Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Final verdict on the Trendnet TEW-633GR and its routing problem. (See Final Update below for the end results.)
Summary: When I connect my systems (Red Hat, Windows, Palm OS, OS/2 (Warp/Server)), PS2, etc to the Internet using this router, I'm unable to reach various Internet addresses. Doing a trace route finds the packets go so far and then get "Destination Network Unreachable."
NOTE: This also occurs from the router's administration page's ping page not just from various machines on the network.
The problem does NOT occur under two circumstances.
1) I connect a system directly to my Comcast cable modem.
2) I use my Linksys router (WRT54G or WRT600N).
Hook the Trendnet back up and the problem returns 100% of the time.
After calling Trendnet support, I began to become hopeful in finding a solution. Level one sent me almost immediately to level two, who called me back and worked through various possibilities. Follow-up phone calls from level two, though, required I contact them.
During the last session level two agreed something "interesting" was going on for two reasons.
1) They were unable to ping to these sites from their location using DSL. Their trace routes failed at the same point.
2) They connected into my router and verified mine failed by using the ping feature under Administration.
NOTE: I'm avoiding using the term web site, as I use various Internet protocols into these sites (e.g. sftp, ssh, smtp, dns, imcp, and yes http).
They gave me a choice to send them the unit or send it back to Amazon.com for a refund. I decided this unit is still my first choice as a replacement for the Linksys. Getting a RMA number, I send the unit back. This is where we are today. Trendnet has the unit (USPS tracking) but has yet to contact me.
The TEW-633GR works great otherwise and the gigabit wired interfaces do improve system to system speed for various protocols (e.g. ftp, sftp, large http requests, etc.).
Can I recommend it to you? If the Internet addresses you try to reach doesn't hit this routing issue the answer is yes! But I'm not sure what Internet addresses have problems with this router. You might go a lifetime without hitting this problem or one day you need to connect to your new employer's site and can't. Fortunately, Trendnet does seem interested in solving this issue.
I'll update this review as I get more information. The verdict is still out and hopefully this router will get a five by five rating and be with me for a very long time.
Final update:
According to the router's developers the problem is with the ATHEROS chip set they use.
I'm using Comcast and tried both a RCA and Motorola modem. We also tried DOCSIS 1.1 and 2.0 before I ended up returning the router. Trendnet said they are ** NOT ** going to fix the issue for a couple of reasons.
(1) They don't have cable access at their headquarters. They have T-1 and DSL.
(2) They don't believe cable users are a large percentage of their business.
(3) We agreed not all cable users will see this issue. Yet, those who do will be out of luck, period.
I'm now using a Linksys WRT600N with a Broadband chipset with no routing issues. I returned the Trendnet TEW-633GR to Amazon.com because of this design / software defect (per Trendnet assessment).
Click Here to see more reviews about: TRENDnet 300Mbps Wireless N Gigabit Router TEW-633GR (Piano Black)
The 300Mbps Wireless N Gigabit Gaming Router incorporates the latest wireless and Gigabit networking technology to increase speed, range, security and reliability. The router provides unsurpassed gaming and network experience and performance. Advanced antenna and 802.11 N technology increases wireless data range and coverage. Enjoy lag-free gaming and file transfers on your wired Gigabit computers via the built-in Gigabit switch.This router features a powerful firewall and advanced wireless encryption for secured transmissions. Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization provides a seamless gaming and multimedia streaming experience. Increased speed, throughput and range make it the perfect solution to fulfill your gaming needs.
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