Anyone got a recommendation for me?
Thanks
Go with a Linksys, and make sure it's a "wireless-n" router. Linksys has a good administration system, and is easy to set up security exceptions with. Otherwise, they are all about the same.
If you have lots of interference caused by phones or your location, you can look at some of the more expensive Linksys multi-band routers, but we do hundreds of inexpensive Linksys routers and the preform flawlessly.
No need to spend a ton of money.
We use these.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Linksys+-+Wireless-N+Gigabit+Router+with+4-Port+Switch/1358356.p?id=1218252935814&skuId=1358356&st=linksys%20router&cp=1&lp=3
Quote from: Gaspar on January 23, 2012, 04:40:08 PM
We use these.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Linksys+-+Wireless-N+Gigabit+Router+with+4-Port+Switch/1358356.p?id=1218252935814&skuId=1358356&st=linksys%20router&cp=1&lp=3
Excellent. Thanks for the advice.
Linksys is Cisco's retail product, you should be just fine with it.
I'm about to upgrade my ol reliable Linksys wrt54g (long standing holder of the ugliest/best title). It is still actually running surprisingly well even on G - we've got a couple of smart phones, a tablet, a media center, Wii, etc. I'm looking specifically to avoid routers with crap firmware. I want something that will run DD-WRT. I'm hearing a lot of endorsements of Buffalo routers and I'll likely be trying one of these out. They are affordable and some are now running DD-WRT out of the box.
Quote from: jne on January 24, 2012, 10:52:20 PM
I'm about to upgrade my ol reliable Linksys wrt54g (long standing holder of the ugliest/best title). It is still actually running surprisingly well even on G - we've got a couple of smart phones, a tablet, a media center, Wii, etc. I'm looking specifically to avoid routers with crap firmware. I want something that will run DD-WRT. I'm hearing a lot of endorsements of Buffalo routers and I'll likely be trying one of these out. They are affordable and some are now running DD-WRT out of the box.
Stay away. I had one and their wireless performance STINKS. Even with dd-wrt installed. I wound up trading it to someone for another item of about equal value. I'm getting ready to purchase an Asus RT-N16, which I've heard a lot of good things about. Currently have a second-hand Linksys WRT610N. It works ok, but the dd-wrt firmware is a little quirky on it and I'm looking to switch back to Tomato, which the Asus will run.
I use an Apple Airport Extreme coupled with a few Apple Airport Express spread throughout the house in bedrooms. The Ex's are used as extenders and music only.
I've been happy with the performance of my network overall. Only have two issues. Occasionally one of the Express units will go off the grid and I have to restart to get it back in the network. It only happens with my two older models. Other issue I have is when the kids are on the Wii, network performance drops way off.
I agree with Gaspar on the Lynksys, I have one that is a few years old and it works great with internet TV (no buffering or delay), while also running smart phones and a PC. It supports gaming, an IP printer and a NAS.
Quote from: carltonplace on January 25, 2012, 01:44:45 PM
I agree with Gaspar on the Lynksys, I have one that is a few years old and it works great with internet TV (no buffering or delay), while also running smart phones and a PC. It supports gaming, an IP printer and a NAS.
I have a little better version of what Gas suggested, but have a specialized need that requires I use a third party firmware to fulfill it.
I like Linksys routers, and for the most part they work great for general use. But for specialized uses, make sure you find a router you can flash a third party firmware (if you feel comfortable doing that) like Tomato (or its many variants) or DD-WRT.
Quote from: Hoss on January 25, 2012, 02:04:51 PM
I have a little better version of what Gas suggested, but have a specialized need that requires I use a third party firmware to fulfill it.
I like Linksys routers, and for the most part they work great for general use. But for specialized uses, make sure you find a router you can flash a third party firmware (if you feel comfortable doing that) like Tomato (or its many variants) or DD-WRT.
I considered funny comments on the "specialized uses" but I left it alone.
I've got a Bedrock special at home and it's unable to handle the needs. It's time to move on and get something that can handle multiple phones, Ipad, Apple TV, laptop and internet capable TV. My netflix is suffering.
Gotta get my Downton Abby fix baby. (scratches arm)
BOOM. Works like a charm.
Appreciate the advice.
I've owned about a dozen, went with an airport extreme a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. At the time, I had almost no apple products but it worked much better than the others with my Wii, bluray players, laptops, printers, etc. Never once had to reboot it and getting my full throughput from my cable modem too.
Quote from: Hoss on January 25, 2012, 12:33:23 AM
Stay away. I had one and their wireless performance STINKS. Even with dd-wrt installed. I wound up trading it to someone for another item of about equal value. I'm getting ready to purchase an Asus RT-N16, which I've heard a lot of good things about. Currently have a second-hand Linksys WRT610N. It works ok, but the dd-wrt firmware is a little quirky on it and I'm looking to switch back to Tomato, which the Asus will run.
I've been considering the Asus too - its pretty much my default for Mobo and components that they make. I've had people tell me to stay away from the model you listed. I think there just may be a few duds out there. Having a terrible time deciding now:) Whatever newegg has on sale will likely be the victor.
Quote from: jne on February 01, 2012, 12:11:56 PM
I've been considering the Asus too - its pretty much my default for Mobo and components that they make. I've had people tell me to stay away from the model you listed. I think there just may be a few duds out there. Having a terrible time deciding now:) Whatever newegg has on sale will likely be the victor.
The RT-N16 is a good router for those people like me -- who like to tinker and flash third party firmware -- so within those circles, I've heard great things about that router. If you keep the stock firmware on it, I've heard not so good things. I chose it because it's memory footprint was larger than any of the other routers out there, which gives me several options for firmware.
If that's not your thing, like I stated before, you might be better off with a consumer grade Linky/Cisco.
Quote from: Hoss on February 01, 2012, 02:19:39 PM
...for those people like me -- who like to tinker and flash third party firmware
If that's not your thing, like I stated before,...
??? ???
(http://lmliberty.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/flasher2.jpg)
Quote from: Conan71 on February 01, 2012, 02:23:29 PM
??? ???
(http://lmliberty.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/flasher2.jpg)
Haha...you're butter today 'cuz you're on a roll...
Quote from: Hoss on February 01, 2012, 02:19:39 PM
The RT-N16 is a good router for those people like me -- who like to tinker and flash third party firmware -- so within those circles, I've heard great things about that router. If you keep the stock firmware on it, I've heard not so good things. I chose it because it's memory footprint was larger than any of the other routers out there, which gives me several options for firmware.
If that's not your thing, like I stated before, you might be better off with a consumer grade Linky/Cisco.
Then you know as well as I do that any good bunch of geeks has a wide range of opinions and experiences. Can I ask how long you've had it? Specifically, I've heard of them working beautifully and then suddenly taking the piss.
Then you know as well as I do that any good bunch of geeks has a wide range of opinions and experiences. Can I ask how long you've had it? Specifically, I've heard of them working beautifully and then suddenly taking the piss (not an uncommon trait even among some nice routers).
Quote from: jne on February 01, 2012, 05:27:05 PM
Then you know as well as I do that any good bunch of geeks has a wide range of opinions and experiences. Can I ask how long you've had it? Specifically, I've heard of them working beautifully and then suddenly taking the piss.
I haven't even installed it yet, as I just got it today. Reign it in there, Sparky.
;D
And for most of the 'wide ranges of opinions' I've seen, the older stock firmware is what 'took the piss'. Newer stock firmware is better, but still stock and still limiting.
Quote from: Hoss on February 01, 2012, 05:37:12 PM
I haven't even installed it yet, as I just got it today. Reign it in there, Sparky.
;D
And for most of the 'wide ranges of opinions' I've seen, the older stock firmware is what 'took the piss'. Newer stock firmware is better, but still stock and still limiting.
Dood, I thought we were past the stock firmware talk, but do let me know if it holds up. I may go with the same one, or Buffalo, or Cisco. You say Tamato, I say Toma...DD-WRT:)
Does anyone have a wireless N dual band dongle that they recommend that will run on an older laptop with Windows 7 64 bit? Standard, not Draft?
You guys engage in too much geekspeak for me. That whole "dongle" thing makes me cringe.
Quote from: Conan71 on February 01, 2012, 10:06:59 PM
You guys engage in too much geekspeak for me. That whole "dongle" thing makes me cringe.
Donglephobe
Quote from: jne on February 01, 2012, 06:16:00 PM
Dood, I thought we were past the stock firmware talk, but do let me know if it holds up. I may go with the same one, or Buffalo, or Cisco. You say Tamato, I say Toma...DD-WRT:)
Dont' mind dd-wrt, but it's a little 'fat' for my needs. TomatoUSB works well sofar on this router and my speeds look just fine sofar.
I would stay away from the Buffalo though. I didn't like it much, and I did have it with DD-WRT on it for about six months before I got rid of it. I'll let you know later this week how the RTN16 holds up.
Quote from: swake on February 01, 2012, 08:10:31 PM
Does anyone have a wireless N dual band dongle that they recommend that will run on an older laptop with Windows 7 64 bit? Standard, not Draft?
If "older" isn't too terribly old, N may have been a configurable option, in which case you can get an internal N card that will replace the existing card. The performance of the USB sticks is abysmal compared to built-in wireless, what with the antennae being reasonably large and built into the screen rather than being a 16th wave "antenna" that consists of a trace on the circuit board.
Quote from: swake on February 01, 2012, 08:10:31 PM
Does anyone have a wireless N dual band dongle that they recommend that will run on an older laptop with Windows 7 64 bit? Standard, not Draft?
If one of these big black dongles isn't too bulky for you, I have a similar one that has worked great for years. Super cheap too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166068
Quote from: jne on February 02, 2012, 09:09:24 AM
If one of these big black dongles isn't too bulky for you, I have a similar one that has worked great for years. Super cheap too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166068
Sure glad that wasn't a link to Pricilla's.
Quote from: Conan71 on February 02, 2012, 09:11:46 AM
Sure glad that wasn't a link to Pricilla's.
I would never click on that link...
Quote from: nathanm on February 01, 2012, 11:14:47 PM
If "older" isn't too terribly old, N may have been a configurable option, in which case you can get an internal N card that will replace the existing card. The performance of the USB sticks is abysmal compared to built-in wireless, what with the antennae being reasonably large and built into the screen rather than being a 16th wave "antenna" that consists of a trace on the circuit board.
I was hoping to avoid messing with the BIOS, I may just have to do that.
Quote from: swake on February 02, 2012, 12:21:20 PM
I was hoping to avoid messing with the BIOS, I may just have to do that.
If it's a laptop and you install an internal card, you shouldn't have to mess with the BIOS.
Quote from: jne on February 02, 2012, 09:09:24 AM
If one of these big black dongles isn't too bulky for you, I have a similar one that has worked great for years. Super cheap too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166068
That one is single band. I'm wanting to get a new multichannel dual band router and get all the laptops in the house running up in the 5ghz range by themselves. I have few items like this one laptop that are still on 802.11g that slow the current 2.4ghz band on n. The laptop I can upgrade one way or another, but the printer and old iPhone 3s I can't. I think the Wii is g only too. They are stuck in the 2.4ghz range clogging and slowing that band.
I'm also thinking of daisy chaining the routers, leaving the old one up in 802.11g only as a separate network connected via LAN to the new router. Does anyone know if the laptops on the new n network will be able to connect to a wireless printer on a connected but separate wireless g network? The new router has a USB port that a printer can use, but I prefer to keep the printer and router in different locations if I can. The son "needs" his wired gigabit for his gaming on xbox and desktop. Besides the wireless adapter for xbox is Microsfot proprietary and like $80, which I feel is a complete ripoff and don't want to pay.
Quote from: swake on February 02, 2012, 12:37:28 PM
I'm also thinking of daisy chaining the routers, leaving the old one up in 802.11g only as a separate network connected via LAN to the new router. Does anyone know if the laptops on the new n network will be able to connect to a wireless printer on a connected but separate wireless g network? The new router has a USB port that a printer can use, but I prefer to keep the printer and router in different locations if I can. The son "needs" his wired gigabit for his gaming on xbox and desktop. Besides the wireless adapter for xbox is Microsfot proprietary and like $80, which I feel is a complete ripoff and don't want to pay.
Yes, you can do that. Just connect the second router (which will actually be working as an access point and a switch, not a router) to the first router using the LAN ports, not the WAN port and be sure to disable DHCP on the router that's not actually routing.
Any router that will run DD-WRT, Tomato, or other third party firmware can be used in place of the Xbox adapter, by the way. Some will even do it out of the box. You're looking for "bridge mode." However, wired is better for gaming if you can keep it working that way.
Quote from: Hoss on February 02, 2012, 12:22:33 PM
If it's a laptop and you install an internal card, you shouldn't have to mess with the BIOS.
What I read on the forums for her laptop was that I would. I'm kind of done with HP.
Quote from: nathanm on February 02, 2012, 12:41:54 PM
Yes, you can do that. Just connect the second router (which will actually be working as an access point and a switch, not a router) to the first router using the LAN ports, not the WAN port and be sure to disable DHCP on the router that's not actually routing.
Any router that will run DD-WRT, Tomato, or other third party firmware can be used in place of the Xbox adapter, by the way. Some will even do it out of the box. You're looking for "bridge mode." However, wired is better for gaming if you can keep it working that way.
Ah, turn off the DHCP, now it makes sense. I was worried about IP conflicts. So you still let the new router assign all the IPs. I am no networking guru, that helps, thanks.
Quote from: swake on February 02, 2012, 12:44:43 PM
What I read on the forums for her laptop was that I would. I'm kind of done with HP.
Ah, HP....not surprising....I know Dell doesn't require it.
Quote from: swake on February 02, 2012, 12:47:11 PM
Ah, turn off the DHCP, now it makes sense. I was worried about IP conflicts. So you still let the new router assign all the IPs. I am no networking guru, that helps, thanks.
Also, make sure you change mode from gateway to router if applicable.
Quote from: swake on February 02, 2012, 12:37:28 PM
That one is single band. I'm wanting to get a new multichannel dual band router and get all the laptops in the house running up in the 5ghz range by themselves. I have few items like this one laptop that are still on 802.11g that slow the current 2.4ghz band on n. The laptop I can upgrade one way or another, but the printer and old iPhone 3s I can't. I think the Wii is g only too. They are stuck in the 2.4ghz range clogging and slowing that band.
I'm also thinking of daisy chaining the routers, leaving the old one up in 802.11g only as a separate network connected via LAN to the new router. Does anyone know if the laptops on the new n network will be able to connect to a wireless printer on a connected but separate wireless g network? The new router has a USB port that a printer can use, but I prefer to keep the printer and router in different locations if I can. The son "needs" his wired gigabit for his gaming on xbox and desktop. Besides the wireless adapter for xbox is Microsfot proprietary and like $80, which I feel is a complete ripoff and don't want to pay.
Ah, yeah, here is a simple guide for doing the router chain http://www.tested.com/news/how-to-use-an-old-router-to-expand-your-wi-fi-network/298/ (Thats what I'll do with my old one). For the printer, I would just use google cloud print.
Quote from: swake on February 02, 2012, 12:44:43 PM
What I read on the forums for her laptop was that I would. I'm kind of done with HP.
You shouldn't unless the card defaults to disabled in the bios.
Quote from: jne on February 03, 2012, 07:08:59 PM
Ah, yeah, here is a simple guide for doing the router chain http://www.tested.com/news/how-to-use-an-old-router-to-expand-your-wi-fi-network/298/ (Thats what I'll do with my old one). For the printer, I would just use google cloud print.
As long as you keep things one the same subnet, you won't have an issue. Basically just make sure you have only one DHCP server and only one acting as a router.
Also keep in mind that your 2nd router functioning as a gateway will be eating up bandwidth so you could take a performance hit because wi-fi is shared bandwidth. If you want better performance in a multiple-router environment, bite the bullet and run an ethernet cable from one of the house to the other either through your attic or around the outside. Then set both routers up wth the same SSID, Security and network and you will be able to roam from router to router You will get the best performance and the smoothest as well.
Quote from: sgrizzle on February 04, 2012, 11:16:00 AM
As long as you keep things one the same subnet, you won't have an issue. Basically just make sure you have only one DHCP server and only one acting as a router.
Also keep in mind that your 2nd router functioning as a gateway will be eating up bandwidth so you could take a performance hit because wi-fi is shared bandwidth. If you want better performance in a multiple-router environment, bite the bullet and run an ethernet cable from one of the house to the other either through your attic or around the outside. Then set both routers up wth the same SSID, Security and network and you will be able to roam from router to router You will get the best performance and the smoothest as well.
You need to set the routers on different channels though, or they'll be interfering with one another. 1, 6, 11 are popular channels, but 6 and 11 are never default channels on routers, so keep that in mind.
Quote from: Hoss on February 04, 2012, 12:56:03 PM
You need to set the routers on different channels though, or they'll be interfering with one another. 1, 6, 11 are popular channels, but 6 and 11 are never default channels on routers, so keep that in mind.
Decent hardware doesn't need you to manually set channels.
Quote from: sgrizzle on February 04, 2012, 01:03:02 PM
Decent hardware doesn't need you to manually set channels.
True, but I like control over it. Setting it to Auto doesn't guarantee a good connection.
Quote from: sgrizzle on February 04, 2012, 11:16:00 AM
Basically just make sure you have only one DHCP server and only one acting as a router.
An older router I re-configured as a remote access point lost it's settings during a power failure, and defaulted to thinking it was a DHCP server again.
The result was no one was able to get on because local address could not be assigned.
Likely the CMOS battery in the old router was kaput, and not able to maintain settings.
Quote from: sgrizzle on February 04, 2012, 11:16:00 AM
As long as you keep things one the same subnet, you won't have an issue. Basically just make sure you have only one DHCP server and only one acting as a router.
Also keep in mind that your 2nd router functioning as a gateway will be eating up bandwidth so you could take a performance hit because wi-fi is shared bandwidth. If you want better performance in a multiple-router environment, bite the bullet and run an ethernet cable from one of the house to the other either through your attic or around the outside. Then set both routers up wth the same SSID, Security and network and you will be able to roam from router to router You will get the best performance and the smoothest as well.
It was easy, turned off DHCP and set the IP of the router set as an access point 0.255. I then set it to g only and then made all the 802.11n capable clients forget the old network and set them up on the new ones. 20 minutes total. I'm now setting up the NAS and UPnP which was the main reason for upgrading.
Quote from: Gaspar on January 23, 2012, 04:37:19 PM
Go with a Linksys, and make sure it's a "wireless-n" router. Linksys has a good administration system, and is easy to set up security exceptions with. Otherwise, they are all about the same.
If you have lots of interference caused by phones or your location, you can look at some of the more expensive Linksys multi-band routers, but we do hundreds of inexpensive Linksys routers and the preform flawlessly.
No need to spend a ton of money.
Are you still using any wired routers?
Quote from: Hoss on February 01, 2012, 10:20:34 PM
Dont' mind dd-wrt, but it's a little 'fat' for my needs. TomatoUSB works well sofar on this router and my speeds look just fine sofar.
I would stay away from the Buffalo though. I didn't like it much, and I did have it with DD-WRT on it for about six months before I got rid of it. I'll let you know later this week how the RTN16 holds up.
Hey Hoss, how are you liking that router?
Sent from my brown, fully-charged, Asus Transformer, TF101 on Android Ice Cream Sandwich using Tapatalk with my keyboard and my finger
Quote from: jne on March 19, 2012, 10:59:14 PM
Hey Hoss, how are you liking that router?
Sent from my brown, fully-charged, Asus Transformer, TF101 on Android Ice Cream Sandwich using Tapatalk with my keyboard and my finger
Sofar, works great. Have the Toastman build of Tomato on it and it works flawlessly sofar.