Best Wireless / wired router for home use

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Best Wireless / wired router for home use - some help needed

gedc

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#24102 15-Jul-2008 13:26

Guys

Am a bit lost having read through various posts as to what I need.

My current setup is 1 desktop PC in a bedroom/ study connected to the internet with a Dlink 302g modem. Its connected through an ethernet cable. This is the original modem telecom sold me 4 years ago with their broadband plans.

Looking ahead to the next few weeks I am keen to get my PS3 online - it currently sits in a different room 25 metres away.

I am also keen to get a second ' family' pc for the kids and also have the capability to get this online as well.

So I am looking for a modem / router ? that will give me a couple of wireless connections - (PS3 and kids PC) and also allow me to wire my current PC into it via ethernet as I don't have a wireless card installed in it.

Finally, the wirless network would need to be 100% secure as we use the PC for home banking etc.

Does the above make sense? Can someone recommend a good quality Linksys, Dlink etc modem /router that would enable the above. IF it was also ADSL 2 enabled then that would be good but not immediately essential.

Price point is around $80 to $160/$170

Thanks for your help

Ged

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
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#148094 15-Jul-2008 14:21

I can reccommend a Netgear WGR614v as a good add on to your existing modem for under $100.

No network (especially WiFi) is 100% safe, but any modern router/AP with WPA Encryption is "good enough" (forget WEP its very insecure).

Set up WPA encryption
Change the SSID
Do not broadcast the SSID
Disable DHCP / Use static IP addressing
Use MAC Filtering

Most of these steps are useless on their own, but combined, they will make you less of a target!

eXDee

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#148112 15-Jul-2008 15:04

I would recommend the Dynalink RTA1025w, its an all in one modem/router, so you can get rid of your dlink modem. Easy to setup, ADSL2+ and highly recommended by many people and reviews (pdf link).

billgates

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#148121 15-Jul-2008 15:17

I would recommend a DSE XH9950 wireless modem/4 port router for $128. Firmware is brilliant and the signal strength is awesome. Everyone that has bought this after staff recommendation have not complained about anything for this model.

Do whatever you want to do man.

richms

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#148125 15-Jul-2008 15:23

I would not disable the ssid braodcast. Anyone in a position to do anything to get past all the others will not be hindered by it, and it makes computers take much longer to connect to the network, also you have to have the computers do the broadcast so if you take the computer away from the house its constantly seeking your network, which is another security issue.

Richard rich.ms

gedc

355 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#148131 15-Jul-2008 15:31

Thanks guys

That was quick....I'll check out reviews of the models provided...

Reply number one lost me, as did the one before this...I'll need to do some reading.

Thanks again.

Ged