Wireless Router Recommendations

[ray]

Hi Guys,

I have a D-Link DIR-615 Wireless router right now, but am having serious issues with its wireless broadcasting. More than 2-3 times a night I have to reboot the router because it no longer broadcasts a signal. I have updated the firmware on the router, the drivers for my wireless cards on my 2 laptops and my desktop and nothing has resolved my issues.

I've also tried moving my wireless router away from other electronic devices, but that hasn't helped at all.

I am thinking that it's the POS D-Link router, so I'm just curious to see what everyone else is using or if anyone had any recommendations.

Thanks

Ray

[Jeffbx]

It's most likely the POS D-Link. Those have a pretty dismal failure rate.

Get yourself a cheap Linksys.

[renovation]

even buy a belkin im not a fan of D-Links

[ray]

I was reading reviews of some of the wireless N routers by Linksys and they got 3-rating (average) with most ppl commenting that their signals went from bad to worse when the switched to this hardware. Has the Linksys quality degraded ever since Cisco bought them? I had a B and G router years ago that worked great, but would like to get an N router now.

[Jeffbx]

Stick w/G - WRT54G (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series), to be exact. Everyone is still fighting about the exact N spec, and unless your internet connection is more than 50Mbps you'll never notice a difference.

You can probably find a WRT54G on ebay that's already been flashed to DD-WRT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DD-WRT), which will give you the most powerful wireless router that $60-70 can buy.

[DarkFury]

Honestly, you can't really go wrong with Linksys or Netgear (just from my experience...)

The WRT54G is an excellent choice.

[Devhux]

Agreed with getting a Linksys router and flashing it to DD-WRT.

Right now I'm using a WRT150N, and it's working great (despite the fact that the default Linksys firmware was crap).

[InfiniteNothing]

Agreed with getting a Linksys router and flashing it to DD-WRT.

Right now I'm using a WRT150N, and it's working great (despite the fact that the default Linksys firmware was crap).
:stupid: It's like $55 refurbished

The latest DD-WRT firmware (have you updated GuruX?) has been doing really well. Set the tx power to 84... it all comes together nicely.


Everyone is still fighting about the exact N spec

It was ratified earlier this month.
http://standards.ieee.org/announcements/ieee802.11n_2009amendment_ratified.html


and unless your internet connection is more than 50Mbps you'll never notice a difference.
You'll notice a huge difference if you transfer files to/from NAS

[ray]

You'll notice a huge difference if you transfer files to/from NAS

which i do a lot of.

[ray]

So I am now considering between these models:

Linksys WRT160N Ultra RangePlus Wireless-N Broadband Router
Linksys WRT310N Wireless-N Gigabit Router
Linksys WRT160NL Wireless-N Broadband Router with Storage Link (probably not going to purchase this since I have a server with all my media connected to the network already)

Any other suggestions?

[Cubsfan]

There was a Buffalo draft N router on here the other day for like $35, I've always had good luck with Buffalo stuff.

At least the good news is I think that N was approved the other day so we should have a lot of compatible stuff now.

[Devhux]

:stupid: It's like $55 refurbished

The latest DD-WRT firmware (have you updated GuruX?) has been doing really well. Set the tx power to 84... it all comes together nicely.


I updated mine about 2 weeks ago. It used to be linked to another DD-WRT via WDS, but that other router failed (an ASUS WL-500g Premium).

Here's a tip: Have an XBox 360 and need to connect it wirelessly? Buy a cheap DD-WRT compatible router and link it to your main one via WDS. MUCH cheaper than the $100 Microsoft wants for the 802.11g adapter, and much more flexible. :)

[dushuai]

Didn`t have a signal , so strange,anyway, it may be firmware problem first.
Check the DD-WRT routers , they have enough persons to use and enough support for you which can be found on the website.

[Jeffbx]

Oh, that's good that they finally ratified N. But even so, look out for 'draft' N stuff. No guarantee that it'll be 100% compatible w/ratified N, and it could be a couple of months before the ratified N gear hits the shelf.


So I am now considering between these models:

Linksys WRT160N Ultra RangePlus Wireless-N Broadband Router
Linksys WRT310N Wireless-N Gigabit Router

I'd go with the WRT310N if you must have N. No need for RangePlus unless you live in a huge house or have trouble getting a signal in all of your rooms. No need to broadcast too far past your house!