Wireless-N router suggestions and advice

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smarsden

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#60660 29-Apr-2010 20:16

Hi All,

I know questions along this line get asked all the time, but here I go anyway! I'm looking for a wireless-N router, and have narrowed my selection down to the following:

Linksys WRT160N
Netgear WNR2000

Gigabit ports aren't essential, hence choosing these two models. Has anyone got any views on either of them?

Searching on the net gives a real mixed response rate to them both - some 'expert reviews', rate them both, while some consumer reviews slate them, but then other consumer reviews rave about them too!

Will the wifi connectivity be similar with them both, and do they need to be matched with an adapter by the same manufacturer? I assume not, since 802.11n is 802.11n, or are not all created equal?

Or will the wifi performance be massively better by going up to the next model of each of these, (the Linksys WRT310N/WRT320N, or Netgear WNR3500)?

It'd be connected on the internet side to a Dynalink RTA1320 modem/router, and on the LAN side hardwired to blu-ray player and TV, and wifi'd to the computer. The idea being to relocate the current RTA1320 from where the computer is to where the entertainment stuff is in the lounge (with the wifi router), and then wireless enable the computer to stream TV recordings to the TV. (Or turf the RTA1320, and get an all-in-one? Less flexibility though, I believe.)

Any advice greatly appreciated, to help clear up the confusion currently in my head!

Cheers,

Simon.

Regs

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Snowflake

#324974 29-Apr-2010 21:09

scroll down about 15 posts:

"Best wireless 802.11n ADSL Router"
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=58316

there was some good info in there.

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smarsden

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#325022 29-Apr-2010 23:04

Regs: scroll down about 15 posts:

"Best wireless 802.11n ADSL Router"
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=58316

there was some good info in there.

Thanks Regs.

I've had a good read through that one a few times actually, and although the UBNT device gets exceptional recommendations, from my understanding of it it looks like I'd need to install a separate switch too, yes?

So I'd have something like this:

RTA1320 <-> UBNT Rocket M2 <-> Switch <-> Wired LAN side devices (TV & Blu-ray)

I can't seem to find a UBNT USB client adapter though, so what would be used on the PC?

If the above connection setup is the case, I think it's looking at being a bit more expensive than I'd like too. If you've got any other advice or thoughts on regular consumer wifi router/switches like the ones I originally mentioned (or alternative manufacturers/models), I'd appreciate it.

Cheers.

Satch

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#325222 30-Apr-2010 12:13

Please stay well away from the WAG160N. It has a multitude of issues, all which can be read about on the Linksys forums. I had one for 18 months, and only just recently got a refund on it from Linksys after months of battling with them.

The Rocket M2 has cured all that!

Zippity

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#325226 30-Apr-2010 12:28

Remember: Opinions are like ar$e holes - everyone has one :)

I have had no hassles with my Linskys router - albeit the WAG320N

Satch

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#325233 30-Apr-2010 12:43

Zippity: Remember: Opinions are like ar$e holes - everyone has one :)

I have had no hassles with my Linskys router - albeit the WAG320N

Wasn't my opinion, it was my EXPERIENCE. Jump on the Linksys forums and read about the pain everyone is experiencing with the WAG160N for yourself.

I don't think the WAG320N has the same issues. You are fortunate not to have had to go through the ordeal I have with Linksys NZ/AU support in the Philippines, Cisco head office in the US, and Linksys NZ in Auckland. It wasn't fun, and not something I'd wish on anyone else.

MikeB4

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#325305 30-Apr-2010 15:19

The wireless function on the 160n is a pain. I was constantly having issues where each individual PC /Laptop/Console etc could use the internet but none could see each other without rebooting the router. This was multiple times per day. Also other drop out issues and just plain unstable activity.

I eventually turned off the wireless function and connected an Apple Airport express I had to the 160n and have been using that for wireless without issue since.

So yes the WAG160n is a fast router but definitely has issues that are documented on the Linksys Forums.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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smarsden

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#327123 5-May-2010 21:43

Satch: Please stay well away from the WAG160N. It has a multitude of issues, all which can be read about on the Linksys forums. I had one for 18 months, and only just recently got a refund on it from Linksys after months of battling with them.

The Rocket M2 has cured all that!

Satch - out of interest, are you able to reduce the signal range of the Rocket M2? I see from their website that it's capable of broadcasting over a distance of 50+kms!

Our house is quite high up, and looking out the window I the furthest point I can see is about 7kms away - I'm not sure I'd want to broadcast a home wi-fi signal that far and to that many other thousands of houses in the vicinity!!

Satch

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#327285 6-May-2010 10:38

smarsden: Satch - out of interest, are you able to reduce the signal range of the Rocket M2? I see from their website that it's capable of broadcasting over a distance of 50+kms!

Our house is quite high up, and looking out the window I the furthest point I can see is about 7kms away - I'm not sure I'd want to broadcast a home wi-fi signal that far and to that many other thousands of houses in the vicinity!!

Ha ha, as long as you don't attach it to a satellite dish or a long range antenna you should be fine. I just have two 5dBi whips attached to mine and they throw the signal far enough to cover a house. Anyway you should have encryption turned on so no one else can tap into your connection.

A word of warning with the Rocket M2 though. I haven't been able to attach my Xbox 360 to it as a wireless media extender. There seems to be something in the Rocket which prevents the data flowing correctly, but haven't worked out what yet. I've been taking a lot of help from a couple of GZ members, and am also working with the guys on the UBNT forums trying to get the issue resolved. Things are stalled for the past couple of days though as I am currently in Wellington and away from my equipment.

webwat

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#327688 7-May-2010 13:26

If you are not expecting your house to get ethernet in the near future, I would go with the all-in-one ADSL/wifi router. Otherwise you could need to resolve double-NAT issues for things like VoIP or gaming.

However, running a cable under the floor to the lounge might be another idea, and put an RJ45 jackpoint on each end. If you have a wooden floor, and dont drill though any electrical cable! :)

Time to find a new industry!

Ragnor

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#327741 7-May-2010 15:16

.. or just use a adsl modem that can do some form of ppoa (half bridging) or ppoa to ppoe bridging.

Dynalink 1320 does half bridging. Draytek Vigor 120 does full ppoa to ppoe bridging.

Alternatively you should be able to configure the Rocket M2 as a dumb access point and leave NAT etc up the modem.

smarsden

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#327855 7-May-2010 23:08

webwat: If you are not expecting your house to get ethernet in the near future, I would go with the all-in-one ADSL/wifi router. Otherwise you could need to resolve double-NAT issues for things like VoIP or gaming.

However, running a cable under the floor to the lounge might be another idea, and put an RJ45 jackpoint on each end. If you have a wooden floor, and dont drill though any electrical cable! :)

This is definitely something I'm considering actually. Even taking into account a gigabit switch, RJ45 keystone jacks and all cables etc it works out considerably cheaper than doing a wi-fi solution, and of course has the benefit of the speed being guaranteed.

The reality is as well that at present I don't have any other wi-fi capable devices, so it's not as if I really need to implement wi-fi.

It's a bit more mucking around running the cable under the house, and isn't quite as future proof, but at least it's not susceptible to environmental factors like wi-fi is. This is half the reason for me still being undecided about what wi-fi to implement if I went down that route, since without buying anything and trying it I can't guarantee how it'll perform, whereas with a wired solution I can.

I could then always just add a basic plain wi-fi access point direct to the switch in the future if I wanted to, if I got a wi-fi capable phone or iPod Touch for example, rather than getting an all in one unit.

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nakedmolerat

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#327860 7-May-2010 23:43

smarsden: Hi All,

I know questions along this line get asked all the time, but here I go anyway! I'm looking for a wireless-N router, and have narrowed my selection down to the following:

Linksys WRT160N
Netgear WNR2000

Gigabit ports aren't essential, hence choosing these two models. Has anyone got any views on either of them?

Searching on the net gives a real mixed response rate to them both - some 'expert reviews', rate them both, while some consumer reviews slate them, but then other consumer reviews rave about them too!

Will the wifi connectivity be similar with them both, and do they need to be matched with an adapter by the same manufacturer? I assume not, since 802.11n is 802.11n, or are not all created equal?

Or will the wifi performance be massively better by going up to the next model of each of these, (the Linksys WRT310N/WRT320N, or Netgear WNR3500)?

It'd be connected on the internet side to a Dynalink RTA1320 modem/router, and on the LAN side hardwired to blu-ray player and TV, and wifi'd to the computer. The idea being to relocate the current RTA1320 from where the computer is to where the entertainment stuff is in the lounge (with the wifi router), and then wireless enable the computer to stream TV recordings to the TV. (Or turf the RTA1320, and get an all-in-one? Less flexibility though, I believe.)

Any advice greatly appreciated, to help clear up the confusion currently in my head!

Cheers,

Simon.

I have been using Linksys WRT160N v2 for >1 year now. I used to have it hooked to telstra cable modem and now it is connected to a 5 yr old d-link modem. The wireless works like a charm. Sometimes, there are about 5 devices connected through the wifi at once and there have been no major or minor issues - no noticeable slowdown, no drop. I have NAS hooked to it all time and able to stream movies via wifi with no lag. I hardly turn off the router, it has been switched on for about ~ 2 months now.

smarsden

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Master Geek
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#328144 9-May-2010 12:18

nakedmolerat:
I have been using Linksys WRT160N v2 for >1 year now. I used to have it hooked to telstra cable modem and now it is connected to a 5 yr old d-link modem. The wireless works like a charm. Sometimes, there are about 5 devices connected through the wifi at once and there have been no major or minor issues - no noticeable slowdown, no drop. I have NAS hooked to it all time and able to stream movies via wifi with no lag. I hardly turn off the router, it has been switched on for about ~ 2 months now.

Thanks nakedmolerat. Good to hear some first hand experience of the kind of use I'd be looking at. I think for now though I'll end up running a cable and hard-wiring everything, and maybe re-visit the wi-fi side of things in the future when I have other devices that are wi-fi capable.

At least that's my thought right now - I'll probably change my mind again the more I think about it!!! Thanks to everyone for their input so far.