My network setup question

My question primarily relates to my Linksys router, BESFX41v2. I bought the Linksys 7-8 years ago (I think) to be used as a hardware firewall. I currently have Verizon DSL, but can only get the plan with 1.1-3 Mbps. I have a desktop computer and my Buffalo access point wired to the Linksys.

It seems to me that lately my wireless speed is slowing down at certain times of the day, so I did some tests on Speedtest.com when I got home from work. I ran the test three times on my notebook each time with the following configurations:

Modem>Linksys>access point (wireless) Averaged 2.19 Mbps
Modem>Linksys>wired to notebook Averaged 2.29 Mbps
Modem>wired to notebook Averaged 2.88 Mbps
Modem>wired to access point (wireless) Averaged 2.89 Mbps

My fastest speeds are when the Linksys router is eliminated from the network. Is this common when using a router this way, or is the Linksys aging and needs to be replaced? I like the idea of having a hardware firewall, but don't want to replace the Linksys with a new one if I'll have the same result? If the speed loss isn't because of an aging router, is there anything I can use in it's place that won't cause a loss in speed? I need at least two ports to hook up my desktop and access point. Any help and advice is appreciated.

 

It's not because Linksys is getting old, it's also most likely not caused by it's lack of processing power since your connection is way too slow to choke it.
It may be related to settings you've chosen or it may need a firmware upgrade to solve some issues.

EDIT:
Or not. This device (v1 of it) debuted in 2002 and v2 uses the same Conexant CX82100-51 CPU running at a whooping 168MHz.
Other users seem to be limited to around 2mbps too.
Proposed solutions are to disable logging ans to set up the router once again after a factory reset.

 

Downloads, thanks for the reply. I bought the Linksys for the hardware firewall when I didn't have a need for wireless. After I bought my first notebook, I added the access point. I bought a Netgear WNDR3700v2 this evening, thinking that it can replace both the hardware firewall and the access point. Hopefully I'm on the right track.

 

Good choice and yes your on the right track. You will like the WNDR3700. No need to have 2 routers in series unless you want to add lag.... Double firewalls do work but they to present other problems.

 

Blue, thanks for your help.