Upgrading and Regression

Upgrading is usually associated with progression, so it is surprising to see regression from Tendnet wireless router TEW-631BRP to TEW-639GR. It is puzzling to see some very useful features (e.g. event log, list of connected devices for adding reserved IP) have been eliminated while unwanted features (e.g. required rebooting after adding each reserved IP).  It is even more surprising to see that TEW-639GR cannot import settings saved from TEW-631BRP.  It is given that manufacturers want to make upgrading within their products is as easy as possible in order to retain their customers.  Migrating from TEW-631BRP to TEW-639GR requires the following configuration from scratch: 1. DHCP reservation for every reserved IP; 2. DHCP server setting; 3. LAN interface setting; 4.Wireless setting. 5. Virtual server setting. 6. Filter setting.  There could be much more.

The most disturbing thing is that sometimes Internet connection does not work for a connected station, and the only fix seems to be rebooting the router.  The router does not show the complete DHCP client list (i.e. some connected clients are missing in its list).  The client list does not show computer names making it difficult to figure out which IP address is which device. Rebooting the router after adding a reserved DHCP IP does not automatically use the reserved IP. Rebooting the device for which the IP is reserved is necessary.

Adopting Trendnet products may deserve some special caution.