Netgear DGN3500 RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Modem Router

Great little product- simple config change solves connection problems
I've found this product has a great wireless range with the interior antenna and in my case removed the need for access points locally. It's v. easy to use/configure.

Most of the negative comments in these reviews seem to revolve around this router not holding an IP connection. To fix this, go to the "WAN Settings" tab of the admin screen and UN-TICK "Connect Automatically, as required" and click "Apply"- yes UN-TICK it. If you are on PPPoA and this is ticked, it automatically reconnects with DSL but does not re-establish your IP connection. With it un-ticked, it will re-connect to the internet on the first outgoing traffic like many other broadband routers. If only they'd had this as the default!

If your line was dropping out very frequently however this is not normal so check out with your service provider, you may have an intermittent line problem you were not previously aware of until you bought this router. Infrequent drop-outs are normal however for...
Unable to maintain a connection.
In many ways, this router is an excellent piece of kit. It has Netgear's characteristically easy-to-use administration page, it is *very* well equipped to serve all but the most demanding of home users with its gigabit ethernet and Wireless N networking connections, and it looks rather good.

However, this router will NOT hold a connection. I've had two of them, and both lose the connection to the internet and refuse to reconnect automatically (despite the appropriate settings being selected). There are ways to reconnect - if you want to log in to the router or reboot every few hours, but I did not. I wanted something that would stay connected and make my "always on" broadband connection always available.

I'm not the only one, either. Just search for "Netgear DGN3500 problems" to find pages of problems. Upgrading the firmware didn't help, either.

So, despite having the potential to be a great device, this one goes back to Amazon as defective, as did the...
Stable Under Pressure
At first this router was unstable and needed reset daily due to wifi or internet connection issues but after a week or 2 it finally stabilised and has worked fine since. I only bought this model as I required compatibility with O2 broadband and ADSL2+. It is suggested that the router and ISP chip should match to guarantee stability of connection.
The device includes Wireless N and 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports as well as the USB port, all the latest features required in a media hungry household. I currently have a 24hr Media Server, PC and TV wired to the router and multiple laptops, smart phones and a printer using the wifi daily, all without any issues.
I've had the router over 6 months now and apart from the first 2 weeks when it was a connection nightmare, I've only had to reboot it once, and that was due to a firmware update.

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