Quality of Service settings for online poker

[Poker monkey]

Does anyone have any experience of setting up a Quality of Service (QoS) router to work with online poker programs?

I don't know much about the subject, but I do know that when I'm playing poker and my flatmates start making heavy use of the internet, everything grinds to a halt and I basically have to take a break till they've finished.

I'm looking at various options but I haven't yet decided on one solution. I don't want to spend a lot on a new ADSL wireless-G modem/router because I already have one, as well as a stand alone modem and a wireless router.

Just looking around, these seem to be some of the options:

D-Link DGL-4300 (GamerLounge) - apparently this is good but it's been discontinued, and there doesn't seem to be a direct replacement with QoS

Billion 7300G - looks perfect but apparently the wireless range is really bad

D-Link DSL-G624T - QoS features look a bit limited

Hawking Broadband Booster - Could get one of these devices and stick it between the ADSL modem and the standalone wireless router, apparently they work well for VOIP etc, not sure about online poker? Configuration options seem to be limited. It also costs almost as much as just buying a new wireless modem/router


So my question is, if I get a router with very basic QoS functions, will it work straight out the box with online poker programs? Do poker applications work over certain ports that need to be configured? How much configurability do I need to look for?

Thanks for any help, and recommendations on the hardware would be useful.

[gobby888]

I have the same problem. The network gurus at work pretty much told me that most QoS on home routers aren't really that good at limiting bandwidth, you'll need something like Cisco router (the stuff they put into datacentre).

[nuclear500]

I would have to agree with their assessment. Home QoS just isn't as high quality as what can be found in core routing equipment.

[Poker monkey]

But do they work at all with poker programs? Does poker software use the same ports (port 80) as for http browsing?

If my flatmates are downloading large files or streaming video, does that go over the ftp port (21), and so could I configure it so that these only take up a certain maximum amount of bandwidth?

And, uh, do I need to worry about all this or would it just work fine out of the box?

[Meech]

I have an older Linksys WRT54G running Tomato firmware and the QOS works great. I had to setup the rules, it doesn't work "out of the box".

I can be downloading torrents or whatever and browsing the web/remote access is smooth.

[Sotiria]

[ QUOTE ]
I have the same problem. The network gurus at work pretty much told me that most QoS on home routers aren't really that good at limiting bandwidth, you'll need something like Cisco router (the stuff they put into datacentre).

[/ QUOTE ]

This is sort of true. Out of the box, they're not as good, but there are plenty of good 3rd party firmware releases that have awesome QoS features. Search for my posts in this forum as I'm pretty sure I linked to one of them a few months ago.

[Josem]

(bump)

This page explains how to upgrade your firmware on your router and then links to this page which discusses how to set up QoS rules.

[Josem]

[ QUOTE ]
But do they work at all with poker programs? Does poker software use the same ports (port 80) as for http browsing?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not nessecarily:

"Dear Michael,

Thank you for contacting PartyPoker.com

The ports PartyPoker uses are 2147 & 443.

I hope this is of use to you. If the problem persists please write back
with more detail and we will be able to investigate further and assist
you."

[ QUOTE ]
If my flatmates are downloading large files or streaming video, does that go over the ftp port (21), and so could I configure it so that these only take up a certain maximum amount of bandwidth?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes... the link I posted above shows how to do this.

[ QUOTE ]
And, uh, do I need to worry about all this or would it just work fine out of the box?

[/ QUOTE ]
It'd take a bit of fiddling, but it is possible.