Netgear WNDR4700 User Manual - Page 44

Change the MTU Size, Table 3., Common MTU sizes - vpn

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CENTRIA WNDR4700/WNDR4720 Change the MTU Size The maximum transmission unit (MTU) is the largest data packet a network device transmits. When one network device communicates across the Internet with another, the data packets travel through many devices along the way. If a device in the data path has a lower MTU setting than the other devices, the data packets are split or "fragmented" to accommodate the device with the smallest MTU. The best MTU setting for NETGEAR equipment is often just the default value. In some situations, changing the value fixes one problem but causes another. Leave the MTU unchanged unless one of these situations occurs: • You have problems connecting to your ISP or other Internet service, and the technical support of either the ISP or NETGEAR recommends changing the MTU setting. These web-based applications might require an MTU change: - A secure website that does not open, or displays only part of a web page - Yahoo email - MSN portal - America Online's DSL service • You use VPN and have severe performance problems. • You used a program to optimize MTU for performance reasons, and now you have connectivity or performance problems. Note: An incorrect MTU setting can cause Internet communication problems. For example, you might not be able to access certain websites, frames within websites, secure login pages, or FTP or POP servers. If you suspect an MTU problem, a common solution is to change the MTU to 1400. If you are willing to experiment, you can gradually reduce the MTU from the maximum value of 1500 until the problem goes away. The following table describes common MTU sizes and applications. Table 3. Common MTU sizes MTU 1500 1492 1472 1468 Application The largest Ethernet packet size and the default value. This setting is typical for connections that do not use PPPoE or VPN, and is the default value for NETGEAR routers, adapters, and switches. Used in PPPoE environments. Maximum size to use for pinging. (Larger packets are fragmented.) Used in some DHCP environments. NETGEAR genie Advanced Home 44

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NETGEAR genie Advanced Home
44
CENTRIA WNDR4700/WNDR4720
Change the MTU Size
The maximum transmission unit (MTU) is the largest data packet a network device transmits.
When one network device communicates across the Internet with another, the data packets
travel through many devices along the way. If a device in the data path has a lower MTU
setting than the other devices, the data packets are split or “fragmented” to accommodate the
device with the smallest MTU.
The best MTU setting for NETGEAR equipment is often just the default value. In some
situations, changing the value fixes one problem but causes another. Leave the MTU
unchanged unless one of these situations occurs:
You have problems connecting to your ISP or other Internet service, and the technical
support of either the ISP or NETGEAR recommends changing the MTU setting. These
web-based applications might require an MTU change:
-
A secure website that does not open, or displays only part of a web page
-
Yahoo email
-
MSN portal
-
America Online’s DSL service
You use VPN and have severe performance problems.
You used a program to optimize MTU for performance reasons, and now you have
connectivity or performance problems.
Note:
An incorrect MTU setting can cause Internet communication
problems. For example, you might not be able to access certain
websites, frames within websites, secure login pages, or FTP or
POP servers.
If you suspect an MTU problem, a common solution is to change the MTU to 1400. If you are
willing to experiment, you can gradually reduce the MTU from the maximum value of 1500
until the problem goes away. The following table describes common MTU sizes and
applications.
Table 3.
Common MTU sizes
MTU
Application
1500
The largest Ethernet packet size and the default value. This setting is typical for
connections that do not use PPPoE or VPN, and is the default value for NETGEAR
routers, adapters, and switches.
1492
Used in PPPoE environments.
1472
Maximum size to use for pinging. (Larger packets are fragmented.)
1468
Used in some DHCP environments.