Here are my devices - please help me set up

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Scoobing

44 posts

Geek

#101339 29-Apr-2012 14:07

Hi all,

I've currently got a WRT160N router connected to a DSL-502T modem. As you can imagine I'm looking to upgrade. I've done a lot of reading online and am still no closer to a recommended new setup. Part of my problem is the variety of new and old devices on my network. I'll run through them.

PC with Belkin wireless-N USB adapter
PS3
HP Laptop with wireless-G card
3x iphones
NX-230 wireless printer
Xbox360
WD Live media streaming box connected to main tv - with 1TB USB HD connected

I think that's everything.

I'm not experiencing particular issues (good online play on ps3 and fine to browse/download etc) but recently I've been trying to send files from my PC to the WD Live box with a USB HD attached. The router keeps rebooting when I try this and from reading I believe it's just down to a crappy router.

I'd quite like to get a modem+router combined but again I'm just not sure what will best suit my needs. I want good performance and range (since the devices are spread around 10-15m radius inside and outside) and to be able to move files via wireless around the network.

Thanks for reading, appreciate any advice.

Scoobing

semigeek

1606 posts

Uber Geek

#616985 29-Apr-2012 15:13

I would be looking at the following http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?model=TD-W8960N

Brilliant modem router and never misses a beat.

Scoobing

44 posts

Geek

#617684 30-Apr-2012 21:48

Hi thanks for your suggestion. From reading the forums and reviews on the internet it certainly seems that would be a good choice at a good price.

Due to the mix of N and G devices and the medium-large range that I need, I'm thinking about keeping the modem and router separate.

Is there a recommended router that can handle a mixture of G and N devices?

shrub

775 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#617733 30-Apr-2012 23:17

Draytek vigor 120 as modem bridged to a tplink TL-WR1043ND or asus rt-n16 running dd-wrt

lorenzo

91 posts

Master Geek

#618277 2-May-2012 11:35

I bridge the TL-WR1043ND off my TP8960N modem/router (Cat5) both are on different sides of the house so now 2 wireless access points (I use the same SSID so can wander around and Smartphone etc hops between no problem). My TV and PVR are off LAN ports on the WR1043ND also 'DW' tends to run wireless to her laptop off this AP. The TP8960N (while it has 4 LAN ports ) connects to a TL-SG1008D switch to other LAN ports wired around the home.

Works pretty well and value for money

Scoobing

44 posts

Geek

#621652 8-May-2012 14:05

So I'm in a separate building from the main house about 20-30m from the router and through two wooden walls.

In my room I have my PC with a wireless N adapter and my PS3, my iphone too. Both currently get good signal out here from the WAG160N I have now.

I'm looking at replacing the WAG160N with the ASUS RT-N56U, or TP-WR1043ND

I would probably get the TP Link TD-8840 half bridge (PPPoA) to either the ASUS or the TP above. Any thoughts on this? The TP would be the cheaper but range and performance for me in my room is a must. By performance I mean file downloading and online gaming.

jonb

1771 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#621655 8-May-2012 14:14

If you a mix of G and N devices connected to the same router which only operates in the 2.4GHz band, I understand that the N devices are limited to G speeds.

A dual band router operating at 2.4 and 5 GHz allows the N devices which are using the 5GHz to operate at N speeds (if there are no G devices using that freq).

This is the impression I got from this article: http://www.reghardware.com/2012/04/13/gizmo_week_feature_soup_up_your_home_network/

So maybe a dual band router might be a good idea in your scenario?

Scoobing

44 posts

Geek

#621659 8-May-2012 14:24

Yes that is my understanding as well. I am looking at an ASUS RT-N56U which is a bit pricey but seems to pack a punch.

I'm wondering if I can bridge to that from my current DSL-502T modem or would be best getting a new modem too....trying not to overspend..

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Kiwipixter

246 posts

Master Geek

#621720 8-May-2012 15:38

I use a combo of 5Ghz Netgear WNHDE111, Belkin N150 for 2.4Ghz band, and DSL-502T for Internet modem. My devices are HTPC on 5GHz, PS3 on 2.4Ghz G, three laptops on 2.4Ghz N, iPhone 4, Android and WP7, WD-Live Wireless N.

Everything, including HD content streaming from HTPC, works flawlessly after doing some wireless optimisation.