It seems that the 2701HG-B gateway AT&T uses for its DSL customers has some issues with its wireless mode. I have noticed that my gateway drops connections seemingly randomly once a while but never thought it was related to the wireless connections. Though some of my recent tests suggested that the wireless mode is most likely the root cause for these connectivity issues.

To test this theory, I used a couple of my home computers configured using 802.11g wireless connections. During normal usage (e.g. casual browsing), there does not seem to be any issue (even though I suspect that the occasional connection drops are related to the wireless but I am not quite certain as there are many other factors such as the IP address change could have resulted in similar behaviors as well.). But when the wireless channels are heavily utilized (e.g. multiple wireless clients transferring large amount of data) the connection drops become much more frequent — to a point that the gateway would only stay connected for a few seconds before losing connection again. But I would have no problem transferring files and downloading from the Internet using wired connections.

The error log below (from http://homeportal/mdc) shows the frequent network drops:

INF 2011-06-28T21:24:36-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=212.192.237.5 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=53650 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:24:46-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=212.192.237.5 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=45743 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:24:48-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=157.56.3.22 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=43122 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:24:51-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=67.195.114.235 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=50916 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:24:52-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=192.168.1.66 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=45242 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:25:00-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=212.192.237.5 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=50078 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:25:04-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=93.114.63.249 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=52050 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:26:06-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=41.190.16.17 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=18827 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:26:07-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=192.168.1.66 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=45244 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:26:40-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=152.226.7.201 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=42196 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-24T21:48:12-04:00 sys: Successfully logged into a password protected page
INF 2011-06-24T21:48:48-04:00 sys: Wireless SSID set to ALPHA
INF 2011-06-24T21:48:48-04:00 sys: Wireless authentication set to WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
INF 2011-06-24T21:48:48-04:00 sys: Wireless encryption set to TKIP
INF 2011-06-24T21:48:48-04:00 sys: Wireless channel set to 9
INF 2011-06-24T21:48:48-04:00 sys: Wireless power set to 200
INF 2011-06-25T07:39:25-04:00 sys: Pinhole removed appid=-1 port=22
INF 2011-06-25T07:39:25-04:00 sys: Pinhole added on broadband=75.16.161.59, home=192.168.1.68 appid=-1, port=22
INF 2011-06-25T09:01:22-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T09:19:29-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T10:47:04-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T11:32:34-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T14:04:48-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T14:24:10-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T15:25:45-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T17:21:30-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T17:27:20-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T17:28:22-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T17:46:49-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T18:13:11-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T18:32:23-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T18:33:26-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T18:35:32-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T18:37:38-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T18:38:41-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-25T18:47:40-04:00 sys: Pinhole removed appid=-1 port=22
INF 2011-06-25T18:47:40-04:00 sys: Pinhole added on broadband=75.16.161.59, home=192.168.1.68 appid=-1, port=22

INF 2011-06-25T19:31:52-04:00 sys: Successfully logged into a password protected page
INF 2011-06-25T19:51:04-04:00 sys: Wireless SSID set to ALPHA
INF 2011-06-25T19:51:04-04:00 sys: Wireless authentication set to WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
INF 2011-06-25T19:51:04-04:00 sys: Wireless encryption set to TKIP
INF 2011-06-25T19:51:04-04:00 sys: Wireless channel set to 4
INF 2011-06-25T19:51:04-04:00 sys: Wireless power set to 200
INF 2011-06-25T21:00:57-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-26T06:30:39-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-26T06:32:49-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-26T06:38:39-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-26T06:53:05-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-26T08:29:31-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-26T14:33:51-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-26T18:31:16-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-26T19:05:57-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-26T21:19:29-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-27T09:59:24-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-27T17:15:48-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-27T19:52:35-04:00 sys: Pinhole removed appid=-1 port=22
INF 2011-06-27T19:52:35-04:00 sys: Pinhole added on broadband=75.16.161.59, home=192.168.1.68 appid=-1, port=22
INF 2011-06-28T09:50:23-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-28T10:09:22-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-28T10:23:51-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-28T19:03:54-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-28T21:25:14-04:00 sys: dsl0: connection lost, reconnecting…
INF 2011-06-28T21:25:55-04:00 sys: Successfully logged into a password protected page
INF 2011-06-28T21:20:58-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=66.249.68.57 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=41087 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:20:59-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=192.168.1.66 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=33195 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:21:01-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=65.52.110.86 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=60529 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:22:24-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=67.195.114.235 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=37808 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:22:24-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=192.168.1.66 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=45234 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:22:29-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=65.52.110.86 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=37866 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:22:47-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=95.25.47.127 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=1197 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:22:49-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=95.25.47.127 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=1210 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:22:49-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=95.25.47.127 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=1211 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:22:49-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=95.25.47.127 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=1223 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:22:49-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=95.25.47.127 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=1216 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:22:49-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=95.25.47.127 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=1226 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:22:49-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=95.25.47.127 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=1213 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:23:50-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=67.195.114.235 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=45477 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:23:51-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=192.168.1.66 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=45239 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:24:17-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=89.76.180.156 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=58606 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:24:18-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=41.190.16.17 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=60305 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:24:36-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=212.192.237.5 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=53650 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:24:46-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=212.192.237.5 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=45743 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:24:48-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=157.56.3.22 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=43122 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:24:51-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=67.195.114.235 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=50916 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:24:52-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=192.168.1.66 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=45242 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:25:00-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=212.192.237.5 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=50078 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:25:04-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=93.114.63.249 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=52050 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:26:06-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=41.190.16.17 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=18827 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:26:07-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=192.168.1.66 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=45244 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-28T21:26:40-04:00 fw,fwmon: src=152.226.7.201 dst=192.168.1.66 ipprot=6 sport=42196 dport=80 Session Matches User Pinhole, Packet Passed
INF 2011-06-26T21:20:11-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP clear
INF 2011-06-27T09:59:24-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP detect
INF 2011-06-27T09:59:25-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE detect
INF 2011-06-27T09:59:35-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE clear
INF 2011-06-27T09:59:50-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP clear
INF 2011-06-27T17:15:48-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE detect
INF 2011-06-27T17:15:50-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE redirect
INF 2011-06-27T17:16:03-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE clear
INF 2011-06-27T17:16:03-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP detect
INF 2011-06-27T17:16:18-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP clear
INF 2011-06-28T09:50:24-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE detect
INF 2011-06-28T09:50:38-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE clear
INF 2011-06-28T09:50:38-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP detect
INF 2011-06-28T09:50:39-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP redirect
INF 2011-06-28T09:50:54-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP clear
INF 2011-06-28T10:09:22-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE detect
INF 2011-06-28T10:09:37-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE clear
INF 2011-06-28T10:09:37-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP detect
INF 2011-06-28T10:09:52-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP clear
INF 2011-06-28T10:23:51-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE detect
INF 2011-06-28T10:23:56-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE redirect
INF 2011-06-28T10:24:06-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE clear
INF 2011-06-28T10:24:06-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP detect
INF 2011-06-28T10:24:09-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE detect
INF 2011-06-28T10:24:19-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE clear
INF 2011-06-28T10:24:30-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP redirect
2011-06-28T10:24:31-04:00 Previous log entry repeated 4 times
INF 2011-06-28T10:24:33-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP redirect
INF 2011-06-28T10:24:34-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP clear
INF 2011-06-28T19:03:54-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE detect
INF 2011-06-28T19:04:09-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE clear
INF 2011-06-28T19:04:09-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP detect
INF 2011-06-28T19:04:24-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP clear
INF 2011-06-28T21:25:15-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE detect
INF 2011-06-28T21:25:29-04:00 hurl: err=0 name=PHY_NONE clear
INF 2011-06-28T21:25:29-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP detect
INF 2011-06-28T21:25:46-04:00 hurl: err=10 name=BB_NOT_UP clear

And the log also suggests high wireless error rate during the same period of time:

Ethernet Bytes Packets Errors %
Transmit: 2485263025 3784486 0 0
Receive: 2331717441 3461747 0 0
Wireless
Transmit: 2775696685 2602839 1130 0
Receive: 361960402 1541734 229 0

Here is the version of the 2701HG-B gateway I have:

Hardware version: 2700-100594-004
Software version: 5.29.109.13
DSL Modem: 7.2.4

I am not sure if this issue was addressed in later versions of the firmware, but a quick search seemed to suggest that a lot of users are having similar problems.

To avoid the connectivity issues mentioned above, you will have to either use only wired connections or use a separate wireless access point to route your wireless traffic.