Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[rvrichardson]

After much struggling with my 826L and no recourse with DLINK support, I have decided to retire my Router.

These are the issues I've encountered, and am hoping DLINK reads these posts and others that I have posted and hopefully issues a firmware upgrade to address the problems. The only two solutions at present from DLINK support are (a.) reboot the router (b.) return the router for exchange or repair, both of which I have done.

I am a packet core network engineer, so I have much experience with routers, switches, APs, clients servers and networks in general, I have run many types of equipment on my network and home and multiple networks at work, however this I can honestly say this is the most unstable my network has ever been, My network is a combination of Gigabit ethernet for the servers, 2.4 for general internet and 5 GHz for HD video streaming.

Here are some of the issues.

. 2.4 and 5ghz bandwidths thoughput deteriorate after about 2 days of operation (throughput gets slower)
. The servers on the Gigabit ethernet start to become unstable and the Seagate GoFlex NAS starts to show signs of communications errors, this attached NAS disk also starts to become overactive, even if no streaming or access to the server is happening.
. After registering with MYDLINK.com, the router is accessible for a while, then shows a red X next to the entry, at this time local admin is also unavailable (this can only be corrected with a reboot)
. My work VPN drops multiple times throughout the day with no apparent reason.
. Multiple downloads to the same client fail after a few minutes (especially noticed in ITUNES when the multiple download box is checked)
. No usefull information or junk entry's in the router logs, no matter what options are checked. (so unable to do any local troubleshooting)
. After a couple of weeks of operation, router configuration becomes corrupt and router has to be factory reset.
. Active clients do not show up in the router client list and client names cannot be pinged only their IP addresses.

At this time i have used V1 and V1.01 of the firmware, exchanged the router for a new router and have multiple requests sent to DLINK for assistance, this is my 3rd router from dlink, the first 2 worked flawlessly until voltage spikes put them to rest (DIR 625 and DIR 655). I have also disconnected the ISP link just to exclude that as a potential problem, however still experienced the same problems on the local network. I have tried complex configurations in the router and also the basic factory reset options, however the router results are the same. I also ran the DIR826L in the DMZ of the UVERSE Modem/Router.

I have now returned to using the 2WIRE router from AT&T UVERSE which only supports Wireless G and fast ethernet however now my network is completely stable again. My work VPN has not dropped since I retired the 826L and I am able to do multiple downloads on my clients, locally and from the internet. Video/Audio streaming from my local server to my TV/Playstation/Network AVR and other clients are now running smoothly with out any picture freezes or audio dropouts. If you are wondering if the problem is the UVERSE modem, the combination of DIR655 and UVERSE modem worked without any issues for over a year, without one reboot of the DIR655. The GoFlex NAS DISK is now silent until I actually access it, whereas before I could hear it start up for no reason, the NAS error lights have not indicated any problem since I removed the 826L.

And if nothing else convinces DLINK that there was a problem, even my wife has commented that her internet experience has been much improved since the router has been removed.

[FurryNutz]

Are you located in the U.S?

Did you send this router back to DLink for RMA already?
Did what responses did you get from DLink about this problem?

Any chance you might be interested in sending this router to someone for a 2nd review of the router and 2nd opinion?

[rvrichardson]

Well I have not RMA'd this one yet, I exchanged the first 826L at the store where I purchased it, per DLink's instruction, however this one is exhibiting the same issues as the first one, so I'm guessing its not a unit problem but maybe a Firmware problem.

I have spoken both to the Router support as well as the MyDLink support, Level 1 Router support is the most frustrating experience and keep on blaming the ISP as does the MYDLINK.COM support folks.

I was able to get through to the level 2 support once and after hours of trouble shooting they recommended I return the unit to the seller, which I did.

The biggest problem I have is that DLINK support always lays blame at the ISP and of course the ISP tells me if I do not have a problem with their 2WIRE router/modem and no problem with the DIR655 or DIR625 then the problem lies with the DIR826L.

So my final conclusion is either a FW or design problem

[FurryNutz]

Understand the frustrations.

We've seem many problems with routers and ISP modems. Specially with Modems with Built in routers. 2wire to say the least. I'm not a big fan of Arris modems either.

I presume you have return the 826L and no longer have it?

I would review this and in your case, since you do have a ISP modem with a built in router, I would consider getting into a DAP model unit instead of using a external router:
Bridge Mode vs Relay vs Acess Point (AP) / Routers vs Dedicated Acess Points (AP)

If you still happen to have the unit, please consider a 2nd review if interested. Only way to really know if the FW or unit is bad would be to test on a different network system. We can presume that there could be a compatibility issue as well along with FW and HW.

[FurryNutz]

Can also check this out for 2wire:
http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=49338.msg182337#msg182337

http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=50512.0

[rvrichardson]

I Still have it. I am going to leave the status quo, with the 826L out of the network, till I have a reference to gauge other routers to what i'm expecting.

As far as setting the DMZ configuration on the 2wire, that is exactly how I had mine set up (also the DIR655).

I will provide feedback as I experience it, for now day 2 of 826L off the network, everything is still stable

[FurryNutz]

Keep us posted.
Good luck.

[FurryNutz]

New FW posted, care to see if it helps with your router?
http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=51258.0

[Costen]

I am seeing a lot of the same issues though on top, I loose my wan port's ability to see the world w/o a full factory reset.

Im on COX and it has to be a firmware glitch though it could be just bad hardware. I am going to rma mine and let play with it but it is now #2 for the 826 and I guess I could go to #3 but if I make thre trip back to the store Ill demand a refund even eatiunbg the open box %

[FurryNutz]

Any status on this?

I am seeing a lot of the same issues though on top, I loose my wan port's ability to see the world w/o a full factory reset.

Im on COX and it has to be a firmware glitch though it could be just bad hardware. I am going to rma mine and let play with it but it is now #2 for the 826 and I guess I could go to #3 but if I make thre trip back to the store Ill demand a refund even eatiunbg the open box %

[jgo304]

I'm having the same problems with frequent Network Foul Ups and a dropping massive amounts of packets when I'm connected to my companies Cisco SSLVPN.

DLink has been producing A LOT of junk lately.

FYI My Modem is just a Modem
Firmware 1.03
And much like the original poster I also am a systems analyst so this isn't my first go round.

Lately I've been having to reboot the router 2-3 times a day or the whole network crashes out and I mean the whole network wired & wireless.

[FurryNutz]

Link>Welcome!

• What region are you located?

Internet Service Provider and Modem Configurations

• What ISP Service do you have? Cable or DSL?
• What ISP Modem Mfr. and model # do you have?

¤ If this modem has a built in router, it's best to bridge the modem. Having 2 routers on the same line can cause connection problems: Link>Double NAT and How NAT Works.
To tell if the modem is bridged or not, look at the routers web page, Status/Device Info/Wan Section, if there is a 192.168.0.# address in the WAN IP address field, then the modem is not bridged.
If the modem can't be bridged then see if the modem has a DMZ option and input the IP address the router gets from the modem and put that into the modems DMZ.
¤ Check ISP MTU requirements, Cable is usually 1500, DSL is around 1492 down to 1472. Call the ISP and ask. Link>Checking MTU Values
¤ For DSL/PPPoE connections on the router, ensure that "Always ON" option is enabled.

Router and Wired Configurations
Some things to try: - Log into the routers web page at 192.168.0.1. Use IE, Opera or FF to manage the router.
¤ Turn off ALL QoS or Disable Traffic Shaping (DIR only) GameFuel (DGL only and if ON.) options. Advanced/QoS or Gamefuel.
¤ Turn off Advanced DNS Services if you have this option under Setup/Internet/Manual or under Setup/PARENTAL CONTROL/Set to>None: Static IP or Obtain Automatically From ISP.
¤ Enable Use Unicasting (compatibility for some ISP DHCP Servers) under Setup/Internet/Manual.
¤ Turn on DNS Relay under Setup/Networking. Link>Finding Faster DNS Addresses using Name Bench
¤Setup DHCP reserved IP addresses for all devices ON the router. Setup/Networking. This ensures each devices gets its own IP address when turned on and connected, eliminates IP address conflicts and helps in troubleshooting.
¤ Ensure devices are set to auto obtain an IP address.
¤ If IPv6 is an option on the router, select Local Connection Only or Disable IPv6 options under Setup/IPv6.
¤ Set Firewall settings to Endpoint Independent for TCP and UDP under Advanced/Firewall.
¤ Enable uPnP and Multi-cast Streaming under Advanced/Networking. Disable uPnP for testing Port Forwarding rules. Enable IPv6 Multi-cast Streaming for routers that have a Media Server option. Disable IPv6 Multi-cast Streaming if IPv6 or Media Server is not being used.
¤ Turn off WISH, and WPS under Advanced.
¤WAN Port Speed set to Auto or specific speed? Some newer ISP modems support 1000Mb so manually setting to Gb speeds can be supported by the router. Advanced/Advanced Networking/WAN Port Speed
¤ Set current Time Zone, Date and Time. Use an NTP Server feature. Tools/Time.

¤ Check cable between Modem and Router, swap out to be sure. Link> Cat6 is recommended.
 
Wireless Configurations
Links>Wireless Installation Considerations and Managing Signal Congestion
¤ Ensure the default (dlink) SSID name is changed. Can be anything and not something thats already in use by any neighboring WiFi routers. Under Setup/Wireless/Manual.
¤ What wireless modes are you using?

• 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz routers: Try single mode G or N or mixed G and N on 2.4Ghz and single mode N on 5Ghz?

¤ Channel Width set for Auto 20/40Mhz or try 20Mhz only.
¤ Try setting a manual channel to a open or unused channel. 1, 6 or 11. 11 for single mode N if the channel is clear.
¤ What security mode are you using? Preferred security is WPA-Personal. WPA2/AES Only. Some WiFi adapters don't support AES, so you might want to try TPIK  only or Auto.
¤ What wireless devices do you have connected?
¤ Any cordless house phones?
¤ Any other WiFi routers in the area? Link> Use InSSIDer to find out. How many?
¤ Try turning off Short GI, WLAN Partition,and Extra Wireless Protection if you have it. Under Advanced/Advanced Wireless.
¤ Enable WMM Enable Under Advanced/Advanced Wireless.

3rd Party Security Software Configurations
¤ Turn off all anti virus and firewall programs on PC while testing. 3rd party firewalls are not generally needed when using routers as they are effective on blocking malicious inbound traffic.
¤ Turn off all devices accept for one wired PC while testing.

Be advised, that v1.03 and v1.04 FW version have exhibited odd behaviors and D-Link is aware of this. I highly recommend that you down grade to v1.02:
http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=51258.0
I currently use this on my 826L and can confirm it's stable and works well.

I'm having the same problems with frequent Network Foul Ups and a dropping massive amounts of packets when I'm connected to my companies Cisco SSLVPN.

DLink has been producing A LOT of junk lately.

FYI My Modem is just a Modem
Firmware 1.03
And much like the original poster I also am a systems analyst so this isn't my first go round.

Lately I've been having to reboot the router 2-3 times a day or the whole network crashes out and I mean the whole network wired & wireless.

[jgo304]

I find it very dishearting that a networking company udates Junk firmware with even Junkier firmware.

I mean let be real here wth are their engineers doing?  Firmware has been a problem the past 3 eyars with DLink routers........

So apparently i have to downgrade firmware to "Hope" that my router should work as advertised?

GREAT!!!

[FurryNutz]

Did your router come loaded with v1.04 or was it updated by someone?
Was it working before doing any updates if it was updated recently?

We are here to help each other out. We are not official employees of D-Link however have volunteered to be apart of this company in Forum support, help and moderation. We don't have any direct information on how D-Link works. I presume that D-Link does strive to design and build good products and for the most part they do. I've tested many of there routers and they all work very well. Of course some issues do fall through the cracks, just like many other producing companies. Things happen, and D-Link isn't the only one in this boat. Not all problems stem from bad FW. Many other factors contribute to router operation.

We are here to help each other find the best solution and fixes for everyones problems. Once all troubleshooting and help has been exhausted, then it's up to you the user to contact D-Link support and continue help directly with them as some times problems arise that are beyond any thing we can do here in the forums.

The more information you can give us about the situation and problem, the more we'll know how to provide better feed back and suggestions to help solve the problem. We can empathize and understand users concerns about when there routers don't work. We all want our routers to just work. Yet sometimes they don't. This is why we are here to find that out. You can complain about it here however it really doesn't solve anything. Lets try to solve the problem instead. 99% of the problems seen here are environment or user mis-configurations.

Good luck.