Newbie router question

I have just replaced my Linksys router WRT54G today as the first one lasted
less than a year. Linksys support said it's because i have it plugged into a
outlet controlled by a wall switch which controls must of my computer
system. They suggest leaving it on at all times. Does this make sense? Is
this what most of you do? I don't want to ruin this router also if true. I
also have a new Linksys cable modem using this same outlet. Should the modem
and router be left on at all times? It's not a problem to change to another
outlet if necessary.
Thanks for any help.
Ed

On Sat, 23 Jul 2005 00:32:04 -0400, "Ed Smith" <ejsmith69@comcast.net>
wrote:

>I have just replaced my Linksys router WRT54G today as the first one lasted
>less than a year. Linksys support said it's because i have it plugged into a
>outlet controlled by a wall switch which controls must of my computer
>system. They suggest leaving it on at all times. Does this make sense?

Why do I smell an attempt by Linksys support to pass the blame back to
the customer? Did Linksys honor the warranty?

I deal with about 5ea WRT54G routers, setup as access points, at local
coffee shop hot spots. At night, 3ea of the owners turn off the
routers. This has been going on for about 2 years. No failures. I
also have customers that turn their wireless routers on and off as
they have no use for them when nobody is home. So far, no failures.
However, I have had failures with BEFW11S4, DWL-900AP+, and Apple
Airport routers for various reasons. Old Apple and SMC routers had
defective electrolytic cazapitors that would bulge on the top and leak
badly after about a year. I lost two BEFW11S4 routers to what I
suspect was power line spikes (not sure). Two DWL-900AP+ in
succession were overheated by the customer and had a short lifetime.
The third survived after a ventillated the desk drawer they were
hidden inside. In general, turning the WRT54G should have no effect
on longevity.

Incidentally, the WRT54G has a really nifty power supply, that will
run on just about any DC voltage between 4.5VDC and perhaps 18VDC.
It's therefore almost totally immune to power line loss, voltage
variations, and possibly power line spikes.

So, what type of failure did you experience? No lights? Flashing
"test" light? All lights stuck on all the time? DC power supply
failure? Also, what hardware version (look on serial number tag).

>Is
>this what most of you do? I don't want to ruin this router also if true. I
>also have a new Linksys cable modem using this same outlet. Should the modem
>and router be left on at all times? It's not a problem to change to another
>outlet if necessary.

I like to leave everything on all the time. However, that's not
because of long life issues. It's because I'm lazy and can afford the
electricity. Doing the math:

WRT54G burns about 8 watts of power.
8 watts * 24hrs/day * 365 days/year = 70 kw-hrs/year
At $0.15/kw-hr, that's $10.50/year to leave your WRT54G
plugged in all the time.

Apple Airport capacitor repair:
http://www.vonwentzel.net/ABS/Repair/

General comments on bad caps:
http://www.badcaps.com


--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831.336.2558 voice http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
# jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
# jeffl@cruzio.com AE6KS

Ed Smith wrote:

> I have just replaced my Linksys router WRT54G today as the first one
> lasted less than a year. Linksys support said it's because i have it
> plugged into a outlet controlled by a wall switch which controls must of
> my computer system. They suggest leaving it on at all times. Does this
> make sense?

I left my 11S4 v1 router on 24/7 365 since 2001 and it had no problems but
it eventually died. Now I leave my Watchguard Firebox III 6 on 24/7 365
too.

> Is this what most of you do? I don't want to ruin this router
> also if true. I also have a new Linksys cable modem using this same
> outlet. Should the modem and router be left on at all times? It's not a
> problem to change to another outlet if necessary.

I run all my equipment through a Belkin UPS/AVR system the modem, hub, FW
appliance, printer, print server, 3 computers and some times 4. And the WAP
will be plugged in there too when and if I ever go back to using a wireless
connection. IMHO, things like routers don't like to be switched on and off
on a routine basis nor do they like power spikes or drainage on the line
from household appliances switching on and off too. They like clean and
constant power that cannot be provide by some power strip laying on the
floor plugged into some wall outlet controlled by and on off switch.

Duane :)

Sorry I took so long to reply, had to go out of town. Thanks for the in
depth replies. My questions have been answered.
Ed

"Ed Smith" <ejsmith69@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:47ydnYSJjafVVXzfRVn-3g@comcast.com...
>I have just replaced my Linksys router WRT54G today as the first one lasted
>less than a year. Linksys support said it's because i have it plugged into
>a outlet controlled by a wall switch which controls must of my computer
>system. They suggest leaving it on at all times. Does this make sense? Is
>this what most of you do? I don't want to ruin this router also if true. I
>also have a new Linksys cable modem using this same outlet. Should the
>modem and router be left on at all times? It's not a problem to change to
>another outlet if necessary.
> Thanks for any help.
> Ed
>
>