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[rockbottom]

Hey there..

The reviews for this router were better than most of the comparable Linksys models, which is why I bought it..

There are two issues I have, and I'm wondering if there are any, any at all work-arounds:

1. Is there any way to portforward with the firmware version 1.32NA? It doesn't seem to save the settings after I reboot. I've tried setting the portforward settings then exporting my settings, and importing them once it's rebooting.. but that doesn't help either

2. The Dynamic DNS updater doesn't use the correct IP. When using DNS-O-Matic, the router sends "192.168.0.2" as the IP -- is there a way to fix this?

Much thanks.. I've read a lot of these topics in here, but they're all complaints and do not offer any remedies (from what I've seen, correct me if I'm wrong!).

-rock

[Toilet-Duck]

1.35? I thought the latest firmware was 1.32NA

[TallCool1]

Turn off DNS relay to fix #2

Taken from the firmware- "Note: When DNS Relay is enabled along with Advanced DNS feature, your workstations on the network that are obtaining an IP address from router’s DHCP server will obtain 192.168.0.1 (router’s IP address). However, traffic will still be protected.

Although Advanced DNS feature is enabled, DNS IP address of your workstation can still be modified to the DNS server IP you desire. Please note that the router does not dictate the DNS name resolution when DNS IP address is configured on the workstation."

[rockbottom]

Turn off DNS relay to fix #2

Taken from the firmware- "Note: When DNS Relay is enabled along with Advanced DNS feature, your workstations on the network that are obtaining an IP address from router’s DHCP server will obtain 192.168.0.1 (router’s IP address). However, traffic will still be protected.

Although Advanced DNS feature is enabled, DNS IP address of your workstation can still be modified to the DNS server IP you desire. Please note that the router does not dictate the DNS name resolution when DNS IP address is configured on the workstation."

That's unfortunate, as I use the DNS relay to force the use of OpenDNS's DNS servers on my families PC's..

1.35? I thought the latest firmware was 1.32NA

Sorry for the confusion! I meant 1.32, really sorry

Well.. I was going to give this router a chance, but it lacks necessary features that even the most basic router has to offer. It's going to get returned and replaced with a WRT54GL w/ DD-WRT installed, I suppose

I really liked this router, and the reviews were great.. but the recent firmware upgrade really, really limits the use of the router

[bigeyes0x0]

First off: What are you missing with the DIR-655, speak up man, as others might be able to help. What is the most basic features that it lacks anyway?

As alternatives you should consider:
 - The Linksys WRT610n is looking good http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124296 with its current price. DD-WRT also works nearly perfect on this now. It is a true dual band too.
 - BUFFALO WZR-HP-G300NH http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162031 Don't know why it's review on newegg saying it sucks, for me its range was 2nd to none on consumer grade router and it has great feature set, too albeit the GUI can be better. You can search for its review on smallnetbuilder. DD-WRT support on this is a matter of time, although installing DD-WRT on Buffalo equipments is harder due to Buffalo encrypting their firmwares.

[rockbottom]

First off: What are you missing with the DIR-655, speak up man, as others might be able to help. What is the most basic features that it lacks anyway?

As alternatives you should consider:
 - The Linksys WRT610n is looking good http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124296 with its current price. DD-WRT also works nearly perfect on this now. It is a true dual band too.
 - BUFFALO WZR-HP-G300NH http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162031 Don't know why it's review on newegg saying it sucks, for me its range was 2nd to none on consumer grade router and it has great feature set, too albeit the GUI can be better. You can search for its review on smallnetbuilder. DD-WRT support on this is a matter of time, although installing DD-WRT on Buffalo equipments is harder due to Buffalo encrypting their firmwares.

With the latest firmware I lack the two most basic features, noted in my first post: Portforwarding and DNS relay (apparently turning this off fixes my #2 question, but creates another!).

I was semi-okay with having to manually update my OpenDNS IP (since I'm on a dynamic IP with DSL, I have to use DNS-O-Matic, which won't work unless I turn off DNS relay; which defeats the purpose of even using OpenDNS) -- but with no solution to portforwarding? Come on! This is a great product with a horrible, horrible development team behind it (sorry, but in the tech world you have to prove yourself).

I'm very much so considering buying the WRT610N -- even though DD-WRT progress on it is a WIP (apparently you only need a JTAG if it's reaally bricked; but the new Management Console solves little debricking issues (uploading bad firmware, for example)). I'm just not too keen on spending nearly $200 on a router

I would consider the Buffalo one that you mentioned if, and only if, I had a chance to see what options I can customize (IE: DHCP reserved IPs, Dynamic DNS tools).. unfortunately I couldn't find anything (only did 2 searches, going to bed soon) regarding that

[bigeyes0x0]

What is wrong with Portforwarding? As I don't forward a range of ports currently here, I use Virtual Server (single port forwarding with different ability to select different internal and external ports) and Application Rules (Port Triggering). They works fine, and to be honest Port Forwarding was fine when I used it too. If you do it correctly and your port forward is still blocked, your ISP might be interfering.

To check whether your router did have an entry for virtual server and UPnP entry you can check it by logging to your router web interface then go to Status -> Internet Sessions. Your port map entries should be somewhere at the bottom having Internet side IP addresses as *.*.*.*. You can also use these tools here http://www.upnpworks.alcidelic.com/ and here http://www.codeproject.com/KB/IP/PortForward.aspx#Demo to check. These tools can be used to add temporary port forwards too, through UPnP.
Then after confirming that you did have these entries in your router table you can use either Speedguide Security Scan http://www.speedguide.net/scan.php or GRC shield up service http://www.grc.com to test your ISP block ports. This is done by entering the port that you forward into these scanners and let them scan your server. Obviously, only TCP test (UDP is speedguide only and only works if your server returns answer when it received UDP packet through its listening port) is reliable and remember to start your server applications first.

About your DynDNS problem, why not use the router client if you only have one host name? Well it won't work if you have more than one, but do you need more than one anyway? I haven't checked if using DNS-O-Matic works but the client inside this small http server http://www.rejetto.com/hfs/ works for me with DNS Relay on. I haven't used this router with DNS Relay off. I will try DNS-O-Matic later. It seems like a cool service. The configuration you have problem is DNS-O-Matic client with DNS Relay on right?

About alternate routers again: the WRT610n is actually selling for 133$ currently on newegg. That's a steal. The Buffalo one, I guess you have seen this but here you go http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30889/96/1/1/ .

[bigeyes0x0]

I wrote How to use DNS-O-Matic with your DIR-655 Dynamic DNS client. I guess it will help you with your problem.

[rockbottom]

@bigeyes0x0

Are you using firmware 1.32NA? Because that's what this thread is about, and it looks like you're not using it.. I have 1.32NA and it will not, I repeat will NOT, save any settings for Virtual Server or Portforwarding. When I do the required reboot it gets cleared, and I'm positive this is a known problem..

Also, I told you that I'm using the Dynamic DNS feature on the router, but it doesn't work unless you turn off DNS Relay, which I need

I'm not a network novice by the way, I've done this stuff for years. It's the firmware that's causing issues, and I was merely wondering if there was a viable way to portforward and get the dynamic DNS feature working, but apparently not.

[EddieZ]

It does save fine here with 1.32NA. So if your claim is that is really does not it's kinda premature. But why believe me....

[rockbottom]

It does save fine here with 1.32NA. So if your claim is that is really does not it's kinda premature. But why believe me....

I would not lie to you.. it does not save, period.

I type all my settings into the Portforwarding (or Virtual Server, both don't save) section, click save Settings, then it asks me to reboot. Just to see if my changes were intermittently saved I clicked Reboot Later and yes, they were there. But once the reboot is complete, the settings are nowhere to be found.

[lizzi555]

I had the same problem with this version, it did not save any advanced settings.
So I installed 1.31 again and it worked. Then flashed 1.32 NA again and it worked.

Don't forget to reset to factory defaults for each new flash. And configure it manually, do not use a saved settings file.

It works !

[rockbottom]

Thanks for sharing your solution

[bigeyes0x0]

Indeed, it might be a bad flash or you load the old config of your previous firmware. A reflash then reentering all your settings might help. And BTW I'm on 1.32NA, functionality wise it's ok but stability is not really good after a few days.

[EddieZ]

I would not lie to you.. it does not save, period.

I type all my settings into the Portforwarding (or Virtual Server, both don't save) section, click save Settings, then it asks me to reboot. Just to see if my changes were intermittently saved I clicked Reboot Later and yes, they were there. But once the reboot is complete, the settings are nowhere to be found.

I believe you. Just don't make it sound generic.