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6 Annoying Router Problems And Solutions

These days, having access to wireless broadband is an absolute necessity for home offices and small businesses. And after more than a decade of innovations, you would think that the standard wireless gateway/router would be a picture-perfect product by now.

While many routers offer good features, most still come with flaws that can make life a lot harder, such as confounding setups or limited security.

What follows are six router problems that, quite frankly, I find the most annoying. I looked for possible solutions, and while I didn't find one router that addressed all my concerns, I did discover features -- and routers -- that could make things a lot easier.

1. Difficult configuration

The problem: How long does it usually take you to set up your router? When was the last time you were able to get it right on the first try? What about when you wanted to add a new PC to your wireless network? And how about getting your wireless printer to connect to your network?

best router for comcast high speed internet , and getting the right combination of settings can be confounding. For example, even some reasonably experienced PC hands may not understand the differences between security settings or know that WPA-2 offers better protection than WEP and ordinary WPA.

These and other hitches are why setting up any router can still be vexing, even to an experienced computer user. Some, such as the Buffalo AirStation Wireless-N 300Mbps Cable Router WHR-HP-G300N ($53), have crowded menus with multiple layers that make navigation painful. Others, such as the Netgear RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router WNDR3700 ($170), rely on a protected setup that has a long series of instructions that have to be followed to get a new PC on your network.

Possible solutions: Various vendors have tried to make things simpler with easy-setup CDs or one-click connection buttons, but they can't cover every possible circumstance. Buffalo's and Netgear's setup instructions go the extra mile by explicitly detailing the order in which you need to you plug everything in before you run the CD. (Cable modems in particular should be powered on before you connect your router to them.) That's a nice touch -- but it assumes you've read the printed instructions that came with the router. When was the last time you read the manual before you plugged in your new device?

Almost all routers have Web-based configuration screens, and as long as you remember the device's IP address, default username and password (which you should have changed when you set it up), you should be able to get into the setup screens and make any adjustments you need. It's just a matter of figuring out which adjustments are necessary.

The Cisco Valet M10($100), part of Cisco's recently introduced Valet line, comes with a USB key that has the configuration software on it. Once you set up one PC on your network, you use the key to run the configuration on any other PCs or Macs (the key also includes Mac software) without having to write down the wireless encryption key or other information.

Cisco has also made it a lot easier to set up other devices, such as wireless printers, by providing a summary screen with all the relevant information about your wireless network that you can print out for easy reference when you run the setup program on the USB key.

Buffalo has a nice diagnostic routine that checks to see if you have Internet connectivity and that your router is configured properly. You run it from the Web configuration console.

Apple's AirPort Express ($99) is simple to set up and has some neat features, including the ability to share USB printers and to share audio across the network to a connected stereo receiver. You can also extend the range of your existing AirPort base station, which is something that most Wi-Fi routers can't easily do. But if you've got a Windows PC, you've got to install Bonjour, and adding a new PC to an existing network isn't as easy as it could be.

2. Enabling file sharing from your router

The problem: Why spend money on a separate network-attached storage (NAS) unit when you can use your router for sharing files? Many routers come with USB ports to which you can connect an external USB drive for simple backup or file sharing.

Sadly, although plugging in an external drive should be as easy as -- well, as just plugging in the drive -- getting that drive set up isn't always simple. The Linksys WRT610N Wireless-N Router ($200), for example, has a complex setup screen that you need to fill out when you attach a USB drive to it.

It would be nice to have software that enables the sharing without a lot of setup hassles. It should be easy to connect the computers across your network to this shared storage, by using either the router's SSID name or IP address. You also need to be able to password-protect your shared drive so that it isn't open for anyone who's connected to the network.

Possible solutions: Various routers include USB ports, such as those from Linksys, Belkin and Netgear.

It's all a matter of what software is used to configure the USB drive and whether you need anything else on the Windows or Mac client end to connect to the shared drive.

Best available routers: The Belkin N+ Wireless Router ($120) has a separate software configuration utility that works for both Windows and Mac systems and needs to be run only once to set up the external shared drive. After that, you can connect to the shared drive by entering its IP address, such as \\192.168.1.1\sharename. The product isn't perfect, though: There is no way to password-protect the files on the shared drive.

The Netgear RangeMax doesn't require any additional software and can password-protect the files. It also offers a wide variety of access methods, including FTP and Web sharing, from its setup screen.

3. Performing firmware updates

The problem: Router firmware is an important first line of security defense on your network and needs to be kept up to date. But finding firmware updates on a vendor's Web site is not for everyone, and many vendors don't make it easy.

You have to bring up your browser, go to the vendor's support site and try to track down the current version for your particular router model. You then have to download the file to your PC and upload it to your router in the right place in the router's Web control panel screen.

To complicate matters, vendors often have several different versions for each router model, because they make frequent improvements to the router, often changing chip sets but keeping the version number the same.

Possible solutions: Make the update automatic or at least easily selectable, so you don't have to go through the tortured process of downloading and uploading the file.

Check the firmware update section in each router's Web setup screens to see if the router can automatically upgrade itself.

Best available routers: Belkin's N+ Wireless and Netgear's RangeMax both have a menu-selectable software switch to enable the updates. Once this is set, you can forget about it and be confident that you will always have the latest firmware.

4. Enabling temporary wireless access

The problem: If you have visitors or needy neighbors, do you really want them to have permanent access to your entire network? Even if you trust them on your network, do you know how good their own security is? (For example, will your neighbor's notebook end up in the hands of his teenager?) If you simply give a visitor your router password, then you probably need to change this information when he leaves your home or office -- which is a real pain.

Possible solutions: A good idea would be to grant them temporary guest access that gives them just an Internet connection and nothing else on your network, such as shared drives or printers.

Vendors have begun to enable this on their routers in a variety of ways. Belkin, for example, has an option it calls "Hotel-style," meaning that users are directed to a Web landing page where they enter a special guest password. Other vendors make it easy to set up separate wireless networks just for guests. (If you use Apple's AirPort Express, on the other hand, you're out of luck -- there isn't any guest access.)

Best available routers: The USB key that you can create with Cisco's Valet can help here as well. You need to run an automated setup routine from the USB key (rather than from the Web UI) on each of your guest computers. Once you do, it will set up a separate wireless network with a different name and password that only allows Internet access.

5. Determining who is on your wireless network

The problem: Just because you think your network is secure doesn't mean that it is. It's probably a good idea to regularly check to see who is using your router -- especially if you haven't changed your router's default password. However, in a world where it's hard enough to remember to back up your computer, it's unlikely that most of us have the time or inclination to regularly check who has been on our networks.

And even if we want to, it's not always easy. Typically, most router Web UIs indicate who is currently connected, but finding this out requires digging through many menus. Sometimes the vendors hide this information under a title like "DHCP client list" and/or give you just the IP addresses and host names of current connections.

Wouldn't it be helpful if your router notified you every time someone connected? Even better, how about a historical view that shows you when and who connected to your network over the last week?

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Buyer's Guide: How To Choose A Wireless Router

A wireless router is a device that connects to your home or office modem, so that you may connect multiple devices, typically wired and wireless to your internet connection at the same time. Beyond the basic provision of wireless internet within your home or office, there are many additional features which should be considered when looking at buying a new wireless router. Please see below for the most common features of wireless routers, and read on for detailed explanations of what those features are, and how they may benefit you.

Range

The range of a wireless router is a measurement of how far (typically in feet) the signal of the router will travel. This measurement is typically determined in a lab-type setting, so you can usually expect a little less range when setting one up in your home or office. Many different things will affect the range of your router, from the physical placement near a wall or window, to interference from other devices such as cordless phones or baby monitors. Most good wireless routers are capable of broadcasting your signal to a range of around 150 feet indoors, assuming typical household conditions.

Certain wireless routers like the D-Link DIR-655 are capable of signal range up to 300 feet in your house, again - assuming perfect conditions. Range will also be affected by the type of antenna the router uses to broadcast the wireless signal. For more information about how antenna design affects wireless signal, see the antenna section below.

Single Band or Dual Band

Best router for comcast high speed internet , you are going to come across two different types - single band and dual band. The 'band' is the wireless frequency at which your wireless router outputs its' signal, and will either be 2.4 of 5GHz (Gigahertz). As you might have guessed, dual band routers will broadcast your wireless signal on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, thus giving you a more robust and quality signal.

Although a dual band router will allow you more options for delivering wireless signal in your home or office, the 5GHz signal frequency has some caveats. Firstly, the 5GHz frequency won't let your wireless internet signal travel as far as a 2.4GHz frequency signal will. Since most common household appliances don't operate within the 5GHz frequency range, you will run into less interference which is nice, but you won't be able to take advantage of that signal from too far away. The other downside to this, is that not all wireless devices are capable of accepting a 5GHz wireless signal, so not every device you own can take advantage of the added frequency.

If you have a lot of other wireless devices in your home, or live in a crowded area, you're going to want to pick a wireless router with dual band. The added level of signal quality will help to deliver your wireless internet signal to your laptop or phone without getting mixed up with the rest of the signals moving through the airwaves. Picking a router that offers dual band technology is recommended - Although not every device can take advantage of the 5GHz band, having both bands broadcast means you'll be able to serve up a wireless signal regardless of what's connecting to your router.

A, B, G, N

Wireless signals come in a few different standards, known commonly as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n. As the letter gets higher, the signal quality increases, with n being the newest standard in wireless technology. Most new devices will be capable of connecting via 802.11n, but you'll want to make sure when setting up your wireless router that you can account for older devices you may have as well. Since some devices still use the older but more popular 802.11g standard, you'll want to make sure you can broadcast both the new 802.11n signal, as well as the older 802.11g, and beyond.

802.11a - 802.11a is an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 5GHz.

802.11b - 802.11b is an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

802.11g - 802.11g is an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

802.11n - 802.11n is an IEEE wireless networking standard the specifies a maximum data transfer rate of up to 540Mbps and an utilizes MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology to increase signal quality.

Security

When you are setting up a wireless network at your home or office, you want to make sure you take your wireless security seriously. Picking a wireless router that is capable of implementing the popular security protocols will ensure that you can setup a secure wireless network that won't leave you vulnerable.

The most common types of wireless security protocols are WEP, WPA, & WPA2. Each offers certain advantages, and requires a different type of passcode to allow access.

WEP - WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is a security protocol for wireless networks that can protect data via encryption over radio waves using point-to-point transmission. A pre-shared key (PSK), or passcode, is used to allow communication between the wireless router and the endpoint (your laptop or computer).

WPA - WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is similar to WEP, however WPA further protects your wireless data transmission via encryption. WPA uses a key similar to WEP, but the benefit of using WPA over WEP is that the key is automatically encrypted, making that much more difficult for your passcode to be decoded.

WPA2 - WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) is similar to WPA, but geared toward people requiring the highest level of wireless security. WPA2 offers a much stronger encryption service by using AES or Advanced Encryption Standard.

Most wireless routers on the market today will offer WEP, WPA, and WPA2, with some routers adding additional levels of security. When it comes to keeping your wireless network secure, it's going to come down to your implementation of security measures more so than which router you choose to buy.

USB Functionality

Some wireless routers such as the Netgear WNDR4500 include a USB port that can be used for added functionality. You can choose to connect the Netgear WNDR4500's USB port to a USB thumb drive to easily share files on your network(also known as NAS - Network Attached Storage), or even hook up a printer directly to the router, and then access that printer wirelessly from any pc or laptop connected to your wireless network. Even if you don't have a direct need for this functionality right now, if you can, pick a router that has a USB port on it. Always future proof whenever you can!

Wired Ports

In addition to providing a wireless connection, most wireless routers will also provide wired ports, so that you may physically connect a nearby computer directly to the router. Computers that are physically connected to your router will benefit from increased speed and reliability, so if you are able to, it's always a good idea to get a router like the Medialink Wireless N Router that also has LAN ( or Local Area Network) ports so that you can physically connect your computer to your router.

If you find a wireless router without local network ports, make sure that it is actually a router, and not just an access point. An access point is very similar to a router, and may even look similar, however the access point will only provides wireless connection, and not the additional functionality needed to allow your computer to access the internet wirelessly. If you already have a wireless router in your home or office, you may use an access point to provide an additional source of wireless, so long as your main router provides the basic routing functions for your home network

Antenna Design

When choosing a new wireless router, you want to take into consideration the type of antenna design the router uses, which will either be internal or external. Aesthetically, a lot of the popular manufacturers are now choosing an internal antenna that is housed within the body of the wireless router.

While an internal antenna may look a little 'cleaner' than having a small external mast type antenna sticking up from the top of your router, the external mast type antennas generally give a better performance and range than a router with an internal antenna.

MIMO

MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) is a fairly new technology found in new routers which will enable you to get better speed and range from your wireless router, by allowing the wireless router to broadcast and receive multiple different signals at once. To give you a better idea of what MIMO is and how it affects your wireless router's performance, imagine how much better highway traffic flows when there are five lanes for traffic instead of just one. This is the same principle that allows MIMO to increase a wireless router's speed and performance.

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