Setting up IVP6 on Asus RT-N660 and more

[Duemarch]

Hello,
First post here. Look like great site. Upgraded my network system to:

Cable Modem: Zoom 5341J
Wireless Router; Asus RT-N660

1) My area is capable of IpV6. However, is there a reason for me to set up Ipv6 on router as I am receiving my max speeds from Comcast (28/6) with Ipv4? Here is what I am told are instructions for setting up router for IpV6:

Upgrade firmware to the latest
Reboot
Factory Reset
Reboot
Setup IPv6 on the IPv6 page to Native DHCP w/PD
Reboot
Then change what settings you want

2) Should I use the Merlin firmware update I have read on here instead of Asus firmware update? My current firmware is: 3.0.0.4.374_979.

3) Should the 5 GHz band be used for video streaming netflix with Roku box? I heard that comcast is throttling netflix streaming so not sure a faster wireless stream would change anything.

Thanks in advance

 

[jim769]

IPv6 has nothing to do with your speed. It is the next internet protocol for reaching websites on the internet. IPv4 has been the standard for years but almost all the ipv4 addresses have run out hence ipv6. That said it's not critical right now to have v6 enabled but it sure can't hurt anything. In the near future ipv6 will be a must for all internet users. Also the newest firmware by Asus and Merlin are having issues with IPv6 and it don't appear to be working properly I'm sure in the coming firmware builds that issue will hopefully be fixed.

As far as 5ghz band it's a great band because it has a lot less interference then the 2.4 ghz band and is great for streaming media. The draw back is the 5 ghz band does not travel as far and has a harder time going through solid objects so you have to make sure if you use it the signal is good and strong. I'm no expert here but I hope I answered some of your questions. I'm sure more members will post here with more info. Good Luck !

 

[CaptainSTX]

Not all Rokus are 5Ghz capable so be sure to pick one that has that feature. The 5 Ghz radios, as previously mentioned has a shorter effective ranges and won't pass through as many walls.

The best solution is to connect any video streaming devices using Ethernet. Again not all Rokus have Ethernet ports.

 

[jim769]

FYI. To the OP I'm not sure about other Roku boxes but I have two Roku 3 boxes and they are indeed duel band 2.4 and 5 Ghz wireless and also have a eithernet port if you want to direct connect.

 

[Duemarch]

I purchased the Roku 1 before I decided to upgrade router & modem. It does not have ethernet cable. I doubt it has 5 ghz capabilities but heard netflix doesn't require high download speeds to get video.

Also,
Yesterday my ethernet & wireless speeds where around 26-28 mbps. Today my wireless download speed is down to 5.33 mbps. The only thing I changed in configuration was channel bandwidth speed to 20 mhz (suggested by Asus tech support to get my wireless laser printer to find my network - it never did so I just run ethernet from router to printer). I then switched channel bandwidth back to 20/40 mhz. I am currently on channel 1 on 2.5 ghz band. What should I be looking at to find culprit of such a drop in download speed?

 

[jlake]

I purchased the Roku 1 before I decided to upgrade router & modem. It does not have ethernet cable. It would have to go thru one wall but total distance is less than 3 feet. If 5 GHz can't handle that then I have concerns for its longevity.

Also,
Yesterday my ethernet & wireless speeds where around 26-28 mbps. Today my wireless download speed is down to 5.33 mbps. The only thing I changed in configuration was channel bandwidth speed to 20 mhz (suggested by Asus tech support to get my wireless laser printer to find my network - it never did so I just run ethernet from router to printer). I then switched channel bandwidth back to 20/40 mhz. I am currently on channel 1 on 2.5 ghz band. What should I be looking at to find culprit of such a drop in download speed?

Go to the asus website and update to the latest beta firmware. If you're going to use ipv6, then try Merlin's latest beta firmware EM. The stock asus firmware doesn't have an ipv6 firewall. Merlin's does.

Then follow the basic troubleshooting steps in link below.

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=12453

 

[Duemarch]

I rebooted laptop and wireless router and higher speeds have returned. Is there a way to change wireless channel of my network in asus control panel or do I need to purchase inSSIDer for $20.

 

[jlake]

I rebooted laptop and wireless router and higher speeds have returned. Is there a way to change wireless channel of my network in asus control panel or do I need to purchase inSSIDer for $20.

See Merlin's post in this thread for free version of inSSIDer. I think you can also get it for free from cnet.

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=14497&page=2

 

[jlake]

http://www.techspot.com/downloads/5936-inssider.html

 

[RogerSC]

Yes, looking at the Roku 1 specs, it looks like only 2.4GHz. wireless, and no ethernet connection is provided. That's too bad, since an ethernet cable connection is the best, fastest, most reliable way to stream media. If you're close enough to your wireless router, 5GHz. is also good, but not as good as a hardwired connection. I would consider getting a different Roku (both Roku 2 and Roku 3 allow ethernet cable connection) if you can use an ethernet cable or 5GHz. to stream your media. Another way to use an ethernet cable connection is to use either powerline networking or MoCA to connect to your router. If you can't afford a different Roku model, then you're stuck with 2.4GHz. streaming, which is okay, but can be difficult if there are a lot of 2.4GHz. wireless networks in your area.

One other thing, if you anticipate using IPv6 with Comcast, I'd suggest using RMerlin's .35_4-sdk5 firmware rather than the latest .38_2-em firmware. I have Comcast and had a lot of problems getting IPv6 going using the -em firmware versions. While I'm sure that this will be fixed in future -em versions, IPv6 starts up consistently with .35_4-sdk5 firmware. But, as others have said, IPv6 is not needed yet, it's just something that you want to be sure works for the future, when you will need it.

One last thing, when you upgrade the firmware on your router, be sure to do a factory reset to defaults after upgrading firmware, then re-enter your settings manually. A lot of strange problems can be caused by not doing the reset after upgrading, and/or by not re-entering your sets manually.

 

[Duemarch]

Roger,
I purchased Roku 3 which included ethernet and dual band capability. Will upgrade laptop in april (will look for wireless card that can receive 5 ghz but might just wire that device also). Logistically maybe its: wire within 3 feet or less, 5 ghz for 3 to 6 feet, 2.5 ghz for rest. I think I am more wired now than I was 5 years ago and did not anticipate things going that way.

 

[Duemarch]

also I was able to find culprit for slow speed. When I run Shilds Up security check here: (https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?rh1dkyd2) After running test on my 'file sharing' & 'common ports' my speeds go from 25 mbps to 5 mbps. It requires a reboot of router and computer. Just FYI for someone running those security checks will need to reboot.