Do Routers Fail??

[Joe]

I have a small home network with 3 desk computers and 1 laptop.

The desk computers are connected through a switch. When I added the
laptop, I added a wireless router.

The cable modem is plugged into the wireless router. The wireless
router is plugged into the switch.

This has been working well for two years. In the last few days, I have
been having problems connecting to the internet. I will connect and
then 1-2 hours later I am unable to connect.

By trial and error, I found if I unplug the wireless router, and plug
it back in, I have my network for the next few hours.

Any thoughts??

Thanks in advance.

Joe

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have a small home network with 3 desk computers and 1 laptop.

The desk computers are connected through a switch. When I added the
laptop, I added a wireless router.

The cable modem is plugged into the wireless router. The wireless
router is plugged into the switch.

This has been working well for two years. In the last few days, I have
been having problems connecting to the internet. I will connect and
then 1-2 hours later I am unable to connect.

By trial and error, I found if I unplug the wireless router, and plug
it back in, I have my network for the next few hours.

Any thoughts??

Thanks in advance.

Joe

I see several home wireless router failures a year among my consulting
clients.

If only one computer has trouble connecting, the problem is probably
with that computer. If most or all of the computers have trouble
simultaneously, the problem is probably with the router.

I rarely see a cable modem fail.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Jim]

I have a small home network with 3 desk computers and 1 laptop.

The desk computers are connected through a switch. When I added the
laptop, I added a wireless router.

The cable modem is plugged into the wireless router. The wireless
router is plugged into the switch.

This has been working well for two years. In the last few days, I have
been having problems connecting to the internet. I will connect and
then 1-2 hours later I am unable to connect.

By trial and error, I found if I unplug the wireless router, and plug
it back in, I have my network for the next few hours.

Any thoughts??

Thanks in advance.

Joe

Yes, routers do fail. Whether that is your problem or not is another
question. Perhaps it is getting too hot.
Jim

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
And as funny as it may sound for few days it can even be an ISP problem that
would go away in a while.
As for the Router, sometimes refreshing the Firmware with whatever is the
latest firmware on the Brand's support site can stabilize the Router. In
addition log to the Router's menu and make sure that the IP lease time is
max, or and kept alive all time.
Unfortunately there are situations that when an individual does not have
spare units (parts) it is a longer trial and error process.
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Ron Storey]

I have a small home network with 3 desk computers and 1 laptop.

The desk computers are connected through a switch. When I added the
laptop, I added a wireless router.

The cable modem is plugged into the wireless router. The wireless
router is plugged into the switch.

This has been working well for two years. In the last few days, I have
been having problems connecting to the internet. I will connect and
then 1-2 hours later I am unable to connect.

By trial and error, I found if I unplug the wireless router, and plug
it back in, I have my network for the next few hours.

Any thoughts??

Thanks in advance.

Joe

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Hi Joe,

A similiar problem happened to me recently and I reset the wireless router
(you will need to look at your user manual, but your router should have a
reset button on it and if held for several seconds it will reset all the
settings to default). After resetting my router I then re-configured my
security settings and everything has been fine. Although this may not
resolve your problem, it is a suggestion that is easy to attempt, and I have
learned to always rule out the simplest solutions first and work up to the
more difficult solutions.

-- Ron Storey

 

[RalfG]

Yes, routers can fail.
Seems that in your setup the switch is redundant, but anyway, your router
symptom is also something that is commonly caused when running P2P programs.
Many models of router are subject to it. These programs are capable of
opening too many ports too quickly for the router to handle which can
eventually crash the router. Sometimes the router may reboot spontaneously
and you might not notice, other times it may block communications
completely, requiring a router reset.

Another scenario that can cause your symptom is if your router has been hit
by a DOS (denial of service) attack. They can come quite frequently when P2P
is being used, but also when it isn't. Besides finding you by random
scanning for active IPs, if your ISP provides dynamic IP addressing and your
IP rolls around to one that was recently used by someone who was running P2P
the attackers may still be hitting that IP address. Other than updating
your router firmware to the most recent version there isn't much else you
can do about it, AFAIK.

 

[Joe]

Just want to say thank you to all. I ended up upgrading the firmware
and now everything seems to be working just great. 12 hours and still
going strong.

I appreciate the advice and tips that so many are willing to share.

Joe