Help Choosing a Wireless N network

[Vermillion]

Okay, as my Christmas present to myself I'm migrating from my wireless G. The reason being is that my current G is a little flaky at range and the speed isn't exactly where I'd like it to be. That and I just like to buy new tech stuff :)

Here is my setup:
- I have a computer room. It has a laptop that is hardwired to the router. I have a linksys cable modem (BEFCMV10) and a linksys wireless G router (WRT54G) in this room.
- I have a home theatre room. It contains my TV, 360, PS3 and DVR. All of those need network access. I currently have a linksys 4 port wireless G bridge (WET54GS5) communicating with the wireless router in the computer room to do this.
- I have two floating work laptops (mine and wife) that connect to the wireless network in the computer room when in use.

My needs/wants:
- I would like to have the same line of products for all rooms. Just makes life easier (past experience)
- I am pretty sure I would like to go Dual Band. Price, within reason (I don't need a $1000 network), is not an obstacle to this purchase
- Easy to setup and maintain.
- Stability. No flaking out. I'm a gamer dammit, that is priority #1. :)

Just from reading around, I am getting the feeling that linksys isn't what it was back in the day and was wondering what the general consensus was now on the best product. And I don't even know if I should bother getting a new cable modem.

So, your networking advice/expertise would be greatly appreciated.

[Stmfuller]

N hasn't been ratified by the IEEE. I wouldn't touch N until it's official.

[DigitalFirefly]

I have this router and love it (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127215).

[Brady]

I have this router and love it (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127215).

I have the same router and its been fantastic for me. I've also got the matching PCI express N card, which works well. Though I've run into one problem....

If my pc is putting any load on my network it pretty much crushes the signal of my Logitech G7 mouse and the mouse becomes almost unusable. Gaming won't do it, but downloading large files makes the mouse less responsive... then transfering files from pc to pc where I'd use all 300mbps it effectively kills the mouse completely.

I'm moving to a wired G9 instead, the benefits of an N network far outweigh my wireless mouse. I'm not sure if this is just an isolated case of a bad mouse, because I had a few issues with it before I updgraded to an N network...

[Vermillion]

N hasn't been ratified by the IEEE. I wouldn't touch N until it's official.

Yeah, but hasn't N been out forever? I don't see/hear anything new on the horizon to replace it. Not arguing with you as I know you are right, but wondering if it's an issue that is going to be solved either way in the near term.


Digitalfirefly, will that router also work as a bridge?

[Stmfuller]

I'm just saying until the format is certified, you run the risk of buying hardware that won't be N certified when it does happen.

[KingGorilla]

If you have your console on the network you will not have wireless N speeds anywhere. The router will output to all devices on the slowest device of any device connected to the network. IE, you will not have any faster transfers than wireless g, 54 Mbps. That is the way networking works, or doesn't depending on your point of view. You will need 802.11N adapters for every device on the network, and not allow anything but on the network.

[Talanvor]

I have the same router and its been fantastic for me. I've also got the matching PCI express N card, which works well. Though I've run into one problem....

...it effectively kills the mouse completely.

Weird, that is my router as well, but my mouse doesn't get killed. Granted I do have my computer itself connected to the router via ethernet rather than wireless, but I haven't noticied this. My mouse is the Logitech MX Laser though, I think it might be using a different frequency than the router, not really sure.

Well, anyway. I do like the router a lot, it hasn't given me any problems.

[DigitalFirefly]

If you have your console on the network you will not have wireless N speeds anywhere. The router will output to all devices on the slowest device of any device connected to the network. IE, you will not have any faster transfers than wireless g, 54 Mbps. That is the way networking works, or doesn't depending on your point of view. You will need 802.11N adapters for every device on the network, and not allow anything but on the network.

I thought MIMO allows for the use of multiple standards, allowing devices to work on G and N simultaneously.

[KingGorilla]

Are we talking theory or something you can buy? What most consumer devices are are routers with better packet prioritization. What multi in-multi out needs is several antennas, connected to a device or devices. Your home router only has one radio on it.

A common problem with people upgrading their routers is that they expect faster speeds, but have slower devices connected to the network. If you want fast, the best option is still laying cable. It is also still fairly cheap.

[Brady]

I thought MIMO allows for the use of multiple standards, allowing devices to work on G and N simultaneously.

This is true and the previous statement was false. My laptop and 360 are connected to the network via G at 54mbps and my desktop is connected to the same network via N at 300mbps.

It doesn't scale everything back because you have one G device. The network has layers. All B, G, and N devices can connect to my network at whatever speed their wireless card can handle.

[Bingley Joe]

I've been using one of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124276) for quite a while now, and it's been fantastic.

Runs full DD-WRT (which should be the first thing you do to any new router you buy.. either that or Tomato), so it does basically everything -- including running as a bridge and allowing devices of various speeds to co-exist happily (although I have no N devices, but it's perfectly happy to let B & G devices run at proper speeds).

[Vermillion]

I guess color me confused. *I think that is bright pink* Let me see if I am understanding this correctly or point out where I get it wrong:

1.) I purchase a Wireless N Router, connect it to the cable modem and hardwire (CAT-5/6) my laptop to it.
2.) I purchase a Wireless N Bridge and hardwire (CAT-5/6) my 360, PS3, DVR and TV into it.
3.) The Wireless N Bridge communicates directly with the Wireless N Router. For fun's sake, lets say this is the ONLY wireless connections going on in the entire network.
4.) PROBLEM: Somehow I'm not going to get N speed on any device on the bridge because of the hardwired consoles to it? Even though the bridge is the only thing communicating on the wireless network?

I don't get it.

[Vermillion]

I made this network diagram to hopefully explain my vision a little better.

http://members.cox.net/ejohnston1/Vermynetwork.jpg

[GigaFuzz]

4.) PROBLEM: Somehow I'm not going to get N speed on any device on the bridge because of the hardwired consoles to it? Even though the bridge is the only thing communicating on the wireless network?

I don't get it.

If all the wireless stuff is N, then there shouldn't be any problem. That was obviously a misunderstanding somewhere in the thread.

Nice diagam though. :p

[Banacek]

I made this network diagram to hopefully explain my vision a little better.

That diagram is awesome.

[total]

I made this network diagram to hopefully explain my vision a little better.

http://members.cox.net/ejohnston1/Vermynetwork.jpg

This is fantastical.

[ThievesAmongUs]

WRT54GL is a good linksys router to use if you plan on DD-WRT. Depending on the model, Linksys' firmware can be POS or work well. One bit of advice, stay away from the WRT54GS models; they're terrible.

And, yes. I know neither of these are N routers, but since the exact specifications for N haven't been ratified, buying equipment for it doesn't strike me as the best choice.