Internet is slow with ANY router

I just signed up for service with Time Warner cable in Dallas, TX. I am supposed to get 7Mbps down w/ bursting to 10Mbps. If I connect the cable modem directly to my PC, I get the advertised speed. If I go through my router I rarely get above 2Mbps. I know its not my router because I went and bought two new routers, both different brands and the same issue occurs. I've also tried both of my laptops so I know its not the computer either. At this point I'm almost positive its their service. No router = fast, w/ router = slow. Has anyone had this issue?

Currently I use a Linksys WRT54G w/ DD-WRT as my router with Windows 7. I've been using it for years without issue. If know one has any ideas I'll have to call CS and pretend I'm not using a router since their only fix is for me not to use a router which I find unacceptable.

Juice

Posted 2009-12-27T00:17:54.400

Reputation: 944

1I tried flashing to the official firmware, no dice. I did fix it though. For some reason cloning my PC's MAC address to the router fixed the speed issue. – Juice – 2009-12-27T02:38:45.587

@Luminose, that's an important comment. Others may have this same problem so post it in an answer, accept it, and I'll vote you up. – hyperslug – 2009-12-27T03:13:42.660

Answers

Cloning my PC's MAC address instead of using the router MAC address fixed my speed issue.

Juice

Posted 2009-12-27T00:17:54.400

Reputation: 944

What's interesting/tricky about this is that your ISP permitted a slow connection to a foreign MAC address rather than completely blocking it. – hyperslug – 2009-12-27T12:57:35.960

What really makes me angry is that I've been on the phone numerous times with tech support and the only advice they can give is "reboot your router and modem". – Juice – 2009-12-27T14:00:19.110

Some cable modems either require, or at least behave much better if you disable STP (DD-WRT Web Interface -> Setup Tab -> Basic Setup -> WAN Setup section). Also, I have seen the QoS settings wreak havoc on cable connections, as their "bursty" nature really doesn't play well. Disable any QoS on the router as well. Lastly, I find using dnsmasq on the router and having your computer use the private address (usually 192.168.1.1) as both gateway and DNS works best.

More information: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/STP

Goyuix

Posted 2009-12-27T00:17:54.400

Reputation: 6 021

If you're using DD-WRT on a router, you should look into flashing back to the default firmware of the router. It must be a setting within the router QoS.

muncherelli

Posted 2009-12-27T00:17:54.400

Reputation: 2 009