The Main Router Discussion Topic

One of the best tests to perform is the modems LAN Speed Test, this helps pinpoint if the issue is local (Modem, cables, router, computer NIC).  The HT1000 should almost always get between 20 and 35Mbps on such a test when going through a router, where as the HT1100 if the network is full Gigabit should get between 150Mbps and 210Mbps.

The next issue is, a router is more than a divider, it has to handle all the connections.  Just because there is a single PC on that router, doesn't mean that there is a single connection.  If the router chokes up when there are 500 links being created and they all have some traffic, then speed/response issues WILL occur.  Just a tip, you might visit a website, but as many as 1000 different connections are being created or more, Skype alone, when it initially logs in attempts to connect to well over 300 different addresses for advertisements, updates, log-on authentication and more.  That's just skype, on one PC.  If the routers processor and RAM can't handle that much, then you will get slow speeds.  This is why it's important to have a proper router with plenty of internal RAM and processing capabilities.

Tests I perform when it comes to slow speeds/responses.

1: Modems LAN Speed Test - Is it testing GOOD?  If so, go to next step.
2: WinMTR to www.google.com for 10 minutes.  This lets you see average latency as well as spikes at every single hop, it sends a continuous ping to each hop inspecting it.  Do all results fall under 1000MS for Jupiter platforms? If yes continue.
3: Load up testmy.net, test, do speeds fall between 50 and 90% of plan speeds? If yes, continue.
4: Loadup speedtest.net and test using various servers located NEAR the gateway (Alan, you should have an idea of figuring out where gateways are, like BIL is Billings Montana)
5: Test using P2P, as this mimics generating hundreds of connections, but also has a drawback, it consumes vast amounts of data.  Find a GOOD legal torrent that has hundreds, to thousands of seeds that will provide you 20Mbps or more at any time while on a cable connection.  

When doing test #5, please note the modem may glitch and cause a short outage for the download, but it isn't very common.  If the speeds never reach 50% at a minimum for a sustained period of time, and the modem isn't tripping statecode checks, or the GUI for the modem hasn't become sluggish, it's ALMOST safe to assume it is the router having difficulties processing multiple connections.

6: So far everything looks good, next question is to see if the client is using a laptop, are they using the Wifi, or are they plugging in?  If they are plugging in, MAKE SURE they are NOT connected wirelessly at the same time, this can cause serious traffic confusion and collisions with the router.  If they are wireless only, pull out your smartphone, and load up an app which detects 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz wireless signals.  Some apps can pick up signals even if the SSID is hidden, but can't show the SSID, but lets you know the signal is there.  Check the channel that signal is on, and make sure it's not the same channels as the customs.

7:  Make a backup of the router configuration, then do a firmware recovery/reset, restoring the router back to defaults, then re-run setup just enough to get it back online and test, did things improve?  Find the differences between the two setups, and apply the differences one at a time.

8:  Does conditions improve if the router is reset?  If so, you may need a new router in the near future, as it's not killing states properly, or it's just worn out from use.

Alan, I have an E1200 in a box, it worked great on Gen4 until I upgraded routers, but you are right that hardware fails. It is a low cost solution however even the expensive ones fail and the wireless radio portion can flake out but the router still seems to be working.
I think the main takeaway is that when it comes to routers you can never really be certain it is functioning properly even when it appears it is. That is why you and the rest of us regulars here always as the "have you plugged directly into the modem" question.
You have raised a good point about equipment seeming to be in working order when it is not.

I wouldn't be surprised if HN builds a wireless router into their modems. This would be a great move because their techs would then be able to remotely access the router for troubleshooting, and it would help ensure consistency across their customer base.

No doubt that would have to lower costs, increase customer satisfaction, and reduce churn.

After all, how many customers don't need a router? Our experience has been maybe 5%.

I am against Hughes building in ANY wireless functionality UNLESS the customer gets complete control over it, such as, being able to disable it entirely.  I rather prefer having my own network equipment and then a basic modem from the ISP...  Letting the ISP handle my network addressing would cause me headaches, then again, I also have 30 or so devices total on my network.

Routers to Manage Data Usage: Here is some great information on a solution I found for anyone who's having trouble managing their data usage. This article covers running GarGoyle open-source WRT firmware on a Netgear WNDR3800 router. The article also provides a good account of how an iPhone, iPad or Android device can gobble up data just sitting there (where have we read that before? :).

This is a must read for anyone dealing with data loss, or who's having trouble managing satellite data use in their home or business:

http://raisedbyturtles.org/limiting-daily-bandwidth-on-home-router/

I have HN1100 with an Readi Net WRT 300 N DD it was part of the deal for the install so I don't know much about it.  It seems to be working fine I get 12 to 20 Downloads constantly depending on time of day.  I gave my Shop CP to my Brother so I had to build another so I put together an old Dell 2300 1.7  XP home  with only 64 mb SDRAM.  I figured it would run pretty slow but got surprised it cooked along pretty good and streams audio very well. (The basic use for my shop PC is a radio) It is connected to my router with a 70 foot Cat5 cable.  I don't know much about this thing but seem great to me. 

Before I got the router I used a Cat5 Cross cable connected to my main PC and don't see any difference in connection speed.  My new main PC uses wireless and shows only 70 to 85 percent signal.  I am thinking after reading this of making a Cat5 cable and hooking it direct to see if it makes a difference.  The only thing is I do believe in, "if it isn't broke don't fix it".

Good morning Alan,

As usual, you've always got some great topics! In training and execution, our representatives learn that what HughesNet provides is the internet service. We understand this as similar to being a water company who you call to turn water on when you move into a new home. When you come home and turn on the faucet, the water is brown! Good heavens, the water company has given me dirty water! Just before you pick up the phone and dial - in, were your pipes inspected and/or replaced before you moved in? Turns out, they're dirty! Now who do you call?

What about the perception of data? Should you have (like myself) a toilet that constantly runs, you'll know there is going to be a few extra dollars on your water bill. Who is to blame? The quick thought is to call up the water company (again) and say, why is my bill so high - are you charging me for water I have not used? If you're like me, you'll just shut the water off for that toilet to stop the problem, temporarily at least.

The same goes for your home network. Ensuring that your connections, extra equipment are spick and span will reduce the problems you face. Leaky data? Turn off your devices completely when you are not using them. Sluggish performance? Connect directly to your modem (or water company) and see how clean the connection is.

We hope that as technology advances, so does our perception and knowledge of these systems, not only as an ISP but as a company altogether.

Thank you,
Amanda

Having done a speed test today (19446 down, 674 up) and not having visited here for a while, in looking at this thread was surprised to learn of the HT1100's built-in "LAN Speed Test" which I'd never noticed before. OK so I run it for grins and it says 56Mbps which sounds right, but then I click on it again and it comes-up as 0.0 Mbps. Hmmm so I switch off'n Firefox and try IE11 and it too now says 0.0 Mbps, as though I broke something in the HT1100. Clearly everything is still working, I can surf OK. So how'd I break the LAN Speed Test? What does the (apparently) 5-step LAN Speed Test actually do? Usually speed tests require another bit of software on the other end of the cable to work properly.

Any ideas?

Alan
A great topic. For the end user knowing what router will work is a challenge. Most of us will rely on  recommendations from Hughes or the installer. As stated the recommended router could be  problematic. Presently I am faced with that issue. Recently replacing a failed router with a Linksys WRT1900AC. While working great for a period of time it now disconnects and reconnects at random. The Hughes modem is working great, can run directly from it with out issue. Have posted on the Linksys Community site and have received suggestions but not solutions. If a solution is found will share here   

well when a old ancient Dell 2300 with 64 mb RAM seems to connect as well or better than my hyperthreaded Dual core Acer there may be a problem I'll let you know.  Hey Alan thanks for this post.