A which router thread

I just got a new laptop and I would like to get a wireless router for my home. My house is already set up with a wired network so I will need to replace the old router with a new one, in the old location. I think this may be a problem as the old router is in the basement of my 2 story house. I don't know anything about routers, but I'm thinking it will need to have a strong signal to reach the bedrooms on the second floor, from the basement. Also, my new laptop has a Wireless-N card, but the the other laptop and 2 computers on the network have a g card. I would like to buy from dell as I have a 15% off coupon from them.

What should I look for in the specs to check signal strength?
Will I be able to use a Wireless-N router?
Are there any any options I haven't considered?
Which routers do you recommend?

 

Have you reviewed the other "which router should I buy" threads?

 

yea, but they didn't really answer my question of signal strength coming out of a basement .

 

Is your house cinder block or a standard wood frame house? Do you have any problems with cordless phones between floors?

 

standard wood, no problems with cordless phones

 

Any router should be able to cover the entire house. Some routers allow you to change power output settings, like some D-Link routers. It's safe to buy a draft N router, but it's not really necessary unless you are doing a lot of file transfers and not just surfing the web. If you decide to buy a draft N router, make sure you buy all equipment from the same manufacturer, as some don't work well with others. There are plenty of threads about N compatibilities (like when G and N are on the same network the max speed will be G), so you should read them before you buy.

 

ok, thanks for the advice

 

keep your hardwired router in the basement...cascade the wireless router from the hardwired router...piece of cake...to make it easy...if wired routers gateway or I.P. address is "Example 192.168.1.1...the wireless router you will configure 192.168.1.2...disable all DHCP functions...this includes no port forwarding or port triggering...anything that you can disable that a router is susposed to do...after your done configuring all the router settings including the wireless SSID and encrption...go to main set up page and choose router instead of gateway...still not using any DHCP...connect the two routers together with straight cable not crossover...and connect LAN to LAN...now you'll have a wireless switch doing nothing except acting as a wireless signal broadcaster...

 

For best coverage and speed I would use one of your wired connections on the 1st floor to install the Router as a AP. You can still use the lan ports on the new router so you do not loose you wired connection. I use routers as AP all the time. You just need to set the router to a static IP outside of your DHCP range of your main router, then disable DHCP on the router. Connect the router using the LAN port. This will allow all of the DHCP to be handled by your original router. I currently have 3 routers used as AP's om my network. I do this to help isolate users, but I run the dd-wrt firmware on all.

You can connect it just like you would if no other router exist (using WAN port) but this impacts sharing files and printers. This does add a second firewall (NAT) the reason it's not normally done unless for added security. The users can get out but users can not get in.

 

1. What should I look for in the specs to check signal strength?

Most of routers are more or less similar, those with MIMO and with extended coverage are better for a better signal distribution.

My order of preference are;

1.1 Netgear
1.2 Linksys
1.3 D-Link



2. Will I be able to use a Wireless-N router?

Yes, but keep in mind that to obtain N throughput the client card must also be N and the computer must be located within the suggested coverage.

3. Are there any any options I haven't considered?

3.1 What is the model/brand of your current router?
3.2 Is the modem in the basement too?

 

Thanks, I thought about the access point idea but wasn't sure if it would work that way.

My current router is a linksys, not sure which model but I've had it for 5 years.
Yes the modem is in the basement too.

I'd like to keep this as simple as possible so if I can get away with replacing the old router and calling it a day I will.

 

The model of your current router will determine the home networking bandwidth.

You don't want to attach a nice router to an old botleneck router, do you?

 

You don't even own one of those, do you???

And what you have doesn't have wpa2, etc>> does it??

Isn't it some combo G piece of crud???

 

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Muito obrigado!

Make an effort, may be you will come out with something constructive

 

you can find a lot of info for what your looking for on the linksys site...do a search on your current wired router...you should find an article on how to cascade the wireless router from it...