, 11:55:46 AM »

I have a Netgear rangemax WPN824 wireless router.
When I run my pc straight from the modem my downstream speeds are around 1300kpbs to 1400kpbs but when I put my wireless router in the loop(my PC is hard wired through the router, not wireless) my downstream speed drops to about 5600-6000 kpbs. Is this typical? These speeds are with no other loads on the router( laptops turned off)

I've had this router for about a year and do not recall it ever much faster than 7000 kpbs but Cox recently raised their downstream speed for "preferred" customers. Is my router capable of the higher speeds? I checled for firmware updates, none available.

Suggestions?

Thnaks!

Steve

Fulmar · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2007, 05:40:21 PM »

Confused, do you mean your downstream is 13,000 and 14,000 straight to the modem?

SteveBailey · « **Reply #2 on:** June 28, 2007, 06:30:34 PM »

my download speed to the PC, straight from the modem is 13000 to 14000. when I run it from modem to router to PC it slows to 5000-6000.

Vulcan · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2007, 07:36:57 PM »

Quite likely, most home routers are very underpowered, and were designed for the original range of broadband speeds (up to 8Mbps DSL/Cable), as well as being limited in the number of concurrent tcp connections.

Fulmar · « **Reply #4 on:** June 29, 2007, 04:27:41 PM »

Okay, that what I thought. It does sound like a failing router. Or you're exceeding the traffic bandwidth that router is designed to take. What model router is it etc? We might be able to find if it is limited because it cant handle the traffic amount or it may be dying as you said.

SteveBailey · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2007, 02:56:28 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Fulmar
Okay, that what I thought. It does sound like a failing router. model router is it etc?

It is a Netgear rangemax WPN824 wireless router. Thanks for helping me with this, I look forward to a solution.

Steve

Kermit de frog · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2007, 12:18:43 PM »

Steve, how are you connecting your PC to the router?

If you are connecting to it wirelessly, here are a few things to try:

-Try to change the channel that the wireless operates on. If you a few others on the same channel, or are simply getting interference on the freq, it will reduce your data speeds.

-Check to see if you are using 802.11B or 802.11G. G operates ~5x faster than B. Check your wireless settings for that. Also make sure your wireless card can handle 802.11G. If your laptop doesn't handle G, but your PC does, enable G on your router. Your router will still allow the laptop to communicate, but at B speeds, while your PC will operate at G speeds.

-Try turning off any encryption for testing purposes. Doing this means you'll have to set it up again afterwards, assuming you have encryption on.

-Check to see if you have anyone besides your computers, accessing your wireless router. There's usually a page on your router that allows you to "see connected devices".

Those are a few things to try.

If you are connected with a wire to the router, then try disabling the wireless part and see if you stil get a reduced bandwidth.

BTW, how are you checking your data speeds? Please provide a link if possible for us to review.

Have fun Steve

Sincraft · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2007, 02:55:57 PM »

encryption may be slowing you down on the router.
The router itself maybe stalling you because it can only filter packets so fast..
If you modem is pushing it straight to your pc faster than through your router, then contact you cable co and tell them this if you rent the modem from them.

Otherwise, find the vendor website and see if they have user forums or google your router + slow or your router + increasing speed or something like that.

Sounds like you are in happy land with the speed you are getting...wish mine were that fast or capable of.

My linksys has almost 9 computers on it during peak times. 2 laptops, 3 desktops, 3 servers and a voip box. I don't even hesitate in Aces High 2 when I play!

However at night when I get 'serious' about it, everything gets throttle to almost nothing and I'm in with the full pipe.

I have 24 ports punched down going into a switch which in turn goes via a single plug to the router. Pretty elite setup for a home loser. I may be getting a t1 in here for some webhosting and will need a 'real router' soon but until then, my old 54g is doing GREAT! I'm amazed actually.

EDIT: I did a quick search and came up to this discussions. Sounds like someone else having the same issue and it's gone unresolved. Do yourself a flavor and get a real router, Linksys (Cisco!)

I know that's not the answer but a quick swap from a best buy returnable or walmart returnable (better choice) would alleviate ANY doubts that it's the router right?

http://www.wirelessforums.org/alt-internet-wireless/wireless-router-slows-internet-speed-7666.html

Fulmar · « **Reply #8 on:** June 30, 2007, 05:10:45 PM »

Cisco makes top of the line products. Unfortunately their consumer level based routers are hit and miss. Recently they've been better but I've had a fair share of bad Linksys routers. I'm a D-Link man myself.

But like all products, quality does not stay true to each model from one brand. Read reviews and benchmarks before buying just by name.

SteveBailey · « **Reply #9 on:** June 30, 2007, 05:56:14 PM »

Thanks guys.

Some info: My PC is hardwired to the router and the speeds were the same w/ or w/out WEP encryption. I have 2 laptops in the house that use wireless and they do not seem to impact the DL speed of the PC .

the speed test I'm using is here:

http://speakeasy.net/speedtest/

What do you guys think about this router: Overkill?

http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/buffalo-nfiniti-wireless-n/4505-3319_7-32327295.html

Sincraft · « **Reply #10 on:** June 30, 2007, 06:45:37 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Fulmar
Cisco makes top of the line products. Unfortunately their consumer level based routers are hit and miss. Recently they've been better but I've had a fair share of bad Linksys routers. I'm a D-Link man myself.

But like all products, quality does not stay true to each model from one brand. Read reviews and benchmarks before buying just by name.

yea it's called marketing the trust.
Or what I like to call, forgetting what got ya here..

Product A comes out, it's innovative - cheap to make and loaded with features, capable of being modded by the geek community to be even better...

Product A.1 comes out - limiting some of the features so they can put what they learned from the user based into it to make it 'faster or better' and charge you more for pretty much the same exact model.

Product /\ comes out. Looks almost like an A right? well this one was super super duper mass produced and managed via a 3rd world country slave camp but people will buy it and it 'should' be the same just because of Product A's history and longterm success/hype.

Oh well - that's with anything though.

SteveBailey · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2007, 06:50:24 PM »

I had an old mr314 and hooked it up w/ the same results...different patch cable

Reschke · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2007, 07:37:33 PM »

I am done with wireless networking for my desktops in the house. I have a buddy coming in this weekend to help me run the cables to the 4 bedrooms in the house. I will use my laptop to connect via wireless for work or I will put my wife on it when she wants to look something up online when I am doing some other "work".

I have a D-Link router that worked ok for a while and then it just decided that it did not want to push the signal into the bedrooms 25 feet away from its location. So now I have two useless wireless PCI cards and a router that just sits there unplugged pissing my wife off.

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2007, 08:42:12 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Fulmar
I'm a D-Link man myself.

Same here. The GamerLounge was a damn good purchase.

ack-ack

outbreak · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2007, 12:38:17 AM »

Most likely the routers cant handle the extremely fast connection as most homes dont have a 13-14mb connection, try a gaming router like this one: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2902294&CatId=2668