Linksys router keeps closing ports

I have a Linksys WAG54G router. I am running Exchange server and therefore have ports 25 and 110 open so I can receive email to the server, and download it from a POP account when offsite.

However, the router frequently and randomly seems to close most of the open ports and put them in stealth mode. So suddenly I won't be able to get a POP connection.

If I then Remote Desktop to my server (through the router incidentally!) and run ShieldsUp, I can see all the ports in Stealth. Connecting to the router and saving the port forwarding settings (I don't have to change them first) opens the ports again. ShieldsUp then reports them open and I can connect via POP and get the mail.

I suspect the reason the ports re-open is that the router reboots when you save settings.

Is this a faulty router or has anyone found this before and fixed it?

I have tried upgrading and downgrading to all available versions of teh firmware on the Linksys site.

I thought Cisco were supposed to be good, but this router is strange.

 

Sorry, I don't have an answer to your problem. However, I think you should read this thread. Rooster's done some good background work on a different Linksys problem.

Cisco have only recently bought Linksys, so you are not buying a "Cisco" product as such. I think Linksys made their name in lower end wireless kit where they had a good reputation. However, I see more and more strange problems being reported in the Networking forum. This could just be a measure of how popular they are, but I have to admit to being glad the linksys router I have on my network is only being used as a wireless bridge.

Cisco tend to buy technology rather than developing it themselves. That's why there is so much over lap in their product ranges and a lack of simple product placement. It also accounts for the fact that the underlying configuration language (IOS) varies between devices. It will take a while before Linksys kit really gets Ciscoised.