I'm divorcing Linksys; suggestions please . . .

[RickVS]

I have a Linksys WRT54GS wireless router, a repeater, a print server and
a card for my laptop. After years of struggling with a stable network
(how often have I had to reset my router? Let me count the ways . . .),
my latest experience with my print server that stopped working after 3
days without explanation and the subsequent loss of Internet
connectivity through my router when trying to debug the print server and
support's inability to fix the problem (blame it on Verizon, sure), are
the last straws to break the Linksys camel's back. I would like to ditch
all of my Linksys products and start fresh, but not if the new
Belkin/D-Link/NETGEAR solution is no better. Does anyone have a strong
favorite for reliability? The new brand will need to be able to provide
a secure firewall to protect my network and have support that is open
reasonable hours. Thanks for your input.
Rick


------------------------------------------------------------------------
View this thread: http://www.wirelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=37261
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[John Navas]

On Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:49:26 -0500, RickVS
<RickVS.33jse8@no-mx.wirelessforums.org> wrote in
<RickVS.33jse8@no-mx.wirelessforums.org>:

>I have a Linksys WRT54GS wireless router, a repeater, a print server and
>a card for my laptop. After years of struggling with a stable network
>(how often have I had to reset my router? Let me count the ways . . .),
>my latest experience with my print server that stopped working after 3
>days without explanation and the subsequent loss of Internet
>connectivity through my router when trying to debug the print server and
>support's inability to fix the problem (blame it on Verizon, sure), are
>the last straws to break the Linksys camel's back. I would like to ditch
>all of my Linksys products and start fresh, but not if the new
>Belkin/D-Link/NETGEAR solution is no better. Does anyone have a strong
>favorite for reliability? The new brand will need to be able to provide
>a secure firewall to protect my network and have support that is open
>reasonable hours. Thanks for your input.

Have you considered running DD-WRT firmware in your Linksys router?
<http://www.dd-wrt.com/>

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
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Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

[DanG]

I had a very bad experience with D-Link. Purchased a type N,
fought it too long to take it back to the store. Ate the cost of
that one as they will only replace it with a rebuilt one. Went to
the store and bought a Netgear Range Max with no visible antennae.
Flawless, easy installation. More and better selection of
software settings. Easy integration to wireless units upstairs
and downstairs. No problems, no relationship, no hesitation to
recommend. I would not own a D-Link anything for love nor money.

--
______________________________
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)
dgriff237@7cox.net



"RickVS" <RickVS.33jse8@no-mx.wirelessforums.org> wrote in message
news:RickVS.33jse8@no-mx.wirelessforums.org...
>
> I have a Linksys WRT54GS wireless router, a repeater, a print
> server and
> a card for my laptop. After years of struggling with a stable
> network
> (how often have I had to reset my router? Let me count the ways
> . . .),
> my latest experience with my print server that stopped working
> after 3
> days without explanation and the subsequent loss of Internet
> connectivity through my router when trying to debug the print
> server and
> support's inability to fix the problem (blame it on Verizon,
> sure), are
> the last straws to break the Linksys camel's back. I would like
> to ditch
> all of my Linksys products and start fresh, but not if the new
> Belkin/D-Link/NETGEAR solution is no better. Does anyone have a
> strong
> favorite for reliability? The new brand will need to be able to
> provide
> a secure firewall to protect my network and have support that is
> open
> reasonable hours. Thanks for your input.
> Rick
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> View this thread:
> http://www.wirelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=37261
> http://www.wirelessforums.org
>

[Dave Lee]

"RickVS" <RickVS.33jse8@no-mx.wirelessforums.org> wrote in message
news:RickVS.33jse8@no-mx.wirelessforums.org...
>
> I have a Linksys WRT54GS wireless router, a repeater, a print server and
> a card for my laptop. After years of struggling with a stable network
> (how often have I had to reset my router? Let me count the ways . . .),
> my latest experience with my print server that stopped working after 3
> days without explanation and the subsequent loss of Internet
> connectivity through my router when trying to debug the print server and
> support's inability to fix the problem (blame it on Verizon, sure), are
> the last straws to break the Linksys camel's back. I would like to ditch
> all of my Linksys products and start fresh, but not if the new
> Belkin/D-Link/NETGEAR solution is no better. Does anyone have a strong
> favorite for reliability? The new brand will need to be able to provide
> a secure firewall to protect my network and have support that is open
> reasonable hours. Thanks for your input.
> Rick
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> View this thread: http://www.wirelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=37261
> http://www.wirelessforums.org
>

I'm new to this Newsgroup (and relatively clueless in wireless land). I
recently bought a Netgear WNR834B (802.11n) and was able to get it going in
a very simple environment (cable modem, 1 wired PC, 1 wireless PC) without a
hitch.

dave

[mavigozler]

RickVS <RickVS.33jse8@no-mx.wirelessforums.org> wrote in
alt.internet.wireless:

>
> I have a Linksys WRT54GS wireless router, a repeater, a print server and
> a card for my laptop. After years of struggling with a stable network
> (how often have I had to reset my router? Let me count the ways . . .),
> my latest experience with my print server that stopped working after 3
> days without explanation and the subsequent loss of Internet
> connectivity through my router when trying to debug the print server and
> support's inability to fix the problem (blame it on Verizon, sure), are
> the last straws to break the Linksys camel's back. I would like to ditch
> all of my Linksys products and start fresh, but not if the new
> Belkin/D-Link/NETGEAR solution is no better. Does anyone have a strong
> favorite for reliability? The new brand will need to be able to provide
> a secure firewall to protect my network and have support that is open
> reasonable hours. Thanks for your input.
> Rick

Both product quality and customer service of Linksys are abominable; we
had the WRT54GS quit on us in 45 days, and getting the RMA from Linksys,
who outsources to some place like the Ukraine or Bulgaria where no English
is spoken, was agonizing in the attempt. Unfortunately you can find even
magazine editors giving it too high a rating in their hardware reviews.

If I were you, I would google for many reviews so that you get a good
consensus of those who have owned a piece of equipment for a good long
while.

[Zeex]

Well because of bad reviews/experience I got myself D-link products and its cheaper but gets the job done.

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:49:26 -0500, RickVS
<RickVS.33jse8@no-mx.wirelessforums.org> wrote:

>I have a Linksys WRT54GS wireless router, a repeater, a print server and
>a card for my laptop.

Do they have model numbers? Extra credit for hardware mutations and
firmware versions.

>After years of struggling with a stable network
>(how often have I had to reset my router?

Years? You must be more tolerant than most. I usually toss or
replace something that's a PITA rather quickly when it starts to screw
up. Since you've had it for years, have you also upgraded the
firmware and drivers for all this Linksys hardware? Linksys is quite
good at keeping old hardware up to date with firmware and driver
updates.

>Let me count the ways . . .),

I won't stop you, but it would more interesting if you would describe
your system accurately. Numbers are always helpful.

>my latest experience with my print server that stopped working after 3
>days without explanation

There are plenty of explanations available. However, without details
as to the symptoms, it's difficult to offer an explanation. However,
it do have a clue. Wireless repeaters suck. I've had miserable luck
using them. My wild guess(tm) is that a repeater failure would
roughly explain your vague symptoms.

>and the subsequent loss of Internet
>connectivity through my router when trying to debug the print server

Ummm... how are you connected to the WRT54GS? Wired or Wireless? If
Wireless, the wireless repeater failure would also explain this
problem.

>and
>support's inability to fix the problem (blame it on Verizon, sure),

Well, you got that one correct. The first step to solving a problem
is to blame someone. I guess Verizon is as good as any to blame.
However, blaming literally everyone involved isn't going to work.
Since blaming Verizon didn't work, you're now blaming Linksys. Well,
that's a good approach, but I can assure you that you'll get no
sympathy from Linksys or Verizon support if you first blame them. I
suggest you reserve the assignment of the blame until after you've
fixed the problem.

>are
>the last straws to break the Linksys camel's back. I would like to ditch
>all of my Linksys products and start fresh,

No problem. Just pack it all up and mail it to the address in the
signature. What I can't use, I'll donate to the local thrift shop.
Incidentally, I'll probably use the WRT54GS for my coffee shop hot
spots as they run DD-WRT firmware quite nicely.

>but not if the new
>Belkin/D-Link/NETGEAR solution is no better.

Well, each manufacturer has their problems. Linksys screwed up their
products with the WRT54G v5 thru v7. v8 seems ok, so far. Belkin
doesn't bother to update their firmware, so every bug you find is
permanent. Netgear WGR614 series has been an alternating mess of
minor but irritating problems. When the router works, the wireless
doesn't. They tend to hang when fed power line glitches. Lousy
range. I haven't tried current DLink because of bad experiences with
the DWL-2100AP, which magically stopped bridging more than one PC when
used as a wireless client (after a firmware update). Some Buffalo
routers like to reset to defaults for no obvious reason. Others blow
up the wall warts. Basically, I can find something wrong with almost
every manufacturer and product. If you want quality, have your credit
card ready and buy something better from Sonicwall, Cisco, or 3com.

>Does anyone have a strong
>favorite for reliability?

Sonicwall, Cisco, and 3com.

>The new brand will need to be able to provide
>a secure firewall to protect my network and have support that is open
>reasonable hours. Thanks for your input.

Support from these vendors is NOT free.

>Rick

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
# http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS

[Mike]

When I did find something that worked from Netgear/Belkin/D-Link/Airlink it
only lasted a few years before dying. Anything I ever bought from Linksys
seemed to last. I have a modem thats been going strong for 6 years. In my
opinion the quality of Linksys went down. They have to cut costs to compete
with the cheaper brands. The Airlink stuff is half the price of Linksys