Router

[aLf]

Hello All! I'd like to start this thread with hopes of some help.

 

I recently upgraded my ISP to fiber. In doing so, I bought a D-Link DIR-825 as an improvement to the cause. After spending the entire day Friday on programming. Today the D-Link is back in the box and headed for a refund. I could not get the port forwarding or the vitual network to work. I was on the phone to level III tech (non)support. They could not get it to work either. I've since read of some issues with the D-Link 825 and 625 along these same problems. I researched Linksys and had almost settled on the WRT-610N, then read of issues there as well. What do you "smart" guys use? Any reccomendations will be appreciated. My wish list is for port forwarding for ISY and cameras, but really liked the USB port so that I could hook up a removable hard drive for FTP-ing pictures from the cameras. I'll need to swap this out Tuesday, so I hope you all can help.

 

Regards,

 

aLf

[MikeB]

Hey aLf -

 

Did you check with your new ISP to be sure they are not blocking any traffic on their box?

 

If you couldn't get port forwarding working at all, it sounds like that may be the case.

[RatRanch]

Did you check with your new ISP to be sure they are not blocking any traffic on their box?

 

If you couldn't get port forwarding working at all, it sounds like that may be the case.

 

The ISP might be blocking specific port(s). For instance, we used to be on Cablevision, which blocked port 80 (the default port for web servers). The workaround is to forward another port, 8080 for example, and specify that port number in the url. For example:

 

https://device.mypublicIP.net:8080/index.htm

 

Typical routers will let you map any external port to any internal port.

 

-Jim

[aLf]

It is not port specific. We tried several ports and all gave the same results. As I stated in the earlier post, a search of Google provides a bunch of issues with the 825. Many had the same port fwd. issues. The tech no-service dudes at D-Link were zero help and they too could not figure it out. As a matter of fact, I was stumped with the difference between port fwd. and Virtual Network. When asked the CSR couldn't explain and actually had me trying both! I'm still not sure what the differences are My neighbor just recently upgraded to the fiber as well and also has the same camera and his is flying. The difference between fibre and DSL is amazing. I'm 90% sure this is a bad router issue. That said, I hope someone could chime in on a better router. I wish UDI made a router, then I'd know it works! Michel, any ideas?

 

Thanks.

 

aLf

[bdlhome]

When testing the new router were you testing from within your network or from another internet connection? I'm assuming that you are using a dynamic dns service.

 

What I have seen with some routers is that when testing the newly created port forwarding the following happens. You enter (on your network) http://mydynamicaddr.dyndns.org:port and it fails. The reason is something that I believe is called NAT Traversal or loopback. The mydynamicaddr.dyndns.org resolves to your WAN IP address which is being forwarded to an internal address on your network. Some routers realize this and the traffic never actually leaves your network, with other it can become confused or the router blocks the traffic. The clue is from an external connection it works, but of course you haven't tried that yet because the first thing you try (from your own network) doesn't work and you think (understandably) no point trying anything external if the internal doesn't even work.

 

On some routers where I've had problems I've found a "Nat Traversal" option that is unchecked by default.

 

Of course this could be completely unrelated to your issues but thought I would share just is case because with my camera software this is something that I've seem more than a few times.

[aLf]

bdlhome:

 

Thanks! I tried internally and externally. I have the luxury as I still have the DSL hooked up (thanfully). It just didn't work. I've been reading tonight. My best options it appears is:

 

1) Get another 825 (I'm not excited)

2) Downgrade to a 655 or 625

3) Linksys WRT 610n

4) Apple AirportExtreme

 

The Apple sems to have nothing but good reports. I'm VERY hesitant to get another D-Link. The Linksys seems good but also has plenty of issues. D-Link customer support is what really turned me off. They just didn't seem to have a clue.

 

That said, I'm still confused.

 

Thanks for the NAT traversal reminder, I knew about that and have neever unchecked it in the last DSL router. I will be sure to do that on this one. I'd rather access from the web than internal when I'm home.

 

Thanks,

 

aLf

[bdlhome]

If it wasn't working from an external connection then definitely something else going on.

 

Are the cameras public or for your viewing only?

 

The reason I ask is that I've just replaced my router with a Draytek (not that well known in the US but great routers and big in Europe). It has an SSL based VPN so I can access anything on my LAN without needing to do a lot of portforwarding and its all done through the browser. It is also great because most big companies block everything but port 80(HTTP) and 443(HTTPS) etc so I connect to my router using HTTPS and then everything is tunneled through that connection and I can access everything I need (cameras, ISY etc).

[MikeB]

I have excellent luck with Linksys routers (but avoid their switches). Like I mentioned before, be sure your ISP isn't blocking traffic - a quick phone call to double-check might save a lot of grief.

 

What ISP are you using?

[aLf]

bdlhome:

 

I'd be interested in some links to see more on Draytek. How does the VPN thing work?

 

Tim

[bdlhome]

I have the 2930Vn but depending on your needs that may be overkill. One of the features I wanted was fail-over support so the router has two WAN inputs. The 'V' represents VoIP and the 'n' is for 802.11n support.

 

Comparison chart of the different models available here http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/comparison.html

 

I think you said you also had a DSL connection, in which case the 2820n might be a good choice as it has one DSL input and one WAN input.

 

More details of the model I have is available here http://www.draytek.com/user/PdInfoDetail.php?Id=39

 

One nice feature of Draytek website is they have demos of the admin console so you can take it for test-drive rather than read the manual or specs http://www.draytek.com/.upload/Demo/Vigor2930_3.2.1/

 

I purchased mine in the US from http://www.dsl-warehouse.com/ and had a good experience.

 

The routers support several ways of achieving a VPN, the most common is with client software installed on the PC accessing the router and basically joining the remote network so to all intensive purposes it is on the local LAN and you can do anything that you can do on the local LAN. The SSL VPN option basically does the same but no VPN client software needs to be installed.

[aLf]

bdlhome:

 

Thanks for the reccomendation. I spoke with the folks at dsl-warehouse and have a 2930n on its way. I opted to not go with the Voip as my Voip is a basic simple (OOMA) unit and it provides its own box and for a house, I will probably not need much more than that for Voip. The router looks good and the support looks even better. I'd love to talk with you personally about the configuration of it (especially the VPN part). Is there a way to contact you privately?

 

Again, Thanks a bunch.

 

aLf

Tim

[bdlhome]

ALf: I've just sent you a PM

[aLf]

bdlhome:

 

"You are the man".

 

For readers, bdlhome was kind enough to suggest my looking at DrayTek routers. I ended up purchasing the 2930n. As is the case with ISY, I find this router one of the finest pieces of equipment I now own. Bdl gave me a few minutes of "dual" over the phone. I unpacked the box and within minutes it was up and running. A few hours I had it singing! In three days, there has not been one hitch. I probably should have spent the extra $50 for the integrated ISDN/Voip. I use Ooma for phone which is another story. It provides excellent phone quality at a price of just $200. Free phone, long distance for life! As long as they stay afloat, it will be a good deal. I find the break-even point just six months. Ooma does not require a hard programmed Voip, basically plug-and-play.

 

Thanks again Brian, I really appreciate the tip on DrayTek.

 

Regards,

 

aLf