Upgrading my Router

[Brutaka]

Hello, i need assistance with upgrading my router. The curent one i have is a 2wire 2700HG-B DSL, it is slow and has problems when more than one device is on, usually it is my Laptop that suffers terrible speeds.
I want to buy a new Router such as This Linksys router but i want to confirm if it will be compatible, as I don't know if my AT&T DSL service will support it.
I need to know if this will work and if it won't, what router should I buy ($70 lmit atm)

 

[wfooshee]

The Linksys could be placed behind the DSL router you have, with the DSL router either in bridged mode or using a DMZ. You'd want to disable the wireless in the existing router. If you use bridged mode, you have to have the DSL credentials to enter into the new router for the PPPoE login.

Most routers on the market are Ethernet routers, not DSL routers. Any Ethernet router would work, but would have to be behind the existing router.

Have you asked your ISP about the problem?

Going back to your actual issue, which is speed, I'm assuming you laptop is wireless. How far away is it from the router, like across the house, upstairs vs. downstairs. If it's a good hike distant, does it improve when you get closer?

Also, I don't know how old it is, but early adoptions of the wireless-N sucked. You'd do better to turn off N and use G. And if it's actually old enough, G may not even be in the router, limiting you to B, about 11 mb/s max.

And of course DSL itself is not fast compared to any other offering except dial-up.

 

[Brutaka]

My laptop is in the very next room, roughly 15-20 ft. The router is about 8 years old as it was our replacement from dial-up . There is only a slight improvement if I go into the exact same room as it.
I have not contacted my ISP but i don't expect them to replace it with anything better.
So the router will work as long as I disable the wireless function on the DSL one?

 

[TB]

To see if it's the modem/router or just an issue with the wireless, hardwire the laptop to the modem and see if it's any better. If it is better, it's likely a problem with the wireless signal and a new wireless router would help.

 

[turbolefty78]

AT&T DSL service

This right here is your bottleneck. I used to have the very same service. My house is still wired for it matter of fact. It's horribly slow compared to other services such as Charter broadband and so on(cable).
Even if you do get a nice router capable of high speeds, you'll still be limited by your ISP.

 

[MHPALA]

Its called DSL . Buying a new router will not solve the problem. There's still hope! Call your ISP and check if the equipment in your area allows for a faster WAN speed.

I was sitting at 3mb about 5 years ago. Called my ISP, they said I was able to top my speed off at 6mb along with getting some sweet new CPE.

 

[acascianelli]

Is that AT&T's Uverse service? If it is I think you're pretty screwed with having to use the hardware they give you. You could run a second router behind the AT&T router in bridge mode. That will help with any local network problems, but it won't improve you internet bandwidth at all.

If you have AT&T's regular DSL service, then you'll need both a replacement DSL modem and a router to replace what you have now.

 

[Danoff]

If you're in an apartment complex and using a the crowded 2.4 ghz band you may be suffering from interference - in which case a new router would only help if you used it at 5 ghz. This of course requires that all of your devices can operate at 5 ghz. I have found crowding of the band to be a big problem.

 

[Brutaka]

It's regular DSL and I am in a single family home

 

[Danoff]

It sounds like you have a modem/router in one box right now, and you linked a router only. You will also need a modem. ATT should be willing to give/rent you one or you can buy one. There could be lots of problems but it sounds like you're pretty sure that your router is at least one of them. A new router should help, but if your old modem/router is the problem and you configure it as a modem behind your new router, you could be inheriting the same problem.

Any chance you can get the laptop onto a different internet connection (or hardwire) to test it?

 

[Infinital-NG]

I'd look into getting something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003NZSX7G/?tag=gtplanet-20

Should support AT&T, but I would check.

Replaced many 2-wire devices when Windstream was pushing them out. Not that model, but the 2-wire brand just seemed to be terrible.

It's a little higher than your price range, but I'm sure you can find one cheaper.

I'd first try hard-wiring the devices and see if the same thing happens.

I'd also go run tests at the following sites

pingtest.net
speedtest.net

Post back what results you get, and also what Upload/Download you are paying for.

If hard-wired you are still having problems, I'd contact AT&T. They might issue you a new modem/router as that one might be having a problem.