zetan
Heart Of Steel
Premium
join:2003-11-22
Vallejo, CA
|  Router - how often to reset?
How often is it a good idea to reset a router and what are the advantages?
Once I had worked out the settings my Linksys router had been working flawlessly on my 4 computers at home for over a year.
Big thanks BBR!
Now the question of rebooting the computer, I had always felt it is a good idea, no matter what. It clears some things up that hang. And at times, there is no other way to clean up the mess.
Now the router - if it works, is it a good idea to reset it anyways? It is a Linksys BFSR41 and it works like a charm.
What I had read is that it is a good idea to re establish communications and renew the IP address and so on and so on.
What's the professional lowdown and pros and cons please?
Many thanks for your time
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Life is an Express Elevator to Hell. |
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NunyaBidness
God Bless All Of Us
Premium
join:2001-05-25
Memphis, TN | I've had my router running 24/7 for well over a year now and the only time it was reset was because of power outages.
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Nunya Bidness |
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maxey13
Premium
join:2001-06-02
Anderson, IN | reply to zetan
Same for me. Only time it gets reset is if there is a power outage or I see and couple red diag lights on the front..
Dennis |
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Dustyn
Premium
join:2003-02-26
Ontario, CAN
| reply to zetan
I'd just leave it well enough alone.
If the router crashes in the future... locks up... then it will take care of itself by automatically re-booting (resetting) itself. In the event this fails, you can then reboot it manually.
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"You have no idea what I am capable of. People who have tried to cross me, have lived to regret it... ~Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) |
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black knight
Premium
join:2004-06-22
Oxford, CT
clubs: | reply to zetan
24/7 here also. I only reset after power issues. |
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dave
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to zetan
Resetting the router is as pointless as rebooting your PC.
(Or, to put it another way - if you actually need to reboto your PC, then it might pay to figure out what's broken, because correctly-functioning software doesn't need to have frequent reboots). |
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jabarnut
Light Years Away
Premium,MVM
join:2005-01-22
Galaxy M31
1 edit | reply to zetan
Yep...same here.
In fact, among other Routers, switches, and related toys, my good old standby is that same BEFSR41. Very popular and reliable Router.
While I've performed a Firmware update of two, the only other time it gets reset is because of a power outage.
And even that's extremely rare as I have it (and almost everything else) on a UPS.
I agree...if it's working fine with no issues, I wouldn't bother "fixing" it. 
(Edit) Got in there slightly before me dave  , but I guess we're on the same page.
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I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem. |
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jack b
Gone Fishing
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-08
Cape Cod
clubs:
 ·Comcast
| reply to zetan
There should be no reason to reboot your router unless there is a new firmware going in.
Pretty much the same with the computer...unless there is major update to your OS, or AV or firewall, or other software install that requires one.
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~Help find a cure for Cancer~
~Proud Member of Team Discovery ~ |
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zetan
Heart Of Steel
Premium
join:2003-11-22
Vallejo, CA
| reply to dave
said by dave :Resetting the router is as pointless as rebooting your PC. (Or, to put it another way - if you actually need to reboto your PC, then it might pay to figure out what's broken, because correctly-functioning software doesn't need to have frequent reboots). Thank you, and everyone who responded.
Indeed, it make sense to leave the router alone. Wondered if by relogging in it is more secure by the ISP renewing the IP. I know.. newbie talk. Sorry.
On the computer however, we all use a lot of different software. And although it is rare, I do find it that sometimes things slow down. Say, once every week or two. And a new reboot will solve some speed issues.
It could also be my imagination. Of course, if it freezes that's another issue. It just needs to be kicked:)
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Life is an Express Elevator to Hell. |
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dave
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio
·Verizon Online DSL
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to zetan
On the other hand, my damn Westell DSL modem needs a power cycle now and then.
(Typically, if the Verizon network has had some sort of outage, then the modem needs to be reset before it connects again. Fortunately this only happens once or twice a year). |
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nonymous
join:2003-09-08
Glendale, AZ
| reply to zetan
If you are on dynamic ip and do not use it after awhile the ip will release itself. ok, the isp will release for being inactive. The next time you use the computer it will be renewed either with the same one or different. Most dynamic ip have a limited renewal time even if the router is connected 24/7. Think that is what you may have been asking. |
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crh721
Confused Ole Guy
Premium
join:2003-01-17
Lees Summit, MO | reply to dave
Now, Dave, you know that often patches and new SW require a reboot, so ther are valid reasons for doing it on your PC. 
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Bob H |
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Mele20
Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
| reply to zetan
Are you talking about rebooting the modem or resetting the modem? Two different things. I have reset my Linksy (same model as yours) several times because Linksy support instructed me to do so. As for unplugging the router and modem, I do that a lot as first trouble shooting step with your connection is to unplug them, shut down the computer, wait five minutes then plug them back in and reboot. Next step is to remove the router from the picture entirely.
As for rebooting my computer often, Dell tech support just instructed me to shut down completely every night! I have always been a run 24/7 person but Dell says cannot do with these powerful computers today.
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The first and foremost function of our jurors is to protect private citizens from a tyrannical and intrusive government...Jurors are the last line of defense for liberty. Thomas Jefferson 1789 |
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Suchaknight
Premium
join:2002-10-06
Houbytown
| said by Mele20 :As for rebooting my computer often, Dell tech support just instructed me to shut down completely every night! I have always been a run 24/7 person but Dell says cannot do with these powerful computers today. "Powerful" computers need to be shut down every night? I guess if it's being used in a business that runs 24/7, or is a server that must be accessed offsite, you could have some problems? Did you ask them what was the reason for this?
I find this hard to believe. (Not that they told you this, but that it is good advice). Everything I have ever heard about this topic has indicated that the thermal stress created by frequent on/off cycling puts much more wear on your system than constant 24/7 use. And that you shouldn't bother turning your system off unless it is for an extended period. Dell probably wants you to wear your system out faster so they can sell you a new one.
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I'm suchaknight, and I approved this post. |
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Mele20
Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
| I had my HDD thermometer, which I have had running for over a year with no problems, recently shut down the computer several times while I was sleeping and then last night also, when I had just come back to it after being away for awhile, due to overheating. I had set it to warn at 50C and shut down at 60C. It turns out that HDD has a newer version to correct a bug that causes this erroneous, sudden high temp (about 150C) to be read. I had never been able to register the version I was using, tried and tried and it wouldn't go through so I never was notified of a new version and thought I had the latest. So this appears to have been a software problem and not actual overheating of the drive. But it is a bit odd that I ran this version of the HDD for 14 months with no evidence of this bug and then suddenly the bug surfaces after all that time.
I called Dell just to ask about the whole issue. The tech had me run diagnostics on the drive and it was ok. I was very surprised to have the tech tell me that I should not be using this 8300 like I am. He said that never shutting down the computer and running Firefox for weeks before closing it, etc. was a bad idea unless I want to have Dell need to replace this Barracuda hyperthreading 120G harddrive during my three year warranty. When he said I should shut down every night, I protested and said I was certain that my older Dell was still running fine at almost 6 years because I never shut it down. I know persons who did and their Dells rusted and corroded very fast here in Hawaii. Plus, I told him that I live right on the ocean and it is not a good idea to shut a computer down here especially with no air conditioning in most homes and none in my condo.
He said that I would also probably need a new power supply soon if I didn't shut it down regularly. It runs usually at 43-48C and while the Barracuda can go to 60C before there is really a problem, he said its not good for it to run 24/7 at these temps. He also said not closing Firefox for several weeks was a bad idea and said I should, at the very least, close the applications every night and shut the computer down over night at least once a week.
Since it has a three year, third business day in home repair warranty he may have been telling me to do this so that Dell would not need to replace the drive or the power supply during the warranty period. Instead, it would fail after the end of the warranty period. This was a Small Business tech who seemed knowledgeable. (I wouldn't trust the Home techs to tell me anything credible but Small Business tech support has been cleaned up and is MUCH better than when I bought this box. Plus, much of the business support is again US based). I think I will get further opinions from Dell forums, etc.
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The first and foremost function of our jurors is to protect private citizens from a tyrannical and intrusive government...Jurors are the last line of defense for liberty. Thomas Jefferson 1789 |
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sybille
Not only "just visiting"
Premium
join:2004-04-06
France | There's been some discussion the impact of powering off here:
»HDD: Power it down? |
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