Router Suggestions

[The Dash]

Im not sure if this shouldve been put into one of the stickies, so im making it its own thread.

Not too long ago, my trusty linksys router died from a power surge and so its shopping time once again. However, networking isnt my expertise and I was hoping you guys could give me some advice. Specifically what is a run of the mill, average router and what price range should I be looking at?

Any help would be appreciated

[Obi Two Kenobi]

The Linksys WRT series of routers are awesome, you can shop around to find them cheaper, this one should be just fine. If you're into custom firmware (which make these routers such a favorite for hobyists), then I'd rather get an older model, like the WRT54G or -GS. I have found it very difficult to find a solid D-Link router nowadays, have heard lots complaints about every which one I look at.

TP-Link is another make which I'd recommend if you aren't willing so shell out the bucks for the Linksys WRT. TP-Link produces really good products and are priced incredibly well. Uniterm Direct sells them but you'll also find them in many computer stores.

Here is a router that should get the job done, it doesn't seem like you need something too heavy.

[Wesley]

What budget are we looking at here, and does it need anything attached to it? Maybe you've got a USB printer or a USB hard drive casing you'd like shared on the network? What kind of wireless range do you need?Is is just a router, or one with a DSL modem that you need?

[Toxxyc]

Specifically what is a run of the mill, average router and what price range should I be looking at?

http://www.takealot.com/electronics/...router,9725674

You'll thank me later.

[N3G4T1v3]

A friend of mine is trying boost signal in his house, he says you can see the wifi point from the bedrooms, but it's very temperamental, so he was looking into getting a range booster
I recall reading somewhere that a range booster halves the through output of your overall wireless network speed, if you connecting through it, so i recommended against it, especially see that media may be streamed through it

So we were thinking that it would be better to run a LAN cable to the half of the house and place another router in the roof above the rooms. Seems like a bit of a mission, but would probably be worth it, seeing that you can pick up a router wireless N router for R400 odd and a range booster is around R700, so there is still money left over for power and ethenet cables

So I was wondering what you guys would recommend, not that clued up with wireless tech, there generally so many option, not sure what would work best in this situations.

I came across wireless access points that are powered by PoE a while ago (they were domes that mounted on the ceiling, I think), which looked interesting, but I know very little about them, wasn't even sure if they came with the PoE adapter or not, but it seemed like they would work well in a situation like this.
If any of you guys have any advice, it would be much appreciated

[Obi Two Kenobi]

A friend of mine is trying boost signal in his house, he says you can see the wifi point from the bedrooms, but it's very temperamental, so he was looking into getting a range booster
I recall reading somewhere that a range booster halves the through output of your overall wireless network speed, if you connecting through it, so i recommended against it, especially see that media may be streamed through it

So we were thinking that it would be better to run a LAN cable to the half of the house and place another router in the roof above the rooms. Seems like a bit of a mission, but would probably be worth it, seeing that you can pick up a router wireless N router for R400 odd and a range booster is around R700, so there is still money left over for power and ethenet cables

So I was wondering what you guys would recommend, not that clued up with wireless tech, there generally so many option, not sure what would work best in this situations.

I came across wireless access points that are powered by PoE a while ago (they were domes that mounted on the ceiling, I think), which looked interesting, but I know very little about them, wasn't even sure if they came with the PoE adapter or not, but it seemed like they would work well in a situation like this.
If any of you guys have any advice, it would be much appreciated

Generally, larger antennas are what you need. The ones on a 'standard' router (which have an omni-directional radiation pattern) nowadays is probably 2 or 3 dBi. Get something like 5dBi or even 7dBi if he wants to make sure every spot is covered. Try to find branded antennas though as there are cheap ones everywhere, not that they don't do a good job, it's just generally better to get good quality equipment when you are talking wireless.

[Wesley]

I did a setup for a client once with the same sort of issue. I used another wireless router with a cable and configured the same network settings, but had one broadcasting on channel 6 and the other on channel 8. Once the signal dropped enough from the one, her laptop would switch to the nearer router with the stronger signal. That's the more complex way of going about it, although I loved seeing it work after about an hour of setup and drilling holes and splicing some wires and my finger.

Like the Bananas man said, you can also recommend your friend get a stronger antennae like...this one! I'll be buying one for my home setup later and screwing it onto the outside of the cupboard the router sits in to boost the signal around the house.

[N3G4T1v3]

I'll mention the antenna, out of interest, using a higher dbi antenna, don't you have the issue where the routers signal is broadcast stronger, but the notebook, or whatever is connecting, doesn't have a strong enough antenna to respond to the router, causing instability, regardless of how strong the signal appears?

Why would you use 2 different channels?
I actually like the sound of that though, do you have a recommendation for the 'booster'/slave router?

[Obi Two Kenobi]

I'll mention the antenna, out of interest, using a higher dbi antenna, don't you have the issue where the routers signal is broadcast stronger, but the notebook, or whatever is connecting, doesn't have a strong enough antenna to respond to the router, causing instability, regardless of how strong the signal appears?

Fortunately it doesn't work that way (in this instance). The laptop will receive a stronger signal due to the higher broadcasting range which the larger antennas provide.

[Cranky]

Why not use network over power adapters ?

Works for me ? I got one in my room next to the router and comes out behind our tv so i can stream to my ps 3 at full speed ? Worked me out about R500 for both ? Then get a cheapish wify router to connect it to and you are fine.