...wireless networking..

[shaqkur]

...wht are you guys and ladies using as a router for your networking...am considering d-link G but have read bad reviews about it.
wht about linksys, is it any better?

[mazdabetty]

linksys is good. But I use a router/modem combination from rogers for $2.00/month... works good!

[Thrizzl3]

i have a D-link wireless G..i havent had any problems. who told you that they have problems?

[Noisy Crow]

Well... I am running D-Link DWL-700AP wireless access point and a DI-604UP broadband router. The AP is 802.11b, but I don't need any faster. I only have a 10MBs Internet connection anyway... and for heavy-duty machine-machine transfers I use a hardwire connection to get the full 100MBs.

[philipfreire]

I use a Time Capsule with 500GB HD. It's 5.4Ghz and backups automatically. 2in1. :)

Then again I own a Mac.

[Ogata]

Linksys WRT54GL is the way to go to run with custom firmware for MLPPP

[MAZDA Kitten]

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10099083&catid=26055

Linksys WRT160N

Never failed me. I need an N its worth paying the extra money since my laptop is able to handle it

[cwp_sedan]

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10099083&catid=26055

Linksys WRT160N

Never failed me. I need an N its worth paying the extra money since my laptop is able to handle it

+1. I like this one too as my brother has it.

Found it for $89 at FS. :)
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10099083&catid=19994

[MAZDA Kitten]

Those things are always going on sale just gotta keep an eye on it.

Also try www.NEWEGG.ca (http://www.NEWEGG.ca) I think I seen it before for $79/free shipping

[JashiK]

I've used Netgear, Dlink and Linksys and I've always been more than satisfied with Linksys.

[ElegantGremlin]

I have a Netgear that was used when I bought it 3 years ago and it hasn't crapped out on me yet. Doesn't like Vista and IPv8 but I can't blame it, IPv8 wasn't out way back then.

[philipfreire]

Those things are always going on sale just gotta keep an eye on it.

Also try www.NEWEGG.ca (http://www.NEWEGG.ca) I think I seen it before for $79/free shipping

NEWEGG is awesome! I got mac ram (4GB) for like 50 bucks all in. They got awesome deals!

[S.F.W.]

I'm a big linksys fan, and have always had good succes with their product. Currently using a WRT350N.

[ElegantGremlin]

I'm a big linksys fan, and have always had good succes with their product. Currently using a WRT350N.

We actually have a WRT300N that just crapped out at work today. But I think it was hit with a powersurge.

[SilentJay]

A lot of "aftermarket" support for Linksys products. I've worked for D-Link for a good number of years - steer clear of their stuff. Even if you catch one the 5% "working" product, the support (should you ever need it) has been relocated offshore, and is subpar at best.

[Slade]

I use a WRT54G with Tomato firmware, max I have been able to push through it is 17mb/s. With a 50mb/s connection, I need to go to wireless N, but will be waiting until I get a new laptop for that.

I do find that if I start pushing lots of traffic ie)40-50mb/s it will lock up on me, even with a wired connection.

When I go N, I will be looking at the DLink DIR 655, lots of people at work run one and haven't had to reboot it since purchase.

If you only have a 10mb/s Internet connection then G spec is good enough, you can find the model I mentioned above fairly cheap, and can run dd-wrt or Tomato firmware for more flexibility.

[bluntman]

For the wireless portion of my home network I use an Apple Airport Express (802.11n). Surprisingly, my MBP can even pick up its signal in my basement! The beauty of the AAE is that I can take it with me on vacation and have wi-fi access through my hotel room.

[Islandless]

This is what I am using as well and it's been nothing but smooth sailin for me.
I have used Dlink and US Robotics and Linksys has been the best.


I use a WRT54G with Tomato firmware, max I have been able to push through it is 17mb/s. With a 50mb/s connection, I need to go to wireless N, but will be waiting until I get a new laptop for that.

I do find that if I start pushing lots of traffic ie)40-50mb/s it will lock up on me, even with a wired connection.

[TokyoKiller]

WRT54GL with a 3rd party firmware is the best.

[Magnitudex]

hmm.. coming off of fixing computers for close to 6 years now and seeing my share of routers/wifi routers.. and setting up networks... I can comfortably say if you have high speed internet, and its not the life version that some providers offer than go for the "Xtreme" model that some companies offer example: Xtreme G 108 Mb/s transer... or dual band... Because once you have more than one computer/game console leaching the signal the strength is significantly reduced and sometimes as slow a dial up.

As for what company to with.. honestly D-Link, Linksys, US Robotics, Belkin, or what ever else there is are all the same... they usually require a complete hardware reset at least once every 6 months because their firmware just bogs down...

So go for what you can afford, but dont cheap out on performance because you'll regret it later on.

But 802.11n is the way to go now.. at least until something new comes out and I'm pretty sure I've read something about something new already..

[ds2chan]

I had a Linksys-G (WRT-G or something like that) for a while now. 2 years ago the apt I was living in had problems with surges coming through during the summer months. Everytime this happened I had to do a hard reset on my router, unplug it for a min or two, and possibly have to do 1 more hard reset before it would work again. Not sure why.

Finally I got fed up and bought a D-Link N router (DIR-928). I haven't had a problem with it since. I use to have issues with the actual software installed on the router (when manually setting it up) but it seems to be better now.

I only got it after reading a few bad reviews on some of the newer Linksys routers. Would I go back?? possibly in the future but I'm happy with D-Link right now.

[shaqkur]

...thanks for the opinions,advise and infos. i ended up getting LINKSYS WRT160N. so far so good. i did not realize however tht i will always be ON. i got the firewall up and anti virus. anything else i should do?

[MAZDA Kitten]

^^ YAY! Thats what I have

[SilentJay]

...thanks for the opinions,advise and infos. i ended up getting LINKSYS WRT160N. so far so good. i did not realize however tht i will always be ON. i got the firewall up and anti virus. anything else i should do?

If your computer is always on and unattended, you could always go as far as disabling your NIC or pulling the network cable :P

[ElegantGremlin]

The router itself also acts like a hardware firewall. It filters out packets that don't match a destination on your network.

[pinoy_eh]

I use D-Link Wireless N DIR-615 router, and TrendNet Wireless N PCI Network Card. My system is in my basement while the router is at the 2nd floor (3 floors away including the basement), my connection speed (my system to router) hovers from 110 to 130 mbps. Wireless N have more security features especially if you use its WPA feature.

[Slade]

You should hit 300mb/s with wireless N.

[YesMazda]

im running a WRT310N, so far its been ok, have more issues with bell's dsl than anything. speeds are great but damn this thing gets really hot to touch at anytime.

also just a note for anyone looking for routers, routers that say 54G, 300N are in terms of megabits not bytes so it will be a fraction of that, in the way we measure things, also its in the labs that they achieve such speeds, in real life it never gets there.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Wireless N have more security features especially if you use its WPA feature.

Wi-fi Protected Access (WPA) and WPA2 are not specific to Wireless N.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

also just a note for anyone looking for routers, routers that say 54G, 300N are in terms of megabits not bytes so it will be a fraction of that, in the way we measure things, also its in the labs that they achieve such speeds, in real life it never gets there.

divide megabits by 8 to bet megabytes

[b.rabbit]

What's the difference between wireless G and wireless N?

And also, what's the difference between a broadband router and an access point?

I've been lookin' online, but it just seems to confuse me more..can anyone explain both of these using layman terms?

Thanks!!

[ElegantGremlin]

What's the difference between wireless G and wireless N?

And also, what's the difference between a broadband router and an access point?

I've been lookin' online, but it just seems to confuse me more..can anyone explain both of these using layman terms?

Thanks!!

Broadband Router: basically it's where the router and the modem are all in the same device and you connect to the internet directly through it.

Access Point: this is the point (typically a router) where a wireless device (such as a laptop) connects to the network to gain access to either other computers on the network or the internet.

Don't quote me on the Broadband Router one... but I'm fairly certain that's what it means (from reading up).

[b.rabbit]

Broadband Router: basically it's where the router and the modem are all in the same device and you connect to the internet directly through it.

Access Point: this is the point (typically a router) where a wireless device (such as a laptop) connects to the network to gain access to either other computers on the network or the internet.

Don't quote me on the Broadband Router one... but I'm fairly certain that's what it means (from reading up).

An access point is useless without a router right?

[Noisy Crow]

An access point is useless without a router right?

Technically, it depends on how you configure your network. If you do not need access to other networks (for example your ISP's network that in turn connects to the rest of the Internet) you don't actually need a router. (There are a couple of ways to use an AP without a router, but explaining would mostly just further muddy the waters here.)

Practically speaking, an AP is used to allow wireless connectivity to the cable or DSL modem provided to you by an Internet provider (Bell, Rogers, etc). Since there are two networks involved (your home network and your Internet provider's network) a router is required to manage the flow of data between the two.

Routers are often incorporated into other devices, including cable modems, access points, and network switches.

If you just want a simple home network that lets you connect wirelessly, you can buy a combination Access Point-router, and plug that into the broadband modem. For example, I use a Linksys WRT54G which combines a wireless Access Point, broadband router and four ports for wired connections. You can pick them on eBay for about $35 shipped.

Oh: G vs N: N: newer standard, faster, less prone to interference. G: older standard, not as fast, more prone to interference, and a lot cheaper. N is just starting to replace G. G will be around for a good while. Unless you need a lot more bandwidth than G can provide, I would stick with G for now. Most hardware more than a few years old does not support N. And G will probably provide you with all the speed you need. G tops out at 54 MBps... my Rogers Internet account tops out at 10 MBPs. So even if I am only getting 20% max throughput from my G Access Point it will still be faster than what my cable modem can handle.

[sp3GT]

I have a Linksys WRT160N, what is the best security method to use? I never understood the difference and is it possible to use a word as a password instead of numbers?

I think I'm using OPEN WEP right now.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

I have a Linksys WRT160N, what is the best security method to use? I never understood the difference and is it possible to use a word as a password instead of numbers?

I think I'm using OPEN WEP right now.

use WPA-PSK. this will allow you to type a phrase rather than a hex string

[Noisy Crow]

I have a Linksys WRT160N, what is the best security method to use? I never understood the difference and is it possible to use a word as a password instead of numbers?

I think I'm using OPEN WEP right now.

WEP is the original wireless security protocol. It is old, weak, and easily hacked.

WEP with open is about the least secured you can make a network and still have security. WEP is the encryption standard ie. how the data is encrypted. Open means that anyone one can connect to your Access Point.

WPA and WPA are newer, and more secure. WPA with TKIP encryption was designed to allow older hardware designed for WEP to be used with WPA. WPA using AES is a stronger encryption that needs hardware designed for it. WPA2 is bascially WPA with a few extras.

If your gear supports it, use WPA2 with AES encryption. With WPA2 (and WPA original) you can use a passphrase. With WEP you only get numbers (decimal or the hexidecimal).

You can also layer on MAC address filtering and disable SSID broadcast, which help deter casual hackers.

BTW, your best wifi security measure is a good firewall on each of your PCs.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

What's the difference between wireless G and wireless N?

And also, what's the difference between a broadband router and an access point?

I've been lookin' online, but it just seems to confuse me more..can anyone explain both of these using layman terms?

Thanks!!

wireless G and N won't make you surf the internet any faster, nor download from the internet any faster (same distance from the router/AP when comparing the 2)...as the fastest residential internet tops out at a speed below the theoretical limits of G and N.

Where the difference between G and N will be noticed is if you're transferring files within your home network (like hosting HD content on a media server and accessing it wirelessly from your TV in the living room). N has more throughput than G...but it also depends on whether it is 150 Mbps N or 300 Mbps N (i.e., if you got a 300 Mbps N router, you'll need a 300 Mbps - or 2T2R - network adapter).

if you don't have a need to wirelessly transfer large files over your internal home network, save the cash and get a cheap G router.

ia home broadband router allows you to setup your own internal network that is separate from the internet provider's network. it "routes" the traffic from the external to the internal, and vice versa.

an access point is basically a device on the network that will allow access to the network. a wireless router is both a router and an access point ....as well, you can configure a wireless router to be an access point only for much cheaper than buying a dedicated access point.

[Slade]

wireless G and N won't make you surf the internet any faster, nor download from the internet any faster (same distance from the router/AP when comparing the 2)...as the fastest residential internet tops out at a speed below the theoretical limits of G and N.


Actually, there are 50Mbps packages now. My wireless G tops out at 16Mbps, direction to my Cablem modem I max out at 50...I need to go wireless N :(

[PCLoadLetter]

I use aol dial up

[b.rabbit]

This is great stuff guys. Thanks.

I've been trying to fix my gf's Internet problem at home, and I think it has to do with the ISP, but I'm not quite sure. So maybe someone may be able to help me figure out what's the matter here. I've searched the web and nothing seems to come out concretely..or it's just too complicated for me to understand.

We both have the same laptop (MacBook), and we just got a new router for her home since her old one has died (a 5-6yr old TrendNet router).

We set up the router, no problem. We can get on to the wireless network, no problem. But there's no Internet.

I tried plugging in directly via ethernet cable from the modem and Internet works fine. When she plugs in, she doesn't get Internet (and it creates some self-serving IP or something like that).

Prior to all this was the fact that whenever she wanted to use the Internet wirelessly (when it worked), she had to go to the Network Diagnostics every time to get on the network/Internet), whereas whenever I went over with my iPod or MacBook, I was able to get on just fine with the wireless network.. It's odd. I could never figure it out!

So I don't know if it was her MacBook or if it was the ISP.

[Noisy Crow]

You are plugging the the modem into the WAN port on the modem? Did you configure the WAN settings on the router? If you have DSL you will need to put your PPOE settings into the router so it can connect....

[b.rabbit]

You are plugging the the modem into the WAN port on the modem? Did you configure the WAN settings on the router? If you have DSL you will need to put your PPOE settings into the router so it can connect....

Oh...

I'd have to check that out..

Or maybe have her call the ISP for help.

Thanks for your help Noisy Crow!

[sp3GT]

Just wondering, are most people now using Bell or Rogers?

The reason I'm asking is my family still using Look Communications, it's DSL but its been causing us some problems lately.

So should I do Bell?

[Aceius]

Hey Guys,

Please note if you're mixing wireless a/b/g/n; you're network will work as fast as the slowest device. So if you have a mix of wireless G and wireless N you won't be seeing the 270/300Mbps that N is capable of, but will get 54Mbps provided by G. I'm running 2 wireless N routers anyway so yah...lol...

I'm running a Linksys 160N for G clients and D-Link DIR655 for my N clients both using WPA2.

Just my two cents...

Mike