Need suggestions for new router

Well, now that I have my computer (HP dv5-1235dx), I need to figure out what wireless router to use. My ISP is Verizon, and I have a Westell 2200 Dual Connect modem. My computer has a Broadcom b/g card. Verizon suggests/sells the Linksys WRT54G. I am looking for something good, but not to break the bank. I am considering purchasing an "N" card in the future for the computer when/if it gets finalized. We do not live in a large house right now, and would probably need "N" moreso when we move sometime down the road. So...

1. What are some suggestions for routers?

2. Would it be worthwhile to go ahead and by the "N" router, or just stick with "G" for now (I am leaning towards the "G" at this point).

 

If you wanna stick with G I'd say go here

If you wanna go N, go here

I have the latter and it has not disappointed, range has been great and speed incredible. It connects with my intel 5300 wireless card at 300 mbs/sec and never drops the connection. Obvioulsy I spent the extra cash, but if you don't have the N card then it prob won't benefit you a great deal. They are both good routers tho.

 

It depends on if you want to stay in the Stone Age speed-wise - G speeds top out at 54mbps, where N speeds exceed 200mbps. The only reason to even consider a G router is that they're a lot cheaper, but that's it.

Something else to consider is Dual-Band N vs. standard N routing. The 802.11N standard uses 5ghz and 2.4ghz overlapped for extended range and signal. Most earlier N routers let you access only the 2.4ghz band, which is what B & G also use. Wireless A uses 5ghz. The advantage of a DB-N router is that you're able to access and use both the 5ghz and 2.4ghz frequency bands independently of each other - it's literally like having 2 separate networks in one band.

Pro's - Let's say that you're like me and your business is web-centric, and you also do a lot of online gaming. You also have other systems connected to your network (wife, kids, etc.) and they like to download whatever it is they like to download just when you're wanting to download some great , or you're just about to kick a$$ in an online game. With a standard single frequency band N router, you'd probably experience some network slowdown if everyone was on the network at the same time doing their thing. However, if you had a DB-N router, you could use the 5ghz band solely for your own data independently streamed from the other band; not only that, you can also prioritize your data so that your game data, application data, etc., has priority access to the router over all other traffic.

For game consoles (PS3, etc.) it's even better. PS3 and Xbox wireless adapters are Wireless G, so the max they can run is 54mbps. However, using
a Dual-Band N Gaming Adapter, you can bypass the console internal adapter
(the Gaming Adapter plugs into the console Ethernet Port, which immediately
disables the internal wireless adapter) and connect wirelessly to either the 5ghz or 2.4ghz band, prioritize the data stream, and you're gaming at N speeds and not G speeds.

The wife and kid won't see any slowdown because if you set it up right, everyone is cooking at 200mbps+, and not sloth speed 54mbps G speeds.

Con's - While Dual-Band N is fantastic, there's one drawback, if you can call it that. In order to be able to fully utilize dual-band capability, all system adapters and the router must be dual-band capable. That doesn't mean that any adapter can't be used with a dual-band N router - the system using a non-DBN adapter will be limited by the speed of that adapter. You can have mixed dual-band and single-band adapters on the network, you just have to adjust the Mode settings a bit to get it to work well.

Routers - A recent dual-band N router test was done by Information Week, and their best recommendation was a Linksys WRT-600N, which is what they use themselves and is also what I use for my network. They did try and test the 610N, but had problems with it, which is why they substituted the 600N. It's come down in price somewhat, but you have to look for it specifically since Linksys has been pushing the 610N. The 600N is really designed for business use, but it really doesn't make any difference as far as functionality goes. From what I've seen of those that have the 610N, I'm glad I have a 600N.

As far as adapters go, my entire network is dual-band N - Even though my notebook has an Intel 4965 AGN internal adapter, I use a Linksys WUSB-600N USB adapter specifically so I can connect to my 5ghz band, which I use for all my business and gaming data streams. Even though the USB adapter can of course connect to the 2.4ghz band, I normally use the Intel for that if I need to. For my PS3, I have a WGA-600N Gaming/Media Adapter, which as I said, plugs directly into the Ethernet Port and bypasses the internal adapter. The unit is setup to communicate over the 5ghz band also - even though it's plugged into the console Ethernet port, it talks wirelessly to the router.

Besides those, I also use 2 programs by Cisco/Linksys for Network Management - Speed Meter and Network Magic, which you can get as trial versions. Network Magic was somewhat of a pain when I first installed it on all of my systems (you get 8 licenses for each program when you buy it, so you can install them on all your stuff) but it's nice having programs that communicate between the systems. From one system I can monitor the network status, check the connections and speeds for each system and device, setup sharing folders, printers, etc. It even flags you if someone tries to piggyback on your signal and steal bandwidth. Even though I know how to do everything within Windows, both programs just make it easier to manage things. Network Magic is an extension of the LELA program that comes with all Linksys Routers.

In the end, it really comes down to how much you want to spend, how much you use the 'net, what you use it for and how much speed you need. If you need or want the best speeds, then an N router is the way to go. If you want to prioritize data you can do that with a single band router, but having a dual-band makes it even better, especially if you've got kids who like to download MP3's and stuff.

As far as brands, I've always used and recommended Linksys hardware to my clients. Overall their stuff is excellent, and their customer service is pretty good to, considering how bad others are. I had one Rep spend over an hour with me last year when I was trying to setup my Port Forwarding data for online gaming. Even though I've been in this profession for over 35 years, I actually learned a good bit about routing from the person that helped me, and you don't get that very often these days. It was a welcome change.

 

Since I only have the b/g in my system right now, it looks like the 1st one you posted would be pretty good. Although... I did forget to mention the only other thing with WiFi in the house as a Nintendo Wii. I meant to mention that because I want something that will work with it as well although the Wii won't be online very much at all). If I use the comp and Wii at the same time, will there be a substantial decrease in speed? Also, what about MIMO? Does it really help, or is it just a gimmick?

And one more thing... does internal vs external antennae make a difference on these routers?

 

bottom line is what u want to spend....keep in mind if you buy say a dual band now it saves u from having to buy another a year from now
all that being said i spent the extra bucks and got the linksys wrt610n and it works great keeps me connected at 240mbps to 300 mbps no drops

 

Lemme ask something else. With my Verizon, my top speed is 3.0 mbps in the plan I have. So even if I just have g, I'll probably see the same thing, except for range, correct?

I keep seeing these huge numbers (300 mbps, etc). Is this from cable? FIOS? Mobile broadband? What providers?

 

Now I am really confused. I hooked up my computer through ethernet to see how it would work. When I look at the local area connection status, it shows 100 mbps? How can that be when my max is 3.0? I've never dealt with wireless before... (My NIC card is only 10/100. It doesn't have 1000 if this means anything/make s a difference?)

 

That just connects at the maximum speed of your port, based on what hardware is on the other end.

 

I hope you or anyone can help me as I am truly not real smart about computers in hardware. I have a dell inspiron 8600 laptop; and when I click on the little icon computer on the bottom bar it says wireless network connection (linksys); speed 11.0 Mbps; strength low; connected. My current internet service is through a cable service and it is the highest broadband connection they have available and it works fine when I am at home. My father had serious surgery and I will be going to his place to help him as he recovers. He has internet through Hughes Net as he lives in the country (in the amish-mennonite farm areas). Do I need to get a card (and if so would you suggest the best one to get or what I may need in order to run my computer down there to access to the internet and my e-mail. I will really appreciate your advice on this - Thanks Bonnie EMAIL: [email protected]

 

I've been checking out the specs on the D-Link DIR-655 and even though I only have a b/g card in the comp, I am still considering this because it looks like it would still work well with the dv5 and the Wii. Also something else is it looks like you can use it as a print server with the Shareport software. Am I correct in thinking I could hook up my printer through USB to this router and print wirelessly through it?

 

^bump (still wondering about the dir-655 print server issue/question)

 

Yes, according to Dlink, you can attach a usb printer to the usb port on the dir-655 and "convert" the printer into a network printer. Dlink's basic explanation is here. However, all is not peaches and cream with that facility, apparently; according to this dslreports thread, there are some limitations to doing wireless printing this way.

I'd suggest browsing around through some of the other hits that came up when I googled on the terms " D-Link DIR-655 Shareport usb printer" (without the quotation marks, of course ).

 

I dunno. The more I look and think about it, the more I'm thinking of just getting a Linksys WRT54g for right now (maybe putting in Tomato?) My house isn't huge, and it looks like I can get a decent one from "that auction site" for a decent price. I can upgrade the router and internal card later on...

 

I live in a "small" house. I use the wrt610n. Yesterday wirelessly I transferred 5.5Gs from an XP PC to a Vista notebook....in just minutes.....6-9min, I wasn't looking, 'cuz I expected it to take longer! Buy the good stuff & future proof.