Slow Internet on Two-Router Setup

[unoplayer]

I currently use a two-router setup, with both routers running Tomato. The main router (connected to the modem) is a Cisco WRT-54GL, and the secondary router (connected to the main router) is a Belkin Share Max N300.

My Mac laptop, which is connected by Ethernet to the secondary router, gets about half the speeds of the Windows laptop connected by Ethernet to the primary router. Sometimes, the connection comes to a halt for about a minute. I can quickly restore the connection without waiting by switching on WiFi (I don't know why this works) while I am still connected via Ethernet. I borrowed my friend's AirPort Extreme for a while and connected both computers directly to it, and the problem occurred less but was still there.

What is wrong with my Internet setup? Is it my Mac, my routers, or my modem (Motorola SB6121)? I have Comcast as my Internet provider. I am willing to spend up to $200 to buy equipment to fix the problem since the constant slowness is very annoying. Thanks.

 

[tipstir]

What's your download speed from Comcast? Your still on D1/D2 modem? Comcast does offer D3 modem, which you can buy and install yourself. Just call up tech support and give them the new modem mac address. Then you can use the modem Ubee D3 with 1000mbps port. Now that Comcast has doubled everyone speed from blast from 25 to 50 and 50 to 105 and the 105 to 210. Still along way from 1000mbps. Still we're getting there.

Also do you have two WAN accounts or (also known as two IPs from Comcast) you have two routers in use. Also might be time to upgrade those routers to better ones with faster CPU and More RAM inside. Those with RAM of 128 to 256 are just fine

 

[unoplayer]

I am supposed to have download speeds of 25 Mbps, but I usually get 4 mbps on my Mac and 8 Mbps on the Windows computer. I supply my own D3 modem, the Motorola SB6121. No, I do not have 2 WAN accounts. The Cisco WRT-54GL is connected to the modem, and the Belkin Share Max N300 is connected to a LAN port on the Cisco WRT-54GL.

 

[Cloud200]

Just making sure, this is the topology of your network:

Modem <-----WAN port> WRT54GL <LAN port-------WAN port> Belkin N300 <LAN port--------> Mac Laptop

There are two things iffy from what I can see.
First off, you are using the slower of the two routers as your main firewall and using two firewalls.
Second (if I am assuming this correctly), you didn't test everything or give us all the information.
1. does the windows laptop get the same speed issues on the N300?
2. does the windows laptop have any issues connected to the WRT54GL?
3. does the mac laptop disconnect or get any slowness on the WRT54GL?
4. when you swapped in the airport, where in the topology did you swap it?

 

[CaptainSTX]

Router vs AP

Are you using the router function on both devices? If you are connected LAN port on primary to WAN port on secondary the problem could be a double NAT if both devices are not properly configured. Depending on the firmware on both devices having dual DHCP servers can be accomplished but the settings on both devices need to mesh and not cause conflicts on the network.

It is a much simpler setup if you are connected from a LAN port on the primary to a LAN port on the secondary and DHCP is disabled on the secondary device. Unless you have a specific purpose there is no need to have two DHCP servers on your network.

There is an excellent article on this site about repurposing routers as APs.

 

[tipstir]

I am supposed to have download speeds of 25 Mbps, but I usually get 4 mbps on my Mac and 8 Mbps on the Windows computer. I supply my own D3 modem, the Motorola SB6121. No, I do not have 2 WAN accounts. The Cisco WRT-54GL is connected to the modem, and the Belkin Share Max N300 is connected to a LAN port on the Cisco WRT-54GL.

Your on the boost plan so the speed for downloads vary. Should be getting almost 30 d with the boost. Something is slowing you down. How many sets are connected to the modular box outside. If they have to many splitters that will hurt you.

How far is the modem from the box outside?