Mpowered

I'm looking to buy a router this week. I've narrowed my search to the Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GS and the SMC SMC2804WBR or SMC2804WBRP-G.

The Linksys models are both similar, except the second one has some added software something called Speed Booster technology. Supposed to increase the speed and range, probably only works with other Speed Booster stuff..

Both SMC routers are also the same except the second has a print server.

I'm also looking at the Netgear WGE101 wireless bridge to hook up my mac to the network.

Any opinions on these or suggestions for other routers i should look at would be appreciated. I'm a networking major so I'd like to get a router with lots of options and features I can play and learn with. The Linksys ones seem to have a lot of possibilities with hacked and oss firmware, but I'm open to more ideas.

I don't want to spend loads of money and all the ones I listed range from $60-100. But I don't mind spending a little more for better hardware or to learn with.

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Bires

I bought the Barrcade-G(SMC2804WBR) last fall and have been very happy with it. No drops at all, its fast, and my wireless devices pick it up quickly and w/o hassles.

BTW: I got it for $50 AR from buy.com. Look around for rebates.

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DarkFury

Hands down... Netgear WGT624 "Super G" Network router. (Why bother with a "regular" G network router when you can get a Super G for around the same price...)

http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74040 (wifi and ethernet router???)

It is compatible with any "G" network receiver cards, however if you want "Super G" speed (108 Mbps) then you have to buy a compatible Netgear "Super G" receiver.

It is easy to set up, easy to use, and gives you superior range of connection.

Ask SnowSurfer... I convinced him to get one and he's happy with his too.

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Mpowered

I've been doing a lot of research on this since yesterday and now I'm even more stuck.

Linksys has got thier "good neighbor" SpeedBooster technology that give up to 35% increased performance and increased range. They also have lots of features and hacked firmware. According to most reviews the stock hardware seems to have the least range and speed of the three, but with hacked firmware, like one from Sveasoft, there is some room for improvement.

Netgear has the 108 Mbps but it's using a so called "bad neighbor" method. I'm not sure that this will be a problem for me or my neighbors.

SMC has thier Nitro technology that claims 50% more throughput in g only networks and is supposed to be b friendly with 300% increased throughput in b/g networks. They also are supposed to be releasing a Nitro MX firmware upgrade that gives a theoretical 140Mbps.

Bires, have you tried the Nitro enabled v1.10 firmware? If so did you notice any improvement?

Jeffbx

FYI - 'good neighbor' vs. 'bad neighbor' wireless -

Those who use the 108Mb are potentially 'bad neighbors', because the technology works by taking over three of the available wireless channels & bonding them together to increase throughput (remember doing this with modems before broadband? Same concept).

The bad part is that if your neighbor is within range of your WAP & he's using wireless as well, the bonding of the channels prevents your neighbor's WAP from communicating (your WAP is essentially hogging all of the bandwidth). The channel bonding also increases the range of your WAP, so it's more likely to interfere with other WAPs in the area.

If you have no one close by using wireless, no problems. If you're in a crowded, high tech area (I'm looking your way, SoCal!) you'll potentially have problems. I've heard of people now hacking into their neighbor's WAPs just to turn off the channel bonding.

Some companies are experimenting with higher bandwidth 'good neighbor' solutions - I think the way it works is they're essentially playing with the TCP window size to cram more data into each packet, thus increasing throughout.

Merlin

Yeah well my good neighbors are the ones who let me piggyback on their network But don't tell them that.

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Bires

Sorry, no. I'm using the firmware that came with the unit 1.01. When it comes to most firmware, I adopt an if it ain't broke, don't fix it mentality.

DarkFury

Oh well.. I guess I'll just be the "bad neighbor" then... but still enjoying my wireless.

Jihforce

Nah I don't do that. I just hop in and log into their router admin section and mess around with that. Interesting places people browse to I must say.

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spigidygak

people should really learn to be considerate, I don't care what you think, its just not right to hog up all the lanes on the road, so why hog up all the airwaves. Anyhow here's my thing on the router. NONE of them. Buy separate components, I'm a believer in getting a router, and an AP. That way it will be less painless to exapnd your setup, move the ap in a better location without having the whole router moved, and more importantly for upgrade time such as with 802.11n down the corner. Just my way of looking at things.

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Mpowered

Honestly, I would love to buy separates, but that would increase the immediate cost unneccesarily. I can just buy an 11g router now and turn off the wireless part when I want to upgrade. Unless I could get a good router, AP and a bridge for less than $200

I agree with you on the bandwidth thing, but I'm not sure that it will be a problem for me. I'm not even sure if too many houses are within range of me. Regardless, I'm going to have to check out if Nitro and Nitro MX are good or bad neighbors.

DarkFury

I guess that was aimed at me right...

Well hey.. I bought my unit BEFORE anyone said anything about this, and I ain't about to scrap all the money I paid just to be a "good neighbor" in this case.

Pretty much, in my neighborhood it probably doesn't matter all that much anyways. Most of my neighbors don't have broadband internet anyways... much less WIRELESS internet.

On top of that... what RANGE do you think is being "hogged up" by this router? It's not like I live in an apartment building... I live in a Brick HOUSE and there is at least 20 feet between my house and my neighbors on both sides and probably 60 feet between my neighbors to the front and back of me. More or less, if this was really so much of a problem, then why hasn't the FCC cracked down on it and made it illegal? Yeah... try rollin' around with a 30 foot whip CB antenna on your car and see what the FCC thinks about that....

Either way, I still think folks are blowin' this WAY outta porportion... if you are in a "congested area" then by all means... DO NOT buy a Super G router. However if you have some room... then by all means, GO FOR IT.

That's all I gotta say on that... (unless someone else has a problem with that stance... and wants to discuss it.)

Mpowered

Does anyone know of some good sites which review networking hardware. Not just ZDNet type sites, but ones that go more in depth like Anandtech and Toms Hardware do for other hardware.

Jeffbx

I don't think you have anything to worry about, DF.... the bigger problem is in highly congested areas, like apartments, dorms, etc.

However, your comment about the FCC brings up an interesting point - the 5.8GHz range is unregulated, which is why companies ARE getting away with this. If this was a restricted comm band, like CB, you can believe the FCC would be all over these companies.



http://www.seattlewireless.net has some great info specifically on wireless networking.

DarkFury

www.practicallynetworked.com

Mpowered

Thanks Jeff, seattlewireless is a great site with lots of interesting and useful info. DF, I completely forgot about practiallynetworked. Its a great site.