SMC 7004BR Router Problems...HELP!!!

[Playmaker]

I have the SMC 7004BR Router to share cable intnet access for a cable line. It worked for the first few months, but lately it has been horrible. It causes me to ping 10-15 higher then friends on the same cable who are using cheap D-Link hubs, and causes me to spike 1000+ in CS. It also quits and needs to be rebooted or restarted constantly, like every few hours or so. I've tried flashing to the latest firmware, and it didn't really help at all. Is there anything else I can do before I attempt to return it? I don't think I'll be able to return it either, so I'll need to buy something else. I have 3 IPs so I think a hub or switch would be better. Can anyone recommend anything cheap that would at least work better then this router??? Thanks...

 

[Vegito]

have you tried it w/o the router ? it might not be the router ?

 

[RanDum72]

It might not be your router but rather a degrading connection with your ISP. What ISP do youhave? They may have oversold your node or your connection is losing strength and needs to be checked. Call your ISP and ask whats going on.

 

[BCYL]

How many computers do you have that needs internet access? Since u have 3 IPs, if you have no more than 3 computers u dont even need a router to share connections...

 

[rmblam]

Sounds like the cable modem might be crapping out. I went through the same thing with two friends who I helped get up and running on Road Runner cable. RR has done a region wide replacement of the modems here. Motorola surfboards now.

I say do as forcesho suggested. Remove the router and test the connection on one pc with just the modem. You can connect to the modem interface and check it out also. What modem is it?

 

[OJ]

This forum DSL Reports has lots of information on this router, I have gain much insight on this routers operations from this site.

 

[Howard]

If you have 3 cable IPs, you can just switch to a switch/hub.

Have you tried getting it replaced? Mine works great (had it for more than a year).

 

[Playmaker]

Tried going straight thru the modem, and it was the same, so the router must be OK. The company is Cableone.net and it's 800k down 200k up. I'm using the older Motorola Surfboard that doesn't have the reset button or any of that. The guy on tech support had me tracert a few IPs and it looks like UUNet's Alter.net router hops are my problem. Whenever I get routed by Sprintlink or other companies I ping the same as my friends, but UUNet gives me 200+ on some hops, but my friends are sub-100. The guy didn't know why, he thought we were all routed the same way since most of my friends live really close to me (like only a few blocks away). He told me to call UUNet and talk to them, but said that chances were that UUNet couldn't, or more likely wouldn't, do anything about it anyway. It looks like I'll have to suffer until next year at college LOL. Sux pretty bad to pay $45 a month for this crap.

Because of this, I want to try and suck all the speed out of my connection as I can. Would getting rid of the router, which splits only 1 of my 3 IPs into my two computers, and getting a hub or switch so I can use 2 of my 3 IPs be faster? Or doesn't using seperate IPs on the same cable line really matter? Thanks for all your suggestions...

 

[BCYL]

It will probably be slightly faster if you just use a switch instead of a router, only becuz you are bypassing the NAT in the router... To the ISP though, your bandwidth will be the same, still 800k down and 200k up. I doubt you will notice any real world difference in performance though...

It might be better to keep the router, since you will have a firewall protecting you... If you use a switch and connect the PCs that way, there's no firewall protection...

 

[RanDum72]

A good router should not slow things down as bit. My Netgear RP114 is just as fast as using a switch only(also Netgear). 800down/200up is slow by cable standards. Do you have any alternative like Roadrunner? I usually recommend cable over DSL but in your case, maybe DSL is better. It all depends what options youhave in your area.

 

[Playmaker]

This is the only cable available. There is 640K dsl in my town, and it used to be better when my cable was only 560k/128k, but since my cable upgraded to 800k/200k it's faster and has always pinged better for games anyway. I think I'll just stick w/ the router if it won't make that large of a difference. I did find a part solution to my prob tho. Some company in my town is hosting a CS tournament with grand prize being a CS server on a T1 line and a $1000 web site design package as the 1st place prize. My clan has played with pretty much everyone in the area and I think we'll win for sure. At least I'll have a 30 ping server to play on now lol...

 

[RanDum72]

Just did something interesting. I bought this bi-directional cable signal amp from Radioshack (there's two versions, the first is 1 in, 4 out, the second is 1in, 1 out. I got the single out version since its cheaper). I hooked up my Roadrunner line to it, maxed the signal amp and my download speeds jumped from 1950-2000down to 2100-2200 down! I've always suspected my signal was weak but I didn't know it was going to make a difference! Anyway it worked for me but it may not work for everybody.

 

[Playmaker]

How much do they cost? Maybe I'll give it a try tomorrow...

 

[RanDum72]

Its about $29.00.