Category: Router

Is IPv6 a Problem or is it still in Beta?

Paul


Due to the high volume of people, I have thought of how best to go about describing my issue with my DSL router and why I”ve disabled IPv6!!!   First off, I have a VISTA Premium System, with an OEM license.  That isn’t nothing new.  The problem is that if I use IPv6, I would constantly get no internet.  I would always get local but not Internet.  I didn’t know why until recently, and that was IPv6.  It isn’t to say I don’t stop getting this.  I still do but it is less of the problem.  I could re-install the system and see if that fixes the problem.

Would that fix the problem?

Yes it probably would if it is a driver issue.  I say it isn’t because if it was a driver issue I could just downgrade to an earlier driver, which there is none.  I am going to guess that no one has done any new drivers for the IPv6 Since Vista came out.  I don’t know why but with my DSL it has been an issue when I was on my cable.  I recently switched, I had no problems.

Could it be my DSL Provider?

It is also a probability.  I do know like any DNS providers with the latest scare.  Is your DNS Safe?  I talked about DNS cache Poisoning and how to fix it. I talked about OpenDNS.  I have been using OpenDNS since I’ve gotten DSL and if it was an DNS issue, I’ve read reports that Open DNS has never had this type of issue.  So it can’t be my DNS although, there is always a chance the DSL provider could be having problems with the IPv6 Protocol.  Check out Failing to plan is planning to fail post about this same type of issue.

Could I have a bad DSL Modem?

Let’s just say this, If it is the modem then that would be a problem.  You try telling you provider that you are having problems with IPv6.  I am sure they would be scratching there heads like what is that and how do you know?  So I would love to flash the DSL modem with the latest software but for some reason I can’t find any updates.  It’s a Westell 325W and I looked and can’t find anything!!  I could see if I couldn’t find a Linux distro to flash into but I am not that good at this stuff.  So If you know how to fix that problem.  By all means tell me.

Could I use a AYIYA tunnel to fix this?

The only problem I see with this that it would slow me down even more.  I only have so much bandwitdth to worry about.   Having to Tunnel this through a service would hinder me.  So I can’t think of any reason why I would want to slow me down.  I am really not concerned with IPv6 because when they do go into being required, they should have this fixed.  Will they fix the problem soon, I hope but I hold no definite answers on that one!!

Understanding your wireless Router

Paul1 Reply

Two things to understanding your wireless router is: secure your router and figure out what you router IP is. This can be difficult because a variety of routers use what they called the internal house IP’s.  Check this site out for several brands of Routers, to figure out your router IP:

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Download_Area/ATW_Library/Networking/Network__4-List_of_default_Router_Admin_Passwords_and_IP_addresses.pdf

BTW you can see the default user and password for most of them, so that tells you how important it is to change those ASAP. <VERY IMPORTANT>

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Now what are these used for? I’ll break it down for the novice users, these are used for your location router. A router monitors the network and directs traffic from the Internet to the computer needing that information. It then has to figure out which computer is asking or sending out packets. How does it know each computer, the router uses its’ own internal ip. It gives each computer a number, usually like something like this:
For Example, A Belkin Router:

  1. 192.168.1.2

  2. 192.168.1.3

  3. 192.168.1.4

  4. so on until 192.168.1.255

Although you will probably not get to the last one if you did, the router would then use  192.168.2.2, 192.168.2.3, 192.168.2.4, and so on same as the ones up there but it would add a 1 to the 2nd ip number. So what does this tell you. Each computer has it’s own internal IP for the router. Onces the router sends out the information on the net, it strips the internal ip and puts your private ip instead, this way the Internet knows where to send the requested packets or information too. Then like I said the router does what it needs to do to get your information to the right computer.

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Now why tell us about internal IP’s? It is to better understand how your router works for you to get what you need to do out of it. Now you might be asking how do I access the router directly from a browser, that’s simple.  You would just put in your internal IP, use the list that I provide you to find out your internal ip and direct your browser there.  Some routers have what I call a self DNS, that is if you put in the address bar “http://dslrouter” or “http://cablerouter” you would be taken to your routers setup page.  Althought this isn’t on all routers it however is on some of them to better make it easier for you to get to it.
Refer back to my previous post on 10 ways to keep your wireless router secure!

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10 ways to keep your wireless router secure!!

Paul2 Replies

I have been doing quite a few router reworks. I’ve got a wireless G router from my DSL provider and Have had problems with someone in my neighborhood trying to get onto my router. They were trying everything. I wanted to give you some suggestions that would help you keep your secure and have some piece of mind!!

  1. Turn off Signal Identification (What your router name is)– By turning of the signal so no one can see the broadcast name will greatly make it harder for anyone to get onto your router.

  2. Change your router identification – Creating a unique router identification will also make it harder for anyone to guess router identification. Keep the identification something that is unidentifiable to the location where you live.

  3. USE WPA and not WEP – WEP has been cracked so if at all possible use WPA encryption and that too will make it harder for an unwanted guest.

  4. Use a Random Password Generator (Roboform an generate secure random passwords) [“Use one these promo codes to get it cheaper”] – By using a random password you prevent hackers from guessing the Network password of your WPA key.

  5. Change your Admin name account, if you can. – Some Admin accounts can be change to something else. The default admin is the most widely used one.  Change it to something ONLY you will know. You will increase your security also that way.
  6. Change the default password and Use the Random Password Generator (Roboform) [“Use one these promo codes to get it cheaper”]– Same as tip 4 but the is a must every time I get a new router or have to reset my router.

  7. If your not expecting to have a lot of laptops on the network turn on Media Access Control filter – Preventing unauthorized computers from connecting to the wireless router helps you lock down the router!!

  8. Update your BIOS – If you have a flash bios on the router update that. There may be know vulnerabilities of old routers that hackers can use to gain access.

  9. Turn Router Firewall to Medium – They say having a hardware firewall is harder for any viruses and Trojans to get in or out. It also helps to prevent hackers from gaining access to the router.

  10. Back up your configuration – Some routers let you back up your current configurations in case you need to restore the configuration if you have to reset the router. This will make it easier to restore the router to your preferred specifications.

This isn’t all you need to do but this will get your going on the right track.  If you want to check out the routers firewall.  Go to GRC Shields up and do a battery of tests on y our connection.  The more prepared you are the harder it is for a hacker/unwanted guests to get on your network.  If you have any suggestions that you want to throw my way just post a comment or go to my About me page and email me!!