VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Jeffrey Kafer

I have an old Linksys 802.11b router and I get very spotty signal in most places even though I may only be 100 feet away. So I'm looking into get a new router that has that extra oomph I need to get signal.

Suggestions?
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tackerman · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject:

I've got one of these and I love it! Rock solid connection.

http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=530

Yoda117 · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:54 pm Post subject:

D-Link and Linksys are my favs (for 802.11N wireless networks).

If you're willing to spend more, Proxim-Orinoco and Cisco can be found at reasonable prices.

Depends on what you're looking for. If you're not doing tons of work on the WiFi, go for D-Link or Linksys (Buffalo has been well rated for most of their stuff, but I've not used any of their stuff). Otherwise, take a look at something with a bit more muscle.
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louzucaro · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject:

Jeff, I have a Linksys 54g "Wireless-G Access Point" on my home network. We live in a townhouse that's like a row hose...the room with the router is on the 3rd floor at the front of the house...my XBox 360 connects through it, and it's in the family room, which is on the first floor at the back of the house. So they're about as far apart as they can be in here and I've never had signal issues with it.

The model number is WAP54G (perfect for me, considering my eye-talian heritage Wink

)
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject:

An access point is different, right? You still need the wireless network and this simply extends it?
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Yoda117 · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject:

It depends Jeff, but usually an AP (access point) acts as a layer one/two bridge to a network.

Without entering g33k sp33k too much, an AP can be connected to a pre-existing wired (or wireless, depending on model and vendor) network and provide wireless access to users based on the existing infrastructure.

Hmmnn... that doesn't sound much better, does it?

Third try - it converts a 802.3 network (traditional Local Area Network) to 802.11 (traditional WiFi).

If you don't already have a router separate from your wireless network, you'll want to get a router/ap unit (such as the WRT54G from Linksys... old but reliable).
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject:

That's what I thought and I really need to keep it simple. I just want a router and I'm leaning towards Tom's suggestion. But anyone know anything about this one? It seems to be a bit cheaper. Is the N protocol supposed to give wider range?
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Yoda117 · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:53 pm Post subject:

802.11N is more about throughput and security than range.

That said, I've noticed more range on my 802.11N capable systems than the 802.1G systems.

If you're happy with the network, but want more range, why don't you just invest in a repeater. It takes the signal from your existing router and then repeats it, thereby extending your range.

It might be a lower cost alternative based on yoru needs.

/the router you had was nice, but I prefer this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127243
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Yoda117 · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:57 pm Post subject:

*shakes fist at Internet gods*

damn lag on the boards!!!
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allensco · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:35 pm Post subject:

Jeff, I use an SMC Barricade four port wired router for my in-house network. My wireless is a small Belkin four port router that lets itself be used as an access point only...something others may not (or may) do. I gave it an IP number on my network and the SMC (wired router) gives out the addresses to the wireless devices via DHCP. I use the laptop anywhere around the house I want...and the Nintendo Wii and Tivo connect through it. I get very good signal in every room and outside as well.

louzucaro · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject:

Jeff, here's my setup:

Linksys Cable Modem > Linksys Broadband Firewall Router < Linksys Wireless G Access Point

The access point basically is the wireless network in my house...they have ones that have both the wireless access point and wired ethernet ports, but I didn't get one of those because I had the Braodband Firewall Router already so didn't need that.

But nothing else is required other than something wireless to connect to it Smile

You could do something like this, which would provide the same functionality as my Broadband Firewall Router and Wireless Access Point combined:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8639958&type=product&id=1194054018654

or this if you're not keen on internal antennae for whatever reason:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8586023&type=product&id=1190677231184
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georgethetech · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject:

I don't recall whether you are a Mac or PC user. If you are Mac user, setting up the Linksys stuff takes a bit of knowhow, since their setup wizards are Windows only. I can now give my full recommendation for the Apple Airport Extreme Gigabit router after their latest firmware release, as this is what I use in my home. It is among the easiest to setup, and one of the few that has a built in USB drive sharing ability, which totally rocks. Connect a USB hub to it and an array of USB drives and your printer, and share it all throughout your home or office. It is 802.11g/n, but I only use G since not all of my computers have N yet. To take advantage of the speed of N, all WIFI adaptors connecting to the router must also be N, you can't mix and match.
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TheVoiceOfBob · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:53 am Post subject:

My last Linksys was a bit buggy, so I switched to the D-Link DGL-4300. I liked it's ability to prioritize my bandwidth through the router for my online games. (yeah, we all have our priorities!) That way I don't get killed the minute my wife decides to watch a streaming video on her computer.

I picked up a separate antenna that you can attach remotely to improve the range even more. Now I can even use my wireless Hobo Laughing

A in the backyard.

Jeff, I'd definitely get one with 'N' wireless. A lot of my collegues have those and really like them. Some had the same router I had before (Linksys 54G) and were amazed at the added range and throughput.
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todd ellis · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:16 am Post subject:

lots of people here who know waaaaay more about this than i. that said ...

i had a linksys and had nothing but trouble - switched to a belkin and have had zero issues.

just my experience ... ymmv.
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Yoda117 · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:42 am Post subject: