Questions about Routers

I'm starting to believe my Router (provider by my ISP: AT&T) is not good. It hardly has Firmware updates.
it is a Motorola NVG510, and judging by the complaints. I think i should change it. But I ask though. Is there anything I can do to fix it? I get bad speed problems frequently and technicians hardly do anything about it and finally...AT&T is the only provider I can rely on, since nothing else is near my location (I'm at their mercy >_<).

If there isn't any good solutions for it. Is there some sort of router I can replace it with? I'm a noob at router networking.

 

Looks like you got a dsl connections? That router comes up as at DSL modem? I can say for one that my Netgear DSL model has done me very good til I went fiber and had to get a different router Netgear that is. So far I had good reliability with Netgear routers so far. My old DSL router worked before til the wifi side died and I got a new DSL modem and that worked excellent since until I went FIber. So if I was you get a Netgear DSL modem and then contact ATT and reset the internet so your DSL modem connects to Att and you should stop having problems getting the internet.

Here some more info about how bad that modem is....

Firmware update for Motorola nvg510 - AT&T Community Support

Motorola's NVG510 DSL modem... not very good

Motorola NVG510 DNS Timeouts, Any New Firmware Fixes? - AT&T U-verse | DSLReports Forums

 

Check out Actiontec DSL plug and play. The other is Netgear N300 (DGN3500) DSL giga router.

Note: DSL copper is going away and costing more than fiber. See if AT&T has faster services.

Actiontec GT784WN 300 Mbps Wireless-N DSL Modem Router Review:

The Actiontec GT784WN is a full featured, high performance combination ADSL modem and wireless N router from Actiontec. The GT784WN and the Actiontec wireless G model GT724WGR are two of the highest consumer reviewed DSL combo modem /routers you can buy at Amazon.

This device is compatible with virtually all major DSL service providers including At&t, Verizon, Qwest, Frontier, Centurylink, and most other DSL Internet services. Setup is simple due to the auto-detection of specific DSL provider service settings.
This enables non-technical users to setup the GT784WN with relitive ease.

Another cool feature is the MIMO Smart Antenna. This helps to improve your wireless performance and extend the range of your wireless signal while getting rid of dead or weak spots in your wireless coverage area.

 

Actually most Routers including DSL routers have this functions already for the one you buy from the electronics department not the cheap that doesn't last. My old DSL router had auto detect functions to do auto setting already for my Netgear. Unfortunately for Easy not everywhere is Fiber or Cable so DSL is the only fastest connection some can get. So one shouldn't just dismiss DSL until Fiber is everywhere and everyone has TRUE broadband connections. DSL copper was laid done sometime back so it can't really go away the technology to run it will eventually go but DSL copper is already in the ground so it can't really go away physcially.

 

So any Netgear router should do? I got AT&T U-Verse and run at lowest speed (756 kb/s). Not the fastest speed, but affordable for me.The current router simply makes the speed run at approximatly 300 kb/s or worse.

http://www.amazon.com/Medialink-Wir...ie=UTF8&qid=1383882043&sr=1-2&keywords=Router

^ i'm interested in this one btw, I just wonder if It will work with my provider. (As I said, little experience with networking)

 

Just for the record. It's always better to buy a separate ADSL modem (it has to be based on a Broadcom chip - these are by far the best ones) and a standalone router.

There are multiple reasons for it, two of the most important being - it's more flexible (if cable becomes available where you live you can use the router and a cable modem rather than replace the whole setup) the other one is - these is no (and will never be) a proper 3rd party firmware for any ADSL device because the sources for the drivers are closed. So no OpenWRT no DD-WRT etc - if anything doesn't work properly you'd have to hope manufacturer will deliver an update (a situation you are in now).

So my advice - a Broadcom based modem coupled with a router of your choosing that supports 3rd party firmware.

 

Delivering the update will most likely never happen...its like a 3 year old problem that AT&T refuses to listen, even with that huge list in the forums. >_<

 

Agree with downloads on router choices and services. Stay ahead of the curve.

Interesting Telecomm Article, click the link and read it:
Are You in a Verizon or AT&T Shut Off Zone? Will You be One of the Disconnected? Posted: 08/13/2013

Are You in a Verizon or AT&T Shut Off Zone? Will You be One of the Disconnected? | Bruce Kushnick


Article Conclusion:
About half of the US is now in danger of being turned off as they are not in the footprint of the proposed or existing upgraded territories or
they are but they 'haven't gotten to them yet'. As we have been documenting in other places, a customer can get a notice that they are
declining to fix the wires if they break from a storm or simply shut them off--even if you paid your bills.

 

So far for me when I had DSL router modem Netgear it hasn't failed me the only failure was from just being old and finally the N wifi went dead and I replaced with another ADSL modem/router and haven't had problem since then. And now I am Fiber I just need a Ethernet router and that is all the connections I need now. And that router is a WNDR3700 Netgear and is working great so far. I like to get a WNDR4000 series but my last 4000 series I read and experienced was with loss connections so I went back to the WNDR3700 and it works 24/7 no dropped signals or connections. So I attributes this problem to WNDR4000 using bad chipsets.

 

AT&T told me I can't change my router, no matter how horrible it is. :/

 

I had my WNDR3700 replaced 4 times because of connection issues.Then the WNDR3700v2 came out and the 5th replacement.

The WNDR3700v2 worked like it should paired with a Killer 1102.A WNDR3800 also worked as it should with the Killer 1102.

This combo was upgraded by me to a WNDR4500 paired with a Killer 1103 with the 3rd antenna.This also worked as it should.

Now I have a Netgear R6300 for about a year and a half.It's currently paired with an Intel AC-7260 but it worked as it should with the Killer 1103.

Now just waiting for a Killer 3x3 AC card or an Intel if it arrives 1st.

A router upgrade to a Netgear R7000 is on hold until the 3x3 AC cards are shipping.

 

I gotta ask, are you connected to wi-fi or through an ethernet cable to the router. I know the thing is horrible, but have you ruled out the possibility that the wi-fi isn't the cause of the low speeds you're getting? I know it's supposed to be wireless N, but if the networking part of the modem/router is horrible and depending on the device you have, you may just be limited by the wi-fi.

 

I actually use wireless more often.

 

Increase WiFi speed

Log into the router settings, and wireless and advanced wireless settings and select WPA2 security and AES.
WEP won't do Wireless n speeds, and WPA2 and AES will.
So you would likely see an imediate bump in performance.

In addition, if you have no "802.11 G" or "B" devices on your network, verify your router is set to performance mode, not compatibility mode.

 

Hmm... ok I got WNDR3700v4 with the latest firmware and so far it has worked very good no lost connections as my WNDR4000 was doing. I might get a WNDR4500 and give that a try and hope that unit doesn't drop connections.

 

When I got My 3700v2 it was the top of the line.For the v4 Netgear went with an Atheros AR9344 chip

I wouldn't get the WNDR4500 if I were you.It was good when it was the top but that is now the R7000 with 3 external antennas and 2.4ghz N support while AC 1900 on the 5ghz band.

Look to the future and not the past to make better use of your investment.

 

It's still 1300mbps on 5GHz band.

 

That is assuming I have AC wifi components of which I don't have and most likely those wifi card might not work in my laptop as well. So that would eliminate going AC but having no net gain. Plus cost is another factor spending all that money and not much reaped in return is a luxury. If your hardware isn't AC compatible wifi cards getting AC routers won't speed up the connections anymore then before.

 

Here is my Settings, What options do I Choose:

 

WPA2 PSK(AES) if you're using Windows 7 or 8.This setting will let you get N performance.If you use WPA PSK(TKIP) your speed may decrease to 54Mbps or lower

CompuDent News: WIRELESS: WEP vs WPA vs WPA2

B/G/N covers the bases but you could set it to N only if all the devices connecting to the router support it.Try both settings to see which yields better results.

Some older cell phones might not support N.

 

My router software even told me to use full G or N you should set to WPA2 PSK(AES) to get the full advantage of those speed.

 

You would get full g speed without using AES though - so that was a lie on your router's part.

 

Have you tried changing the setting to 40MHz to see whether you'll get better speeds?

Secondly, 768Kbps is a *very* slow speed for 2013, even over a long loop. You may want to enter your data and check the options here:

T1 Prices for T1 Lines From All The Top T1 Providers

I'm NOT suggesting to get a T-1, but this site usually offers all the alternatives available at one's address...DSL, cable etc.

It will also tell you exactly how far you are from the central office, which should shed some light on what speeds you can actually expect presuming you're interested in upgrading that aspect of your connection.

Good luck.