Recommend a wireless ADSL router for under R1500...

[DJ...]

Yes, I was distraught when I got mine first, because the darn thing did not have NAT loopback. One major drawback for me, so decided to google a bit and found that they released firmware to sort this out , including the WIFI and various other problems I never knew existed.

Hope others who purchase the same or similar models read this and do an update just in case.

What is NAT loopback?

Wireless range is better than my Netgear N300 by the way. And the thing has been rock solid. And the guy who sold it to me reckons numerous people have come in for refunds on this model. Informed him of the firmware upgrade but he reckons people won't want to do that, so he'll sell them other routers instead. Results in fewer complaints directed his way.

He should really just do it for people when they purchase it...

 

[DJ...]

Can anyone explain the Statistics page to me? I thought that this was a tool to measure internet usage, but it says Traffic Statistics--LAN, which indicates to me that it's simply measuring all packets over the network.

And one last issue: the DHCP client list doesn't show a few of the machines, yet I've assigned them static IPs in the address reservation list and they're connected just fine, with the correct IPs. It's odd. Why wouldn't they show up there? They are connected via a second router but that router's DHCP server is switched off and acting as just a relay of sorts. They occasionally do show up in the list, but more often than not they're not there. However if I check the stats page I can see them transferring data live...

 

[Arthur]

Yeah, it's irritating that all connections are not listed in Stats. I have the same complaint. Seems they only list DHCP-assigned leases. This avoids having to write code to scan and report on clients with fixed IPs.

 

[Tinuva]

DJ...,

if you ever do want to buy a router at R1500, you may as well buy one of the nice high-end VDSL routers, like the ZyXEL P-2812HNU-Fx
It has:
4x 1Gbps ports
1x USB port for 3G failover or filesharing or print server
1x RJ11 port for ADSL or VDSL
2x RJ11 ports for regular phones to use VoIP
1x eWAN port, which will work on Telkom's 100Mbps FTTH
and then obviously Wireless N on 2.4GHz

 

[Alton Turner Blackwood]

Managed to get this router working properly now. Seems the firmware update sorted it out. I've removed the hard drive from there and shared it from my HTPC instead. Solves a major headache. Thanks for the help, all.

Called it

Can anyone explain the Statistics page to me? I thought that this was a tool to measure internet usage, but it says Traffic Statistics--LAN, which indicates to me that it's simply measuring all packets over the network.

And one last issue: the DHCP client list doesn't show a few of the machines, yet I've assigned them static IPs in the address reservation list and they're connected just fine, with the correct IPs. It's odd. Why wouldn't they show up there? They are connected via a second router but that router's DHCP server is switched off and acting as just a relay of sorts. They occasionally do show up in the list, but more often than not they're not there. However if I check the stats page I can see them transferring data live...

The thing with DHCP is it assigns IP's dynamically. So the DHCP page will not show devices with static IPs

You have an android phone, so download Fing. With it you can view all your devices in addition to its IP addresses

 

[DJ...]

My previous routers all showed static IPs in the DHCP list. After all, doesn't the DHCP server still assign them? It simply assigns a specific IP that has been reserved for the MAC address of that machine? It should surely still be in the list as a DHC client...?

 

[SauRoNZA]

It if wasn't for the model requirement I would have said go Apple Airport Extreme.

 

[Nimz]

My Router at the office died on Wed - bought the TD-W8970
I see that you guys talk of a Firmware update, however mine seems to be on the latest according to the TP Link site

Firmware Version:0.6.0 2.8 v000c.0 Build 130828 Rel.38099n

Anything i'm missing? or have TP Link started updating their products before shipping?

 

[sybertiger]

it all depends on when its made and shipped

 

[Alton Turner Blackwood]

My previous routers all showed static IPs in the DHCP list. After all, doesn't the DHCP server still assign them? It simply assigns a specific IP that has been reserved for the MAC address of that machine? It should surely still be in the list as a DHC client...?

Mine's under a different heading: DHCP Reservations List.

But you're right, I think in theory the static machines are also DHCP clients

 

[DJ...]

Firmware Version:0.6.0 2.8 v000c.0 Build 130828 Rel.38099n

That's the one I updated to...

 

[adsl2]

Yea. Disabled the Adsl2+ settings as I'm pretty sure my box isn't ADSL 2+ enabled in any case...

What are the benefits of disabling ADSL2+?

 

[DJ...]

What are the benefits of disabling ADSL2+?

My sync speed increased a little. Tested it three times to be sure, and there was a small bump in sync speeds with the exchange each time...

 

[adsl2]

My sync speed increased a little. Tested it three times to be sure, and there was a small bump in sync speeds with the exchange each time...

Good to know, thanks..

 

[DJ...]

So, I gave my old Netgear N300 to my neighbour as I bought the TP Link. We just had a massive storm here and he didn't unplug it, and the thing blew. Now I told him I'll help him out as he's going through some troubles, and I'll buy him a new one.

I was considering the TP Link which I just bought but tested it on his line and the thing just doesn't like his line at all. Keeps dropping the connection. Tested on a different, very old router and there were no problems, so I'd prefer not to risk it with the TP Link. It also doesn't communicate with a wireless AP that he has, so would prefer to avoid TP Link altogether.

I'm prepared to spend up to R2k max on this. So are there any other recommendations, and suggestions where I could buy one tomorrow cash, so that I don't have to wait around?

 

[OMB]

In my experience with TP-Link (and I'm very happy with them) is that the hardware is great, the firmware not so much, I've flashed 2 of my routers with dd-wrt and they're rock solid from a performance perspective (so rock solid that I forgot my admin password on one of them because I hadn't logged into it for about 6 months )

 

[DJ...]

In my experience with TP-Link (and I'm very happy with them) is that the hardware is great, the firmware not so much, I've flashed 2 of my routers with dd-wrt and they're rock solid from a performance perspective (so rock solid that I forgot my admin password on one of them because I hadn't logged into it for about 6 months )

So you reckon get the W8970 and flash dd-wrt? Problem is the W8970 isn't listed as supported on DD-WRT's site...

 

[Necuno]

So you reckon get the W8970 and flash dd-wrt? Problem is the W8970 isn't listed as supported on DD-WRT's site...

Do this... carefully.

 

[Dan C]

What is NAT loopback?

LoL, yes it's a funny one. Basically I'm running a game server from my HPMicro and have to port forward for the rest of the world to connect to the server. Without NAT loopback , internal (lan) connections will be blocked.

"Many DSL routers/modems prevent loopback connections as a security feature. This means that a machine on your local network (e.g. behind your DSL router/modem) cannot connect to a forward facing IP address (such as 199.149.252.44) of a machine that it also on your local network."

I'm sorry to hear the router is not working so well for you. Mine serves my purposes and is way better than my previous netgear dgn2200.

As for the DHCP client list, yes there is a bug still.

 

[OMB]

So you reckon get the W8970 and flash dd-wrt? Problem is the W8970 isn't listed as supported on DD-WRT's site...

ah, if it's not listed then I'd have second thoughts