I have 2 desktop, laptop(802.11b), and Comcast phone and internet. I do a lot of downloading...videos, torrents, itunes. I am trying to setup a wireless home network. I don't know which way to go, "G" or "N"? . Which brand of router is better? I want something that has the latest security, port control, firewall, speedbooster, wont lock up if there is a lot of traffic. I was thinking about Linksys WRT54GS or Dlink WBR-2310. Any recommendations?
N is 108Mbps so faster, but unless you send large amounts of network traffic regularly (LAN games or large file transfers), it's unnecessary. I use a Linksys WRT54GL router, that's pretty good, not too expensive either. note, the L at the end is crucially important! The WRT54G is one of the worst routers out there, the WRT54GL is one of the best.
Heres to that! I was given a WRT54GS, and already possesing a superb wireless router I decided to have fun with the Linksys router. I isntalled DD-WRT firmware and set the router up to be a automated wireles repeater. I plug it in anywere and it grabs the strongest wifi signal and boosts it. So its kinda like having your own wifi hotspot werever you go. DD-WRT firmware is the best, and the WRT54GL is the best WRT54 model from Linksys.
What is the difference between WRT54GS and "L". Does this router have a firewall and will it allow me to configure ports ports? Are you guys saying the DLink is a bad choice?
The "S" in WRT54GS stand for "speedbooster". Theoretically if all devices using WiFi are Speedbooster verified then you could get more speed. I have and recommend the NETGEAR WPN824 it is a terrific wireless G router, but for those on a budget I recommend the WRT54GL
What is the strongest Router combined with a PCI Wireless Card so I can view more wireless networks? I want free internet and would like to view as many unprotected wireless signals as possible.
You do realise that's illegal? Get a wireless card that has an antenna socket and then just buy a really powerful antenna.
As stated by me... I isntalled DD-WRT firmware and set the router up to be a automated wireles repeater. I plug it in anywere and it grabs the strongest wifi signal, boosts it and sends it back out OR sends it through the 4 port ethernet switch. I use it on vacation, since many hotels I am at have lousy WiFi thoroughput I simply plug this in and access WiFi from it. My computer believes the router is its gateway, the router sends the internet traffic to the hotels router which believes it is a PC's WiFi card. Works great.
I decided to get the Linksys WRT54GS. Now, I see that people are concerned about what version of the router it is. For example v.1, Rev 1.? What does that mean and should I be concerned? Furthermore is it is lower than the current version can you do a firmware upgrade to the latest?
I know i'm late adding this (slightly irrelevant) info, adding it only as it'll help somebody out there).. just passing thru and saw the WRT54G mentioned; version 5 of this router is indeed apparently atrocious, though as far as i know it's only so bad where torrenting is concerned. Found this out after i'd bought my version 5 though found out by surfing for info after buying and using it for ages (i'd very rarely had problems with the router, was just looking for any newer firmware); I must add that i installed the latest firmware quite early on (firmware 1.01.0) and the rare need for reboots became much more rare. Every few months (quite some months) the 10 or so wireless PC's in the house would start playing silly buggers and it would be a case of power cycle the router, then it will be fine for many more months. What fixed my (rare) problems was this - "Firmware 1.01.0 - Resolves Multi-session issue" edit- Doh!, there's 3 firmware updates been released since i last checked, must try the latest one when i'm home next. Firmware 1.01.1, then 1.02.0 (one important fix is "Improves compatibility with BitTorrent."), and then 1.02.2 I'm only mentioning all this in case anyone that already owns a version 5 router, searches and ends up in this thread, in which case the latest firmware should help. I'm not however going as far as recommending people actually buy a version 5 of this router, due to the amount of negative info/experiences out there on the net. I'm probably just lucky that mine works so well That's also good info there from PeaInAPod re the DD-WRT firmware, but of course the version 5 WRT54G can't be flashed like that. ie. from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G#WRT54G - "Broadcom BCM5352EKPB Chipset - Switched to VxWorks OS and reduced Flash Memory and RAM; not compatible with most 3rd party firmware." Just awaiting a reply on someone else's WRT54G here - http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_jump.cfm/560287/3398207 not sure if it's a Version 5 though
Thanks creaky, that explains it, I remember a tom's hardware article about the router. I think you'll do OK as long as you don't have lots of multiple connections, but that can be said about a lot of routers.
@shakim I am not sure about version 7 Linksys WRT54GS routers. But all versions from 1-6 are able to be flash to DD-WRT firmware. The only thing is that since version 5 and 6 of the router have half the ram as flash as usual you have to flash a micro version. Same functions as the full version just recoded to be lighter on the memory usage. You can check to see if the version you got works and which firmware you need to flash it by going here. Also I can walk you through the process of flashing your router DD-WRT if you would like. @creaky Thanks for pointing out the problems with the flash it reminded me of the problem and as such reminded me to warn Shakim before s/he went about messing around with the firmware.
@PeaInAPod - no worries, and p.s. in case you thought i was (you probably didn't think it and i wasn't) nitpicking at your DD-WRT info, i always write my replies to help more than just the people in a thread. As i have the v5 router i can't do the DD-WRT firmware, but this thread has got me genning up on all the latest routers out there, to see if it's worth me upgrading my stuff as my 10 or so pc's groan on the 54mbps wireless (though that's gonna be mostly down to the fact i'm only on a 512k connection at home). (here i'm on an 8mb line, first time i've used anything this fast outside of work LAN connections, going back to the 512k line is a killer!). Last babbling from me (you can tell it's late), just remembered i had a 4mb connection living on the river last year, which was a nice speed, but never really got to appreciate it or test it out enough as it always got cut off due to other 15tonne boats squishing the phone line all the time. Plus i didn't bother with wireless on the river as the boat was only 55ft long by 6ft wide, a couple of huge CAT5 cables was enough and i didn't use the laptop outside in case it went swimming with the fishes
@creaky No problem. I know you weren't being nitpicky. And I just said what I did to clear somethigns up for the other people. Off-topic, but do you know by chance when the next "user status upgrade" cycle will begin?
I am getting the Linksys WRT54G Router. My notebook has a built in 802.11g and I am going to hardwire my desktops. Now should I get the one with the speedbuster. It is suppose to be 35% faster. Isn't that only true if I have hardware that has speedbuster (which I don't)?
Hey Creaky..... Going to dissagree with you on this. I have set up 3 WRT54G V5s all running micro DD-WRT. I tell you what, that thing is rock solid now. I used it at a convention that my company sets up, and had over 150 people connected to it and it never ever even hiccupped once. You need a few files to set it up. vxprep, vxkiller, and tftp, to upload the new firmware. V5s are garbage with the Linksys firmware, but with DD-WRT, its pretty fantastic. ~Rich
