@dadayzee:
I wish I could spend the effort using a different OSX version but I only have my one computer. =]
Re: the router-to-router connection: I am referring to the wired connection only - wireless works as it always has. The WRT310n indicates a 100Mbps speed while the WRT1900ac indicates a 1Gbps speed. This doesn't make sense, so my question remains. Auto-negotiation is a handshake that should guarantee identical configuration on either end of the cable.
Re: the docking station: Both the router and the docking station are 1Gbps capable. My confusion stems from either piece of equipment saying everything is fine, yet the connection remains inactive as far as data transfer goes unless I force it to use 1000baseT. Auto-negotiation should just work, even if it reverts to a slower speed.
Basically my only real problem is my WRT310n connecting to my WRT1900ac at 100Mbps speeds. How can I increase this?
=]