Routers

Suck!

I recently got tired of my SMC router constantly locking itself and Windows up on me when put under any kind of stress that requires lots of connections, like refreshing the server list in Steam.

So I read a lot of router reviews, and every single one out there on the market has loads of users complaining about how it is total crap, and only a few actually have anyone really praising it.

So that didn't really give me any hope that replacing my router would solve my problems.

So I just got rid of the thing, connected my PC directly to the net, and turned on Windows firewall. Did a few online security checks to see if everything was shut up tight, and surprise, my internet is working really well now. No more lockups. And my pings in Steam when refreshing ther server list are way lower. Low double digits now, instead of mostly triple digits. And I think my in-game ping is lower as well.

The only drawback is on those rare occasions when I want to connect my PC and laptop or get on the net from my laptop, I'll have to hook that stupid router up again. :(

Oh and yes, Linksys routers had lots of complaints about them. And D-Link. And Belkin. And Netgear.

As I recall, most routers come with a 4port hub/switch built in!? Why not setup a (protected) wireless network, and hook up a new LAN contact point at the desk (or where you spend most time surfing the web)?

Never had any problems with cisco or medium range netgear. Have had horrible problems with belkin, lynksys and a d-link (not as bad as others but still a proper p.i.t.a.)

I do what lars suggested too, my main desktop PC (and fileserver) is connected to a normal switch port on the router. All my laptops etc all use the wireless.

Lars:
Did you even read what I wrote?

I am not having a problem connecting multiple PC's to the net. I have a router that locks up constantly. The multiple PC part of it worked fine. The locking up constantly is the problem. :-)

sounds like you enabled to many "cool software" features for the crap processor in it ... similar to how DLink break at WPA2 and just "kick all out" till they are rebooted and the like.

Problem is, people generally don't put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) if something 'just works'. They only feel a need to say something when it goes wrong. That gives a false impression that almost everything is crap.

that happens. But in case of routers / wlan routers there are definitely products / producers that are by definition crap and have a few exceptions!

Gfk:
That's not true, I read reviews about all the hardware I buy, and routers by far have had the most negative reviews of any products I've purchased. You don't see this level of complaints about crashing and stuff with Geforce cards, or AMD processors.

To be honest sswift, I have only bought linksys for friends and family (and myself) and I'd say 2 out of 45 had issues... On the other hand, back when I was a consultant, I would install belkin, cisco, netgear, zonet, and so on for customers (at their request, and their lack of funds in some cases). Between a $2500 cisco and a $20 zonet, linksys is the best for the buck.

I play TF2 and CS:Source constantly (as often as I can afford the time) and never had any issues with my linksys routers. on 2 occasions I have had linksys routers lock up, or constantly drop connection. Those promptly went back to the store and were exchanged. This is over a span of 9 years mind you :-)

I lost the rag with my wireless router, and i'm using a direct connection to it now. I'm much happier :o)

3Com rocks by the way. I agree that D-Link and Netgear are almost universally useless.

Figures...

I got a netgear wireless router for fifty five quid, works great - no probs! on both laptop and desktop. Play online RPGs on both at same time , no issues.

I've had one Linksys kill itself after a flash update (lost network connection mid-flash -> Paperweight, one linksys killed itself after it started screaming for a bit (high-pitch whistle -- blown capacitor?). I've aldo had a D-Link which kept dropping the connection.

For the past year or so I've used a Westel DSL modem with built-in router, and it has been relatively pain-free.

I had a Netgear Router for about 7 years, just a simple NAT/Firewall Router, used it ever since I got broadband and it worked perfectly and did everything I wanted. I never had any problems with it and almost always had the lowest pings in online games (20-30ms mostly). I had to update the firmware once but that went fine. It finally died last year which I wasn't too upset about as over 5 years is very good for equipment that is in continuous use.

I now use a cheap DLink DIR-100, which does the job fine although occasionally (once a month or so) if it's not used for a while it will fail to automatically renew it's DHCP lease correctly and you have to do it manually (takes about 15 seconds).

I think (gulp) GFK was right, you only hear from people with problems, most equipment that people buy does work fine.

Darkheart

Something you might want to have a nose at; http://openwrt.org/

As I understand this, its a sort of global firmware for most routers that lets you do more with that box of bolts!. For example; custom firewalls, wep cracking! and ftps.

Before you go all silly and install it, I do indeed recommend you read up on it and ensure that your hardware is indeed compatiable!. You could brick that router if you do something silly or wrong with this.