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Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: Grasshopper on November 23, 2006, 01:22:46 pm

Title: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: Grasshopper on November 23, 2006, 01:22:46 pm: Can anyone here recommend a good but reasonably priced wireless router for domestic use?

I want one mainly so I can share a broadband connection between two PCs. I might also use it with a laptop at some point.

I've ruled out a wired solution as it's too messy for domestic use.

I'm wondering whether it's worth paying extra for one that conforms to the draft 802.11n standard?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: Santoro on November 23, 2006, 05:36:30 pm: dupe.
Title: Re: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: Santoro on November 23, 2006, 05:37:59 pm: Yes. The Linksys WRT54G (http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WRT54G-Wireless-G-Router/dp/B00007KDVI/sr=8-1/qid=1164321392/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-4443594-8683056?ie=UTF8&s=electronics) is awesome, and can be extended with custom firmware like DD-WRT (http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/index.php) to be equivalent to a much higher-end router. (Some examples: you can VPN to your home network, set up a hotspot, use QOS, ETC.)

Try not to get a v5 or v6 one. http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Version_5_And_6_Router_Information
Title: Re: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: Grasshopper on November 23, 2006, 06:41:13 pm: Thanks Santoro. I'll look into it.
Title: Re: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: ImaTest on November 23, 2006, 08:19:29 pm: I'll second the WRT54G from Linksys. I haven't hacked it at all, but it's a really nice, reliable router. I've never had any trouble with it.
Title: Re: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: monkeybomb on November 23, 2006, 08:41:37 pm: This isn't an answer to your direct question but these work great.

http://www.netgear.com/Products/PowerlineNetworking/PowerlineEthernetAdapters/XE102.aspx

There were too many walls and too far a distance to go in my house for a wireless router to work. Those relay things do nothing by the way. But the powerline adapter works like a charm. Hopefully a simply router will work for you. But here is an alternative if it doesn't.
Title: Re: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: boykster on November 23, 2006, 10:16:41 pm: Quote from: Pointdablame2 on November 23, 2006, 08:19:29 pm
I'll second the WRT54G from Linksys. I haven't hacked it at all, but it's a really nice, reliable router. I've never had any trouble with it.

I've got one too in my basement, and it covers my entire 2 story house + basement no problem. Mine's not hacked either, but I might check it out...
Title: Re: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: hypernova on November 23, 2006, 10:45:15 pm: I have a Netgear WGT624 setup. One of those Black Friday ads has those on sale for $9.99 I believe. It was CC possibly. The recommended cards can be bought used on ebay for around $30 apiece. (311T for desktops, 511 for notebooks.)
Title: Re: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: Grasshopper on November 25, 2006, 08:58:47 am: I forgot to mention in my original post that I'd prefer a router with a broadband modem built in. My current modem is unsuitable for using with a router as it connects to my PC using USB.

I'm really liking the fact that the WRT54G is Linux based and hackable, but unfortunately as far as I can tell it doesn't have a modem built in. Also, the Linksys models that come with a modem (WAG54G etc.) don't appear to be hackable yet. Santoro can you confirm this?
Title: Re: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: AlanS17 on November 27, 2006, 01:51:17 am: 2Wire makes some DSL modems with built-in wireless. Do you have cable or DSL broadband?
Title: Re: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: Grasshopper on November 27, 2006, 10:12:11 am: Quote from: AlanS17 on November 27, 2006, 01:51:17 am
Do you have cable or DSL broadband?

ADSL Broadband.

I've seen a good deal on a D-Link DLS-G624M. Does anyone here have any good or bad experiences with this Router?

One thing I'm finding is that several manufacturers have a habit of making radical changes to their Router's hardware whilst still retaining the same model number. So it's very difficult to be sure what you're actually buying. In my opinion this is unethical and perhaps even borderline illegal.

The Linksys WRT54G is a good example of this. The router's good reputation appears to be based on the revision 1-4 models. But if you buy one today you'll probably end up with one of the "neutered" revision 5 & 6 models which have far less memory.

This also makes getting a wireless adapter to work with Linux something of a black art because Linux drivers are generally based on the chipset rather than the model number. Very frustrating.
Title: Re: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: fredster on November 27, 2006, 03:20:51 pm: There are different classes. Like "G" and "G+", etc.

There's a Belkin model for like $40.

I have one I got at Walmart. I use it and VNC (freeversion) to run 3 PC's and it picks up the PSP on it.

Would that work?
Title: Re: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: Grasshopper on November 27, 2006, 05:41:53 pm: I've checked out the Belkin models. They're not bad but the D-Link I mentioned earlier seems to offer more bangs for the buck.

Basically I'm looking for something that's reasonably modern but not so cutting edge that it costs silly money.
Title: Re: Can anyone here recommend a good wireless router?
Post by: AlanS17 on November 27, 2006, 05:56:45 pm: Quote from: Grasshopper on November 27, 2006, 05:41:53 pm
Basically I'm looking for something that's reasonably modern but not so cutting edge that it costs silly money.
If you don't want something that costs silly money, I can probably find you something that costs serious money.