Which router?

MI55ION · 29-07-2009, 2:47 AM

I've got virgin cable broadband and currently using a belkin router. Problem is it doesn't seem to work very well with xbox live. I think it has something do with NAT settings and the belkin is not very flexible here. With gears for example when I'm host people have bad lag issues so I have to sign out. It's a real pain. What sort of routers are people using here, any recommendations?

danz1985 · 29-07-2009, 6:01 AM

Do you have a budget?

This is highly recommended from Xbox users.

Low point is price at around 90 - 100. Very quick though.

Do you only have a problem with Gears? I am on Virgins 50 meg service and when I host, alot of people spawn without guns. Rather than buy a new router I take my router out completely and just run direct from the VM modem. I haven't had any problems since.

Note; I have tried 3 different routers and still had the same problem before trying modem only.

MI55ION · 30-07-2009, 3:36 AM

Hi danz1985

Yeah only problem with gears but that's because it's the only game I have.

I see what your saying about connecting direct to VM modem but the problem is I have two xbox systems and both my brother and I only ever play gears on them. My modem only has one port so a router is necessary. I'll try out that router you suggested. Not sure however if its the router, the modem or my 2mb broadband which is causing the problem. Might get in contact with Virgin and see if they will send out one of those new wireless modems that they're giving out to new custmers.

Thanks for your help.

danz1985 · 30-07-2009, 5:49 AM

I have the router supplied by Virgin and it's not very good at all.

Have you gone to system settings and done a test to see your status of your NAT? You may be able to get that from strict or moderate to open. When you do the test, if it mentions nothing of Nat then it is open.

I would suggest that first, you may not need to spend on anything then if can be fixed that way. Only certain routers can keep more than 1 xbox on open NAT anyway and the one I listed is one. It is quite expensive though.

To be honest though hosting on the 2 meg package is going to be hard, and even if you get a new router and have open NAT it may still struggle, especially with a 2nd Xbox on your line at the same time.

If you need help with NAT and router settings I may be able to help over XBOX Live, your welcome to add me and I may be able to help and guide step by step.

I'm no expert by any means but I may be able to help with some settings. I have a router too, it's an old Linksys but it has run 2 Xbox's on one connection that I could send if you want to try.

So quick run back I would;

Check the network status on both xbox's while they are both online and connected.
If strict I may be able to help with settings, send you my old router or advise on the router I linked before.
If you want to host you may have to invest on a quicker line as the upload on the 2mb package is really quite low. Other games may be fine like Call of Duty as they have better coding. It seems Gears uses a lot more bandwidth and people struggle.

mattclarkie · 30-07-2009, 7:01 AM

Netgear WR2000 is very good and can be had for around £50 in some places. It is even draft N wireless.

afdoughty · 30-07-2009, 7:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danz1985

Do you have a budget?

This is highly recommended from Xbox users.

Low point is price at around 90 - 100. Very quick though.

Do you only have a problem with Gears? I am on Virgins 50 meg service and when I host, alot of people spawn without guns. Rather than buy a new router I take my router out completely and just run direct from the VM modem. I haven't had any problems since.

Note; I have tried 3 different routers and still had the same problem before trying modem only.

I have the Dlink DIR 655 and, although I don't have an xbox, it is very flexible with more config setting than I can understand. I do use the "Quality of Service" engine to prioritise traffic on the LAN - I think it is designed for gamers.

danz1985 · 30-07-2009, 7:59 AM

Excellent afdoughty,

Do you remember where you got the router from and which colour it came in please? I'm after the black one but am having a little trouble finding it at a decent price?

Caveman643 · 30-07-2009, 10:21 AM

I use the D-Link DIR-615 and it's excellent. It's cheaper than the 655 already mentioned on this thread. The main difference that I can see is the speed of the LAN connection. The 655 is a gigabit LAN whereas the 615 is 10/100 LAN. I didn't need the gigabit LAN so saved a few bob and went for the 615.

D-Link 615

It works excellently for Xbox Live wirelessly and is supposed to allow more than one Xbox to connect at the same time. Though I haven't actually tried this. There are all the settings you could ever want to get it working to your preference.