E4200V2 Issues [ Edited ]

[ColdnFrosty]

So I just purchased a new E4200V2 Router from the Cisco Store.  I discovered some problems while setting it up.

Storage - Disk Management (bug)

While setting up my shared disk, I found that I could not create more than two shares folders. If I create a third share, the router deletes one of the previous shares. I know that with the E4200V1 that I could create as many shares as I wanted in the partition.

Port Forwarding

For some unknown reason, if I create a Port Forward entry for Port 53 (used by XBox).  I immediately lose the internet connection on wirelessly connected devices. Every wirelessly connected device including laptops, cell phones, printer, etc. When I uncheck the Port 53, everything regains their internet connection. The devices always remain wirelessly connected to the router, they just lose their internet connection.

Firmware V2.0.26

This router comes with firmware V2.0.21. On the website, the latest firmware is shown as V2.0.26 - or at least that is what the release note posted there says. However there is no 2.0.26 firmware to download on the website.

[greencross]

Firmware looks like to be available only through the auto upgrade feature. I experienced the port 53 issue as well. Seems to be a bug blocking all DNS traffic.

BTW, can't give that storage bug a test yet.  I have a v1 cascaded but currently not using any of the USB ports.

[ColdnFrosty]

The work around seems to be to use Port Triggering for Port 53.

I figured out the shared folder issue. I have to create the share then log out of the router. Log back in, and enter the next share, then log back out, and so on. Appears to be no other way to do it!

[greencross]

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@ColdnFrosty wrote:

The work around seems to be to use Port Triggering for Port 53.

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That works. I also noticed they pumped up the maximum number of guests. Hope someone could stress test this.

[widmark]

So what is your impression?

They switched from Broadcom on v1 to Marvell on v2.  The benefit seems to be no more overheating, faster 450 vs 300 MBs on the 2.4, and anything else?  All my NICs are Broadcom/Intel 300MBs max, so only benefit to I can see would be future proofing and lower heat.

There is no discounting yet on the v2 router, so not convinced its worth 25% more ($200 vs $160) for those benefits unless I am missing other things.  Also, presumably Tomatoe doesn't work on v2 since it requires a Broadcom chipset.

[ColdnFrosty]

I did switch from a V1 to the V2.  It does run cooler to the touch.  Different power supply - wall wart rather than the separate PS with AC cord that the V1 had.

I doubt I'll see those speeds, but I can say the 5GHz coverage in the house is better with the V2 for whatever reason.

No dropped wireless connections thus far. Seems rock solid in that regard. However, as I mentioned earlier, the firmware has some bugs that need to be resolved.

[hiptechboy]

Contact Cisco and get your issues escalated to a case manager. They may or may not be aware of the issues you are describing. 

[ColdnFrosty]

Did that after the first couple hours of ownership.  Three calls, promise of a callback with 48 hrs. Same old, same old. Funniest part was the customer support rep on one call telling me to download the 2.0.26 firmware. Trying to explain that there was only a 2.0.26 Release Note and no firmware took awhile.

[hiptechboy]

Ok, I'll let them know once I get in contact with one of their engineers. 

[widmark]

Just got a v2 e4200.  Also had a v1 briefly.

I am not techy enough to run speed comparisons, but my v2 does run about as hot (to the touch) as my v1 which surprised me. Not feeling a difference there.  For what its worth there is not a v2 label on the top of the unit.  Only way to know you are looking at a v2 is to flip it and look at the underbelly.

The updated firmware which is not downloadable from the website is also not available through the E4200v2 web interface as some have suggested. Disconcerting that after folks have spoken to Cisco engineers and remarked on forums that the firmware isn't working, that days or even a week later, no fix.  Especially when one of the bigger gripes on Cisco is they don't update their firmware enough and keep a lid on bugs... hence so many Tomatoe users.  As said there are known bugs in the current firmware for v2.

IP6 is implemented in v1 through the latest firmware.  IP6 implementation in v2 appears much more integrated, perhaps to a fault at the moment since can't use it yet.

My unit has a wall wart not a power brick too.

I don't have any 450MBs clients so for me, not sure what I got for the extra $40!  May be returning.  I have a little more time to play with both before I have to return 1.