bsudbrink
join:2008-03-13
Silver Spring, MD
|  Which router to replace Actiontec
My Actiontec has been hanging daily for the last four days. I'm tired of it so I'm going to replace it. My ONT is set to ethernet and I have a NIM100 on the way to talk to my STB. So, all that's left to do is to choose a new router to handle my 15/2 connection. I don't use wireless, so I don't care about ranges and the like but any other suggestions and/or warnings would be appreciated. |
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More Fiber
Premium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA | Check out router ratings here:
»www.smallnetbuilder.com/componen···mid,189/ |
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bsudbrink
join:2008-03-13
Silver Spring, MD | OK, based on that site and a few others, it looks like the D-Link DIR-655 is about the best bang for the buck. Circuit City has them on sale for $119. I'll probably get one Tuesday unless someone knows of a problem with it and Verizon FiOS. |
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birdfeedr
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI | In use successfully here. No problems. |
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mr bump
@verizon.net
| reply to bsudbrink
D-Link DIR-655 is overkill
If you don't need wireless, don't pay extra for the N series DIR-655. Unless you need super high speed connections between home PCs, you can also forgo gigabit series routers.
Considering that you have 15/2 service, any 10/100 router will do you just fine. You should be able to find something for about $50.
good luck |
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Maestr0
join:2005-06-19
Tampa, FL
 ·Verizon FIOS
| The DIR-655 is NOT overkill. If you are using the NIM-100 with your own router then you need something with QoS. If you are never planning to use wireless then you can of course go with just a wired router. However, I am using the exact setup (DIR-655 + NIM-100) and I can report it works perfectly. I also use the gigabit LAN for my home network. So basically, why not be future-proof?
QoS is important if you are using your own router to work with the STB. |
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mr bump
@omcastbusiness.net
| reply to bsudbrink
Re: Which router to replace Actiontec
Maestr0,
All valid points - they should be considered. Other than no wireless, the OP did not describe the intended use for his setup. If he just has one PC and the NIM, gigE is overkill, as is wifi.
So his total cost for replacing the AT is $120 router + ? for NIM? Might be worth his time to get it fixed by vz. Or maybe he should investigate what he may have done to the AT to mess it up. Or maybe it is those pesky backdoor firmware updates.
I've been running stable AT 4.0.16.1.45.160 firmware, by closing the backdoor port + config file edit. Another issue may be overheating of the AT - it should be mounted vertically. By not replacing the AT, I spent my money on more useful gear. |
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bsudbrink
join:2008-03-13
Silver Spring, MD
| Thanks for all the replies!
Responses:
1) (don't need wireless) If there was as capable a router without the wireless, I would get it but it looks like all of the newer faster routers come with it. So, what the heck, I'll disable it but it will be there if I have some guest with a laptop needing wireless access.
2) (units behind the router) There are six relatively recent PCs running a mix of Windows and Linux. They are used by two adults and two children, often at the same time. There are also several "vintage" computers attached to a terminal server, a networked printer and some security equipment. Everything except the printer I access from the outside. Oh, and the STB.
3) I do tend to go with a quality solution that I can stick with for a long time. I retired a Linksys RT311 when I switched from DSL to FiOS last month.
4) I think I've actually figured out what was crashing the AT but it doesn't make me want to leave it in service. I have been telnetting into it to check the logs. Since I have stopped doing that, it has stopped crashing. I want a router that can do proper syslogd communication anyway, so I think I'll still go with the DIR-655.
5) Other reasons to switch... Even though the back door into it can be closed, who knows what else Verizon has stuck in it. Also, there's one of these being installed at the end of just about every new FiOS install. That's a lot of bandwidth, a juicy target for bot-net wranglers. I figure they are working hard to crack the AT if they haven't already.
Anyway, if I could ask another favor, do you guys have any configuration tips for the DIR-655?
Thanks. |
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aaronwt
Premium
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to bsudbrink
I use the Dlink DGL4300 which has worked very well. It has a gigabit switch in it so you will be able to get fast file transfers between PCs. I easily get several hundred mbs transfers.
The DGL4300 is a wireless router. They have a version that is not wireless which I think is the DGL4100, not positive about the model number though. But the routers have been out a while so they shouldn't cost a premium, plus they work very well with multiple connections. Much better than the Actiontec. I have close to 3 dozen devices on my gigabit network using Dlink Gigabit switches connected to the gigabit router. |
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