Internet speed question for the cognoscenti

[Trotsky]

My internet connection runs (per Speakeasy) about 25 Mbps download after I cycle the power on the router.  However, it immediately begins to degrade at about 15-20% per hour and it will sink all the way below 1 Mbps after a couple days.  By cycling the power, bam, right back up to 25 and then another slow decline.

1. What's making it slow down like that?

2. Is that normal?  Is there anything I can do about it?

Thanks.

[Josh '99]

My internet connection runs (per Speakeasy) about 25 Mbps download after I cycle the power on the router.  However, it immediately begins to degrade at about 15-20% per hour and it will sink all the way below 1 Mbps after a couple days.  By cycling the power, bam, right back up to 25 and then another slow decline.

1. What's making it slow down like that?

2. Is that normal?  Is there anything I can do about it?

Thanks.

This is a fairly default suggestion rather than one based on having dealt with your specific issue in the past, but have you tried updating the firmware on your router?

[Trotsky]

My internet connection runs (per Speakeasy) about 25 Mbps download after I cycle the power on the router.  However, it immediately begins to degrade at about 15-20% per hour and it will sink all the way below 1 Mbps after a couple days.  By cycling the power, bam, right back up to 25 and then another slow decline.

1. What's making it slow down like that?

2. Is that normal?  Is there anything I can do about it?

Thanks.

This is a fairly default suggestion rather than one based on having dealt with your specific issue in the past, but have you tried updating the firmware on your router?

Nope (now I will).  You're suggesting it's actually the router that's the problem (Cisco Linksys WRT300N), not the connection, right?

[Josh '99]

My internet connection runs (per Speakeasy) about 25 Mbps download after I cycle the power on the router.  However, it immediately begins to degrade at about 15-20% per hour and it will sink all the way below 1 Mbps after a couple days.  By cycling the power, bam, right back up to 25 and then another slow decline.

1. What's making it slow down like that?

2. Is that normal?  Is there anything I can do about it?

Thanks.

This is a fairly default suggestion rather than one based on having dealt with your specific issue in the past, but have you tried updating the firmware on your router?

Nope (now I will).  You're suggesting it's actually the router that's the problem (Cisco Linksys WRT300N), not the connection, right?

Based on the fact that restarting the router fixes the problem temporarily, I would guess that it is a problem with the router, yes.  Plus because presumably you own the router and not the cable modem (or whatever), it's easier to address problems with the router yourself to start with.

[Trotsky]

Updating the firmware seems to have helped.  Considering the old version was more than 2 years out of date...

Thanks very much!

[CowbellGuy]

This is a bit of drift, but when 802.11n routers started popping up, I decided to make the switch and I can't tell you how many trips I made to Staples and back and Best Buy and back, pretty much starting from one end of the rack and ending up at the other, with much exasperation along the way. Either performance was terrible, range was terrible, the connection was unstable, or all of the above. After Cisco bought Linksys, their hardware seemed to be pretty good, but they've gone downhill with the rest of them in recent years. My last ditch attempt was with an Apple Airport Extreme Base Station. I'm not sure why that was my last resort being an Apple guy and all, but I was suspicious about the lack of antennae. They're also not cheap, but I had certainly tried more expensive options from other companies. Well, I was simply blown away. Much better range than all the others hands-down, excellent performance, easy-to-use administration, and I don't think it's gotten reboots outside of very occasional firmware updates and power outages in years. I eventually got an Airport Express to extend my network to one of the far reaches of my house and it couldn't have been easier to set up. They're platform agnostic and I couldn't be happier with the hardware, so when it's time for a new wireless router, do yourself a favor and avoid the headaches.

[Rosey]

I use a WRT600N with the dd-wrt firmware, and the thing has been running rock-solid for over 2 years.

The best solution to crappy Linksys firmware is not to use it.

[CowbellGuy]

I bricked my Linksys router trying to install the dd-wrt firmware. That's what sent me looking for a new one in the first place.

[billhoward]

I think you've got the right answers already. But: Is it possible your ISP is throttling you after a burst of activity to teach you a lesson?