Netgear router MR814 What to replace it with

[CPUShack]

I currently have my computer (XP SP2) hooked up via LAN to the netgear craptastic router.

I get about 5.6mb of bandwidth.

If I plug it into the cable modem directly I get about 9.5Mb (which is what it SHOULD be)

unning the latest firmware on the router, but I suspect I just need to buy a new router.

Any great ideas?

[Unzlbunzl]

from my limited point of view, netgear routers are among the best, at least as far as stability is concerned. what part of the web offers you to transfer 9.5meg/sec?

[Qwerty]

9.5Mb ? Do you mean MBit/s or MByte/s?

IMHO the router's CPU is too slow. Especially the SPI (stateful packet inspection) requires a LOT of CPU power.
The NAT (network address translation) could also cause that kind of problems if you have many PCs connected to the router.

Try to disable the SPI or the complete firewall. What bandwidth do you get in this case? What happens if you disable the WLAN connectivity?

Not all Netgear routers are crap.
I am using a Netgear FVS318 (high end router without WLAN connectivity) and I am very statisfied with it. Only it's price was a bit unsatisfactory

[CPUShack]

I dont see an option for SPI

I need wireless for my laptop

9.5Mbit is what I get when hooked directly to my cable modem.

The extra bandwidth is nice when workin on my server, etc or other remote conection tasks.

[CPUShack]

I cant turn the wireless OFF on this router for some reason.

I think the main prob is the WLAN port (to the cable modem from the router is a 10Mbit port) so it cant handle the load.

[Qwerty]

[Qwerty]

I just downloaded the MR814's datasheet.

The WAN port your router is a 100 MBit one!

[CPUShack]

[Qwerty]

I see.

Apparently there are one European and one US version of this router.

I found this datasheet (in german language). Just look at the page 2.
ftp://ftp.netgear.de/download/MR814/datenblatt_mr814.pdf

[CPUShack]

hehe I figured I needed a new router, qustion is who makes a good one.

I dont need 802.11n, just G wireless and be able to support my WAN

[Qwerty]

Most routers for home use can't handle a 10 MBit internet line without massive performance decrease. Unfortunately the manufacturers don't publish the WAN-LAN throughput values for their routers for home use. The only possible solution to this problem is to buy-and-try.

IMHO you should take look at the routers designed for small business use. They are usually of a better quality and have a much higher performance than the ones for home use. Unfortunately their prices are higher. Their WAN-LAN throughput values are known because the manufacturer published them.

Here are the WAN-LAN throughput values of some Netgear routers.
Taken from: http://www.netgear.de/Privat/Router/matrix.html

- FVX538 and FVS338 - about 90 MBit/s
- FVG114P and DGFV338P - about 50 MBit/s
- FVS114, FVS124G, FVS318 and FVG318 - 11.5 - 12.5 MBit/s

You could save some money if you take a "wired" version of the router and use your old router as an additional switch and a WLAN access point.
You can place the old router somewhere to achieve an optimal WLAN coverage. Another benefit of this solution - you can upgrade your wireless LAN without replacing the expensive router


You should also take a look at the D-Link small business products. I don't have a D-Link router, but I have some very high quality switches and NICs.
I personally wouldn't recommend a router made by AVM. I heard they have a great functionality but a poor reliability.


If you have an old PC around (at least PII) you can use it as a very powerful router / firewall. There are special Linux distributions for such purposes. You don't need to install and configure the Linux on this PC. It comes on a bootable CD with a preconfigured router, firewall, proxy, content filter, logger and IDS/IPS services.

[CPUShack]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G#WRT54GS

seems to be the #1 rated router, witha 200MHz CPU it should handle 10Mbps

[Marcin]

I recommend Linksys routers (Netgear are one of the bests too in my opinion). If you don't need "n" this should be ok : Linksys WRT54GL

[Qwerty]

I never used a network device made by Linksys, therefore I can't say anything good or bad about it.

I heard the versions 1.0 - 3.0 of the WRT54GS were quite good, and the newer ones (with less RAM and ROM) are a bit unstable.
Try to purchase an older one if you will be able to find it in NOS condition.

[Chiefish]

I have always used Lynksys routers in my home and others i have set up for people, i never had any trouble with them with the exception of having to update the firmware so someone could enter thier companies website. I have never really mesured thier thoroghput but they have all seemed like no lag to me.