Routers!

I recently had to switch from one gigabit wireless router to another. Different brands, but pretty much the same functionality. I sent back my SMCWGBR14-N router because it was dropping wired and wireless connections (and I only had it since May of last year!). SMC finally agreed to give me an RMA for the router, so I decided to purchase another router so that I can have a backup once the replacement SMC arrives. I purchased a DLink DIR-655.

The DLink router (as mentioned) had much of the functionality as the SMC, but it was a little better at handling mixed speeds connections 100mbs vs. 1000mbs. So, my network is based on zones - Zone 1 is the wireless video streaming to the televisions via a media center server. Zone 2 is our VOIP (Voice over IP) box (ooma). Zone 3 is comprised of all wireless computers (5 in our house). Zone 4 is our print server. And zone 5 manages the remaining IP enabled devices from our Netgear gigabit switch.

So, I configure the DLink router identically to what I had in the SMC router. Zone 1 and Zone 2 failed to provide adequate streams and all telephone and television signals failed (much to the dismay of my family). After much playing around with the settings (QOS/WISH configurations as well as turning off a lot of bells and whistles), I finally have the DLink providing the same, if not better coverage in the house.

So, my rant is... Why can't you configure two devices that have similar settings the same and as a result they give similar performance? Why couldn't the same settings give similar results? Afterall, they are based on the same specifications and protocols.

I don't know! By the way, if anyone is interested in the configuration changes I made to the DLink DIR-655, just let me know and I will tell you what I adjusted.

Till next time ranters!