The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
WRT54G woes - torrents and port forwarding
LoneIgadzra
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I have a Linksys WRT54G version 3 (I think 3.0) wireless router. It seems to be fairly competent except for two irritating things:
1) Torrents kill it. For some reason not so much if I run them from different computers, but they still bring it to its knees. (In particular uTorrent on my PC desktop never goes very fast and always causes the network to be unusable, while Transmission on my MacBook Pro always cruises at max speed and doesn't screw up the internet as much. I can't think why this would be.) I've heard this is due to the router caching connections for too long, but I've tried drastically reducing the number of connections that uTorrent opens on my PC, and it still causes instant death of the network. I've disabled universal plug and play support on the router too.
2) Port forwarding page only supports so many entries (some game servers need several ranges to be open), and only then to a specific IP address. All well and good, but there's no way to tell this router to always give certain computers a specific IP address that I can find. So I'm stuck manually entering IP's on certain computers, (which also requires me to enter DNS info, irritatingly) and since Windows XP doesn't have a location manager it can be a huge bitch to move my laptop between networks.
I've tried checking out different firmware, but the community is so technically-minded I can't figure out what any of it actually does or if it fixes my problems. I don't want to prematurely commit to something that could brick my router.
Can anyone help me out here?
Side note: My firmware version on the configuration page reads as 4.30, but the latest available for download from Linksys is 4.21. O_o
1) Torrents kill it. For some reason not so much if I run them from different computers, but they still bring it to its knees. (In particular uTorrent on my PC desktop never goes very fast and always causes the network to be unusable, while Transmission on my MacBook Pro always cruises at max speed and doesn't screw up the internet as much. I can't think why this would be.) I've heard this is due to the router caching connections for too long, but I've tried drastically reducing the number of connections that uTorrent opens on my PC, and it still causes instant death of the network. I've disabled universal plug and play support on the router too.
2) Port forwarding page only supports so many entries (some game servers need several ranges to be open), and only then to a specific IP address. All well and good, but there's no way to tell this router to always give certain computers a specific IP address that I can find. So I'm stuck manually entering IP's on certain computers, (which also requires me to enter DNS info, irritatingly) and since Windows XP doesn't have a location manager it can be a huge bitch to move my laptop between networks.
I've tried checking out different firmware, but the community is so technically-minded I can't figure out what any of it actually does or if it fixes my problems. I don't want to prematurely commit to something that could brick my router.
Can anyone help me out here?
Side note: My firmware version on the configuration page reads as 4.30, but the latest available for download from Linksys is 4.21. O_o
LoneIgadzra on
0
Posts
- Maximum Ports: 4063
- TCÅ Timeout (in seconds): 120
- UDP Timeout (in seconds): 120
Those two things have kept me very happy with my router so far, and I haven't had problems with Bittorrent (or any other P2P service) since setting it up like this
Just remember to open up a command prompt (assuming windows here) and type "ipconfig /all" before you do this so that you can write down your default gateway and DNS server addresses.
Re: #1, whatever you decide to do with firmware or whatever, open up your bittorrent client and limit global connections to about 200. With most commercial routers, pushing anything beyond that just slows down the whole process. (My roommates and I do this on our WRT54G because if we all tell bittorrent to go hog wild then when I download a torrent then they have trouble making connections and vice versa. With a limit on the number of connections we seem to maintain a decent quality of service.)
I read through the installation guide at the DD-WRT site. But it makes it seem like anything can happen when flashing it to DD-WRT.
Also, can I set iptable commands with DD-WRT?
The chances of bricking are extremely slim if you do everything right. Like I said, HyperWRT is simpler, it just requires flashing the firmware, not resetting all kinds of stuff. And yes, you can set iptables commands. The firmware runs on Linux, so you can do all of that fun stuff.
PSN: super_emu
Xbox360 Gamertag: Emuchop
DD-WRT is working great for me, though.
Everything seems to be running well. Should I reset the router in anyway after flashing, or is it fine like that?
Will I get a nasty surprise if I let it run without resetting (Like the router bricking itself on a reboot/power failure)?
I know how to do this, but as I said in the OP it's a pain in the ass when I'm moving a computer, especially one running Windows, between networks.
Anyway, thanks for all the help, DD-WRT is awesome!
Just an FYI:
Setting a TCP timeout so short can lead to unexpected problems in other areas for programs that expect to have an open idle connection. A good example is IRC. Many servers only send heartbeat pings every few minutes to make sure you're still connected. If you have had no traffic over the port in two minutes your router will automatically close the port down, and your client will have to reconnect. I suggest a 15 minute (900 sec) limit, as it is a sane heartbeat interval for most applications.
3DS Friend Code: 2707-1614-5576
PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!
I don't really understand any of this IP changing or anything, so please do talk to me like an idiot.
Any help is much appreciated, as my connection with the WRT54GS 3.0 has been deplorable.
Then follow the instructions at this link:
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT54G/GL/GS/GX
Make sure you read all the instructions first, as you will be without an internet connection till your setup is done. If you use PPPoE (many DSL connections) make sure you know your username/password for it. If it's a simple DHCP setup (most cable providers), then it should be just plug and play.
3DS Friend Code: 2707-1614-5576
PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!
I recently picked up a D-Link DGL-4300 for really cheap at Fry's (~$65, yay sales!), a so called "gaming router". That aside, the thing has been rock steady for me. Easy to set up and use, and the wireless has better range, speed, and consistency.
I also am a big fan of DD-WRT and I have setting similar to this. The only problem I've ever had with these settings is for BF2142, it tends to drop my connection to the login server of 2142 due to the low timeout time. Oh, the only affect is having to log back into my 2142 account after i disconnect from a server. It's nothing major, just annoying.
My torrents run great though
Dunno where you got this, but they have pretty much been the standard for home networking for the past few years. I even use them for our smaller office and home users without any trouble.
Out of the box, with minor config changes, they are fantastic routers. With the hacked firmwares, they just flat out rock. When our firewall died, we used a stock 4-port linksys router to hold us over while we waited for an official replacement. This was for a multi-site, 80-user network.
NintendoID: Nailbunny 3DS: 3909-8796-4685
If you are a complete n00b, so to speak, then make sure that you read everything you can before flashing your router's firmware. I consider myself to be pretty damned knowledgeable when it comes with networks and networking hardware and I'm still using the WRT54G factory firmware (updated to current version) because, well, if it ain't broke there's no need for me to fix it.
As far as maintaining a static IP address, here's the step by step from Windows ... if you're on another OS let me know and I'll give you the step by step for that (though not much changes).
(1) grab a pencil & sheet of paper, then open a command prompt (start -> run -> cmd). Run "ipconfig /all" It'll spit back a lot of generally useful information. Write down the addresses next to Default Gateway and DNS Servers.
(2) Open up the router's config. On the start page there's a setting called "Starting IP Address". You don't have to change it, just make note of it. You're gonna set your IP address to be one lower than that one. For now, let's assume it's 192.168.1.100 (the default)
(3) In windows, open up Network Connections (may be inside Control Panel). Right-click on "Local Area Connection" and open Properties. On the list, select "Internet Protocol" and then click on the button for Properties.
(4) In the window that comes up, click on "Use the following IP address", fill in the IP address you want, which should be lower than the Starting IP Address from your router. In this example, the Starting IP Address was 192.168.1.100, so you would fill in 192.168.1.99 in this field. Subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0. And for default gateway put in the address you wrote down in step 1.
(5) You might notice that it wants you to fill in the DNS addresses now also. Fill in the DNS Server address(es) you copied from step 1. If you only have one address, don't worry. The second one is just a backup in case the first one fails.
(6) click OK, then OK again to save the settings.
And that's it. You should now have a static IP address that doesn't conflict with anything on your network. Now head into your router settings and change all your port forwarding.
This is exactly what my old linksys router used to do. I replaced it with the WRT54G and have had no problems since. My theory, considering how many all-over-the-board problems people report, is that Linksys just has a high non-fatal defect rate. Whether your linksys router works or not seems to be almost up to chance.
I know it can lead to trouble, but in all the time I've had this router I've almost never had a problem with it dropping out so it would appear that the settings works for my use..thankfully
Yeah, those settings works very well for both torrents and other P2P networks. Though, I could probably increase my settings as I have never managed to saturate the ports.
Useful tip; there's no need to write down the settings manually, when you can do it the easy way and be absolutely sure that you get everything right. Just open a command prompt and enter the following: That will leave you with a nice .txt file on your desktop with all the settings you'll need
Just did it in about half an hour and I've got to say, it's looking great so far. The only problem I have is that when trying to apply settings in Firefox (2.0.0.6 on Ubuntu Feisty) it tries to save apply.cgi and doesn't actually apply the settings. Works fine in Opera though so not a huge problem, just slightly annoying. Anyone have any ideas?
You're probably right, but hey, luck counts for a lot, and I seemed to get really unlucky with Linksys products for over two years. I can be fairly superstitious and a lot of what I base on the components I buy is on their personal reliability to me in the past.
For this same reason I am on the verge of buying power supplies that aren't Antec and video cards that aren't BFG, though BFG's lifetime, no questions asked warranty has saved my ass and wallet more than a few times. It's not that they're bad, but I've had bad luck with them over the years. XFX and eVga have proven quite reliable for me, though, as well as Cooler Master and Thermaltake for power supplies.
I've got the WRT54G, I've got DD-WRT on it. I've been using the wireless for 360/PS3/Wii, but now it seems like my signal strength is getting pretty crappy.
I've had the thing for about a year-and-a-half, and for about the past year, I've had the output power cranked up a bit (I don't remember how much, but it was still quite a bit under the "safe" upper limit) but now it just doesn't seem to be reaching as far. My PS3 is getting a signal strength of about 30%... which sucks. My Wii also seems to have trouble connecting on a regular basis.
From the router to my game room is about 40 feet, and up one floor. I want to get a hard line installed, but I just haven't had the time.
Will a repeater or something help solve my troubles? I just want to get the signal up to an acceptable range. Is there something you guys would recommend?
Don't get the Linksys repeater, they have notorious problems with connectivity. If you have to use a repeater, you can usually set up another router/access point to be a repeater. Keep in mind, however, that repeaters cut the speed of the link in half to anything linked to the repeater. Latency goes up as well.
40 feet is a bit far, especially if you're going through walls and what not. You might want to try getting a higher gain antenna, or try this...
http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template/
...this works really well and is a really cheap and easy solution, especially if you don't necessarily need 360 degree coverage.
There are also solutions that use your home's electrical wiring for ethernet transmission, but I don't know how that works or how well it works.
The linksys routers work fine right out of the box with the basic features a home user would need, but if you are more advanced and need to assign static IPs through DHCP, or have a massive list of port forwards, then the hacked firmwares open up those capabilities. This doesn't even take into account the advanced features the hacked firmwares open up, features that you'd typically only find in high end devices like those from Cisco.
NintendoID: Nailbunny 3DS: 3909-8796-4685
The Wiki page on WRT54G is pretty informational.
I personally have a v8 WRT54G (the latest?) and it excludes me from a lot of the custom firmware (Linksys lowered the memory capacity) but I find it to be one of the best routers I have ever had. My Netgear one would fucking overheat and break net connections.
Fuck you Netgear!