IDNetters Forums

Technical News & Discussion => Broadband, Internet & General Computer News & Discussion => Topic started by: Glenn on Oct 18, 2008, 10:51:48

Title: Possible cause of disconnections
Post by: Glenn on Oct 18, 2008, 10:51:48
I'm not sure if this has been mentioned before
QuoteZen Internet has uncovered a potential problem with the Texas Instruments AR7. The chip is at the heart of about a third of routers in use worldwide today - including Linksys and Netgear kit.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/22/zen_ar7_infineon_bt_fault/
Title: Re: Possible cause of disconnections
Post by: Rik on Oct 18, 2008, 10:55:48
I think it has been mentioned, Glenn, but many people won't have seen it.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Possible cause of disconnections
Post by: Inactive on Oct 18, 2008, 11:03:07
Indeed Rik, the article is nearly a year old, the 68 comments make interesting reading tho'
Title: Re: Possible cause of disconnections
Post by: Sebby on Oct 18, 2008, 12:13:57
Yep, that's quite old, Glenn, and is the reason why I don't like older Netgear routers and others that use that chipset.
Title: Re: Possible cause of disconnections
Post by: Tacitus on Oct 18, 2008, 14:01:43
Quote from: Sebby on Oct 18, 2008, 12:13:57
.........others that use that chipset.

I use an AR7 based router on a poor line and for me it is more stable than some of the others.  Whilst routers that don't use the AR7 appear to sync higher, I suspect the problems may be caused by a combination of the AR7, the particular firmware used and a given line.  With the virtually infinite number of router/line/firmware permutations, it seems reasonable there will be circumstances where certain combinations are pretty useless. 

Although mine syncs lower than a Draytek 2800 I had in the past, it is much more stable, not that that's saying much, although I've not tried the Draytek with the latest firmware.

Of course when we get FTTH all these problems will disappear....    ;D

Title: Re: Possible cause of disconnections
Post by: Sebby on Oct 18, 2008, 14:21:07
I absolutely agree with you that it depends on the line and the equipment at the exchange.
Title: Re: Possible cause of disconnections
Post by: Tacitus on Oct 18, 2008, 14:42:32
Quote from: Sebby on Oct 18, 2008, 14:21:07
I absolutely agree with you that it depends on the line and the equipment at the exchange.

Interestingly the equipment at my exchange is Alcatel, which suggests a Thomson (Speedtouch) router should give the best results.  Unfortunately they don't do any reasonably priced ones which act as a VPN endpoint.  Cheapest is (I think) the 608WL, which last time I looked was around £170.