Router needed for Virgin 100mb

Matblack · 2 Jan 2013 at 14:22

I have a similar but different question.

I have a Virgin modem not a Superhub which I am informed will cope with speeds of 100-120 and I am in not rush to upgrade to the 'Superhub'.

I have a feeling that the router that came with the modem is limiting the speed of internal network traffic and I am keen to avoid this and be able to move files as quickly as possible between machines internally on my network.

I suspect the router is 10 or 100mb not Gigabit

Any suggestions on a new router? I do not need wireless (location of modem (cellar) makes wireless from there useless) and I'd prefer to keep the cost down.

Thanks

MB

KIA · 2 Jan 2013 at 17:42

@Matblack Why not get a switch?

ChrisD. · 2 Jan 2013 at 18:01

@OP

Asus RT-N56U.

Matblack · 2 Jan 2013 at 19:52

KIA said:
@Matblack Why not get a switch?

I'm using the wireless router as a router, the Virgin Modem goes into the router and that is where I'm opening ports etc. I presume that using a switch would remove those options and not give my network any protection, or am I wrong?

Thanks

MB

KIA · 2 Jan 2013 at 20:32

Matblack said:
I'm using the wireless router as a router, the Virgin Modem goes into the router and that is where I'm opening ports etc. I presume that using a switch would remove those options and not give my network any protection, or am I wrong?

You're wrong.

A switch is a dumb device and would give you gigabit ports.

Matblack · 2 Jan 2013 at 20:47

Ahhhhhhh

My current configuration is

Internet > VM Modem > Router > Server/ PC1/ Xbox/Home Plug/ NAS >>>>>>> Home Plug > TV/ Wireless Repeater

I think what you are suggesting is

Internet > VM Modem > Router > Gigabit Switch > Server/ PC1/ Xbox/Home Plug/ NAS >>>>>>> Home Plug > TV/ Wireless Repeater?

Retaining the router as the firewall between the internet and the rest of the network

If that is the case it makes total sense as the whole network apart from the internet and the other end of the Homeplugs is on Gigabit and the although the Internet is behind a 10/100 router its still faster the net speed. Am I right?

Thanks again

MB

Werewolf · 2 Jan 2013 at 22:02

Matblack said:
Ahhhhhhh

My current configuration is

Internet > VM Modem > Router > Server/ PC1/ Xbox/Home Plug/ NAS >>>>>>> Home Plug > TV/ Wireless Repeater

I think what you are suggesting is

Internet > VM Modem > Router > Gigabit Switch > Server/ PC1/ Xbox/Home Plug/ NAS >>>>>>> Home Plug > TV/ Wireless Repeater?

Retaining the router as the firewall between the internet and the rest of the network

If that is the case it makes total sense as the whole network apart from the internet and the other end of the Homeplugs is on Gigabit and the although the Internet is behind a 10/100 router its still faster the net speed. Am I right?

Thanks again

MB

That should do it, the thing to make sure of though is that your router can cope with the speeds, as some may have 100mbit ports but might struggle a bit with the routing at that speed (WAN to LAN), we went from a DIR 615 a few weeks back when our speed was upgraded because it was choking a bit at times (our actual connection speed is closer to 110mb than the 100mb it says on the tin).
If you want to have an idea if your router will cope with the speeds your modem is providing, do a google for the routers name on smallnetbuilder as they do some fairly good tests on things like throughput under different circumstances

We currently have the old VM 50mb (big black) modem that they issued before the superhub (it copes with our 100mbit speed fine), and we've got it setup so it goes.
Modem - Asus N66U - 3 PC's directly + an 8 port 10/100 switch to another PC/Homeplug/router in access point mode.

platypus · 2 Jan 2013 at 22:14

KIA said:
This. Create a broadband quality monitor. http://www.thinkbroadband.com/ping

Yep.

Unfortunately you're in for a world of hurt getting VM to admit there is a problem on your line.

Create the monitor, take readings for a few weeks, complain, get it logged and then complain to the CEOs office.

Matblack · 2 Jan 2013 at 22:26

Werewolf said:
That should do it, the thing to make sure of though is that your router can cope with the speeds, as some may have 100mbit ports but might struggle a bit with the routing at that speed (WAN to LAN), we went from a DIR 615 a few weeks back when our speed was upgraded because it was choking a bit at times (our actual connection speed is closer to 110mb than the 100mb it says on the tin).
If you want to have an idea if your router will cope with the speeds your modem is providing, do a google for the routers name on smallnetbuilder as they do some fairly good tests on things like throughput under different circumstances

We currently have the old VM 50mb (big black) modem that they issued before the superhub (it copes with our 100mbit speed fine), and we've got it setup so it goes.
Modem - Asus N66U - 3 PC's directly + an 8 port 10/100 switch to another PC/Homeplug/router in access point mode.

Thanks mate

It's actually the DIR-615 I have here so it looks like that might be a bottle neck then?

Probably most effective to add a gigabit switch for the Lan and then upgrade the Switch to max out the internet but I can wait until something comes up secondhand, infact something with broken wifi would be fine

MB

Werewolf · 2 Jan 2013 at 22:55

I just had a look for the 615's performance and at least in this review it seemed to have issues with more than about 60mb throughput when reviewed (later firmware may have solved it).

paradigm · 2 Jan 2013 at 23:29

Werewolf said:
I just had a look for the 615's performance and at least in this review it seemed to have issues with more than about 60mb throughput when reviewed (later firmware may have solved it).

DD-WRT.

Look at my first post in the thread. DD-WRT, DIR-615, 100Mb.

Matblack · 3 Jan 2013 at 09:35

Thanks

I actually have DD-WRT on the DIR-615 router, I must have put it on when I first got it.

This is what I have at the moment

And with new switch

MB

paradigm · 3 Jan 2013 at 09:47

Pretty much how mine is.

Original 50Mb cable modem > DD-WRT DIR-615 > D-Link DGS-1224T Gigabit Switch > Rest of house.

platypus · 3 Jan 2013 at 09:51

I like that diagram, what software is it?

paradigm · 3 Jan 2013 at 09:52

Looks like Microsoft Visio to me.

Matblack · 3 Jan 2013 at 09:58

Yes its Viso

Very easy to use even for someone with no design skill like me

MB

Matblack · 3 Jan 2013 at 10:02

Have ordered a cheap gigabit switch, if it works great, if not it's only a £15 gamble to speed up the transfer from the 3Gb NAS to the server

MB

platypus · 3 Jan 2013 at 10:14

Must be a fancy new version of Visio, it never looked like that to me!

Matblack · 3 Jan 2013 at 11:16

You can change the sets of icons to give you computer network ones

MB