Linksys WAG160N and Apple devices

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bitserf

84 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

Topic # 68342 19-Sep-2010 20:27

I'm not holding out too much hope now, but, given they're still inflicting these devices on an unsuspecting populace for way too much money, perhaps someone else is in my situation as well.

Configuration:

- WPA (tried WPA2, even less success)
- Public SSID
- Mixed mode (N+G)

My network:

* 3 month old MacBook Pro using WiFi, working fine.
* 3 year old MacBook Pro using WiFi, not working fine.
* 2 week old iPhone 3GS using WiFi, not working fine.

The old MacBook Pro and iPhone lose connectivity to the wireless network after 25-30 minutes, requiring that I turn the wireless on and off on the phone or laptop before it works again.

I had the same with my iPhone 3G back in the day, thought it was a hardware problem, but now I really doubt it. The 3GS works fine on any other WiFi network I use it on. Will soon see when my iPhone 4 arrives whether I have the same problem.

Additionally, anything using Bonjour (iTunes sharing, and some of my iPhone apps' syncing) causes the router to crash. Also, Bonjour only works (at all) after the first reboot of the router for a couple of hours, after which the Bonjour applications can't see each other any more.

Yes, latest available firmware, which in true Linksys fashioned hasn't been updated for yonks.

Any ideas before I introduce this POS to my trusty baseball bat and revert to the old 3Com Office Connect that never gave nearly as much trouble? That thing just kept on going and going.

Lesson learned, next time I'm in the market I'll buy an AP that does only that, wireless, and a router that does only one thing, route internet traffic, and a gigabit switch for wired devices.

tigercorp

621 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 382017 19-Sep-2010 21:10

3Com Office Connect that never gave nearly as much trouble? That thing just kept on going and going.

JeffBallweg

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 390865 12-Oct-2010 12:11

I have a Linksys WAG120N and it seems to have the same issues with Bonjour. I 'upgraded' from the Telecom wifi router to get better reliability, and while the internet connection is stable, anything that uses Bonjour won't work a few hours after the router is rebooted.

So that means no iTunes sharing, iPhone can't find Apple computers and vise versa, can't share or stream media between these devices. Windows can't print to a printer attached to the Mac. I suspect this is going to be more of an issue once more people have Apple TVs out there.

Here's what I found, FWIW:
A long thread on Linksys' forum where they all say the same thing: Bonjour doesn't work with WAG160N.
This thread on Apple's forum where everyone also says the same thing: Bonjour doesn't work with WAG160N.

Maybe I can return this thing to Dick Smith on the grounds that it's not working as advertised.

Satch

1985 posts

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+1 received by user: 265

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Reply # 390871 12-Oct-2010 12:23

I returned mine to Linksys at the start of this year for a full refund. I just kept on complaining and heading up the chain at Cisco before someone did something about it...

MikeB4

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Reply # 390878 12-Oct-2010 12:40

I turned off wireless on my 160n and added a Apple Airport Express. No problems since. The ADSL2+ Modem in the 160n is fine its the Wireless part thats poked, keeps disconnecting as well documented around the web.

Mike
Retired IT Manager.
The views stated in my posts are my personal views and not that of any other organisation.

Mac user, Windows curser, Chrome OS desired.

The great divide is the lies from both sides.

JeffBallweg

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 390905 12-Oct-2010 12:59

Thanks all, I think I'll just have to get rid of it and get something better.

Also, here are the links that got stripped:
From Linksys Forums:
http://homecommunity.cisco.com/t5/Cable-and-DSL/WAG160N-and-Apple-Bonjour-problem/td-p/206626/page/4
From Apple Forums:
http://discussions.info.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1524121&start=15&tstart=0

Cheers

Ragnor

8027 posts

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Reply # 390923 12-Oct-2010 13:12

Yeah the entire WAG range is to be avoided, at least with most of the WRT models the underlying hardware is good and you can flash with open source third party firmware.

bitserf

84 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

Reply # 404660 14-Nov-2010 23:01

FYI, iPhone 4 works just as well with the WAG160N, that is, not very well.

Avoid this router if you have any Apple devices that you actually want to use without resorting to 3G.

merve0o0

474 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 9

Reply # 404676 15-Nov-2010 00:35

I had the same problem with a linksys so I took it back and got a belkin wireless n modem and same problem. All apple devices (iPhone 4 and 2010 27" iMac ) disconnect from the network. Well they say they are still connected but no internet.

I'm not going to pay they huge price for a airport or time capsule.

Have wondered if the modem is to far away there is about 4 walls between in and the iMac. Tried to move it but windows 7 does not like the wireless card in my other computer so the modem has to stay by it