Netgear WGR614 v7: streaming media problem!

[txjaxx]

OK, i have a WGR614v7 strictly for use with my nintendo wii. my desktop is wired. the wireless router is connected off a motorola cable modem. prior to using the wireless router, all streaming media worked fine. however, after installing it, whenever i try streaming media, the wireless router goes crazy, the connection *on the wireless router only* stops, resets, and reconnects. the connection on the motorola modem is not fazed.

What is causing this? It mostly happens with realaudio/realplayer, but it also happens with windows media player and some quicktime streams. streaming mp3s don't seem to be affected. It's very annoying, as I use realaudio to stream internet radio quite often.

I am good with computers and very intuitive when it comes to troubleshooting, but wireless really confounds me.

[Mars Mug]

You could try disabling SPI in the router WAN Setup page.

Do you need to do any port forwarding with the programs you use?

[txjaxx]

"You could try disabling SPI in the router WAN Setup page."

What is this and how do i do it?
And no, I don't need to do any port forwarding for other programs to work.

[Mars Mug]

You log into the router configuration as per the manual instructions, and then go to the ‘WAN Setup’ page; there you will see an option to ‘Disable SPI Firewall’. Give it a try, if it makes no difference enable it again.

[txjaxx]

wow, that seems to work! i hope it stays like that - thank you very much!

[Zool]

I had the same problem but with a different router.

Your solution fixed the problem, thanks! However I'm worried about the effects or dangers of disabling the SPI Firewall.. Enlighten me please Mr Mars.

[Mars Mug]

Here is a description of what the Netgear SPI does, not very different to the SPI implemented by many other manufacturers;

http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101218.asp

There are situations where Netgear recommend turning SPI off, hence the option in the router settings, such as when using VPN and encountering problems, or this situation of streaming AV.

As I see it SPI is there to protect from targeted attacks like DOS, and since most home users are not typically the target for such attacks my opinion is that most can live without it.

If you had a broadband connection before getting a router you would have been open to such attacks then, and maybe had a software firewall to cover you. But if you didn’t experience attacks then, well maybe there’s no reason to think you will now you have a router. And there is nothing at all to stop you from continuing to run a software firewall, I still do with Zone Alarm but in my case it’s more to do with preventing programs on my PC from accessing the LAN/Internet without my permission (which the router will not stop).

[Zool]

Ah, thanks for that.

I never had any problems with attacks before getting a router and all the computer in the house run with atleast 1 firewall, I have 2 myself.

I think I should be okay.

Thanks alot.

[thewiccaman]

I had the same problem accessing streaming content on the BBC website with the WGR614 just bought today. Disabling the SPI firewall solved the problem so a further confirmation this works.

[Rob_E]

I have a similar issue with my router but I don't believe it's the WAN settings because it's my desktop connected through the physical LAN port having the trouble. I'm experiencing streaming audio buffering out where the application will stop and need to be started again (press play). The player is cbsplayer.streamtheworld.com. In addition large downloads are not completing i.e. iTunes podcasts. I also have a VoIP router attached and find my connection is sometimes effected. I have Charter cable service with the 5MB connection speed. I've taken the router out of the equation and found everything works.

I have upgraded the firmware to wgr614v7_2_0_23_1_0_23

Can someone help me avoid returning this box, or do I have an issue with the box? I'm pretty frustrated and want to avoid having the same issue with another router if it's just an issue with settings.