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Thread: Why don't routers have a periodic restart function? [Rant]

  1. #1
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    Why don't routers have a periodic restart function? [Rant]

    This morning I couldn't connect to a wireless router/access point. I figured something happened with the notebook or O.S. Did the usual restart, swap out a different USB wifi adapter. Nothing, still couldn't connect. Rebooted the daisy chained router/wireless access point, still can't connect. Grrrr. Checked the upstream router, sure enough, couldn't get a wired connection there. Unplug, wait, plug in and everything worked. DD-WRT has a function where a user can set the device to reboot itself periodically. Why can't manufacturers add this function? It seems like any consumer quality complex electronic device, be it router, DVR or similar can benefit from a periodic reboot. Perhaps they (manufacturers) like to think their products' design & reliability is such that they don't require such a function? If so, I'd beg to differ.

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    Re: Why don't routers have a periodic restart function? [Rant]

    Can you replace the firmware with OpenWRT or DD-WRT?

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    Re: Why don't routers have a periodic restart function? [Rant]

    Quote Originally Posted by kurt18947 View Post
    DD-WRT has a function where a user can set the device to reboot itself periodically. Why can't manufacturers add this function?
    Then we would have a bunch of "My router reset in the middle of my upgrade and now my system is broken" and "The install .iso was interrupted during download but I installed anyway and now nothing works" and "My video-streaming/VPN/VNC-session/backup/whatever was interrupted by the stupid router resetting" help requests.

    My cheap router has been solid for six months without a restart. Only gets flaky when too many connections at once...usually an unconstrained torrent client overwhelming it's connection tracking.

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    Re: Why don't routers have a periodic restart function? [Rant]

    Frequent disconnections are not good for your internet connection speed because it usually means that your ISP's switch thinks that there is a problem with your line and syncs you at lower speeds.

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    Re: Why don't routers have a periodic restart function? [Rant]

    I think that lockups happen when the router's operating system runs out of RAM. dd-wrt has a pretty good handle on RAM management, but it will only run on routers with larger RAM footprints to begin with. Cheaper routers with minimal RAM will have more problems. Also, I've experienced the wireless card locking up in the router, but the network (wired) switch continues to work fine. This I attribute to heat on the wireless chip and to the antenna being overwhelmed with spurious signals causing the dsp to lock up.

    Sometimes opening the router and cleaning the wireless card contacts with an eraser will help.
    Last edited by tgalati4; November 5th, 2013 at 04:46 AM.
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    Re: Why don't routers have a periodic restart function? [Rant]

    Quote Originally Posted by Lars Noodén View Post
    Can you replace the firmware with OpenWRT or DD-WRT?
    Nice thought but I'd be hesitant to. The router that flaked is issued by Verizon and has a built-in MoCa bridge (I think that's the proper term) for their FiOS service. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the router firmware is customised though I don't know for sure.
    Last edited by kurt18947; November 3rd, 2013 at 12:08 AM.

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    Re: Why don't routers have a periodic restart function? [Rant]

    Quote Originally Posted by ian-weisser View Post
    Then we would have a bunch of "My router reset in the middle of my upgrade and now my system is broken" and "The install .iso was interrupted during download but I installed anyway and now nothing works" and "My video-streaming/VPN/VNC-session/backup/whatever was interrupted by the stupid router resetting" help requests.

    My cheap router has been solid for six months without a restart. Only gets flaky when too many connections at once...usually an unconstrained torrent client overwhelming it's connection tracking.
    I guess that'd be a risk but in DD-WRT the function is optional, just don't check the box. I had the DD-WRT box rebooting at something like 4 A.M. on Sunday morning when it was HIGHLY unlikely I'd be using it for anything of consequence.

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    Re: Why don't routers have a periodic restart function? [Rant]

    Quote Originally Posted by ian-weisser View Post
    Then we would have a bunch of "My router reset in the middle of my upgrade and now my system is broken" and "The install .iso was interrupted during download but I installed anyway and now nothing works" and "My video-streaming/VPN/VNC-session/backup/whatever was interrupted by the stupid router resetting" help requests.
    Quote Originally Posted by kostkon View Post
    Frequent disconnections are not good for your internet connection speed because it usually means that your ISP's switch thinks that there is a problem with your line and syncs you at lower speeds.
    +1

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    Re: Why don't routers have a periodic restart function? [Rant]

    had that issue with the old verizon modem/router all in one with the wifi , put a WTR54GL (tomato firmware) never gives a issue, would post the uptime but power went out a couple weeks ago, pretty sure it had over 1000 days on it before that happened
    expensive router but it never gives a issue unless you count that it is a 10/100 speed and not a 10/100/1000 speed LAN
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    Re: Why don't routers have a periodic restart function? [Rant]

    You could get a light timer, and set it to be on all the time apart from a minute in the early hours. The digital ones can do day of the week.

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