Which Wireless Router

[Mutley]

Hi all,

I have a secure wireless network at home, I am using a Zoom Modum & a D-Link 624 +, I am looking to change to a new wireless router as I have been having problems witrh the d-link crashing and then needing to be off for a few hours to cool down I suspect.

I am after a really good one with a strong range as I like to work in the garden when its warm enough, I also need one that does not need to be switched off over night to cool down so maybe a a box that can be left for 24/7.

I have been getting the D-link rebooted via the Dlink Tech Support what started out as once every couple of months to needing it done every couple of days, it will not hold the link for more than 6 hours tops, so I have decided its run its life and it needs to be replaced.

Any ideas or recommendations, anything other than this company as they have been very poor with back up.

Many thanks

Mutley

 

[wessie]

I had a Linksys 802.11b router switched on for 2 years, 24/7 in my student digs. You'd want the 802.11g equivalent now.

Apart from the occasional reboot when it lost comms to the NTL cable modem it worked without a glitch.

IIRC Linksys is the retail division of Cisco who provide much of the backbone hardware for commercial users.

 

[Cheesy Mike]

Linksys WRT54G is the best one - it has open source firmware which has been taken by a couple of outside companies and has been highly modified. If you use the Sveasoft Satori firmware then you get to select the transmitter power - very nice and perfect for your situation. I can give you pointers to the firmware if you buy one.

Cheapest place for the Linksys seems to be Amazon - £43.30 including postage.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008DOYO

Mike

 

[IainMac]

I'd go with the Linksys WRT54G too, however the use of the word Secure and Wireless in the same sentence may get you done under the trade drescriptions act. WEP wifi security is anything but, Keys can be cracked with off the t'internet tools in well under 10mins.
It is poss to implement security using WPA but you are looking at signficant work (ie Certificates/servers active directory etc ) but the WRT54 will play ball with that kind of config. So make sure your personal firewall is always on, that way your only losing bandwidth to any wardrivers surfin your hotspot.

 

[Greg Masters]

I have a LinkSys system 802.11 - G standard, and very good it is too.

But if I were buying another, I would seriously consider getting an A standard (for several reasons):

• Your neighbours are much less likely to be able to nick your bandwidth
• It uses a different frequency and wouldn't interfere with my room-to-room TV transmitter
• The A standard has a better range.

Greg

 

[Mutley]

Cheers lads, I have taken your advice and bought the Linksys WRT54G from amazon, I have also bought the new Linksky WPC54G Wireless -G Notebook adapter so it should have a better and stronger range.

Mike, if you could point me in the right direction for the best firmware I would appreciate it, cheers.

I presume that I can just unplug the dlink 624+ router and load the new stuff on and start surfing, or will I need to delete the dlink software 1st?

Once again thanks for your help.

Mutley

 

[Cheesy Mike]

Did I say Satori? I meant Alchemy. Anyway, here is the link - http://wrt54g.thermoman.de/

You want to download the "Final" and public version of Alchemy

Mike

 

[Mike Werner]

If you can, check this weeks BBC Click Online. They talk alot about Wifi and dsl routers. New technology, bigger ranges etc.

I use the NetGear RangeMax, which extends the Wifi range 2 to 3 times in bad circumstances.

 

[Gonzo]

If you can, check this weeks BBC Click Online. They talk alot about Wifi and dsl routers. New technology, bigger ranges etc.

I use the NetGear RangeMax, which extends the Wifi range 2 to 3 times in bad circumstances.

Mike

Rangemax - this is one of those plug in USB adaptors isn't it? How does it interface with notebooks that are already wireless enabled? Does it replace or boost the current client capability?

Cheers

G