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rb_kirk · Oct 27, 2004, 09:48 AM

I'm running a wireless router at home, a Netgear WGR614 v2. Two macs, a PM G5 and a PB G4, are connected through Airport Extreme cards. Both macs have OS X 10.3.5 with latest updates, latest firmware on router, DHCP on one mac, direct IP on the other. Internet via ADSL, 2.5 Mbs downstream and 786 kbs upstream.

Under "normal" use, like browsing, chatting, mailing and minor downloads/uploads everything is fine. When load on my network increases with longer periods of heavy traffic (like uploading/downloading large files), problems with the router appear. If I download and upload simultaneously, with speeds close to maximum, and then start browsing, chatting or sending email, Internet access suddenly cuts off. The Airport menu item still shows that the network is "alive" but when first turning off Airport and then on again the network is nowhere to be seen.

Restarting the mac doesn't help, only thing to do is to restart the router. All is fine for awhile but then it "chokes" again after extended period of heavy traffic. At first I suspected overheating of the Airport card but symptoms are the same on both macs. And shouldn't access be restored when the card was reset by turning Airport on/off or restarting the computer?

This behaviour is driving me crazy, does anyone have a clue what's going on here? Could it be the ADSL connection that somehow causes the router to hang? A known bug in the Airport software? Thing is that I've tried with an Airport Express as a router and the same problems appear on heavy load, so I've practically ruled the Netgear out as a culprit.

Please help! /kirk

John Strung · Oct 27, 2004, 01:43 PM

See if there is a setting in your router to change the MTU from 1500 to 1492.

Also check the Netgear site to make sure you have the latest firmware for the router.

ginoledesma · Oct 29, 2004, 06:43 AM

I've experienced the exact same thing (and I'm only on a supposedly 512Kbps connection, usually less). Moreover, its not unique to the WGR614 (I have a v4). I've experienced the same thing on the older MR814v2.

The behavior in my case is that while the signal is alive, the internal interface no longer responds. When I try to ping 192.168.0.1 (its internal IP), I get no reply.

Check this thread out to see if the solution posted there works. Though not entirely similar to your situation (the router here "freezes"), it may help.

rb_kirk · Oct 30, 2004, 10:11 AM

Changing the MTU doesn't help and firmware is the latest. Stressing the network through LAN presents no problems, it's the WAN that "freezes" the router (even if the LED says nothing is wrong). Reading the mentioned thread tells me that I may have to bring out my wallet to get another more reliable router

Either that or put the damn thing into the fridge...

Thanx for the input!

l008com · Nov 3, 2004, 06:54 PM

FYI I used to have an MR814 adn I upgraded to a WGR614 and I've never had problems with either of them. I have comcast cable btw.

GCW · Nov 4, 2004, 12:41 AM

I have a WGR614v1 and had an seemingly identical problem (although I never tied it directly to heavy use). I sent email to NG tech support and they recommended I upgrade to the 1.40 beta firmware rev. Before the upgrade it happened several times a week. Since upgrading it has happened only once or twice (in the past 4 months). So, in my case I am fairly confident it was/is the NG router.

I know this doesn't help you, since you've got the v2 and are running the latest build. The only thing I can say is to contact tech support. They were very responsive to me (even if it was just recommending that I install the beta firmware).

If it is any help, the Ethernet ports always worked just fine for me, it was only the wireless that got freaked out periodically. If you can directly connect your G5 to the router via Ethernet, then you may be able to immediately eliminate the problem for at least one of your Macs. Also, you can use that Mac to remotely reset the router, just go to the config page and modify a setting (like the wireless channel).

rb_kirk · Nov 12, 2004, 07:41 AM

Got no problems with the LAN ports either, it's only the WAN that dies. It has gotten worse since this tuesday when I got a new ISP (with higher speed), don't know if that's related or if it's just the router's way of saying goodbye...

Since I bought the router for wireless use it's not an option to run my macs through LAN only, and it's easier to reset the router by pulling the plug than to fiddle with the web interface. I'll try the NG tech support a last time, but I've already set my eyes for either a Linksys or a 3Com. Anyone with experience of either of those?

l008com · Nov 12, 2004, 08:14 AM

yeah linksys are the worst routers on earth. I use my netgear just through the wireless and one LAN port so i skip my WAN port all together

ginoledesma · Nov 12, 2004, 10:11 AM

I've been hearing very good feedback about the Linksys WRT54G with the custom firmware. So with the D-Link DI-624+. I've not had much experience with the 3com APs, but most of them seem to be using one of the more common chipsets (usually Broadcom).

stevesnj · Nov 12, 2004, 09:40 PM

Originally posted by GCW:
I have a WGR614v1 and had an seemingly identical problem (although I never tied it directly to heavy use).

I have the same router and problem, I've upgraded and downgraded firmware and it is still not great. AIM and yahoo constantly just stop and I have to sign in again. I just bought another NETGEAR router cause I can't take this anymore I don't like LINKSYS And D-LINK well it is just the worst. Netgear isn't the greatest but its better then all the others.