Wireless router

mshel · 04-20-2008, 04:38 PM

No, not a wood tool, but the one that can connect two computers so both can access the net at the same time. Recommendations????

Mike

rsitzejr · 04-20-2008, 04:47 PM

I have a Netgear, been great for 3+ years. Stay away from Linksys, I've had nothing but trouble with them, as have many of my customers. After a year or so, the ones I have tend to overheat and drop connections. D-links are decent also. Here's a link to some good info. By far make sure you have some type of security or you'll be providing internet access to your neighbors.

http://www.firewallguide.com/wireless.htm

TracyP · 04-20-2008, 04:48 PM

linksys wireless n router, much greater speed than b or g technology, but the computers have to have n cards to take advantage of the increased speed

Gotcha6 · 04-20-2008, 04:50 PM

Lotta the other guys on here are doing IT for a living so they could probably give you other recommendations but I have the Belkin unit & it serves me very well. It's about 1 year old & kicks out 54 Mbps steady to the whole house. Haven't tried to make it reach the shop yet, though.

peteb301 · 04-20-2008, 04:53 PM

I been running Linksys wireless for 6 years with Bellsouth DSL without any problems. Good range, fair speed, no hiccups.

Security with any wieless router is a MUST have.

McRabbet · 04-20-2008, 05:20 PM

Michael,

I've had a Linksys wireless router connected to Bellsouth (now AT&T) DSL (1.5 Mb speed) for nearly 3 years without a hitch. It is a model WRT54G and we connect two laptop computers equipped with WPC54G Notebook Adapters. The router is connected to my old Micron PC via hardwire, but the two laptops can go anywhere in the house and connect to the network without problems. We have a laser printer connected to my laptop and if it is turned on, my wife can print her email or whatever from her laptop. Unlike Rob's experience above, I've had no problems at all -- Linksys is a division of Cisco, the world's largest router manufacturer.

Just my TCW.

DaveO · 04-20-2008, 08:04 PM

I run a D-link. I don't know how it does what it does, or the specs on it. But both my wife and I can use our laptops, plus mine and my daughters desk top with ease. The system easily links to the printers/scanners at my desktop. I haven't tried anything else, but the D-link works just fine, so why change.
Dave

mshel · 04-20-2008, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by newtowood

linksys wireless n router, much greater speed than b or g technology, but the computers have to have n cards to take advantage of the increased speed

Since I am not as proficient with computer hardware as I am with a chisel and stuff, one of the computers has this installed:

Wireless Adapter: 802.11n (pre-n) Dual Band Wireless LAN (Mini PCIe)

and as for the other one, I don't know if it has a wireless adapter or not. But it is my understanding that only one of the computers has to have a wireless card. Is this true?

This is gonna happen, I just don't want to make a mistake when I purchase the router. So, lets make this as easy (for me) as possible.

Here are a couple I found while surfing around and I am sure there are many more that are just as good, maybe even better. So, hop on and help me get the right one.

Belkin G+ MIMO Wireless Router

Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router

Linksys WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster

D-Link DIR-655 Extreme N Wireless Router

Mike

TBone · 04-20-2008, 08:30 PM

I have had Linksys for about 4 years with no problems. But I know folks that have Netgear with no problems also.

AndyBarnhart · 04-20-2008, 08:41 PM

One thing to keep in mind with all the dizzying variety of speeds and protocols is that the consumer grade Internet connections (cable and DSL, primarily) generally have a top speed of 5M and the "old slow" routers will mostly do more than double that. The higher speeds make for better internal network speed and have better range, but don't buy you anything as far as web speed unless you are at the end of the range on a slower one where it can degrade to less than your ISP speed. A little tidbit about security - I use WEP, which is an older security scheme that is plenty safe for for most purposes and will let your kids (or you?) connect the Gameboy DS units. WPA is newer and I think there might be something even newer than that (I develop software for computers and am considered a nerd and I can't even keep up with this stuff). They are more secure (but even "old" WEP is ridiculously secure for consumers) but the Gameboy DS will not work with it. This is a tip you can use either way...

NCPete · 04-20-2008, 11:47 PM

Buy LinkSys. Buy LinkSys. I Buy LinkSys. Buy LinkSys. Own Buy LinkSys. Buy LinkSys. Cisco Buy LinkSys. Buy LinkSys. Stock. Buy LinkSys. Buy LinkSys.

NCPete · 04-20-2008, 11:51 PM

seriously, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the brands mentioned here. ESPECIALLY LINKSYS. I bought my D-Link wireless router because I found it on sale at Target a few years ago, and I had a gift card for the store. It has performed nearly flawlessly, and recently I performed a firmware update (apparently available for the last TWO years) and found a significant speed improvement - approximately 15-20% in download speed. upload was not apparently affected.

Canuck · 04-20-2008, 11:52 PM

Another LinkSys vote here.

I have had the same one for about 5 years and have two daughters with their laptops and another desktop hung off of it and it performs very well.

The product is supported by CISCO and their support group and CS are GREAT!!!! (ADMIN passwords confused

the heck out of this old timer and they set me straight after just one call!)

Wayne

NCPete · 04-20-2008, 11:55 PM

yeah, I screwed up my admin password on my D-Link, and I ended up having to reset the machine to fix it. When my laptop is back up, I will be able to check the wireless connection again. can't say much good about the D-Link CS experience from a few years ago, but they have a pretty useful help site on line.

Don Sorensen · 04-21-2008, 08:17 AM

I've been running a Linksys WRT54-something-G - it's a combination B and G band. B is gone, G is going out of style, and N is the speedier version.
About once a year I have to reboot the router - but I blame Time Warner Cable. NO particular reason, I just blame them.

One other "bit" of security - once you get all your wireless devices connected to the network - go into the router and turn off "Broadcast SSID" if possible.
Even with WEP or WAP or whatever security measure, with you could still be telling the neighborhood you have a wireless network.

Of course, if you ever need to add a wireless device, you generally have to go in and turn on the SSID broadcast so your device can discover the network....and then turn it off again.

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