Network Connection Curiosities [solved]

[Just17]

Follow up to my beginning post and Nov. 7 reply:  I believe that this all started after installing a new router. After installation, I upgraded the firmware almost immediately.  It took me a while to discover the "curiosities" in my original post and I did not make an association regarding cause. Recently, I have been having "dropped connection" problems. On another forum addressing the specific brand, I was advised to downgrade the firmware as there appears to be problems with the most current version.  I did this and, lo and behold, the Network Center now displays all connections in their full glory. Thought you would like to know.

I guess that means you can mark this solved 

[parnote]

Follow up to my beginning post and Nov. 7 reply:  I believe that this all started after installing a new router. After installation, I upgraded the firmware almost immediately.  It took me a while to discover the "curiosities" in my original post and I did not make an association regarding cause. Recently, I have been having "dropped connection" problems. On another forum addressing the specific brand, I was advised to downgrade the firmware as there appears to be problems with the most current version.  I did this and, lo and behold, the Network Center now displays all connections in their full glory. In addition, all the other quirks (Nov 7 reply) have gone away except the stepped bar icon in the panel still shows only one (red) bar when first connected.  If I disconnect and then reconnect, it goes to 4 or 5 bars.
Thought you would like to know.

bilyo,

I'm getting ready to replace two of my routers (they have been in use for quite some time ... one of them, more than 10 years). Would you mind telling which brand of router you purchased?

TIA!

parnote

[bilyo]

just17 - Yup! However, I can't be sure what fixed it; the OS update or the firmware downgrade.

parnote - It's a Netgear wnr2000v3. I'm hoping that my connection dropping problem is now fixed.  If you get one, don't update the firmware. If necessary, downgrade to v. 1.0.1.26.  Otherwise it's fine for home use.  I'm not pleased with their support.

[parnote]

Thanks, bilyo. Netgear wasn't even on my radar. PHEW!

Because of the FANTASTIC customer service I received from Belkin (they replaced a non-functioning router with a better/faster model for no charge ... same one I've had for 10 years), Belkin is my first choice. DLink is also high on my list. Linksys is very low on my list ... don't like Cisco's business practices.

Receiving great customer service is priceless. Belkin made me a fan for life.

[bilyo]

Parnote,  Thanks for the info. Next time I buy one, I'll look at Belkin. 

[parnote]

I purchased 2 Belkin N300 routers yesterday ... and I couldn't be more pleased! Easy-peasy setup. I'll be taking one back, though, because I figured out a way to simplify my home network.

[YouCanToo]

Thanks, bilyo. Netgear wasn't even on my radar. PHEW!

Because of the FANTASTIC customer service I received from Belkin (they replaced a non-functioning router with a better/faster model for no charge ... same one I've had for 10 years), Belkin is my first choice. DLink is also high on my list. Linksys is very low on my list ... don't like Cisco's business practices.

Receiving great customer service is priceless. Belkin made me a fan for life.

At one point in time Linksys used to be good! Too bad Cisco has screwed that up.  I no longer recommend that anyone buys Linksys, it is either Belkin or Netgear. When my home router(s) needs replaced it will be with Belkin. For my servers I have Cisco switches. They are starting to really show their age though. I am thinking about replacing them with the  GSM7224-200NAS - Netgear ProSafe 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet Switch, only hitch is I will have to buy a standalone CSU/DSU (think of it as super high speed modem for T1 & T3 lines) as it is not built-in to the Netgear.