[WXC/VFX] WAG54GP2 + xnet fusion reliability

Forums › One NZ (including Farmside) › [WXC/VFX] WAG54GP2 + xnet fusion reliability

mhook

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#31820 31-Mar-2009 17:31

Hi,

I've not long been with the xnet VFX fusion service. When it's going it generally runs well. However,
every so often I'll be talking on the phone and the line gets cut off. Turns out that the modem has lost adsl sync.

I have a wag54gp2 with the latest firmware.

2 things concern me.

1) These use the TI chipset which one ISP in the UK claims have a bug causing them to loose sync randomly. Apparently 1/3 of all ADSL modems use this chip! has anyone else heard of this issue
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/22/zen_ar7_infineon_bt_fault/

2) Lots a bad reports about these WAG Linksys router itself. Bugs in the firmware and overheating.

I'm now locked into a 12 month contract with xnet, and the only option is the basically the router I'm using.
So far, I haven't heard back from xnet about this but I only emailed them today.

Without spending much money I want to make the connection as reliable as possible.

Here is what I'm going to try and wonder if others have done similar things. Reading this forum and it seems that lots of people have had issues.

Firstly, the modem looses sync. I have an old RTA dynlink modem, these generally just run and run. If I use that as the main router and use the WAG54GP2 as just a phone, wireless ap and have the dynalink do the routing will that improve things? I'm going to try that out tonight and will report back here on the result.

Second is more drastic. Tackle the heat issue of the router by either installing a bunch of heatsinks, a slim 40mm ball bearing fan from jaycar or both and potentially replacing the CAPS inside. Another reported weakness - poor build quality and cheap components. Has anyone tried this on the WAG54GP2? it's case looks somewhat slimmer than other Linksys routers so I'm curious about how much room is inside.

Matt

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#204504 31-Mar-2009 19:18

Place the router on it's side so the heat does not get trapped underneath. The switch mode power supply is good at coping with mains surges, not like the RTA which resets when my UPS switchs over to battery power (when doing a UPS test). Either turn off WiFi or turn down the signal strength so it dissipates less power. My RTA works well, but randomly locks up all of a sudden (after running for 1 to 2 weeks). It starts off with the modem web interface slowing down.

My setup is an RTA plus WRTP54G which is basically the same model as you have but without the modem. The WAG has too many things in one box, not a good idea if you ask me.

When we first signed up with XNet we had many sync losses. XNet was great, phoned me on my mobile and spoke for 20 minutes while they did remote line tests. Turned out Telecom was upgrading our exchange to ADSL2+ and it was the last weeks of commissioning and they were causing the loss of sync. At the end of the commissioning period the sync losses stopped. Probably not the problem you are having though.

The first RTA I had would overheat within 5 minutes from switching on. Being an electronic engineer, I've opened it and could find nothing wrong. It was brand new, so sent it in for an exchange and was given a brand new one which has worked fine for more than a year now. You can try changing the capacitors, but I do not think you will gain much. There is space to put capacitors on their side. Think you would be better off adding a small fan.

Try another modem, and also get XNet to check your line. They are quick to respond for VFX issues. Also make sure you do not have Sky or a monitored alarm causing problems.

You can never have enough Volvos!

mhook

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#204523 31-Mar-2009 20:13

Thanks for the tip Neil,

I have actually got the router on it's side. I'll see if I can get xnet to check the line as you suggest.
Last night when it kept losing sync I noticed the unit was particularly hot. As I say, I'm tempted to add a fan.

Matt

coffeebaron

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#204526 31-Mar-2009 20:23

Post the line stats of your router: sync speeds, line attenuation, noise margin
Also what's your house wiring like?
Do you have an alarm?
Do you have a dedicated feed for you N-DSL (i.e. from demarc to router and no where else)?

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mhook

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#204568 31-Mar-2009 23:13

DSL Status:     UP
DSL Modulation Mode:     GDMT
DSL Path Mode:     INTERLEAVED
Downstream Rate:     7616 Kbps
Upstream Rate:     832 Kbps
Downstream Margin:     14 db
Upstream Margin:     12 db
Downstream Line Attenuation:     16
Upstream Line Attenuation:     10
Downstream Transmit Power:     0
Upstream Transmit Power:     0

I don't have an alarm or anything else connected to the line. I have been using the wireless. How do I limit the transmit power?

Niel

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#204600 1-Apr-2009 06:12

On my WRTP under wireless -> advanced settings there is a power setting which I've set to 50% on mine.

It appears you are connected with ADSL1. If your exchange supports ADSL2+, switch to that (should automatically if you set the modem modulation to automatic). ADSL2+ dynamically changes the modem output power according to external noise etc., but only works if your exchange supports it.

You can never have enough Volvos!

kiwitrc

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#204602 1-Apr-2009 06:44

I don't have an alarm

Whats your address and do you have any thing valuable in the house :)

I have the same setup and running ADSL2 and dont have disconnection issues, mind you I hardly use the phone. One thing to be aware of though is if you are uploading flat out the WAG54 chops the hell out of your voice connection making it almost unusable. Seems you cant set the QOS on these?

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mhook

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#204607 1-Apr-2009 08:04

The advanced wireless tab doesn't have a transmit power option.

How would I set it for the WAG54GP2 (latest firmware)?

BTW Niel, I've got the modulation type set to multimode. I've tried setting it to ADSL2+ before but it didn't sync.
I don't think the exchange in Palmerston North has been upgraded for some time.

Niel

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#204724 1-Apr-2009 15:41

QoS for voice is handled internally, no settings for it.

Don't have a WAG, can't help with the WiFi power setting. I'm sure someone with a WAG will help sooner or later.

Keep on multi mode, sooner or later it will change to ADSL2+ (or fibre in 10 or 20 years time, watched the news last night?).

Ditto, careful with giving out personal details. Rather say your alarm is not monitored via the phone line.

I've been told the WAG is not the best, good for non-technical people, but not the best. But consider this as hearsay, as I do not have facts about it. I am told (informally by someone at XNet) that an RTA1320 and WRTP54GP2 is a good combination, but that was some time ago. The AG310 is cheap and good, just not wireless. There is a replacement for the WAG to be released sometime, think we have been waiting for 6 months now?

So sorry, nit much help, but do phone/e-mail XNet and tell them you are losing sync which disrupts your VFX. (VFX takes priority.)

You can never have enough Volvos!

dolsen

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#204736 1-Apr-2009 16:03

Niel: <snip>

There is a replacement for the WAG to be released sometime, think we have been waiting for 6 months now?

from http://www.xnet.co.nz/vfx/hardware.shtml

WAG310G

Successor to the WAG54GP2v2, a one-stop-shop for all your network needs
* Two standard phone jacks enabling feature-rich VoIP telephone service over your DSL Internet connection using your existing household telephones, including cordless phones
* USB functionality - connect any external harddrive and access it from any device on the network
* DSL modem (ADSL2+ ready) with a 4 Port router for multiple PC connectivity
* Connect your laptop and other mobile devices at home using the built-in Wireless-G Access Point
* Quality of Service - Calls are prioritised over the other internet traffic when networked correctly

Still no 802.11N devices though...

Niel

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#204752 1-Apr-2009 17:26

dolsen: from http://www.xnet.co.nz/vfx/hardware.shtml

WAG310G

"Availability: In stores soon!"

You can never have enough Volvos!

dolsen

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#204756 1-Apr-2009 17:39

Niel:
dolsen: from http://www.xnet.co.nz/vfx/hardware.shtml

WAG310G

"Availability: In stores soon!"

Yeah, but, it's already available on pricespy stores, looked them up last night for someone.

http://www.pricespy.co.nz/search.php?q=WAG310G

Lenovo

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Anomaly

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#205148 3-Apr-2009 14:43

Sorry if this has been said, my eyes glazed while scanning.

The worst performance issue I experienced with the WAG54GP2V2 was with the interaction between its VoIP and its WiFi. Major interruptions in call quality if any WiFi device was connected to the router at the time.

Solution from WxC and Linksys: None whatsoever. It is an issue within the Hardware so the suggestion was to upgrade to the WAG310G.

Done that, no problems since.

Now to find some sap to flog the WAG54GP2V2 to moowhahaha

BTW the WAG310G is great. Can't change its antenna though. So no range boosting ability except with separate repeaters.

Niel

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#205182 3-Apr-2009 16:42

The WRTP54G (+ modem) is also very stable with simultaneous VoIP and WiFi, including while downloading. I was upset when I bought the WAG via TM and received a WRTP, now I'm glad it happened.

Suspect the WAG310G has a fixed antenna because 1) it is a consumer product released during a time of cost cutting, and 2) I suspect there is now more strict legislation so you can not add antennas/boosters to go over the power level to which the product was EMC/EMI/FCC tested/certified (which is why WiFi uses reverse SMA connectors which were hard to find, not any more, they have to find new ways of restricting modification).

You can never have enough Volvos!

shermanp

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#205207 3-Apr-2009 19:50

Change your ADSL modulation from Multimode to G.dmt, this should help stability as the device won't keep checking for different modulation modes.
Also make sure Keep Alive is enabled.

Other than that, there isn't much more you can do apart from keeping it cool as the WAG does get very hot at times.

I have to say that my WAG54GP2V2 has been one of the more fustrating pieces of equipment I've used. Sometimes (like at the moment) it works brilliantly with decent performance and stability. At other times, for no apparent reason though, it has been VERY tempermental. I've had various problems in the past with ADSL, PPP and DHCP. At one point I couldn't log into the device at all!
Yet when it does work, it goes for weeks to months on end without issue.

mhook

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#205297 4-Apr-2009 17:13

And the reply from xnet is in summary:

See if you can RMA the WAG54G2 and replace it with a WAG310G instead.

hmmm, not terribly helpful. However, they a friend also with xnet has suggested getting the profile adjusted which will result in a small decrease in performance but will increase the noise margin and hopefully stability.

We'll see how that goes and will report back next week.

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