Hi All.

I've been helping a local golf club with their broadband. As a result of diagnosing and resolving a VDSL disconnect problem, Vodafone supplied a replacement HG659 router. (Turned out there was a line fault.)

Internet access is working but the router, which has been running for a few days, no longer responds when pointing a browser at its LAN address for management. Also, it's wireless networks are visible but cannot be connected to. These problems persisted after a restart. (FWIW, I've seen the web access issue at another customer with an HG659b.) 

A Chorus (Downer?) tech told the staff that these routers are prone to over-heating and they need to be placed somewhere cool. It is certainly quite warm where the router is but the previous HG659, now back at Vodafone, did not have any problems with browser access or wireless. 

Furthermore,  Speedtest shows that both download and upload speeds have dropped. Download: 28Mbps, now 19Mbps. Upload 4.8Mbps, now 0.9Mbps. The tech said this may take a week to come right, I assume when DLM doing its thing.

I'm inclined to recommend that a better router is purchased (e.g., Fritz!Box 7490 or a DrayTek Vigor130 + a switch + a wireless access point). The site is semi-rural and there is no UFB present or planned.

Questions to those with experience of these routers:

 

1. Are they susceptible to problems from getting too hot, or other issues with browser access and wireless?
2. What do you recommend as a replacement?  

Thanks in advance

Scott