Let's Talk about Wireless Routers

Snowcone

I have a shitty shitty Dlink DI-524 at home. I paid $50 for the thing right before it dropped to $9.99 on sale. At any rate, I think it sucks. It's been pretty stable, but connection is just slow and I just want to buy a new router so don't try to talk me out of it.

I read in the newest issue of MPC that pre-N routers are not ready for prime time and still carry a $100+ price tag, which I am totally not going to pay.

Since its been a long time since I've shopped for routers, help me pick one out. I don't need a business class one that handles VPN etc. I need a rock solid router with great wireless signal strength.

Frabba

My experience with the wireless access point/residential gateway combo device has been poor, at best. I tend to have one fail on me after about a year of usage (I went through 2 or 3 before implementing my current equipment). Currently I am using a WAP54G from linksys for my home WLAN, with the RV400 as my gateway, no issues yet. I'll bump the thread in 9 months to let you know if it survived the 1 year mark.

TL;dr = I don't like AP/route combos, and I buy seperate devices now.

templewulf

I'm using a Linksys WRT54G that I got for a $30 sale at BB a year ago. It supports 802.11g, which is more than enough speed for my purposes, and I'm doing just fine using it in access point mode.

The only problem I've had is with the PS3 dropping connections all the time, but it seems to be a known PS3 issue that happens with other routers as well. PS3 update 1.93 helped, but it still drops out once in a while. The Wii works just fine with it, so the router seems to be doing its job.

All in all, if you can find it for less than $50 in a name brand, it will do what most people need. If you're going to use it to do huge transfers within the network, you might want to wait for the next gen.

templewulf

Double post!

This article sounds relevant: http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,121199-page,1/article.html

Particularly the conclusion:

These results suggest that people who are interested primarily in speed over short distances can safely stick with a non-MIMO network. But for better range and coverage than today's existing 802.11g networks can provide, MIMO products deliver.

So, unless you're going long range or get significant dead spots in your house, it doesn't really seem to matter which one you pick.

Snowcone

So I'm looking at these two:

1. Linksys WRT54GL $62.99 (before $10 MIR)
2. BUFFALO WHR-HP-G54 $58.99

Anyone have experience with either of these?

Guek

I have that linksys. it works well and I can't complain. I don't really know the ins and outs of networking though so my testimony is just anecdotal at best.

templewulf

Guek wrote: »

I have that linksys. it works well and I can't complain. I don't really know the ins and outs of networking though so my testimony is just anecdotal at best.

I have the previous version (WRT54G), and it works fantastically. I don't do networking as my job, but I do have my CCNA.

If you want extended features, you could also look around for 3rd party firmware to see what else either unit can be turned into. I know that most Linksys units can also function as a wireless bridge/switch combo with the right firmware.

I haven't tried the other router, but Linksys is great as long as you don't need to call their help center (unless you speak Hindi, then calling it might not be that bad).

Crashmo

Snowcone wrote: »

So I'm looking at these two:

1. Linksys WRT54GL $62.99 (before $10 MIR)
2. BUFFALO WHR-HP-G54 $58.99

Anyone have experience with either of these?

I am also using this Linksys.


From three apartments away.

In the 2-3 weeks I've been using it, I have never been dc'ed once, and even at this distance the downloads don't take TOO long. Should be noted that I have a $100 Linksys wireless adapter dongle thingy.

Ballman

I own that particular Buffalo router, and I've only had to reset it twice in the two years I've owned it. Plus, the Wii downstairs gets a crystal clear signal from a floor away. Anecdotal evidence, but I'll endorse that model.

Daedalus

Get the Buffalo WHR-G125 and reflash it with DD-WRT. It's cheap and very effective. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's the cheapest DD-WRT-capable router. It's like the new Linksys WRT54G, (before Linksys made them suck and charged an extra $20 for the non-suck version).

(Oh, and don't do this if you need a special replacement antenna for very long range, though, as it doesn't have a detachable antenna.)

Don't even bother booting it to the crappy stock firmware, though; just flash it right after you buy it.

NailbunnyPD

Snowcone wrote: »

So I'm looking at these two:

1. Linksys WRT54GL $62.99 (before $10 MIR)
2. BUFFALO WHR-HP-G54 $58.99

Anyone have experience with either of these?

I'd go with the Buffalo Router, but compare it against the hacked firmwares' supprted router lists. Buffalo routers seem more supported than Linksys.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices

mcp

I have a WRT54G at home. Never had a problem with it.

I set up a couple of these at work earlier this year, and am really happy with them.

Frabba

That linksys is the mdoel I've had shit out on me twice. Although, i do hammer the hell out of my LAN. Evidently I just have shit luck.

Centipeed

I'm about to buy the Linksys WAG54GS... Does anyone have a reason why I shouldn't?

Frabba

You mean the WAP54GS? That I've had nothing but good experiences with.

ZackSchilling

The WRT54GL is the greatest wireless router ever made. It's a goddamn tank and has an uptime longer than my ISP. I can't remember the last time it restarted when there wasn't a power outage. A year ago, I put it and my DSL Modem on a UPS and I even get internet when the power goes out. It's awesome. You can run it with either the stock firmware or DDWRT and both will give you better performance than the non-L Linksys model or indeed most other routers I've ever used.

Just remember, WRT54GL. L! Remember the L!

Centipeed wrote: »

I'm about to buy the Linksys WAG54GS... Does anyone have a reason why I shouldn't?

It's slightly faster than the L, but slightly less reliable. You get to pick.

Centipeed

ZackSchilling wrote: »

The WRT54GL is the greatest wireless router ever made. It's a goddamn tank and has an uptime longer than my ISP. I can't remember the last time it restarted when there wasn't a power outage. A year ago, I put it and my DSL Modem on a UPS and I even get internet when the power goes out. It's awesome. You can run it with either the stock firmware or DDWRT and both will give you better performance than the non-L Linksys model or indeed most other routers I've ever used.

Just remember, WRT54GL. L! Remember the L!

Centipeed wrote: »

I'm about to buy the Linksys WAG54GS... Does anyone have a reason why I shouldn't?

It's slightly faster than the L, but slightly less reliable. You get to pick.

The L doesn't have a modem in it, unfortunately, so I guess it's my original choice for the win.

DeathPrawn

Daedalus wrote: »

Get the Buffalo WHR-G125 and reflash it with DD-WRT. It's cheap and very effective. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's the cheapest DD-WRT-capable router. It's like the new Linksys WRT54G, (before Linksys made them suck and charged an extra $20 for the non-suck version).

(Oh, and don't do this if you need a special replacement antenna for very long range, though, as it doesn't have a detachable antenna.)

Don't even bother booting it to the crappy stock firmware, though; just flash it right after you buy it.

Agreed. It's only $40 on Newegg, and after throwing DD-WRT on it's rock solid. (fun fact: it's the cheapest router officially supported by DD-WRT)

Fatty McBeardo

I have that Buffaledho WHR-HP-G54 MIMO router. I bought it about a month ago. I had one of the original Linksys 802.11b routers that I purchased around December of 2002. I got nearly 5 years of service out of that thing, probably the most reliable piece of technology I've owned. It was dropped and knocked off its shelf many times, and kept right on going. Hit by many power surges, too. I finally retired it because the throughput had fallen off to 10k/s, and no amount of resetting/power cycling could fix it. I tried the Linksys WRT54G and had some problems with it, so I tried the Buffalo. The interface isn't as nice as I'd like, but it works extremely well and is very configurable. I also have the Buffalo WLI-TX4-G54HP "converter", which is basically a combination WAP/bridge. I have my 360 and Tivo plugged into it, so I don't have to run CAT6 across the living room. Both products work very well, setting them up with WPA was very easy. I also have an Airport Express w/ Airtunes WAP that I use for streaming iTunes music to my stereo. It gets along fine with the Buffalo hardware.

LittleBoots

I have a linksys WRT54G and it used to shit out on me all the time (would drop connection (wired and wireless) freeze up and have to be power reset)... Did some looking on the web and found that this wasn't really uncommon for these routers, flashed it with DD-WRT (free third party firmware) and haven't had a problem since. Point of this post? I wouldn't recommend a WRT54G router unless you're prepared to possibly mess with changing the firmware.

AceRimmer

Draft N 2.0 is guaranteed to be compatible with the final 802.11n spec. They also have a new logo that manufacturers can put on the box if their device is Draft N 2.0 compatible.

steeef

This is probably just adding to the noise, but I also own the WRT54G and after installing DD-WRT and configuring it correctly (torrents can take a toll on this router when using DD-WRT's default configuration), it's been heaven.

Barrakketh

I own the WHR-HP-54G, and have been very pleased with it. It's been rock solid under heavy BitTorrent use, and the only times I've reset it were to confirm that the modem/router was the ISP's fault and not on my end.
(damn you Embarq!).

ACSIS

If you get lots of wireless lan network terminations... switch the channel. Its radio, okay? And those devices wich use a predefined network name - change it. Imagine a dozend people in your neighbourhood running the same device with the same network name. And use a fucking key. Stupid neighbours might log accidently in and write their ISP acess codes into your router wich causes major disaster ^^

Also in a lot of cases XP windows is not able to deal with WPA2 encryption. It should with service pack2 but this is unfortunately in about 50% of cases not true. Change of encryption algorythm is highly recomended in that case.

Basticle

so guys correct me if I'm wrong but the diference in speed between "Wireless G" and "Super G" is pretty much limited to the speed within the network and dosent effect your internet speed whatsoever right?

I mean 54Mbs is pretty damn fast considering most cable/dsl is like 512kbs-2Mbs right? or am I missing something?

Snowcone

Basticle wrote: »

so guys correct me if I'm wrong but the diference in speed between "Wireless G" and "Super G" is pretty much limited to the speed within the network and dosent effect your internet speed whatsoever right?

I mean 54Mbs is pretty damn fast considering most cable/dsl is like 512kbs-2Mbs right? or am I missing something?

The speeds that are advertised are in fact wireless LAN speeds. To say they don't have an affect on your actual internet speed can be a bit misleading. Having 54Mbps versus 108Mbps doesn't make your actual data pipe smaller from the router to your ISP, but it does affect how fast the data travels between your router and your computers/devices. All told, since even the slow ass 11Mbps of 802.11b is faster than most people's net connections, you are essentially correct.

Snowcone

Thanks to everyone. I am still totally undecided as I've been a die hard Linksys user for years, aside from a bout of stupidity that led to the DLink. I'll check compatibility with my WET54GS5, but I am leaning towards that Buffalo MIMO device.

At home I have a Wii, the WET, and a laptop that still has a b wireless adapter. I am getting a new laptop through work that has g onboard so all will be well.

Basticle

Snowcone wrote: »

Basticle wrote: »

so guys correct me if I'm wrong but the diference in speed between "Wireless G" and "Super G" is pretty much limited to the speed within the network and dosent effect your internet speed whatsoever right?

I mean 54Mbs is pretty damn fast considering most cable/dsl is like 512kbs-2Mbs right? or am I missing something?

The speeds that are advertised are in fact wireless LAN speeds. To say they don't have an affect on your actual internet speed can be a bit misleading. Having 54Mbps versus 108Mbps doesn't make your actual data pipe smaller from the router to your ISP, but it does affect how fast the data travels between your router and your computers/devices. All told, since even the slow ass 11Mbps of 802.11b is faster than most people's net connections, you are essentially correct.

see, I work at Staples but not in that department but I occationally help out over there. Numerous times now I'll explain to a customer what you just said but then they get alll pissed off and claim someone else they talked to here the week before told them they needed the more expensive, faster equipment, leaving me looking like a dumbass. I hate my co-workers.

Snowcone

Basticle wrote: »

Snowcone wrote: »

Basticle wrote: »

so guys correct me if I'm wrong but the diference in speed between "Wireless G" and "Super G" is pretty much limited to the speed within the network and dosent effect your internet speed whatsoever right?

I mean 54Mbs is pretty damn fast considering most cable/dsl is like 512kbs-2Mbs right? or am I missing something?

The speeds that are advertised are in fact wireless LAN speeds. To say they don't have an affect on your actual internet speed can be a bit misleading. Having 54Mbps versus 108Mbps doesn't make your actual data pipe smaller from the router to your ISP, but it does affect how fast the data travels between your router and your computers/devices. All told, since even the slow ass 11Mbps of 802.11b is faster than most people's net connections, you are essentially correct.

see, I work at Staples but not in that department but I occationally help out over there. Numerous times now I'll explain to a customer what you just said but then they get alll pissed off and claim someone else they talked to here the week before told them they needed the more expensive, faster equipment, leaving me looking like a dumbass. I hate my co-workers.

I have the distinct position in my family, and extended family, of being "the computer guy". Nobody in any arm of family, except one of my aunt's who is a para-legal that thinks she is an IT person, ever questions what I say so I don't ever going into long explanations of things like that.

When I used to actually visit retail stores, I always helped out the people that looked utterly lost like that. I loved hearing the Best Buy employees tell them they needed the fastest computer they had for internet and email. Classic stuff.

Back to routers, I am just going to get the Buffalo and hope I don't have issues. That being said, I'd never heard of DD-WRT until yesterday. If I flash to DD-WRT, is it possible to flash back to a Buffalo firmware if the thing goes dead and needs warranty work?

shutz

I'd never heard of the Linksys WRT54GL before coming here. I've used a WRT54G (v5, which means I couldn't use DD-WRT without hacking the hardware) and it worked really well for me.

So, what's the difference between the WRT54G and the WRT54GL, apart from the fact that the L seems to be able to support DD-WRT, like the old WRT54G v1 and v2 could ?

Also, avoid the WRT54GC, if you ever see it. It's in a small, square, silver case, and it's crap. You can't use DD-WRT, and when you update its firmware (with official versions) there's about a 50% chance that the update will fail and you will brick it. That happened to me, and after looking online, a few sites mentioned te 50% figure (just so you know I'm not exaggerating.) I gave it to someone who seemed to know how to tftp into it and re-flash it, since by that time I'd picked up a WRT54G.

I now use the home networking modem that my DSL ISP (Sympatico, here in Canada) gave me for free. It's a Speedstream, I think. Works great with my laptop, DS and Wii, while I have a PC and my XBox360 connected via Ethernet. Only problems I've had is there are fewer options I have access to, it will sometimes lose the Internet connection for no apparent reason (but only rarely, as in, maybe once every 2 months, at worst, and for a short time) and it takes a while (up to 5 minutes) to re-establish the Internet connection after the DSL sync is re-established. In any case, it was free, and it works really well for me.

Guibs

Basticle wrote: »

so guys correct me if I'm wrong but the diference in speed between "Wireless G" and "Super G" is pretty much limited to the speed within the network and dosent effect your internet speed whatsoever right?

I mean 54Mbs is pretty damn fast considering most cable/dsl is like 512kbs-2Mbs right? or am I missing something?

You are correct. If you use primarely the router to share your internet connection, speed on current router will not be a problem. I use the exact d-link model you are referring to (for 2 years now) and except with some casual reset, it's been good to me (but I would support that linksys are usually superior, it helps when Cisco makes part of the hardware).

So right now, today, getting a N router is totally pointeless, unless you have equipement locally in your house where you want to share information with (other computer, console, etc...) but they will all require to have a N compatible wireless card or else, you just won't be up to speed.

Guibs

shutz wrote: »

I now use the home networking modem that my DSL ISP (Sympatico, here in Canada) gave me for free. It's a Speedstream, I think. Works great with my laptop, DS and Wii, while I have a PC and my XBox360 connected via Ethernet. Only problems I've had is there are fewer options I have access to, it will sometimes lose the Internet connection for no apparent reason (but only rarely, as in, maybe once every 2 months, at worst, and for a short time) and it takes a while (up to 5 minutes) to re-establish the Internet connection after the DSL sync is re-established. In any case, it was free, and it works really well for me.

wow, a Sympatico user... those are a rare bread amoung gamers. usually, unless you are just right next to a DSL relay, gamers tend to use Videotron (like I do).

steeef

shutz wrote: »

So, what's the difference between the WRT54G and the WRT54GL, apart from the fact that the L seems to be able to support DD-WRT, like the old WRT54G v1 and v2 could ?

Here's your answer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G#WRT54GL

Basically, the L stands for "Linux". Linksys switched to VxWorks firmware for the later WRT54G's, which limited its hackability greatly.

Barrakketh

steeef wrote: »

shutz wrote: »

So, what's the difference between the WRT54G and the WRT54GL, apart from the fact that the L seems to be able to support DD-WRT, like the old WRT54G v1 and v2 could ?

Here's your answer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G#WRT54GL

Basically, the L stands for "Linux". Linksys switched to VxWorks firmware for the later WRT54G's, which limited its hackability greatly.

The GS and later WRT54G models also have less RAM than the GL models.

Uther

I also use the WAG54GS and it has served me well. I have PCs in two rooms, a Wii and a DS running through it. Also, contrary to an earlier poster, I've used their free tech support number and had excellent service. They solved my problem quickly and politely. No, I don't speak Hindi.