Routers & P2P

[Vuitton]

This is some-what related to my previous post about my network problem, but I'd like to move the discussion about routers to a new thread, since it doesn't have anything to do with the OP.

Do all routers have P2P problems? I am reading up on port forwarding the P2P programs I use, but it sounds like such a hassle.

Would setting my PC as DMZ fix the problem? Or is the problem caused by too many connections going through the router? In which case I would need to throttle my own torrents? I never had any problems with speed or connection with the ethernet hub, but it looks like I will with a router.

[Cephius]

It's a very basic requirement of torrent programs is that they need a specific port to process the P2P protocols, so yes, every router will need a port forwarding profile set up. It is not that hard to do in the first place, and there are guides for almost every router available at www.portforward.com.

Do NOT put your computer on the DMZ. This is the same as giving your computer unfettered internet access, meaning no firewall, no security, nothing. It's a great way to get spyware and stuff. Putting devices on the DMZ is mostly used for things like gaming consoles and stuff like that, that do not run an operating system.

You'll need to throttle your internet connection anyway, and again, that's not hard to do. Most torrent clients allow you to cap your download and upload speeds. You should definitely do so, because if a torrent takes up your whole upload bandwidth, you won't be able to browse the web or do much of anything else.

[Vuitton]

Well, my worry is that when I used the ethernet hub all these years I never had spyware problems (ESET NOD32, Firefox w/No Script & Ad Block, and a huge host file). So I am not really too concerned about being exposed to the internet, since I am already used to being exposed.

I am concerned that the router is going to overload or something because of P2P traffic coming through 3 different computers. Something I never had to worry about with the ethernet hub.

I am aware of port forwarding and that I'll need to create static local IP addresses from the DHCP to do so for all the computers. I also heard enabling port triggering for the p2p app would also beneficial. But, I am under the impression that all these things just help speed up the downloads/uploads.

I don't want the router to overload and force me to reset it, which means I have to go back and reconfig all the static IPs, and the port forwarding for all the applications. PITA!

[Cephius]

Most decent routers won't "overload" due to the increased traffic, most are capable at transferring at speeds far greater than what you'll be downloading at. Occasionally they'll lock up or something, but all you have to do it reset it in that case. If you don't want to have to reset it ever, you're looking at getting $1000+ business class router.

Also, resetting a router doesn't erase your port forward or static IP settings. All you have to do it reset it by pulling the power and plugging it back in, not resetting to factory defaults.

[Vuitton]

Most decent routers won't "overload" due to the increased traffic, most are capable at transferring at speeds far greater than what you'll be downloading at. Occasionally they'll lock up or something, but all you have to do it reset it in that case. If you don't want to have to reset it ever, you're looking at getting $1000+ business class router.

Also, resetting a router doesn't erase your port forward or static IP settings. All you have to do it reset it by pulling the power and plugging it back in, not resetting to factory defaults.

Ah, thanks! I didn't know that. I thought it would go back to defaut settings.

[octopus]

If your router is open source capable, you may want to look into getting the Tomato firmware:

http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato

You can do all sort of qos stuff (putting torrents on low priority, high priority for xdcc, mmorpgs, etc). It's awesome!