Wirelsss Router Problems USRxx8054

[Tony Coyle]

My USR808054 keeps dropping the wireless connection... Happening at least
every second day.

I have configured WEP (128 bit) & enabled MAC Access filtering (limited to
my laptop & desktop) and I'm running in G mode only.

However... the only way I can recover the device is to do a hard
reset...which takes me back to a wide-open network mode. NOt an ideal
situation.

Does anyone have any info on known problems with this router???

 

[Hactar]

My USR808054 keeps dropping the wireless connection... Happening at least
every second day.

I have configured WEP (128 bit) & enabled MAC Access filtering (limited to
my laptop & desktop) and I'm running in G mode only.

However... the only way I can recover the device is to do a hard
reset...which takes me back to a wide-open network mode. NOt an ideal
situation.

Does anyone have any info on known problems with this router???

You're the third person I've noticed report problems with this model in this
newsgroup since September (counting me). How many USR8054 users _don't_ have
problems?

Mine drops connection much more frequently than that, up to several times an
hour, so you're not too bad off, relatively speaking.

What firmware revision are you using? I'm using 1.17 and 64-bit WEP (MAC
filtering not used). I have one 802.11b client, three directly-connected
wired clients, and the fourth wired LAN port goes to an 8-port hub (uplink
port on the hub).

You might try disabling WEP just for a test, to see if the router still
acts up.

 

[GuitarMan]

You're the third person I've noticed report problems with this model in this
newsgroup since September (counting me). How many USR8054 users _don't_ have
problems?

I have a USR8054 and have no problems with it.

Mine drops connection much more frequently than that, up to several times an
hour, so you're not too bad off, relatively speaking.

Try resetting the router and see if it continues. Mine doesn't keep
disconnecting.

What firmware revision are you using? I'm using 1.17 and 64-bit WEP (MAC
filtering not used). I have one 802.11b client, three directly-connected
wired clients, and the fourth wired LAN port goes to an 8-port hub (uplink
port on the hub).

I'm also using 1.17 which is the only one available for the router.
I have 4 wired and 3 wireless and all run smooth with no problems.

You might try disabling WEP just for a test, to see if the router still
acts up.

Worth a try but you shouldn't have to disable WEP.

 

[Hactar]

Try resetting the router and see if it continues.

Good idea, but I've reset it several times in the past. Also power-cycled
it, and replaced the firmware.

Worth a try but you shouldn't have to disable WEP.

I agree, but it's only for testing.

 

[GuitarMan]

Good idea, but I've reset it several times in the past. Also power-cycled
it, and replaced the firmware.

Hactar,
Where is your router located at? I used to have mine in the basement when I
first got it and couldn't connect or got drop-offs. I then moved it to the
2nd floor in our dining room area and can now connect from anywhere in the
house. The higher the placement the better. Might be another idea to try.
The nice thing is with having DSL at home, I can move it anywhere I want.
Here's another tidbit if your handy with cabling/wiring and have DSL. Change
all your inside phone cabling to CAT5 cable it's actually easy to do.

I agree, but it's only for testing.

got it....try the above ideas and see what happens. Post back and let me
know.

 

[Hactar]

It's not just a weak signal. Before and after the interruption, the 802.11b
signal is very strong (I used to have some utility from IBM which would
assign a number to it, but it won't work, so I'll just say 'five bars in the
connection status'). Then the router stops transmitting packets. Then, my
received strength drops to zero. (It could be that the received strength
drops to zero at the same time packets stop being transmitted, and I just
have lag in the display). Usually, the router resumes normal operation
at this point. Sometimes, it contines acting like a brick to wired clients
too, and I have to power-cycle it.

Where is your router located at?

Computer room (bedroom #2, single-floor house, no basement [it's Florida]).

/
+-------- ----+
| |
| |
| * |
| |
| \ front
+---- + |
/| |
| |
| |
+-------+

The higher the placement the better.

It's about at head height. The nearest metal to it is a computer case ~2m
away.

The nice thing is with having DSL at home, I can move it anywhere I want.

Unfortunately, I have cable. :-(

 

[Tony Coyle]

All

Thanks for the conversations...

some more info.

My HP laptop has a broadcom 54g (WL450) built in... I haven't set up my
desktop yet (that will use a USR 11.g card)... maybe I'll have more success
debugging this when that is online.

I noticed (wierd) that it stays up if I leave the SSID = USR5054 (I had it
set to another value..)

Also... If I don't broadcast the SSID, I can't connect (even in adhoc).

however... this is the third evening with access (albeit WEP is off... but
MAC filtering is on)... I only run sessions with secure encryption
wireless... for banking/shopping I run a wire...

I'll update with any further developments.... (roll on WPA).

 

[Tony Coyle]

All

More issues come to light!

Without WEP (hopefully not for long) the wireless stays up...

However, the router fails to hold on to the cable modem... eventually the
WAN conection goes dead... the only solution is to restart the router
(restarting the modem is ineffectual).

I've replaced the cables between the modem & the router.. no change in
symptoms.

This happens on a daily basis... Looking at my host info directly, I get the
DHCP lease from my ISP for 24hrs... the router is not re-negotiating the new
DHCP correctly.

The modem is self-branded from my provider (Cablecom in Switerland). It is
a model 60194E-A12 ... branded as a DCM02.

I do NOT want to go to a static IP from my provider.... been there & don't
like the time I had to spend defending against attacks...

Any thoughts / suggestions are appreciated.