Wireless router queries

[Faqa]

Hey,

Lately, I've been having internet problems at my parent's house. ISP frowns and claims that part of the problem is the router - purchased in 2006, they claim, it can't keep up with current internet speeds and therefore occasionally craps out. This smells a bit of bullshit, but the guy talking to me seemed to be on the level - ie, speaking professionally, and not trying to blow me off. So, network people with more XP than me, is this possible?

And if so, I need a new router. Preferably one with a good logging capacity - I am SICK of generic error messages when the Internet craps out. Something with decently tech-y logging and error messages so I have somewhat more idea where I stand when there are problems.

Any reccomendations in that case?

In the same vein, anyone know a decent, cheap netbook? Win7, surfing and Word are all it requires.

[Skgoa]

It certainly could be true, e.g. if it's a cheapo "plastic" PoS. Many old network chips will drop connections or even shut the port down when they encounter to large frames or to many connections. It's impossible to say with so little information. You might want to get a new router in the near term, anyways. Yours should be pretty obsolete by now, unless it was a rather high priced one in the first place.

[Edi]

What model of device do you have?
Has it ever had its firmware updated?
Does it run very hot to the touch?

Just for starters. If the answers to questions 2 and 3 are no and yes, chuck the device before it bursts into flame or otherwise dies and buy a new one. Consumer ADSL/cable modem router lifespan is roughly 3-4 years, so if this device was bought in 2006 and is still going strong, it's already outlived its projected lifespan.

Assuming we're talking about ADSL lines here, depending on what model it is, it may not be able to support newer handshake protocols like ADSL2+, which is what everyone is using these days. G.dmt is going the way of the dodo as time passes, since it can't handle more than 8 Mbps speeds.

If you need to buy a new one, get something that has good value for money and not a whole lot of issues. I'd recommend Telewell or A-Link, but you probably don't have those there. Second best options then are Trendnet, Zyxel (newer models only, NEVER P660 series, though P661 series is okay, it's newer). Stay away from D-Link, Netgear and BeWan.

[Chardok]

I've been using a netgear since 06 and it's...you know, a router. I had no idea I should look at replacing it. it's not giving me any trouble, but, Sure, I'd like more speed. So...I mean...it's a Wireless G router, methinks, should I...look for something...in particular in a new one? That is, the recommendations you made, that is, do they apply in the US as well?

[Edi]

I've been using a netgear since 06 and it's...you know, a router. I had no idea I should look at replacing it. it's not giving me any trouble, but, Sure, I'd like more speed. So...I mean...it's a Wireless G router, methinks, should I...look for something...in particular in a new one? That is, the recommendations you made, that is, do they apply in the US as well?

As always, that depends.

How fast is your internet connection, Chardok? If you have a 801.11g wireless router, it has a wireless maximum speed of 54 megabits per second between the router and the computer, but that has no effect whatsoever on the speed between the router and the operator's network (so if you have e.g. an 8 Mbps connection, you get a maximum of 8 Mbps even though the max between router and comp is 54). If you want faster internet, you need to talk to your ISP first.

If your current modem works without problems, don't replace it. The rule of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies here as well. Faqa was having problems, which in this case immediately raises the question of whether his modem is starting to break down due to age.

You also have the advantage that Netgear modems often have the default settings for typical US network values, which means that in Europe or in Faqa's case Israel, if the defaults are not the same, it requires configuring the router. And some of the newer Netgear modems are a pain in the arse to configure (at least through phone support).

[Faqa]

What model of device do you have?
Has it ever had its firmware updated?
Does it run very hot to the touch?

Just for starters. If the answers to questions 2 and 3 are no and yes, chuck the device before it bursts into flame or otherwise dies and buy a new one. Consumer ADSL/cable modem router lifespan is roughly 3-4 years, so if this device was bought in 2006 and is still going strong, it's already outlived its projected lifespan.

Assuming we're talking about ADSL lines here, depending on what model it is, it may not be able to support newer handshake protocols like ADSL2+, which is what everyone is using these days. G.dmt is going the way of the dodo as time passes, since it can't handle more than 8 Mbps speeds.

If you need to buy a new one, get something that has good value for money and not a whole lot of issues. I'd recommend Telewell or A-Link, but you probably don't have those there. Second best options then are Trendnet, Zyxel (newer models only, NEVER P660 series, though P661 series is okay, it's newer). Stay away from D-Link, Netgear and BeWan.

The problem was indeed the router, and was fixed via a new one (D-Link 2650U), courtesy of my ISP's tech support. My previous router was a Netgear DG834PN. The documentation claims to support ADSL2+, so I'm guessing it really was a breakdown. The fact that it did indeed run hot - though so does the new one, albeit not as much so far - seems to support this.

Thank you all for the advice.