Why do WiFi hubs "die" and need constant resetting?

[RichP]

It seems like a common problem. You get a new hub, it works great for a while, then it slowly begins to need a reset, more and more frequently.

This has happened with my older airport and a recent netgear I purchased. These things dont have moving parts or anything, what is wearing out? Firmware resets dont help.

I just replaced my netgear with a new Airport, which is running flawlessly; wonder how it will be in 6 months?

 

[compuwar]

I've never had this problem, perhaps you have an interference issue with a neighbor or some electrical equipment in the house? I'd suggest trying a non-standard channel when you configure, like channel 2.

 

[mkrishnan]

Actually, if you reach a point where it's basically never working without a reset, I think the more likely culprit is not something like RFI but is something like bad power lines causing surges.... Routers from any of the majors -- Netgear, Linksys, D-Link, Apple, etc -- should have a very low base rate for failure. If you have the same failure mode on more than one router, I think you have to look for a common external cause.

Do you have both modem and router plugged into a surge suppressing power strip? Do you have / can you get a power strip possibly that also surge protects the incoming cable or DSL/telephone line?

(P.S. I've had the same Airport Extreme BaseStation running more or less continuously since Dec 2003 in four different locations).

 

[someguy]

I just replaced my netgear with a new Airport, which is running flawlessly; wonder how it will be in 6 months?

Which Base Station did you buy, Express or Extreme?

I've had my Express for over a year now and never so much as a single hiccup. It's worked flawlessly for me since the day I bought it. My mother purchased one for herself (along with a new iMac Core Duo ) and hers is flawless as well. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[RichP]

The early airport was the Airport Extreme, replaced by the Netgear, now running the new Airport Extreme "N". We have an airport express here that is running as a printerhub, that thing has been flawless and never needs a reset.