DGND3700 annonunced Dual band N600

[Gary]

Seems Netgear have decided to get in on the fibre scene, this router is an Adsl modem with an ethernet port to connect to fibre or cable equipment, with Simultaneous Dual Band—2.4 GHz and 5 GHz operation 300mbps over both radios DLNA®—stream media to DLNA media players, Multiple SSID guest networks (separate security and access restrictions) and has a Dual Core (400 MHz each) processor with 128 MB Flash and 128 MB RAM

    * IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz
    * IEEE 802.11 a/n 5.0 GHz
    * Five (5) 10/100/1000 (1 WAN and 4 LAN) Gigabit Ethernet ports
    * Two (2) USB 2.0 ports
    * One (1) ADSL2+ port

    * Wi-Fi Protected Access® (WPA/WPA2—PSK) and WEP
    * Double firewall protection (SPI and NAT firewall)
    * Denial-of-service (DoS) attack prevention

looks great on paper, I look forward to seeing reviews as dual n is something I have been after for a while, and the extra processing power will make it great for home media.

http://www.netgear.com/home/products/wirelessrouters/high-performance/DGND3700.aspx

[Rik]

Now all we need is BT to allow it.

[Gary]

Now all we need is BT to allow it.

Well since I'll be using it for plain old Adsl if its any good, I'm not to worried about that side 

[Gary]

DGND3700 should be released around the 26th of April oif Broadband buyer are to be believed, and you can use it with BT's FTTC its seems.

[Niall]

I thought this wasn't out until June, or maybe I'm thinking of another. I shall go check my old thread

{edit} Yep it is that one. It wasn't supposed to be out until June, when I was looking at it a few months ago. At the price quoted I may well get one. I think I'll wait a month or so though, just to see what the initial connection reports, etc are.

Oh, what's to allow, by the way? I'm a bit speshul and no understandy

[pctech]

You could if you so wished connect something  like a Cisco Catalyst router to a fibre modem as even in a large deployment a router may have to be connected to a serial connection Data Terminal Equipment box so these are in essence 'true' routers.

[Gary]

I thought this wasn't out until June, or maybe I'm thinking of another. I shall go check my old thread

{edit} Yep it is that one. It wasn't supposed to be out until June, when I was looking at it a few months ago. At the price quoted I may well get one. I think I'll wait a month or so though, just to see what the initial connection reports, etc are.

Oh, what's to allow, by the way? I'm a bit speshul and no understandy

I thought it was June, but I'll be a guinea pig and test it if it is released by the end of this month as Broadband Buyer suggest. 

[Niall]

Good on ya! Keep us updated. I really want one

[Gary]

Well I have the DGND3700 now. It has two separate radios so you can run 2.4Ghz at 300mbps and 5Ghz at 300mbps simultaneously  You can have 4 guest SSID's for both 2.4.and 5Ghz radiosand more info about your network than I have seen in a Netgear. Runs warm but not mega hot, has 4 Gigabit LAN ports 1 Gigabit WAN port 2 USB 2.0 ports and the adsl2 port. DLNA for connecting to your TV or whatever you have, Streaming 1080p works very well so far, I'm sure I'll find some bugs but I'll keep you posted, it is blazingly fast.  Ping on standard ADSL is 13ms well pleased with that.

[Lance]

What was the ping on your router, just for the sake of comparison?

[Gary]

What was the ping on your router, just for the sake of comparison?

20-22ms Lance

[Lance]

Shows what a difference routers can make.

[Technical Ben]

I always thought the "hops" showed 1 - 2ms for pinging a router?

[Gary]

I always thought the "hops" showed 1 - 2ms for pinging a router?

I was being as near as I could remember, I forget information quickly due to my meds, so that was as close as I could get to what I had tested earlier without retesting, the 13ms stuck though as it was new if that makes sense 

[Technical Ben]

Sorry. I'm confused. I meant, I did not realise routers lower pings, do they?

[Lance]

They can certainly impact on ping - routers can vary in the time they take to get packets from wan to lan or visa versa.

[Gary]

Replaced my old router back on 22ms new router 13ms, that may be down to the dual core 400mhz broadcom chip and 128mb ram.

[Technical Ben]

Yep. That's all I can think of. It's not like the wire is shorter. 
So the chip can process the data quicker, which is great, and send/receive the packet faster.

[Gary]

Yep. That's all I can think of. It's not like the wire is shorter. 
So the chip can process the data quicker, which is great, and send/receive the packet faster.

Considering the wires that routers come with that would just makes things worse anyway 

[Gary]

Well the router went back, great features, needs to mature a bit though, things like when you log out it does not really log out are  a problem, one issue which just bugged me was physical, the router leans to one side, after you cable it up it gets worse, now I tried another and the same problem occured, Broadband buyer though are saying they see no fault and will only refund 90%   my CC company will be dealing with that. Picture of the great but sadly leaning Router of pisa below. You expect better build quality at £161 I think.

[wecpcs]

Well the router went back, great features, needs to mature a bit though, things like when you log out it does not really log out are  a problem, one issue which just bugged me was physical, the router leans to one side, after you cable it up it gets worse, now I tried another and the same problem occured, Broadband buyer though are saying they see no fault and will only refund 90%   my CC company will be dealing with that. Picture of the great but sadly leaning Router of pisa below. You expect better build quality at £161 I think.

I was also thinking of upgrading from my DGND3300 to one of these until I saw the many problems with it particularly with the USB ports and DNLA on the Netgear forum. As you say it needs maturing with firmware updates to fix the current issues before I would consider buying one especially at the current price.

Colin

[Gary]

I was also thinking of upgrading from my DGND3300 to one of these until I saw the many problems with it particularly with the USB ports and DNLA on the Netgear forum. As you say it needs maturing with firmware updates to fix the current issues before I would consider buying one especially at the current price.

Colin

The DLNA problem is easily sorted there are settings that I think one guy did not adjust as was suggested its very comprehensive on the settings front, USB ports are slower than the 3300 probably firmware and they have removed VDSL as well in the firmware it arrives with now  Give it a few firmware updates and it will be good, I do miss seeing which port is on and in use though, the older Netgears are much clearer LED wise like our 3300's. I think it should mature well though it has an excellent feature set and already has gotten rid of most of the bugs the 3300 has but as always introduced more with all the new features, also the price will drop, and who knows maybe they can make it stand vertically! I was sad to see it go, as its very fast, but its to early to buy this I think.

[pctech]

Well the router went back, great features, needs to mature a bit though, things like when you log out it does not really log out are  a problem, one issue which just bugged me was physical, the router leans to one side, after you cable it up it gets worse, now I tried another and the same problem occured, Broadband buyer though are saying they see no fault and will only refund 90%   my CC company will be dealing with that. Picture of the great but sadly leaning Router of pisa below. You expect better build quality at £161 I think.

Not quite sure why you are worried about it leaning Gary as don't know about you but my router 'lives' under my desk and the only time I look at it is to check the status indicators when I have a connection blip.

As regards the logout issue it should time out after five minutes anyway and will probably be fixed in a firmware release.

[pctech]

As an advert for a bottled beer I once saw in a magazine said.

So it doesn't look good?

What are you going to do, drink it or sleep with it?

[Simon]

That's a bloody huge spider in the top right of that picture, Gary! 

[Niall]

I'm confused. Are you saying you've gone from liking the router, to sending it back because it leans to the left? 

[Technical Ben]

It has a supplied stand. By the sounds of it, the stand is too weak, or too thin to balance and it topples over. fine if you have space to lay it down, not if you need to put it somewhere smaller.
If you have "7 day no quibbles" returns, which AFAIK most places should have, your good. If your happy to swap if for a different model, the sales may be more inclined to play ball, as they still get a sale.

[Gary]

I'm confused. Are you saying you've gone from liking the router, to sending it back because it leans to the left? 

Not just that, it has a bunch of bugs as well Niall not worth the cash yet tbh until they are sorted out, it goes into a reboot cycle with some external drives its a pain. Also I do expect my router to be strong enough to be vertical, in that pic no cables are attached, when they are it leans really badly and you have to put a ruler or something similar under the feet to get it upright and balanced, the stand is just not up to the load, also general build quality is bad, the notification lights are hard to see one LED was hardly visible after a few days, no idea why, and you cannot easily tell what each one is, it had scuff marks on the stand with a chunk taken out at the back, the clear plastic window front bows out where it does not fit properly. All yours for £161!

[Gary]

It has a supplied stand. By the sounds of it, the stand is too weak, or too thin to balance and it topples over. fine if you have space to lay it down, not if you need to put it somewhere smaller.
If you have "7 day no quibbles" returns, which AFAIK most places should have, your good. If your happy to swap if for a different model, the sales may be more inclined to play ball, as they still get a sale.

You hit the nail on the head, also I could not get the stand off either, in fact no one I asked could, dumb design tbh. I'm not into swapping for another model right now as my DGND3300 does ok, I just wanted the better transfer speeds on my internal network with the gigabit ports and the extra NAS connections but I'll stick to what I know for now, anyway its in the hands of my CC company.

[Gary]

As an advert for a bottled beer I once saw in a magazine said.

So it doesn't look good?

What are you going to do, drink it or sleep with it?

It sits in the middle of the house in the lounge in full view where it is connected to the PS3 and TV and Apple TV and gives the best signal Mitch as its central to the Bungalow, my wife did not appreciate the new drunken look and neither did I amongst other things. Since Justina is stressed beyond belief right now changing the router back was fine by me, it bugged her it bugged me, and right now above all else what she wants goes, she really is not very well emotionally so saying 'Its only leaning enough to almost fall over but look I have a ruler here to prop it up, get used to it" really was not the best move, Mitch. She does not care about the tech bugs it has, she is not into computers and such like, she saw a p*ssed router where our other was straight, so did I, and also the firmware bugs got to me... our home our decision.

[Gary]

That's a bloody huge spider in the top right of that picture, Gary! 

[Technical Ben]

If it is not broken.....








.... don't give it to tinkering tech nerds with too much time on their hands and a credit card, like me!

The amount of times I've broken something when trying to "fix", "improve" or replace it with a "better" model.

[Niall]

So what are the real issues with the router then? The rebooting with external drives (which is odd, why does it do that?) and what else? As I mentioned, I really want one of these routers and I can lay the router on it's side, where my current one is, on the left hand side of my desk with no issues, so that's not a problem for me.

If the router has serious stability issues though, then I won't bother. If it's just the things mentioned above then it's not a problem as that would, I assume, get fixed in a firmware update. My external drive is only connected to this PC and quite frankly I wouldn't want my mum or anyone else that uses my network (my sister when she comes round, on her laptop) having the ability to nose about my photography stuff.

[pctech]

It sits in the middle of the house in the lounge in full view where it is connected to the PS3 and TV and Apple TV and gives the best signal Mitch as its central to the Bungalow, my wife did not appreciate the new drunken look and neither did I amongst other things. Since Justina is stressed beyond belief right now changing the router back was fine by me, it bugged her it bugged me, and right now above all else what she wants goes, she really is not very well emotionally so saying 'Its only leaning enough to almost fall over but look I have a ruler here to prop it up, get used to it" really was not the best move, Mitch. She does not care about the tech bugs it has, she is not into computers and such like, she saw a p*ssed router where our other was straight, so did I, and also the firmware bugs got to me... our home our decision.

Fair enough.

[Steve]

Makes me wonder whether the quality of the stand is indicative of the rest of the hardware.

[pctech]

Or the designer was worse for wear?

[Rik]

Or it was made in China.

[pctech]

Isn't most stuff these days?

[Rik]

Sadly true, Mitch. One day, we're going to regret that.

[Gary]

So what are the real issues with the router then? The rebooting with external drives (which is odd, why does it do that?) and what else? As I mentioned, I really want one of these routers and I can lay the router on it's side, where my current one is, on the left hand side of my desk with no issues, so that's not a problem for me.

If the router has serious stability issues though, then I won't bother. If it's just the things mentioned above then it's not a problem as that would, I assume, get fixed in a firmware update. My external drive is only connected to this PC and quite frankly I wouldn't want my mum or anyone else that uses my network (my sister when she comes round, on her laptop) having the ability to nose about my photography stuff.

I doubt you can get the stand off Niall it comes already attached and since the router is kinda flimsy pulling just feels like something will break, it really is badly made and i pulled as hard as I could over two days and it never came off  have a nose at the netgear forums there is a DGND3700 section, firmware may well improve things, but you can only use certain harddrives at present and its a short list. Sadlyly Lacies are not on it.

[Gary]

If it is not broken.....








.... don't give it to tinkering tech nerds with too much time on their hands and a credit card, like me!

The amount of times I've broken something when trying to "fix", "improve" or replace it with a "better" model.

I have to agree, I very guilty of that, and I know better 

[Gary]

Or it was made in China.

It is, Rik.

[Rik]

Why am I not surprised.

[Gary]

Why am I not surprised.

I'm sure a firmware update will sort out the issues, it is a fantatsic router but built so badly, the older Negears like the DG434 were pretty solid things, on these apart from a stand you cannot get out which I found objectionable you lost the port lights which do help to see what's on, you have tiny LED's but you cannot see what they are for unless you are very close, the clear plastic part on the front is badly fitted allowing dust and rubbish under it and it bows around the USB ports, the rubber plug in the front USB port just flops open easily, its like they spent all the cash on the insides with the dual core chipset and 128mb ram and flash and gave up on its construction, yet the GUI works well and it gives you all you need, its a great leap forward in one way and two back in another.

[Technical Ben]

... its like they spent all the cash on the insides with the dual core chipset and 128mb ram and flash and gave up on its construction, yet the GUI works well and it gives you all you need, its a great leap forward in one way and two back in another.

Sorry, I thought you were talking about an Apple Iphone or Ipad there. 

[FritzBox]

Sorry, I thought you were talking about an Apple Iphone or Ipad there. 

[pctech]

And I get accused of anti Apple comments.

[Rik]

 

Rightly so.

[pctech]

Most are justified though 

[Rik]

[Simon]

In your opinion. 

[Gary]

Sorry, I thought you were talking about an Apple Iphone or Ipad there. 

Perception vs actual ownership are very different things

[Gary]

Most are justified though 

[Technical Ben]

The quote did point out the positives and negatives. The iphone has both.
The build quality in Apple products is very good. However, usually at the expense of soldered in/unserviceable parts. Such as the batteries.

[pctech]

People have different opinions about every product.

I just think Apple take the **** out of their customers.


I do like the iPod I have and have bought tracks from iTunes I could not obtain elsewhere but I did buy a replacement battery and tool to get the back off the iPod as I'm not going to pay Apple a fee to do the job when the battery wears out.

[FritzBox]

I do like my iPod 30gb, even then I bought it second hand from ebay. There is also a good chance I will get hold of my daughters iphone in Sept when she gets a new one. I feel a few unlocking experiments coming on.
So Apple have not had any of my cash directly, that's how I'd like it to stay. Far too much of a closed shop for my liking

[Gary]

People have different opinions about every product.

I just think Apple take the **** out of their customers.


I do like the iPod I have and have bought tracks from iTunes I could not obtain elsewhere but I did buy a replacement battery and tool to get the back off the iPod as I'm not going to pay Apple a fee to do the job when the battery wears out.

[pctech]

I reckon Apple would be better if 'the other Steve' (Wozniak) ran it you know

[Gary]

I reckon Apple would be better if 'the other Steve' (Wozniak) ran it you know

TBH no, even though Jobs is a odd guy he turned the company around with good products and great design if you are into that sort of thing, the amount of money and the popularity of Apple is down to Steve Jobs, I agree that his attitude is way off the mark but he is a visionary as far as trend setting and shaping what we buy, until the ipad everyone laughed at tablets, now everyone is making one.

  I dont like him as such from all I have read but I do admire his skill and craft you could say. I like OS X my iMac and my iPhone, and I can see the good he has done to the company as well as the harm with Adobe etc, but tbh you don't get to be that successful by being nice. or even sane maybe 

[pctech]

Most of the design was down to Jonathon Ive http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Ive  rather than Jobs.

Jobs is definitely an excellent PR and business man, so good in fact that MS put $150 million into the company when he took the helm.

My problem is, and always has been, the prices charged for bog standard hardware customised with proprietary connectors or firmware which locks you into their servicing etc.

[Gary]

Most of the design was down to Jonathon Ive http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Ive  rather than Jobs.

Jobs is definitely an excellent PR and business man, so good in fact that MS put $150 million into the company when he took the helm.

My problem is, and always has been, the prices charged for bog standard hardware customised with proprietary connectors or firmware which locks you into their servicing etc.

I see your point Mitch, but the combined package does work well, firmware and hardware all updated by one company, keyboard firmware needs updating, drivers etc its all done by Apple software update, even the EFI firmware updates, My second iMac a 2011 Sandybridge 21.5" i7 Quadcore is fantastic, fast, OS X is very easy to use, my mother has it under control after a week, she never got around Windows, I am not slagging windows off as I like it too. My iMac looks stunning in my eyes and aesthetics are important to me. Now if you buy a AIO from Acer/Sony etc you will have the same issues with Mobo etc its proprietary, same as Apple. Its not snobbery or being a fanboy as Apple have issues as many companies do they are far from perfect, but their customer service is great and that's very important and part of the so called 'Apple Tax' I guess.

Sadly Apple attracts hyper OCD types and real fanboys, I do have OCD and there is a small mark on the aluminium stand and on the back of my new imac, but it works well, Western Digital Caviar Black HDD not a Seagate so I am happy, a great screen with no yellowing a thunderbolt port that will as the year progresses prove to be useful as new third party equipment that supports it, a very quite super drive, a built in 720p webcam, that works well, so I'll keep it, nothing is ever perfect, I spent £3000 on a Voodoo pc years back when I had an inheritance and that had issues, and scratches, its life I have to get used to its glitches.

For my needs and the fact Justina has to help me more as my memory gets worse on my meds this is a great OS, something I don't have to worry about, and as for those who like to build their own and say you get more for your money, yes you do, I agree that's true, but that's not what I want so its not what I bought and it does not bother me, I am past playing with the insides of computers, and after two years with Apple and few ups and downs I like OS X and the machines. I guess I don't care about bashing Ballmer or Jobs, I don't care if Apple try to nanny me it actually has some benefits as well as some negatives of course, I really could not care less for silly law suits over the word "app" that's not my problem or what I bought, I just use a computer, that's it. I cant change the world Mitch, but I can make it work better for me within the confines of my home and I choose the hardware and software and materials that helps do that, be it Apple Windows Linux or Tesco toilet tissue.

  In the end its down to personal choice, and I am trying very hard to not look at the political picture of these companies, it just makes your head hurt, I just want my world to work with me as best as that can ever be achieved.

[RogerP]

Hi Gary

As an Apple fan of some years now I cannot add anything else to your comments, products that work, and suit your life style what more can you ask for.

Apple products work well, software works well and ok price may be an issue but I think you get what you pay for, why buy a Hotpoint washer when you could buy a Miele costs more but just works for years, more often or not with a ten year warranty rather than one year.

[Niall]

Strange how a thread about a Netgear router ends up being an argument about Apple   <-- new favourite smiley

[Gary]

Strange how a thread about a Netgear router ends up being an argument about Apple  <-- new favourite smiley

It is a great smiley

[Simon]

For some reason, it's called 'swoon'. 

[Gary]

For some reason, it's called 'swoon'. 

I know that swoon is but its not really how I see that smiley, it should be called shopping bill 

[Simon]