Router/Switch/Access Point Recommendation

[Urizen]

Post this in the wrong forum first, but I need someone to help me out:

So, my LinkSys WRT54GL is finally starting to show its obsolescence. The 54MBPS cap has its limitations when I want to send playback from one room to the other. The G-wireless could be upgraded. The four ports on the back aren't enough anymore.

I'm looking for one device that will take care of all three issues. Power outlets are at a premium and I can't spare one to tack on a switch as a simple semi-fix.

This model router seriously deserves to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame for such devices. I haven't had a router issue in probably the past seven or eight years (whenever I got this thing), so I'm out of the loop.

What are you crazy kids using these days?

Thanks in advance.

[biosc1]

I don't see a lot of 8-port wireless routers that aren't corporate level in complexity and price.

I would suggest buying a wireless-N router, a switch, and a power bar. I don't have much experience in the wireless-N world in regards to brands, but I hear Netgear and D-Link are making surprisingly good ones.

[Urizen]

Hmmm...

A power bar? How would that help?

It definitely looks like a Gb switch is a no-brainer. Looking into one of those now...

[biosc1]

I'm looking for one device that will take care of all three issues. Power outlets are at a premium and I can't spare one to tack on a switch as a simple semi-fix.


I was trying to say that it would be a much cheaper solution to just increase your available power outlets by throwing in a power bar, but now I realize you may have thought I meant a PowerBa (http://www.powerbar.com/)r and not a power bar (http://www.hltechnology.com/image/APC-P7V-Powerbar.jpg).

Now, having said that, looks like D-Link just released an affordable 8-port Wireless N router: http://www.dlink.ca/products/?pid=767

[Dukefrukem]

linksys > all

[Urizen]

Linksys never hurt me, but this D-Link (http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DIR-655-Extreme-Gigabit-Wireless/dp/tech-data/B000LIFB7S/ref=de_a_smtd) is too good to pass up and the reviews are stellar.

[PathMaster]

Buffalo, when available are great!

[biosc1]

linksys > all

Before the Cisco days maybe...but even then, I've had 2 Linksys crap out under light loads, constantly rebooting etc...

So, I would change that formula to:

Linksys == all

[Vigil80]

I'd like to know the answer to this, too. My WRT54GL is slowly dying. A second port has stopped responding, after one port died the same night as a bad storm hit. (Possibly a coincidence). So what router would CoG pick?

D-Link DIR-632? It only seems to support the g and n standards, not b. That could be an issue with older devices. The DS/DS Lite/DSi comes to mind.

D-Link DIR-655? It at least supports b/g/n, and is advertised as having "technology for gaming." Only 4 ports though, which is a strike against it in Urizen's case.

Buffalo? I have zero experience with this brand, but I do know that the WZR-HP-G300NH, WHR-HP-G300N and WHR-HP-GN models come from the factory with the superlative DD-WRT open source firmware. They seem to get mixed but generally good reviews on Newegg. Still only 4 ports.

Linksys? The E-Series (and their functionally identical WRT counterparts) are outlined in this article (http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-features/31111-inside-story-linksys-e-series-and-cisco-valet). They would seem to be the logical upgrade from a WRT54GL. Support a/b/g/n standards. Mixed reviews on Newegg, but a reflash of the firmware to DD-WRT or Tomato might remedy some shortcomings. Also only 4 ports.

What says CoG?

Edit:
Sorry, Urizen. I seem to be a death knell for threads in PC hardware & software. :o

[biosc1]

I really love my ASUS WL520 ... but it is getting a little long in the tooth. It's still trucking along quite well. This ASUS is actually built on the Buffalo tech that wasn't available for a bit due to some court case.

[jeffbax]

Buffalo are typically solid. I've had hit or miss luck with Linksys and have never had much success with D-Link or Netgear in the past. That said, there isn't evidence they can't change.

I would look at models that are compatible with the open source Tomato or DD-WRT firmwares which will kick the shit out of anything you get by default with your router, but only certain ones are compatible so do some research. Put that on an older wireless-G linksys and the thing is absurdly solid compared to routers I've used in the past.

[Urizen]

I finally decided to go with this combo:

D-Link Wireless N Gigabit Router DIR-655 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PH7PMY/ref=oss_product)
and
D-Link DGS-2205 5-Port 10/100/1000 Desktop Switch (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIVDIA/ref=oss_product)

The reviews on both items are amazing, and I've just decided change the layout of A/V and gaming equipment. The PS3, 360 and WDTV will move behind the living room wall into the bedroom, so I'll wire the switch into the bedroom. Wii, PopcornHour, Cable and Jadoo stay in the living room.

I just hope I'll be able to toss my video content seamlessly from one room into the other.
I definitely want to be ready for a Gigabit Ethernet solution when I get my Synology NAS device in the next few months. I do't have impressions yet because the I haven't received any of the items from Amazon.

[Dukefrukem]

I finally decided to go with this combo:

D-Link Wireless N Gigabit Router DIR-655 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PH7PMY/ref=oss_product)
and
D-Link DGS-2205 5-Port 10/100/1000 Desktop Switch (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIVDIA/ref=oss_product)

The reviews on both items are amazing, and I've just decided change the layout of A/V and gaming equipment. The PS3, 360 and WDTV will move behind the living room wall into the bedroom, so I'll wire the switch into the bedroom. Wii, PopcornHour, Cable and Jadoo stay in the living room.

I just hope I'll be able to toss my video content seamlessly from one room into the other.
I definitely want to be ready for a Gigabit Ethernet solution when I get my Synology NAS device in the next few months. I do't have impressions yet because the I haven't received any of the items from Amazon.

How as your experience been? I'm looking to upgrade now and would love a report back.

Also, what are you using the switch for? What is your configuration?

[Urizen]

I had WRT on my last router, and the stock firmware on the DIR-655 is giving me the same outstanding, uninterrupted wireless connection on my G-protocol machine, and a slightly better speed on my N-protocol machine. So, no complaints there.

Our apartment isn't very big, but there are a lot of devices that can cause potential interference with a wireless signal, but that hasn't been an issue either. Up to 25 feet away from the router, which sits swaddled by cables and wires from other electronic components, and through one wall, the signal is still very strong.

I was a little worried that I didn't splurge for a Dual-Band device, but I'm not missing it at all so far.

My cable modem/router is in the living room, but I have an ethernet cable running to the bedroom with the switch installed there. The PS3 is in the bedroom, so that gives me a hardwired connection to that, to my TV which has internet apps and to my Boxee Box which I've pre-ordered. I plan on using the gigabit network to move my content (DVD and BD rips) sitting in my living room entertainment console on a NAS to the bedroom Boxee Box to watch shows and movies there if I want.

I've tested out everything except the Boxee Box, obviously. And I've got no complaint with either device. You probably won't have any problem installing either device, but they are idiot-proof. And the customization in the router settings have everything you could hope for.

D-Link gets a point.

[Dukefrukem]

You have the exact setup that I'm going to be doing. (modem/router in living room with Ethernet leading upstairs with switch). I haven't decided where I'm putting the NAS yet.

I'm considering this (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003B48UQ8/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER), but I've heard it has heat problems.

[Urizen]

FWIW, my router is sitting on top of my modem and right behind my 360, and it stays quite cool. I'm not a fan of the UFO-inspired form factor either. These things should small, simple, elegant and never intrusive or eye-catching.

Switches shouldn't have any cross-compatibility issues, but I'm glad I ended up going with the same manufacturer for both devices.

[Dukefrukem]

FWIW, my router is sitting on top of my modem and right behind my 360, and it stays quite cool. I'm not a fan of the UFO-inspired form factor either. These things should small, simple, elegant and never intrusive or eye-catching.

Switches shouldn't have any cross-compatibility issues, but I'm glad I ended up going with the same manufacturer for both devices.

Since it's going in my living room, I don't want antennas sticking up on a table or wherever I decide to put it.

I may go with your setup still.

[Doogie2K]

I'm a little bit curious: how does the DIR-655 handle the old Xbox wireless adapter? It's given me hassles on my WRT54G2 (and my wireless has officially shat itself, after months of intermittent function), claiming that it's Wireless-A and doesn't work with Wireless-B/G networks, even though I could've sworn that that adapter was a G. (It works fine with streaming media on WMC once I get through the horrible sluggishness of the menus.)

[Vigil80]

Would you mind going into more detail about the whys of your setup, Urizen? I'm curious, and I'm sure there's knowledge that would help my own lack of patience with networking.

[jpublic]

I was actually coming on here to ask about this, as my WRT54GS is starting to die as well. I occasionally have to powercycle it because it locks up and stops passing traffic.

I was looking at the DIR-655, but I'm seeing very mixed reviews. I've seen good things about the Netgear DGN1000-100NAS. Can anyone verify?

[Doogie2K]

Also, after actually seeing the product in Duke's post, I'd say it looks exactly the same as the router I just replaced, except with N instead of G, and that definitely has heat problems. It'll turn off my wireless after a short time if I'm not using it.

So in the end, I did get the DIR-655 (decided it wasn't worth the extra money for dual-band for what I'd be using it for). So far, the setup was a breeze and my iPhone actually connects now, as opposed to before. It even connects with N, which I didn't know going in. Better deals. Next test: 360.

Double Secret Edit: Success! The admin page gives me the MAC and IP addresses, the speed, signal strength, and standard (G/N) used. I like.

[rein]

I have had the WRT400N for several weeks now and it has absolutely no heat issues so far. The unit is not even warm. It's not behind anything or stuffed under a shelf so maybe that is why. That, or it just didn't suffer from it like the E3000.

[jpublic]

I ordered the DIR-655.

[Dukefrukem]

Also, after actually seeing the product in Duke's post, I'd say it looks exactly the same as the router I just replaced, except with N instead of G, and that definitely has heat problems. It'll turn off my wireless after a short time if I'm not using it.

So in the end, I did get the DIR-655 (decided it wasn't worth the extra money for dual-band for what I'd be using it for). So far, the setup was a breeze and my iPhone actually connects now, as opposed to before. It even connects with N, which I didn't know going in. Better deals. Next test: 360.

Double Secret Edit: Success! The admin page gives me the MAC and IP addresses, the speed, signal strength, and standard (G/N) used. I like.

I never updated this thread, but I ended up getting that CISCO router and was completely blown away. I've always used Linksys routers, but found the setup to be tedious.

The new CISCO routers do EVERYTHING for you. It's unbelievable. I guess they've been doing this for a while but I haven't bought a router since 2006.

There's literally 3 steps.

1. Plug in your modem.
2. Plug in your router.
3. Insert Disc in your computer.

You don't even need to connect the computer you are installing the CD on to the router! It will find it, set it up for you, ask you what you want to call it, and what password you want, and you are done.

Been running it for 3 weeks and have been very very happy.

I also ended up getting that D-Link switch that Urizen suggested. Haven't hooked it up yet.

[Urizen]

Sorry, guys. I fell asleep on this thread.

Would you mind going into more detail about the whys of your setup, Urizen? I'm curious, and I'm sure there's knowledge that would help my own lack of patience with networking.

I'm a sucker for a hardwired setup. All my consoles and set-top boxes are hardwired. I only use the wireless for the laptops around the house.

So, I have a cable modem and DIR-655 in my living room. It's hooked up to my 360, Popcorn Hour and Jadoo TV (which offers international TV programming over IP). The fourth slot in the router runs ethernet to the bedroom where I have my 5-port switch.

There, the PS3, Wii, Boxee Box and net-capable TV are all hardwired. The Boxee Box is supposed to let me pick up the content connected via USB hard drive to the Popcorn Hour and let me watch it in the bedroom.

I hope that helps.

I was looking at the DIR-655, but I'm seeing very mixed reviews. I've seen good things about the Netgear DGN1000-100NAS. Can anyone verify?

I know you made your decision, but I think you made the right one. How's it treating you? I have no complaints with my DIR-655. I have never seen the DGN1000 in the wild, so I wouldn't have been able to help you there. Do you need the DSL modem built-in?

I never updated this thread, but I ended up getting that CISCO router and was completely blown away. I've always used Linksys routers, but found the setup to be tedious.

Router setup has never been fun, but hasn't been a pain, either. I'm glad they're making strides. It sounds like the Cisco has been working fine otherwise as well. I mean, if router setup is the highlight of the experience, that's not good news....right? I would rather hear impressions about how perfromance is improved over your previous router.

Double Secret Edit: Success! The admin page gives me the MAC and IP addresses, the speed, signal strength, and standard (G/N) used. I like.

Thanks for that. After Hawkzombie's Gmail hack thread, I decided to beef up my security a little bit. Having all the information at your fingerstips is pretty sweet in that respect.

[Dukefrukem]

Router setup has never been fun, but hasn't been a pain, either. I'm glad they're making strides. It sounds like the Cisco has been working fine otherwise as well. I mean, if router setup is the highlight of the experience, that's not good news....right? I would rather hear impressions about how perfromance is improved over your previous router.
.

Considering I'm not living there yet, I haven't used it very much. I'm able to stream Netflix, Pandora, AoD on my TV pretty flawlessly. But I haven't gamed on it yet.

Moving in on the 12th.

[PathMaster]

It had been awhile since I setup a wireless router, but one of the new NetGears was super easy to setup. Basically connected ethernet cables, plugged it in and done. Easy login into router to turn on wireless and change the passwords. Was literally maybe a minute to setup all together.