If your router is older than three years......

[altrenda]

Interesting selling point for home and business users that use wireless routers.

The NY Times article says, among other things, that if your wireless router is more than 3 years old, it's time to get a new one.

Most of my business users use separate Access Points rather tan wifi routers, but three are many small business and home users that do. Convince them to put the cable/isp router in bridge mode and buy a new router.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/08/t...wi-fi-is-terrible-check-your-router.html?_r=0

 

[phaZed]

Sounds like BS to me, no offense. Looks like a paid ad for the crappy 3-star TP-Link Archer C7 of which the biggest complaint is ironically, "...If you're looking for an 802.11AC router but aren't terribly concerned with blazing speed, the Archer C7 is not a bad choice..."

EDIT: Further to the point, they recommend every 3 years eh? Well, the TP-Link is already 2 years old... yet the article written for it is Oct 2015, lol.

I can think of a few devices I would rather have at the $100-$150 price point.

 

[MichaelBits]

Not sure I agree with that article...
I use 2 older routers (one even the wrt54g v.2) at home, and have no issues with several wireless devices.

I have also not encountered issues they speak of on service calls. If they are having wireless issues, its generally a failing router.
I can recall one service call where they did have an older router and was overloading it with too many devices, but so far that scenario has been quite rare.

I would agree a cheap router will get you cheap/crappy signal and will most likely go dead within a year.

 

[MichaelBits]

Sounds like BS to me, no offense.

Beat me to it.... That was my initial reaction to the article as well.

 

[Mainstay]

We have major issues with adding WAPs to one of our local ISP's Actiontec routers... they rely on IPTV with a multicast system.... when TV's are OFF, no problem.

When TV's are on in the house, massive drop in WiFi performance.

Very frustrating.

We solve this by putting a switch immediately downstream of the ONT, but sometimes have issues registering the MAC address of the second device.

Some people are only allowed one MAC address registered!.... argh!

 

[Mainstay]

Sounds like BS to me, no offense. Looks like a paid ad for the crappy 3-star TP-Link Archer C7 of which the biggest complaint is ironically, "...If you're looking for an 802.11AC router but aren't terribly concerned with blazing speed, the Archer C7 is not a bad choice..."

EDIT: Further to the point, they recommend every 3 years eh? Well, the TP-Link is already 2 years old... yet the article written for it is Oct 2015, lol.

I can think of a few devices I would rather have at the $100-$150 price point.

ODDDDDDD..... you're response was hidden to me... I had to "view other comments" (or some such) in order to read your reply.

Is this because you used all that offensive language?

Are we really moderating that heavily on the forums or was this just a weird glitch or ?

 

[Markverhyden]

ODDDDDDD..... you're response was hidden to me... I had to "view other comments" (or some such) in order to read your reply.

Is this because you used all that offensive language?

Are we really moderating that heavily on the forums or was this just a weird glitch or ?

I saw his response just like the others

 

[Mainstay]

odd... maybe I am not as privileged as some

j/k, probably something to do with the fact that it took me 3 hours to write my response... other responses had come in in time.

But it does make me wonder what other posts I haven't seen.

If @MichaelBits hadn't quoted the commentI wouldn't have known to look for it.

 

[sapphirescales]

If you're having problems with your router, update the firmware or replace it. Otherwise so long as some revolutionary technology hasn't come out, you don't need to replace it. Now if you've got a super old router that only supports WEP, then yeah, it's time to get a new one. Personally, I replace my router about once every 2 years or so. They only seem to last that long no matter what brand you buy these days.

 

[phaZed]

You may have ignored me in the past?

 

[Mainstay]

You may have ignored me in the past?

I shouldn't think so... I tend not to ignore others just because they have a differing opinion to my own (and i don't think I've ever had that reaction to any of your comments!).

I think it was an issue with how long it took me to post... maybe?

Otherwise so long as some revolutionary technology hasn't come out, you don't need to replace it.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it... yes... I'm a firm believer in that for most of my clients. Unless, of course, their is a compelling security or functionality issue at hand.

 

[NYJimbo]

"New routers often include smarter antennas that do a better job of assembling signals and beaming energy toward devices that are moving around."

 

[frase]

"New routers often include smarter antennas that do a better job of assembling signals and beaming energy toward devices that are moving around."

Engage tractor beam Number One!



As long as firmware is up to date as with anything I see no issue.

 

[NJW]

"New routers often include smarter antennas that do a better job of assembling signals and beaming energy toward devices that are moving around."

Beamforming perhaps? Part of the 802.11ac standard.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

LMAO!
LMAO some more!

My Cisco e3000 is over twice the recommend age of replacement...and still kicks butt!

 

[WillieEverlearn]

Not sure I agree with that article...
I use 2 older routers (one even the wrt54g v.2) at home, and have no issues with several wireless devices.

I have also not encountered issues they speak of on service calls. If they are having wireless issues, its generally a failing router.
I can recall one service call where they did have an older router and was overloading it with too many devices, but so far that scenario has been quite rare.

I would agree a cheap router will get you cheap/crappy signal and will most likely go dead within a year.

wrt54g...whew...give that old man a rest already. I hope that in the very least you are not running the stock firmware.

 

[frase]

wrt54g...whew...give that old man a rest already. I hope that in the very least you are not running the stock firmware.

I would run custom firmware on it, mine was incorrect model so couldnt dd-wrt - wouldnt do it for business though just personal as in self.

 

[MichaelBits]

wrt54g...whew...give that old man a rest already.

I actually just use it for guest wifi. It's on a subnet with just an internet link to block access to my network. It's been such a great router I didn't want to retire it, so found a use for it.

 

[altrenda]

LOL at some of these responses.
What I do with my own equipment doesn't impact my clients.

If there are WiFi issues and the people in the office are having trouble with their laptops, iPads, and phones connecting to some 4 or 5 year old Linksys with internal antennas, its nice to be able to drop a reference as another reason to upgrade, besides the fact that technology has moved a bit down the road in the last 4 years.

 

[PcTestCard.com]

I agreed that the topic of the replacement of the 3 years old router is a little no sense as well.

But the newer router does come with the newer built in feature and firmware and functionality thought such as lower radiation, maybe.
So these are the major concerns I would have replace my router.

Cheers,
Bill
Tech Support Manager, WPTINC.