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Need recommendations for wireless router

Posted: 2011-07-13 10:18pm
by paladin
I am currently using a Belkin Surf N300 to connect my computer to a cable modem for internet access. All connections between my computer, the Belkin Surf N300, and cable modem are wired.

I use the wireless connection ability for my smart phone. The wireless connection of the Belkin Surf N300 is problematic. It will remain connected when my computer is turned on. It is when my computer is turned off that the wireless connection will not work at times.

Any recommendations or suggestions about fixing the problem will be appreciated.

Re: Need recommendations for wireless router

Posted: 2011-07-14 02:32am
by Edi
Try a firmware update for the Belkin first. Only if that doesn't work should you start looking for a new router. You can also try to change the encryption type (e.g. from WPA to WPA2 or the otehr way around) since some modems and routers can have trouble with some types of encryption. for example, my old Thomson TCW710 was completely unable to operate wirelessly in bridged mode if WPA-PSK/TKIP was used, but had no problems at all when using WPA2-PSK/AES.

Many of the pricier D-Link routers have seriously restrictive firewalls that you can't turn off, which can be a pain in the arse, so unless you like the headache of fiddling with the configurations, stay away from stuff like DIR-655 and its relatives.

Re: Need recommendations for wireless router

Posted: 2011-07-14 08:52pm
by paladin
Edi wrote:Try a firmware update for the Belkin first. Only if that doesn't work should you start looking for a new router. You can also try to change the encryption type (e.g. from WPA to WPA2 or the otehr way around) since some modems and routers can have trouble with some types of encryption. for example, my old Thomson TCW710 was completely unable to operate wirelessly in bridged mode if WPA-PSK/TKIP was used, but had no problems at all when using WPA2-PSK/AES.

Many of the pricier D-Link routers have seriously restrictive firewalls that you can't turn off, which can be a pain in the arse, so unless you like the headache of fiddling with the configurations, stay away from stuff like DIR-655 and its relatives.
I tried a firmware update and the router was up to date. I will see if the encryption is an issue.

Thanks for the advice.

Re: Need recommendations for wireless router

Posted: 2011-07-14 10:18pm
by Dominus Atheos
Call belkin tech support: 1-800-223-5546.

Re: Need recommendations for wireless router

Posted: 2011-07-15 07:21am
by Skgoa
And if you or anyone else is still looking for a new router: I never ever had any problems with my Linksys WRT54GL. Yes its Cisco. Yes it costs a bit more than the average cheap POS router... But in 5 years of volunteering as a network admin in my dorm I have never encountered anything that was this hassle free to setup and run.

Re: Need recommendations for wireless router

Posted: 2011-07-15 01:03pm
by phongn
Skgoa wrote:And if you or anyone else is still looking for a new router: I never ever had any problems with my Linksys WRT54GL. Yes its Cisco. Yes it costs a bit more than the average cheap POS router... But in 5 years of volunteering as a network admin in my dorm I have never encountered anything that was this hassle free to setup and run.
It's old and obsolete, though. No 802.11n, no GigE and the onboard CPU can't really handle very-high-speed connections.

Re: Need recommendations for wireless router

Posted: 2011-07-16 09:24pm
by paladin
The router is working better now. I haven't had any problems so far.

Two things have changed. I got a new cable modem from my ISP. They recently started offering a speed of 50 Mbps. My prior modem was capable of 30 Mbps. Also, I moved the router to be further away from my computer.