Time frame to replace an older modem/router

We're happy to help you with your router, @atomantt.

If your gateway is working just fine aside from the VPN issue, we don't recommend switching it out just yet.

Have you tried rebooting your gateway to see if it helps your VPN's connection?

Aminah, AT&T Community Specialist

I have rebooted,  the router.  followed the unplug from power for 1 min.  then plug back in and allow it to fully start before starting a connection.   As well as from the PC running IPCONFIG /Flushdns;  /release; /release6;  /renew; renew6 thinking it might be congestion on the IP or large cached listed IP's causing the issue.  

still not that.  still think its either the router,   due 365 x 24/7 operation and its just 4 years of constant use has worn it out.  just thinking it might be getting close to EOL.

or power management in windows.  Just the way it was behaving.  I have more testing to do and I will update everyone what I discover.

*******

as a side note, I did notice that dell latitude laptops have instituted massive amounts of windows power management in device mgr and are like the old show on TV outer limits - in complete control of the devices on your machine.  I am not a fan of power management tools like that as they tend to cause massive software issues down the road. So I went in and turned all mine off.  everything.    Just because.  So if you are having issues with software or hardware interrupting process's that are important.  take a look at the power management tab in device mgr on items that are either 1 HID,  USB, connected to power bus in some manner.  they will have a power mgmt tab that lets windows turn it off .....being Microsoft it will be the most inconvenient time for that power to be turned off for that particular item.

Thank you for answering.   

4 years is actually not a very long time to start worrying about "EOL" for gateways and routers. Obsolescence is going to make you want to replace them long before the hardware gives out. As for heat they are always hot similar to cable boxes which you can fry an egg on all the time but you can have for 10 years or more and still be good.

@atomantt,

Please let us know how troubleshooting your Windows device goes. Are you having any issues using other devices? If not, this would point towards something outside of the router.

However, if further troubleshooting with your device leads you to believe the issue is still with your router, we would be more than happy to help set you up with a replacement.

Keep us updated!

Donovan, AT&T Community Specialist

If have a GREEN connection being used for service (ADSL2+ or VDSL FTTN) the 210 is the newest gateway available for these types of service.

Other models available include the 589 (released late 2013), the 599 and 5268 released late summer 2015 and the 210-700 released late 2017.

I recently installed a new 5268 (manufacture date Dec 2020) in a new install even though the model is now 6 years old, the unit itself is less than 4 months since being produced.

Most ATT gateways will be used (reach EOL) after 8 to 10 years.

There are customers still using 3600, 3800, 3801, 3812 iNID, 510, 5031 that have reached EOL... they are only replaced when needed or customer calls in for a replacement due to an issue such as speed upgrade, wifi flaky, damaged by power surge, etc. 

If having a problem, please call and request a replacement be shipped, will need to return the existing unit via FedEX or UPS within weeks. Expect another 210, replacing like for like but could be shipped the 5268 as many new customer CSI (customer self install) are receiving this model. 

Today I lost service with AT&T U-verse and the Internet and have been told that my router has become obsolete. The router is four years old and I have received no notification from AT&T that the router was to become obsolete. AT&T just dropped my service and told me they’d send me another one tomorrow, this is unacceptable. They should inform a user of a router that’s about to become obsolete and that a new one is on the way without having to lose two hours with tech-support and a days service or more. 

@Ifogel 

Model?

List of discontinued models is above your post....