[TelstraClear] Router recommendation for TelstraClear cable?

Forums › One NZ (including Farmside) › [TelstraClear] Router recommendation for TelstraClear cable?

freitasm

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#56941 29-Jan-2010 10:14

After years using the old Belkin it seems I am finding some problems with high number of connections at home, so I am looking for something newer.

I am interested in the Linksys Wireless G rounter for $159 at DSE (product code XH9447). Has anyone tried it on TCL cable?

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#294269 29-Jan-2010 10:22

Looks just like the WRT54GS I have?

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#294278 29-Jan-2010 11:01

The WRT54GL is perfect, have installed it for a few of my friends on Telstra cable. Easy to set up and there are plenty threads on how to put on open source firmware (if you wish).

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#294280 29-Jan-2010 11:05

Thanks for the confirmation - I think this specific code comes with an OSS firmware already installed, but will update if needed... Collecting one today.

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#294283 29-Jan-2010 11:11

Great device.

Even though it's the Open Source version it still comes with Linksys firmware. Installing DD-WRT is highly recommended!

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#294290 29-Jan-2010 11:40

The WRT54GL is pretty old hardware now, I would look at the Asus RT-N16 (gigabit lan, wireless N and better specs). If it's too expensive for your taste the WL-520GU is slightly better and usually cheaper than the WRT54GL.

Asus RT-N16 vs Asus WL-520GU vs WRT54GL

Cpu: 533mhz vs 240mhz vs 200mhz
Ram: 128MB vs 16MB vs 16MB
Flash: 32MB vs 4MB vs 4MB
Lan: 1000Mbit vs 100Mbit vs 100Mbit
Wireless: 802.11n Draft (300Mbit) vs 802.11g (54Mbit) vs 802.11g (54Mbit)
Price: ~$200 vs ~$90 vs ~$115

3rd party open source firmware like: DD-WRT or Tomato firmware is highly recommended.

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#294449 29-Jan-2010 19:15

WRT54GL running DD-WRT here after previous recommendations from this very forum. Yep, it's probably old hardware now, but I have no complaints about it's performance.

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freitasm

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#294450 29-Jan-2010 19:17

Got the WRT54GL today from DSE Queensgate. Configured and installed now, running smoothly. Will try DD-WRT later when I am sure this hardware has no problems and I can burn it...

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#294513 29-Jan-2010 22:06

You should have gone for the Asus WL-520gU, it comes with a USB port, runs a slightly faster CPU, but the same as the WRT54GL for $40 less. However a quick poke at Pricespy everyone are out of stock.

Personally I would go for OpenWRT, it's more fun than DD-WRT, and "true" opensource... if you care about that sort of thing.

freitasm

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#294516 29-Jan-2010 22:11

I don't care about open source or not - but I do care about how it will perform. I've noticed that the router is not even close to the Belkin when it comes to downloads - it seems to have problems with multiple connections?

However the Belkin would slow down the entire LAN to a crawl after a certain number of connections, while the Linksys seems to slow down only the machine with multiple connections.

I will try an alternative firmware this weekend.

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#294520 29-Jan-2010 22:37

freitasm: I don't care about open source or not - but I do care about how it will perform. I've noticed that the router is not even close to the Belkin when it comes to downloads - it seems to have problems with multiple connections?

However the Belkin would slow down the entire LAN to a crawl after a certain number of connections, while the Linksys seems to slow down only the machine with multiple connections.

I will try an alternative firmware this weekend.

Let me know how you go with that.
I've got Vuze set to cap at 200kbps down and 50 up and it still manages to bring everyone else on the router to a crawl when surfing the internet.
There's bound to be a setting somewhere in the router config that will deal with that.

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#294525 29-Jan-2010 22:57

DD WRT handles many connections much better then the Linksys firmware. Give it a go.

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#294530 29-Jan-2010 23:17

Since you don't care about your freedom ;) DD-WRT is pretty good... IMHO going for X-Wrt is a great GUI frontend for OpenWRT.
This would probably see you right: http://downloads.x-wrt.org/xwr...

Otherwise follow my instructions here: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=44&topicid=23445

And you should be fine with DD-WRT.

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#294542 30-Jan-2010 00:17

I use Tomato on my WRT-54GL:
http://www.polarcloud.com/toma...

freitasm

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#294544 30-Jan-2010 00:25

BarTender: Since you don't care about your freedom ;) DD-WRT is pretty good...

I am a user. I don't care exactly about the free open source give me on my router (as in "freedom" not as in gratis) because I seriously don't think I will modify anything on the released software. That's what a lot of people think: "does it run the software? good".

BarTender: Otherwise follow my instructions here: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=44&topicid=23445

Good topic there, thanks for the link - damn the TopGlobal works with DD-WRT and I have one here. Should have used that one first before buying the Linksys.

I might try the TopGlobal first, if it works ok I might even return the Linksys.

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freitasm

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#294579 30-Jan-2010 09:29

Actually... Managed to flash DD-WRT onto my Belkin router. It's up and running now. If it performs well I will flash the TopGlobal to have as a backup and return the Linksys to DSE tomorrow.

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