Router Suggestions?

[thtadthtshldntbe]

Ok. I recently got my android phone, so I dug out my old Netgear (insert a sequence of letters and numbers here) router. And an old problem resurfaced, made worse because I now also play Starcraft 2.

Basically WoW and SC2, and presumably the next diablo, use torrents to patch. Also, you can throw downloading the off linux distro too here, but thats less of an issue.

When I let those blizzard torrenting things run, basically my computer pretty much stops being able to get to the internet. And when the torrents do work they run slow as hell. For example, it took like almost 2 hours to get the initial patchs when I installed SC2 last week.

When I downloaded WoW patch 4.01 (the one right before Cata hit), which was a multi gb patch, without the router, just connected straight to the cable modem, it took maybe 30 minutes. I was getting better than 1MB/s download speeds

Given that I want to not have crawl around on my floor every time there is a blizzard patch, what should i look for in a router that won't die when those two downloader run? I would like to be able to have my wireless for my android phone and for my potential new laptop or if my cousin comes over without constantly having to rewire stuff?

So what should i be looking for in a new router so that patch programs tht use torrents dont fubar my internet access?

btw, there is no DD WRT for my existing router, which I have read via various threads is a possible answer for this.

Also, I am going to be getting some sort of NAS device I think as well. So does that affect anything?

 

[amdskip]

Get something that will run dd-wrt.

 

[thtadthtshldntbe]

Well everything that i have read says that it is not just installing DDWRT but that the hardware in many routers gets overwhelmed by having to manage all those torrent connects, as they constantly add and drop off.

I am kind of looking at this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162031

but the newegg reviews stated something the extent that the main killer with torrents is the amount of ram in the device. And said to get the dual band version because it has more ram

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162047

 

[OlafSicky]

Problem with routers is that their firmware is almost always not good. Linksys Cisco Buffalo Asus they all don't have much firmware support for their products. They abandon their costumers as soon as they buy their product. Get something with Ipv6 support. Don't look at anything that requires 3rd party firmware such as Asus, but it would be good if it could be installed.
I suggest E4200 it's not perfect but it's the best of the bunch right now. The asus RT-N56U has good reviews on websites but most people who bought it based on the reviews seems to think it's junk. Asus doesn’t support it's products very well with drivers or firmware.

 

[super_sinbad]

Get something that will run dd-wrt.

+1

I've been using Linksys E2000 with DDWRT and have never been happier, no problem with torrents whatsoever, just carefully follow the step by step instructions of how to install the firmware and you should be good to go.

 

[Geofram]

Alternately, you can use a 2nd hand PC and install a router OS onto it. Something like Sonicwall, pfsense, etc. You don't have to worry about the hardware being unable to handle the routing anymore.

Personally I use my old SOHO router (Netgear something) as a wireless AP, and have an atom-based PC running Astaro do my routing/firewall stuff. Haven't had to reboot the router in months, and had zero problems.

 

[thtadthtshldntbe]

If I still had an old pc laying around, my health induced financial problems have sort of eaten up my old hardware over the last two years, I would have gone that route as even that old packard bell machine that I used to have in my closest would have been op for this.

I ordered the second router I linked to above, it was discounted like $110 on newegg.

 

[kevnich2]

I would recommend cancelling that order and going with the E2000. The ability to use DDWRT or tomato firmware is the reason. These blow any other firmware out of the water for home use. But that's my recommendation.

 

[thtadthtshldntbe]

the buffalo router only uses DDWRT.

 

[mancy]

NETGEAR Wireless Router WGR614 is one of the best wireless routers which is capable of transmitting wireless signals upto 30.5 meters any computer within the network range can use the wireless network based on the user rights.

 

[robmurphy]

I had the same problems with torrents and slow internet access. The router was the Netgear WRT624. Basically routers like this do not have enough memory to keep track of all the TCP sessions that torrent generate. This also limits the torrent download rate.

I bought an old cheap Watchguard firebox X5, and setup the port forwarding needed for the torrents as it does not have uPNP. The speed of the torrents when from 100 to 200 KBs to 1.5 to 2.5 MBs. The web browsing while torrenting was also fine.

You cannot load different firmware onto the X5, but as a home, non wireless router, it works fine. My 20 Meg service from Virgin Media in the UK using the X5 was quicker than the new 30 Meg service that has a combined router and modem.

If you check Ebay you can often find older business grade routers/firewalls going quite cheap. You may not get the benefit of any paid subscriptions on them but as basic routers they very capable.

From memory both the X5 and the replacement for it the X10 have 64 MB of RAM. The X10 hardware is better as well. Both are fanless, about the same size as a home base router, and may draw a little more power i.e. 10 to 15 W as apposed to 5 to 10 W for a normal home router.

The X5 was relatively simple to setup as well. All the setup is done in a web based interface.

Rob.

 

[dpodblood]

I used to have this same problem, and it was an issue with the number of outgoing TCP connection. Try limiting the number of outgoing connections in your Torrent client to something < 100. It worked for me. If you must get a new router, get something that's not a D-Link. Anything that can run DDWRT.

 

[aylafan]

Older versions of Windows like XP SP1/SP2, Windows 2000, Vista SP1 have a max of 10 concurrent TCP connections and that could be a reason why Bittorrent sharing is extremely slow and the PC could be lagging. Vista SP2 & Windows 7 does not have this problem; this limitation was removed from these versions.

Consumer routers usually allow a max of 256 connections or less on default, but with DD-WRT firmware you can change it to 4096 connections; which helps a lot with Bittorrent connections.

Remember to allow port forwarding in the router for Bittorrent; otherwise you will start having problems with download/upload speeds. Don't use random ports. For example, use port 21100 for the Bittorrent client and router. QoS can also be a feature you can look into.

Furthermore, your Internet connection plays a big role. You should always limit your upload speed in Bittorrent to 80&#37; of your max Internet upload speed (bandwidth). This way, you'll be able to surf the web & play games without any lag. Never use your full upload speed (bandwidth) because it causes many problems like (slow web surfing, computer lag, frozen videos, slow downloads), etc. This is usually not a problem with Internet download speeds, but sometimes it could be.

Finally, if you have a cheap router with low memory then it will usually lockup in a day or 2 if you use Bittorrent actively; to fix this problem you will be required to reboot the router manually. However, with DD-WRT firmware this is easily solved with automatic daily/weekly router reboots.

I hope this helps you.

 

[robmurphy]

Using the X5 I did not have to load different firmware.

The router never need a reboot. The only time it was reset was if the cable connection when down.

It is also probabley cheaper than buying a home router with enough memory.

Rob

 

[zephxiii]

I like using Pfsense. Currently have it on an old Duron 1.1ghz at work, and a Thinkpad T43 at home.

 

[mancy]

Hi,

The Internet works slow if you face some router or associated hardware troubles. If your Ethernet connectivity cables are having some issues, you may find a slower Internet connectivity. Also you might face similar issues, if your NETGEAR router hardware encountered an issue or malfunctioned.

 

[OlafSicky]

Don't get anything without Ipv6 support, DDWRT should only be a bonus stay away from ASUS routers they don't provide firmware driver support for their products.

 

[shebalord]

Hey ppl,

Sorry to dig up an old thread. I am using a E2000 and wanted to start playing Starcraft 2 and the upcoming Diablo 3. Whenever I start the Blizzard downloader client, my computer's internet dies (it's hardwired via ethernet), and the router takes about few minutes to restore the internet connection.

What can I do to prevent the 'lockup'? Would flashing to DD-WRT help?

Thanks in advance!