Wireless networking - out of ports (?)

SC Tiger · 12-26-2012, 06:58

I have an issue and need some help from the collective about computer networking (I know this isn't a computer forum but for the computer-savvy this should be a softball). I have a modem and router for my DSL internet. The router gives me 4 wireless or wired channels (I think) so that I could have one device plugged in and three wireless, or two and two, etc. The problem is that now I need more wireless channels. I have a computer, three tablets and a dish network box on this router.

I am basing this on the fact that I am seeing different items drop the internet if others come on.

How do I add more channels? Ideally I would like to have a wireless router and modem in one unit but I can live with a separate router.

Am I completely full of it on this whole thing and have another problem?

The router is a Linksys WT54G or something like that. It is about 8 years old.

Ralff · 12-26-2012, 07:26

I would buy a new router. If you're adamant about not buying another, get the exact model number and post it (or google it, may save you time).

686Owner · 12-26-2012, 07:32

You likely have another problem. I don't see a maximum number of clients for that router, but it should be able to give an ip address to 254 computers before it runs out of ip addresses. Not a problem for most users.

686Owner · 12-26-2012, 07:34

I should say you likely have another problem, but it could very well still be the router. I've never heard of a wireless router that someone maxed out the connections on. If the router is dropping devices, it may be time to upgrade anyway,

El Barto · 12-26-2012, 07:45

The ports on the back of the device are for wired hosts, not wireless.

I suspect the issue that you have is not a 'ports' issue but rather a DHCP issue. Your router on a basic setup has a DHCP server running. That DHCP server gives out IP addresses. What I believe you are experiencing is that you DHCP pool is rather small ,only allowing a handful of devices to be connected to your network.

This can be easily fixed if you navigate to your router's settings and make the DHCP pool larger.

Reissman · 12-26-2012, 07:45

Go into the routers setup.
Google the model of the router to get the default IP address. Should be something like 192.168.0.1.
Somewhere in there will be the amount of connections.

***Gallium*** · 12-26-2012, 07:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reissman

Go into the routers setup.
Google the model of the router to get the default IP address. Should be something like 192.168.0.1.
Somewhere in there will be the amount of connections.

Yes, it is a router configuration issue, limiting the number of possible client connections.

What is the exact model of your router?

Cybercowboy · 12-26-2012, 07:49

And once you verify that the router is running a DHCP pool of adequate number, you need to make sure your computers and devices are set to use DHCP and not a static IP.

If you don't understand what we are talking about, I suggest getting your 14-year-old neighbor kid over to help. :D

***Gallium*** · 12-26-2012, 07:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cybercowboy

...

If you don't understand what we are talking about, I suggest getting your 14-year-old neighbor kid over to help. :D

That kid is most likely running services off his wifi

Cybercowboy · 12-26-2012, 07:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gallium

That kid is most likely running services off his wifi

Hey, he's a good kid! He left him 4 DHCP slots to use.

SC Tiger · 12-26-2012, 08:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Barto

The ports on the back of the device are for wired hosts, not wireless.

I suspect the issue that you have is not a 'ports' issue but rather a DHCP issue. Your router on a basic setup has a DHCP server running. That DHCP server gives out IP addresses. What I believe you are experiencing is that you DHCP pool is rather small ,only allowing a handful of devices to be connected to your network.

This can be easily fixed if you navigate to your router's settings and make the DHCP pool larger.

You could be onto something here. One time one of the devices - the labtop I think - gave an error that stated (paraphrased) that the IP address the device was using was also in use for something else. I can't find how to increase the number of ports so I figured it might just be limited by hardware.

SC Tiger · 12-26-2012, 08:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gallium

Yes, it is a router configuration issue, limiting the number of possible client connections.

What is the exact model of your router?

It is a Linksys - something like WRT54G but I don't think that is it as I googled that one and it is about twice what I paid, 8 years ago (Actually it is more like 5-6). I will post it for certain when I get home and can look at it. It is around 5-6 years old.

Resqu2 · 12-26-2012, 08:11

Just get you a new wireless N router, 8 years is ancient in computer terms. You will be amazed at the difference I bet.

Ralff · 12-26-2012, 08:18

SC Tiger, do you know how to check if your computers are running DHCP? That's another thing to check.

I think the default user name is just blank, and the password is admin. I'm going soley off a bad memory.

SC Tiger · 12-26-2012, 08:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralff

SC Tiger, so you know how to check if your computers are running DHCP?

I think the default user name is just blank, and the password is admin. I'm going soley off a bad memory.

I can get into the configuration just fine for the router, but am not sure about the computer itself. The problem is when I get in there I can't remember how to change the number of clients.

I have the system password-protected so that just anyone can't hop on my network.

I may upgrade anyway but if I can fix this I will be more patient about it (ie wait for a sale).

Toyman · 12-26-2012, 08:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC Tiger

It is a Linksys - something like WRT54G. I will post it for certain when I get home and can look at it. It is around 7-8 years old.

If it's a WRT54G, the first thing to check would be the Setup section/tab, next to the Network Address Server Settings (DHCP) there's a Maximum Number of DHCP Users setting, which is normally 50, but may have been changed. Ensure you have this set high enough for all your devices.

Second thing to check if that is ok would be whether the devices are set to use DCHP or not (this is the "automatically obtain IP address" setting). If they aren't, then you need to make sure none are using the same number.

Ralff · 12-26-2012, 08:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC Tiger

I can get into the configuration just fine for the router, but am not sure about the computer itself. The problem is when I get in there I can't remember how to change the number of clients.

I have the system password-protected so that just anyone can't hop on my network.

I may upgrade anyway but if I can fix this I will be more patient about it (ie wait for a sale).

For the computer, open a command prompt (hold the windows key and hit r, then type cmd and hit enter) and type ipconfig /all. Look for the line that says "DHCP Enabled ....." and it should give a Yes or No.

IndyGunFreak · 12-26-2012, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by 686Owner

You likely have another problem. I don't see a maximum number of clients for that router, but it should be able to give an ip address to 254 computers before it runs out of ip addresses. Not a problem for most users.

this...

Roger1079 · 12-26-2012, 11:33

That router is a dinosaur. It is likely that the price is still elevated because it is capable of running custom firmware and has a decent amount of flash memory that the newer routers fall short of. With a class C subnet (255.255.255.0) you would be allowed 253 DHCP clients before the addresses ran out.

It is a A/B/G router and you are likely getting interferece on 2.4ghz which is causing you dropped connections. A new A/B/G/N router from Linksys can run you as cheap as $40, so that would be your best option here as the N protocol runs at 5ghz which phases out a lot of problems caused by interference from other devices. Hope this helps.

If you need any further clarification on my post, let me know.

OctoberRust · 12-26-2012, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC Tiger

I have an issue and need some help from the collective about computer networking (I know this isn't a computer forum but for the computer-savvy this should be a softball). I have a modem and router for my DSL internet. The router gives me 4 wireless or wired channels (I think) so that I could have one device plugged in and three wireless, or two and two, etc. The problem is that now I need more wireless channels. I have a computer, three tablets and a dish network box on this router.

I am basing this on the fact that I am seeing different items drop the internet if others come on.

How do I add more channels? Ideally I would like to have a wireless router and modem in one unit but I can live with a separate router.

Am I completely full of it on this whole thing and have another problem?

The router is a Linksys WT54G or something like that. It is about 8 years old.

Wireless bands or channels are different from ip addresses. You most likely have a class c address such as 192 168 x x. At any rate if dhcp fails to hand out an ip due to insufficient space you will get a 169.254.x.x address. Which is an indicator of what I just said. Anyways you're probably fine.

Also if you run wireless n you can run dual channels for one wap and get up to 300 Mbps . Even though in reality I usually see users with 150 Mbps give or take.

Dennis in MA · 12-26-2012, 12:51

Wow. I have something like 8-9 devices in the house now. But my last router did that. I never considered it limited the ports.

***Gallium*** · 12-26-2012, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis in MA

Wow. I have something like 8-9 devices in the house now. But my last router did that. I never considered it limited the ports.

Ports are something different in geek speak.

***jpa*** · 12-26-2012, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toyman

If it's a WRT54G, the first thing to check would be the Setup section/tab, next to the Network Address Server Settings (DHCP) there's a Maximum Number of DHCP Users setting, which is normally 50, but may have been changed. Ensure you have this set high enough for all your devices.

Second thing to check if that is ok would be whether the devices are set to use DCHP or not (this is the "automatically obtain IP address" setting). If they aren't, then you need to make sure none are using the same number.

This. I used to have the same router. Sometimes when you reboot or shut down a device the address doesn't return (release) to the "pool" right away to be reassigned. You can also click the button on the bottom of that same page to see the current list of clients. That should give you an idea of what's connected to your network.

NorthernAlpine · 12-26-2012, 20:30

You don't have to buy a new router to get better results. I have the same router with different firmware in my shop and it can push anything you want with near unlimited devices. If you are not technically afraid, go to http://www.ww-drt.com/, the router you have is one of the easiest to flash with new firmware and basically breathe new life into.

PM me if you want a step-by-step

SC Tiger · 12-27-2012, 08:07

Update - found the field for how many IP addresses it is allowed to give out and it was set to 5 (this field was literally staring me in the face). This was probably the issue as I had, at the time, three tablets, a wireless printer, a dish network box, and a laptop computer on it, not to mention the 14-year-old kid down the street (LOL). I reset this to 25 and I haven't tried running everything at once yet but so far it seems to work better. We will see.

Thanks everyone for your help.