Linksys Firmware Upgrade

Hi Everyone.
I have, WRT54G v8.2 and WRV54G Linksys Routers. I am running the 54G at the present in a large house. It drops connections often so I am contemplating a firmware upgrade. In researching the possibilities I am seeing lots of references to DD-WRT and Sveasoft Talisman. I have read cautions about changes in the chipsets of the WRT54G leaving me in doubt about what firmware to use or whether to even try it. Nothing is mentioned about the WRV54G which I bought because it is VPN enabled. What I would like to do is to mesh the two routers and to possibly enable a VPN remote connection. We run both PCs and Macs with PCs being most important if that makes any difference. Thanks for any information and advice that you can give. - Valzan

 

Rather than even think about messing with the firmware, you're better off learning how to setup your Router so you don't have drops. Your router might not be the problem anyway.

There's a great program called Speed Meter Pro that you can use to track problems in your network. Although it's only $50, you can download a full trial version as well. You can get it here at Linksys.

Give it a try first before going through the stuff below.

There are 3 reasons for increased drops - low input signal, Router settings, and inadvertently connecting to the wrong network.

SIGNAL PROBLEMS

Anytime you add another device to your broadband system, the overall signal output drops (if you know anything about electrical theory, this is due to voltage drop over a cable - each device increases resistance, and adds to the voltage drop). At some point you'll reach a level where the signal is too weak to stay connected. To alleviate this, adding a line amplifier directly onto your broadband cable at the input terminal (where it comes into your house and before it branches out) to boost the signal. If you have more than 2 cable boxes and other devices connected to your cable, or if your cable length is a long distance from the street connection, you should have one anyway.

ROUTER SETTINGS

The usual culprit. Linksys will tell you, however, that if you have any problems with Router function the first thing you should do is to flash your Router firmware with the current version (even if you have the current version). It can be done from the Setup area of your Admin Panel (Setup-Administration).

Encrypted Security (WEP/WPA) is notorious for server and connection drops, especially for online gaming. If you're using WEP, first try switching to WPA. Personally I don't use either one - I use MAC address filtering because I used to have a lot of server drops when gaming online. Not anymore.

NAT (Network Address Translation) - Make sure your NAT is enabled. Some online services use it for communication.

CORRECT NETWORK CONNECTION

Many people fail to change their SSID's, leaving the default in place. Problem with that is when you're in a neighborhood, you run the chance of others hav ing the same type of router with the same default SSID - in your case, Linksys. If you don't change the SSID to a unique name, it's easier than you think to connect to a neighboring network. If your system is set to automatically connect to a network with Linksys as the SSID, a neighboring network with a stronger signal will cause your system to connect to it and not yours.

SSID - Wireless Panel of your router, enter a unique name then enable SSID broadcasting.

 

Hi and thanks for your quick reply. The connection that I'm having a problem with is the wireless connection to my laptop. The wired connections are rock solid. To follow up on your suggestions which are totally on target. I do have a switch in my home office which is about 80 feet (maybe 120 feet of wire - the ethernet limit is 328 ft). All of the network equipment is within six feet of the demark. The wireless router although in the basement is only about fifteen feet from where I typically sit with the laptop (dining room) It's a typical house with wooden floors etc so there shouldn't be a problem as you might find with rebar reinforced concrete. The SSID has always been different than the default and the drops occur with WEP on or off. We live in the country and the only wireless network that I see is mine. The house is about 80 feet long which is why I thought having my second router meshed on the other end of the house might help because there are walls in the basement. One of the biggest reasons for considering a firmware upgrade is it supposedly increases signal wireless strength. Any further suggestions? Thanks, Valzan