Spec me a wi-fi router, bitches

Akiakaiu · Post by **Akiakaiu** » February 9th, 2009, 17:22

So I'm using Skype as my home phone now and with the kids moving back in I feel like I should set something up so that they don't have to use the USB headset I got from Karaoke Revolution to talk on the phone.

So I thought this might be a good time to take the plunge and get rid of some of the cat5 I have running all over my house and get some wi-fi set up and a nice wi-fi phone for the family.

Now I've never looked into wi-fi before, and have not been keeping up with it at all, so any pointers on what to look for, stay away from, good ones to buy would be greatly appreciated.

As for what I'm gonna do with it, I have 3MB DSL and I'm gonna hook up a wi-fi phone to it, 2~3 pcs and a lappy or two. Two of the pcs are mainly gonna be used for MMOs, but I do like to play some shooters and sweep things daily, not sure how speeds are now with wi-fi, I thought they used to be shitty for some things.

So that's it, any help would be appreciated, need more info let me know.

Post by **FatherJack** » February 9th, 2009, 17:30

Wi-Fi bandwidth is around 54Mbps, so it far exceeds your DSL connection, but it is shared between all devices, so could become saturated if you copy loads of files between PCs or watch movies over it.

The "slow" bit is still your DSL connection, so if you max that out with downloads or something, your call quality will plummet, but that's no different with wired local internet, and 3M is plenty good enough for normal use, playing games and VOIP calls at the same time will be fine.

Post by **deject** » February 9th, 2009, 17:43

FatherJack wrote:Wi-Fi bandwidth is around 54Mbps, so it far exceeds your DSL connection, but it is shared between all devices, so could become saturated if you copy loads of files between PCs or watch movies over it.

The "slow" bit is still your DSL connection, so if you max that out with downloads or something, your call quality will plummet, but that's no different with wired local internet, and 3M is plenty good enough for normal use, playing games and VOIP calls at the same time will be fine.

802.11g has a theoretical max of 54Mb/s, though in reality the speeds you get are dependent on how far you are from the AP, obstructions, etc. On average you should see about 20Mb/s in most situations.

Post by **HereComesPete** » February 9th, 2009, 19:00

A lot of companies yak on about 3G+ with speeds of 108mbps or even 125mbps stuck around the place in big letters. Most of this is bullshit really. Some things will fire file transfers over networks at that kind of speed, but generally they can't do those speeds. The 'wireless n' stuff is still really dodgy, not worth the money at this time.

Linskys are a make I like, I've had a buffalo modem/router too and that ran well.

In terms of your dsl line is it always on or dial up?

For your laptops would they be connected all the time or frequently but not constantly?

MMO's are generally quite forgiving in terms of bandwidth and ping, shooters as you have no doubt noticed go to shit with anything less than optimal ping.

If you have the option an all in one modem/router that allows for cable and wireless is good for neatness, butr not always best for quality.

If you can site the box near your main pc and cable it you'll suffer less on the shooter side. And the wireless signal of most boxes generally reaches through a few walls/floors without too much trouble unless you live in some lead lined bunker or ancient cottage.

For connecting laptops you can get usb dongles, they just plug in and pick up the wireless signal, if you have the option pcmcia cards generally offer better range and signal stability, and only cost a bit more. There is also wireless mini-pci cards for laptops but they generally only fit in high end lappys, plus there's not much choice and they are a bit costly. PCI cards for desktops only cost a bit and unless you get the cheapest Chinese shit they'll generally work fine.

/all I can think of for now.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 9th, 2009, 19:30

What they said, though there have been some horrible linksys routers, think they're fine these days though (and DD-WRT is handy)

Avoid thompson/speedtouch routers, I'm personally not keen on belkin either.

Post by **HereComesPete** » February 9th, 2009, 19:41

Dr. kitteny berk wrote:Avoid thompson/speedtouch routers, I'm personally not keen on belkin either.

Belkin as a vanilla brand are okay, but their options and config abilities are very basic. Very entry level, if you want to tweak for best speed/throughput/stability etc then you can do better than these for a few quid/dollars more.

amblin · Post by **amblin** » February 9th, 2009, 20:39

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 9th, 2009, 20:44

amblin wrote:Avoid Netgear like the plague, shit software, shit management and poor compatibility is my experience.

Oddly, I've heard a lot of good things about netgear for Be/O2.

/also needs new, decent router.

Post by **HereComesPete** » February 9th, 2009, 20:48

I've got some cheapo netgear stuff around the parents house. It's weak in signal given it's their real cheap stuff, but it hasn't failed so far. I have had to send some back before now though. I think it's a bit old ford mondeo* with netgear stuff.

*You get one that runs forever, or you get one that makes an alfa romeo look reliable.

amblin · Post by **amblin** » February 9th, 2009, 20:50

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 9th, 2009, 20:55

I know you're on be, I know everything.

I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a cisco box to play with, but too much money.

I suppose I should try my zyxel really, I've heard they're a bit flaky with be, but I suppose it's worth a shot.

Post by **HereComesPete** » February 9th, 2009, 20:58

See, that N on the end of your netgear is why it's poo.

amblin · Post by **amblin** » February 9th, 2009, 21:13

Akiakaiu · Post by **Akiakaiu** » February 10th, 2009, 2:51

Thanks for all the info! Pete, the dsl is always connected and lappys not so much. Right now I have the modem in the basement by the house nic and network cable running to the router in the living room so I don't have a long phone cord to the modem. I was planning on keeping the wifi one where the old one sits which would be the main area for all things wifi anyways. Well until Britny wants to take the phone upstairs into her room.

Post by **HereComesPete** » February 10th, 2009, 13:20

I would suggest a mix of usb dongle and pcmcia card for the lappys then, dependent on if there's card readers installed on the lappys. The dongles will be fine downstairs, and if you want a lappy upstairs the dongle should be fine but the card would have the range/power to provide a better walkabout signal. You can then get a cheap wired skype phone that moves with the laptop so Britny can talk upstairs.

Always on is better because some modem/routers have difficulty with dial up bb. What is the modem you have now? If that's never caused you trouble you might as well replace the router and keep the modem.

Akiakaiu · Post by **Akiakaiu** » February 10th, 2009, 17:01

Not sure what the modem is, some crap they gave me when I signed up for DSL, but it's lasted me 4~ years now with no troubles, so I was going to just replace the router.

As for Brit and the lappy upstairs, naaaaaa, that would be bad. She'd be on it all night and never get up for school. But her room is right above where the router would be so all the signal would have to do is travel through 1 wooden floor to a phone. That shouldn't be too bad should it?

Post by **HereComesPete** » February 10th, 2009, 21:45

You could get a third party program that lets it go on the internet to certain sites and only for certain amounts of time at certain times of day/night. (Probably exists, I'm better with hardware than software but someone must have thought of this already).

As for the ceiling/floor thing, I wouldn't imagine it causing problems unless there's lots of steel I-beams or similar in that bit of floor. If so then it would be a case of signal boosting/wires/relocation of router.

If you're after specifics on parts then guesstimate on price you can afford/are willing to shell out and how many desktops/laptops need connecting and I'm sure we can work out maximum bang for buck equipment.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 10th, 2009, 22:34

Yeah, very unlikely a floor or 2 would be a problem, I regularly steal wireless from over the road.

Post by **FatherJack** » February 10th, 2009, 23:43

I used to use a Netgear box for wireless, but it was quite flaky, then I got a Linksys (Cisco cheap range) but it didn't come with an aerial, so was no good for wireless either.

Now my main router's a Netgear dual-WAN thing without wireless (the Drayteks that did the same thing were too pricey) and I use a wireless no-name router £20 from Tesco, which works for the Wii sat right next to it and just about for my phone upstairs which saves work a few pence on 3G costs when it's activesyncing or I'm bog surfing.

Post by **deject** » February 10th, 2009, 23:57

FWIW, we've now got a D-Link DGL-4500, the "gaming" one. It's great, with the only downside being that you can't run 2.4GHz Wi-Fi b/g/n and 5GHz n at the same time. Very few do that though, and we have an AirPort Express so we can play iTunes music over the network and gives the added benefit of the 5GHz capability.