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[kiraz]

Hello, I just purchased a DIR 655 router. I can't set it up until tomorrow when my internet provider comes to swap out my modem/router combo for a standard modem but is there anything I should know about this router? Any issues with firmware? I see on the bottom it says I have H/W ver. B1 and F/W ver. 2.10NA. I'm only going to use wireless occasionally. I wanted a router that will give me open NATs on 2 xbox's out of the box and I've heard good things about this one (though seeing bad things on these forums which is making me wonder). So yeah! What can you guys tell me? Does this 655 have the security issues with UPnP? Because I think I'd need that on for two open NATs. :/

[FurryNutz]

What region are you located?
Are you wired or wireless connected to the router?
Has a Factory Reset been performed?

What ISP Modem make and model do you have?
Motorola SB 6 Series modems are recommended. 
Check ISP MTU requirements, Cable is usually 1500, DSL is around 1492 down to 1472. Call the ISP and ask.

Some things to try: - Log into the routers web page at 192.168.0.1. Use IE, Opera or FF to manage the router.
Turn off ALL QoS or Disable Traffic Shaping (DIR only) GameFuel (DGL only and if ON.) options. Advanced/QoS or Gamefuel.
Turn off Advanced DNS Services if you have this option under Setup/Internet/Manual.
Turn on DNS Relay under Setup/Networking.
Setup DHCP reserved IP addresses for all devices ON the router. Setup/Networking. This ensures each devices gets its own IP address when turned on and connected, eliminates IP address conflicts and helps in troubleshooting.
Ensure devices are set to auto obtain an IP address.
If IPv6 is an option on the router, select Local Connection Only or Disable IPv6 options under Setup/IPv6.
Set Firewall settings to Endpoint Independent for TCP and UDP under Advanced/Firewall.
Enable uPnP and Multi-cast Streaming under Advanced/Networking. Disable uPnP for testing Port Forwarding rules.
WAN Port Speed set to Auto or specific speed? Some newer ISP modems support 1000Mb so manually setting to Gb speeds can be supported by the router. Advanced/Advanced Networking/WAN Port Speed
Set current Time Zone, Date and Time. Use an NTP server feature. Tools/Time.
 
Link>Wireless Installation Considerations
What wireless modes are you using? Under Setup/Wireless/Manual.
Try single mode G or N or mixed G and N?
Channel Width set for Auto 20/40Mhz or try 20Mhz only.
Try setting a manual channel to a open or unused channel. 1, 6 or 11. 11 for single mode N if the channel is clear.
What security mode are you using? Preferred security is WPA-Personal. WPA2/AES Only. Some WiFi adapters don't support AES, so you might want to try TPIK only or Auto.
What wireless devices do you have connected?
Any cordless house phones?
Any other WiFi routers in the area? Link> Use InSSIDer to find out. How many?
Turn off WISH, and WPS under Advanced.
Try turning off Short GI, WLAN Partition,and Extra Wireless Protection if you have it. Under Advanced/Advanced Wireless.
Enable WMM Enable Under Advanced/Advanced Wireless.

Turn off all anti virus and firewall programs on PC while testing. 3rd party firewalls are not generally needed when using routers as they are effective on blocking malicious inbound traffic.
Turn off all devices accept for one wired PC while testing.

Check cable between Modem and Router. Link> Cat6 is recommended.

For XBL gaming, please review the following:
Gaming and QoS for XBL

[kiraz]

Man thanks of all this info! I'll be referring to this. I live in Minnesota and have Mediacom Ultra 50 cable. I will be connected wired. Mediacom tech is coming out tomorrow to give me a DOCSIS 3.0 stand alone modem. I do not have it connected yet because I am waiting until tomorrow. My current MTU with mediacoms modem/router combo is set to auto. Does that need to be changed when I set up the 655?

[FurryNutz]

Should be set to 1500 by default I believe.

You can set up the 655 with out the ISP modem being online as well.

[kiraz]

Excuse my ignorance but how? lol How can I set up the router without being online?

[FurryNutz]

Don't have to be online to setup any router. Just connect a PC or Laptop to the LAN port and manually configure it.

[kiraz]

Oh I see.  I should use the cd that came with it first I presume?

[FurryNutz]

or you can manually set up the router as well. 

[kiraz]

Yeah I think I'm going to do it manually. No need for the crappy setup you get from those CD's sometimes!

[FurryNutz]

Enjoy.

[Hard Harry]

You might want to ask if you can buy your own modem. But first see which one they give you. Also, after the install I can show you how to check the signal levels to the modem. The first trick to having a stable network connection is having a stable ISP connection.

As for the DIR-655 B1, I believe there was a wifi bug detected in the early ones having to do with the 20/40 channel width. The work around was to make sure Channel scan was enabled.

Also, try to keep the modem and router some place cool. You don't have to go nuts, but make sure there is space around them, not near anything hot, etc. Make sure you have a good electrical set up. What I mean is none of this. More like this. Remember that the "internet" is physically just fast pulses of electricity going through wires, if your electricity is unstable, your network may be unstable. Cheap power strips and even expensive UPS (battery backups) don't have the isolated filter banks to stop the power surge that might occur from say, booting your computer up. These surges can reset the modem and router, much like flushing the toilet has the effect of making the person scream in the shower. I would say poor signal levels, mis-configured routers, electrical problems, and overheating equipment being the leading causes of internet issues, in that order.

[kiraz]

Got everything up and running!
Ok so IPv6 connection. I'm not seeing where I can disable it. Unless you mean setting it to automatic detection and then unchecking "Enable automatic IPv6 address assignment".
Also, I don't even know what IPv6 is so yeah.

[FurryNutz]

I should have a option for Local Connection Only. Select this.

[kiraz]

Done. Thanks for all the help guys!

[FurryNutz]

Enjoy.