Router

LAmbiguous on 20/01/2011 - 18:49

I need a new wireless router with atleast 4 ethernet ports for wired connections. I have a pretty big house, so I need something with decent range (also the router will have to sit in the back corner of the house). I was using the Linksys WRT310N up until now, and it was doing an adequate job (but the signal was quite poor in some rooms), however it fried recently so im looking for a replacement.

I don't really mind paying a highish price as long as the quality is good and most importantly, it has good range (and speed obviously). It doesnt need to be a modem router, as I have a separate modem I can use if neccesary.

Any suggestions?

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • issh on 20/01/2011 - 19:59

    i use the netgear wndr3700, i got it at officeworks for $154.85 after pricematch

  • Davo1111 on 20/01/2011 - 20:02

    hmmm i have the WRT130N too, its quite good.

    WRT150 is ~$30 and is great with DDWRT installed on it - however its only g

    If all the devices in the house, there isnt much point going to N. I prefer linksys/cisco/netgear brands, but people have their own opinion on that:)

    http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/extend_wlan has some tips on how to extend the lan, if signal issue is a problem.

    EDIT: i have the 120n, not the 130n. ahhh

  • Ambiguous on 20/01/2011 - 21:41

    Method 5: Hardwired Repeater
    Summary

    • Cost: Medium
    • Effectiveness: High
    • Difficulty: low-medium

    Buy an extra router, and set it up on the other end of the house, with a hardwired cat5 Ethernet cable connecting it to the original modem/router. (The cable can either go down the hallways, through the roof/under the house, or permanently installed by a licensed cabler)

    • Buy second wireless router (you can get a branded G router for $20-40) and a cat5e cable to the length required
    • Configure the wireless security on it (and change the administrative password to lock people out)
    • Plug in the cable to one of the lan ports on the old router, run the cable down the hallway, and plug it into the single WAN port on the new router

    =Notes

    • The further apart the devices are – the better range you’ll get.
    • Permanently fixing the cables to the house requires a licence cabler (asking DIY on forums will get your posts censored)
    • Cable can be run down the house with no issues

    Can this be done as simply as described? My house is already hardwired with cat5 cabling running from the 'hub' to most rooms, thats why I use a wired network for alot of my devices. Would it be as simple as connecting a second router to one of the unused room ports, and what kind of configuration would I need to set up on the repeater router?

    • issh on 20/01/2011 - 21:54

      yes it would work, but why would you want to buy 2 routers?

      "Can this be done as simply as described?"
      Yes and no, Buy an extra router, and set it up on the other end of the house, with a hardwired cat5 Ethernet cable connecting it to the original modem/router, you either have to drill a small hole through your house or have a extremely long ethernet cable

      "Would it be as simple as connecting a second router to one of the unused room ports, and what kind of configuration would I need to set up on the repeater router?"
      As you have cat5 cabling hubs, i'm guessing the cords run under the floorboards. so that could connect the modem-to-router, not router-to-router as stated in instructions.

      As i said, i have http://www.netgear.com.au/au/Product/Routers-and-Gateways/Wi… , i am like a 30 metre displacement from where the modem is, going through a few walls and i get like a 4-5 bar connection(windows 7)

    • Davo1111 on 20/01/2011 - 22:18

      why would you want to buy 2 routers?

      would increase wireless signal.

      Would it be as simple as connecting a second router to one of the unused room ports

      AFAIK yes, in the bedroom just plug in a wifi router (into the WAN port). Plug any devices in that room into the router (or just use wireless).

      what kind of configuration would I need to set up on the repeater router?

      You would have to configure the router to be secure. Usual basic router settings (SSID/encryption/password/admin password). If you gave it the same SSID/password as any other wireless devices in the house. Computers would automatically connect to the best signal.

      The only downside is that if you connect to one wireless network, then move around the house with the laptop, it won't "automatically" switch to the stronger signal, unless the wireless card is refreshed, OR the signal gets too weak and drops out.

      • ESEMCE on 21/01/2011 - 13:03

        Davo is correct..
        You'd have to have 2 wireless networks running and your laptop (or whatever) would have to be forced to disconnect from one network to connect to the other if you moved from one wireless "zone" of your house to the other and wanted to connect to the stronger network.

        I'm not sure what issh is saying about your cabling… it'll be perfect for doing exactly what is described in the Whirlpool guide! (you wont even need to run cable down a corridor).
        issh seems to think there's something special about the cable required to connect 2 routers together (there's not).

        To get around the 2 separate Wireless networks issue, your only other option is to set up a WDS network…
        However that halves the speed of your WiFi… fine if you're only sharing internet (Internet is slower than half speed Wireless G unless you're hooked up to the NBN already), not so great if you're sharing files across your home network.
        Only some routers support WDS and it generally pays to get the same brand as different brands will not necessarily form a WDS between them.

        We're unsure of the position of your Modem, but if it is on one side of the house, the wireless from the now dead WiFi modem) would struggle to reach the other side.
        Since your house is wired, could you use your non-WiFi modem and then wire up a single WiFi router in the middle of the house to distribute the WiFi evenly throughout? This could be another way to solve your issue with only 1 router…

        • issh on 21/01/2011 - 13:08

          haha yeah
          "Buy an extra router, and set it up on the other end of the house, with a hardwired cat5 Ethernet cable connecting it to the original modem/router."
          i read the connect router to router

  • Davo1111 on 21/01/2011 - 13:43

    ( Full disclosure, the WP guide was written by me. )

    • ESEMCE on 21/01/2011 - 14:53
      +1

      Davo is correct…
      :-D

  • Domingo on 21/01/2011 - 13:51

    I've been doing a little research into this lately and for a reasonable N router you can look at the Asus RT-N12 or RT-N16. The N12 is around 60-70 dollars at MSY and is capable of being flashed to DD-WRT or Tomato and gets generally good reviews.

    As for the N16, someone on whirlpool stated that if you plugged a display in, you could probably play quake on it :) Goes for around $160 I think (MSY again).

    To be honest I haven't actually used one yet, but I get a positive vibe about both of those devices from what I've read on whirlpool. Definitely an alternate to consider if what has already been suggested isn't ideal for you.

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