Problems with and alternative to netgear DG834G?

[izakmarais]

Hi All,

I'm having trouble with my netgear DG834G(v4) ADSL router, updated to latest firmware. I have replaced it once already, but the new router does exactly the same. I would like to know
1) how many other people experienced similar problems?
2) can you suggest an alternative router? (stick with netgear or switch to linksys?)

The symptoms: after working hard for a while (maybe 30min-1h) the router loses line-sync and then the power light starts flashing green on and off. During this time I cannot even access the router, so something is seriously wrong. In the troubleshooting manual no mention is made of this behaviour; the DSL light may flash when acquiring lines sync, but the power light must either be solid green (on) or solid red (failed to boot). Sometimes, when I switch the router off for a while to cool down it works again.

Another peeve I have with the router is that, when switched to bridge mode (modem only mode) to allow multiple PPPoE connections, the router does not run a DHCP server any more. Also this mode does not appear to be well supported, since one must access a hidden page on the router to set it (" use http://192.168.0.1/mode.htm to switch modes. " from this thread)

The place I bought it only sell Netgear and Linksys, so I am thinking of trying Lynksys. Can someone confirm that the simlar priced Linksys router (probably WAG200G?) can do bridge mode? Are there other features of the netgear that I will miss on the Linksys?

Thanks
Izak

 

[izakmarais]

I see Psybernaut's posts in this thread DG834GT reboots itself are insightful. Apparently it is a problem with the power supply. I'll try this solution if I can find an alternative power supply.

 

[izakmarais]

In answer to my peeve (brigde mode not having DHCP): might PPPoE relay solve the problem?

An insightful quote from kevinswan007's advice in this thread: Netgear Router Help!!!

Originally Posted by kevinswan007 View Post
nonsense, of course you can set netgear to half bridge.

log into the router, on the left, go to advanced - WAN setup and tick 'Enable PPPoE Relay'

now your router can connect automatically with an account, and you can have pc's connect to it and run their own accounts via PPPOE.

If anything, netgear is far superior to most other brands, you just need to know how to use it.

You are my frikkin hero, i've had people tell me to change mode (doesnt work since its already set to router+modem, them tell me it cant do half bridge etc.) THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS , I refused to believe marconi could it and netgear couldnt.

This might also explain why the modem only mode page is hidden: the better way to achieve the same result (hopefully) is to use PPPoE relay?