Overheating Modem/Router

[Chargeit]

Figured I'd post a word of warning...

I've been using my Link with good success playing Fallout 4.

After some time I started getting really poor/laggish streaming. I checked the link and it was barely warm to the touch.

I checked my PC and it running normal temps. The fps was a steady 60. CPU usage, Ram usage, all vitals good with lots of room to spare.

I touched my modem and notice it was very hot.

I was able to adjust the position of it. The cable guy had laid it flat. Looking at the modem it's meant to be stood up right. Luckily standing it upright seemed to fix the overheating issues for me atm. I will however look into add a fan or something to help with general airflow around it.


Point being, if you suffer from unexplained performance issues while streaming make sure it isn't something simple like an overheating router or modem.

[Greg]

You would probably be much better off using a switch ($20-30) or buying a standalone router.

[SixGunManiac]

Originally posted by < Greg:

You would probably be much better off using a switch ($20-30) or buying a standalone router.

Very good point here on the standalone router. A 2in1 gateway (modem and router combined) often overheat as they have two processing cores and no fans. A switch wouldn't do a whole lot as all the data is still being routed through the gateway directly anyway. Go with a fan in this case.

[Chargeit]

I'll check into it. I'll try a fan first since I want extra airflow in the area anyway. My wireless router is being used on the business line so I'd have to buy a new one for my home line.

[SixGunManiac]

Originally posted by Chargeit:

I'll check into it. I'll try a fan first since I want extra airflow in the area anyway. My wireless router is being used on the business line so I'd have to buy a new one for my home line.

Yeah a cheap directional fan would be your best least expensive option. The other (separate router and modem) is a good way to go but gets much more costly.

[Greg]

Originally posted by Chargeit:

I'll check into it. I'll try a fan first since I want extra airflow in the area anyway. My wireless router is being used on the business line so I'd have to buy a new one for my home line.

A switch would work leaps and bounds better than your current modem/router combo while being $5 more than a fan. Using a switch the link would bypass your router completely if it's local and wired.

[SixGunManiac]

Originally posted by < Greg:

Originally posted by Chargeit:

I'll check into it. I'll try a fan first since I want extra airflow in the area anyway. My wireless router is being used on the business line so I'd have to buy a new one for my home line.

A switch would work leaps and bounds better than your current modem/router combo while being $5 more than a fan. Using a switch the link would bypass your router completely if it's local and wired.

No. All that data is being routed through a central 2in1 gateway. If you put a switch after your gateway, it all still passes through the gateway like it currently is. If you put the switch before the gateway, it all still passes through the same SINGLE gateway. Overheating will happen whether or not a switch is attached.

There is not a modem and router, just one that acts as both.

[Greg]

The way I understand it, if you used a switch from the 80's thats how it would work. In modern switches it knows which client (MAC) is on which port and doesn't just broadcast everything.

Also rereading your post I think you're a little confused as to what I'm saying. You buy the switch and plug the link and desktop PC into the switch. You then take a line and plug the switch into your modem/router combo. The modem/router hands out DHCP addresses but any traffic going from the link <-> PC would be handled entirely by the switch. If the modem is still overheating at that point then it's a different issue.

Even without the overheating, a switch will perform leaps and bounds better than your modem combo.

[SixGunManiac]

Originally posted by < Greg:

The way I understand it, if you used a switch from the 80's thats how it would work. In modern switches it knows which client (MAC) is on which port and doesn't just broadcast everything.

Also rereading your post I think you're a little confused as to what I'm saying. You buy the switch and plug the link and desktop PC into the switch. You then take a line and plug the switch into your modem/router combo. The modem/router hands out DHCP addresses but any traffic going from the link <-> PC would be handled entirely by the switch. If the modem is still overheating at that point then it's a different issue.

Even without the overheating, a switch will perform leaps and bounds better than your modem combo.

Still no. The model you show still routes all traffic through the gateway from the pc to the link (that's the issue). Pc routes to switch, switch routes to gateway, gateway routes to switch, switch back to link. You are just adding a separate step. If chargeit has his pc and link hooked up to the modem/router then the functionality is the same as a switch which = overheating. Modern gateways have the same functionality as a 4 port switch. Adding a switch would be switch to switch which is redundant unless you need additional ports.

There's literally nothing you can do to this setup that would reduce the dual processor's heat other than adding a fan.

[Greg]

Thats just not how switches actually work though. I can start a file transfer right now and unplug my router entirely from my switch. The router is just there for DHCP as I said. Once the addresses are handed out the switch can work entirely on it's own.

Cisco themselves also supports this.

How Does a Network Switch Work as Compared to a Router?

Just as switches allow different devices on a network to communicate, routers allow different networks to communicate. A router also connects networked computers to the Internet, allowing multiple users to share a connection. And a router acts as a dispatcher. It chooses the best route for information to travel, so that it's transmitted as efficiently as possible.

You could also read these

"Does all LAN traffic travel through a router"
http://superuser.com/questions/295528/does-all-lan-traffic-travel-through-a-router

"Why does traffic between two computers on a switch still travel through my router?"
http://superuser.com/questions/548696/why-does-traffic-between-two-computers-on-a-switch-still-travel-through-my-route

The second one is essentially a post with everyone telling him that he is wrong and that is impossible. To which he concedes in a comment saying he plugged his computer into the router not the switch.

[Syphen]

I run a standalone router behind my Uverse gateway. My Asus RT-N66W handles everything internal to my house and stuff goes from it through the wan port to the Uverse gateway.

And you always want your network equipment to be well ventilated. Mine gets nasty since I run the router, two 4 port switches off that, and the Uverse gateway.

I recomend this approach anyway as it segments your network a little more from the outside and adds a second layer or protection with NAT not to mention better local performance if you get a high end router. (most cable modem / router combos are ♥♥♥♥)

[Greg]

it segments your network a little more from the outside and adds a second layer or protection with NAT not to mention better local performance if you get a high end router.

Your modem/router should have a NAT just like a router has a NAT. if it didn't then it wouldn't be able to route multiple clients correctly. Also a NAT should not be a replacement for security at all. It was designed as a means to facilitate communication, not block it. If you need security then you need to set up a proper firewall.

[Syphen]

Originally posted by < Greg:

it segments your network a little more from the outside and adds a second layer or protection with NAT not to mention better local performance if you get a high end router.

Your modem/router should have a NAT just like a router has a NAT. if it didn't then it wouldn't be able to route multiple clients correctly. Also a NAT should not be a replacement for security at all. It was designed as a means to facilitate communication, not block it. If you need security then you need to set up a proper firewall.

Yes most modem/routers have NAT but they are often times very clumsy to configure (which is why I prefer a standalone router). NAT is also a supplement to security as everything hits your router first and if a computer on your network didn't ask for it then it discards it. So people doing drive by port scans will find nothing unless you have opened it on your router. Of course this won't help if your PC gets compromised.

[Greg]

Unless that port happens to connect to the outside world, even once. Then it's in the NAT table and is able to be scanned until it's dropped from the table. Like I said it's a means to facilitate communication.

The only reason why the port scan doesn't work is the ports aren't mapped to the table unless a client creates an outbound connection. This is because your router quite literally wouldn't know what goes where otherwise. *Anything* that is actually using your internet connection has an open port in your NAT table though.

[Chargeit]

The area is open. If you look at the picture, the modem is to the left of my receiver. The exhaust of my computer helps keep the receiver cooler. Maybe the router needs some "TLC".

Being in a corner doesn't help, but, I'm kind of limited in my placement options. I might look into getting the modem/router out of that corner and set it up in another spot. Will need to get some cables and wires before doing that.

The room in general gets pretty hot during the winter if I game for hours. During the summer this is less of an issue because of running AC.


http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=554617205

[deemon]

Originally posted by SixGunManiac:

Originally posted by < Greg:

You would probably be much better off using a switch ($20-30) or buying a standalone router.

Very good point here on the standalone router. A 2in1 gateway (modem and router combined) often overheat as they have two processing cores and no fans. A switch wouldn't do a whole lot as all the data is still being routed through the gateway directly anyway. Go with a fan in this case.

You are plain wrong, dear sir. An additional switch (one port to your external router you have now; one port to your PC; one to your Link; one to printer; one to your another PC; one to your NAS drive) would be perfect solution for your case. On this case no LAN data will be routed through your gateway/router ... only the internet transfer goes to your router then, which can stick to purely routing. All your in-house streaming and communications would go only though switch and never slow or heat up your router.

(If your TV streams come also over your internet connection, you should attach the equipment for that to your router other ports though (cable to TV or to your set-top box or whatever you might have there))

Originally posted by < Greg:

The way I understand it, if you used a switch from the 80's thats how it would work. In modern switches it knows which client (MAC) is on which port and doesn't just broadcast everything.

They were called HUB's.

Originally posted by < Greg:

Also rereading your post I think you're a little confused as to what I'm saying. You buy the switch and plug the link and desktop PC into the switch. You then take a line and plug the switch into your modem/router combo. The modem/router hands out DHCP addresses but any traffic going from the link <-> PC would be handled entirely by the switch. If the modem is still overheating at that point then it's a different issue.

Even without the overheating, a switch will perform leaps and bounds better than your modem combo.

+1. Exactly so. Also while at the subject, please buy "gigabit switch", not the older "fast ethernet switch". Even though Link itself only has 100Mbit port, having some headroom is always good idea. I mean your PC-s at home probably have gigabit ports. So does your NAS drive, etc.