Wireless Routers

[undercoverbrother]

I was wondering if, like most computer related things, wireless routers have a limited life expectancy.

I have noticed the speed of out WIFI at home is slow and to be honest, that are parts of the house it doesn't cover.

The router is approx 8 yrs old.

[GoinAllTheWay]

8 yrs is getting on no doubt but I had one that was around 6 yrs old and was still going strong, A D-Link Gamerlounge. I only upgraded because the only thing it really lacked was simulataneous dual band.

Certainly new options out there for getting better WiFi coverage. I think Asus is putting out some pretty good wireless routers these days.

Do you have network ports all over your house or just limited to the basement like me and everywhere else needs WiFi?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

8 yrs is getting on no doubt but I had one that was around 6 yrs old and was still going strong, A D-Link Gamerlounge. I only upgraded because the only thing it really lacked was simulataneous dual band.

Certainly new options out there for getting better WiFi coverage. I think Asus is putting out some pretty good wireless routers these days.

Do you have network ports all over your house or just limited to the basement like me and everywhere else needs WiFi?

First off I am Ludditte.

We have the router up in our "great room" above the garage.

[PsYcNeT]

If your router is still working properly, you could just buy a Wifi Repeater.

If it doesn't have Wireless-N though, you may want to upgrade (like, $50).

[Rathji]

At 8 years, I would throw it away and get an N device, without question.

I picked up this Belkin on boxing day for my mom, whose signal was lacking on her top level, and it fixed it right up. Of course, I think it was $45 off, so that didn't hurt.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

If your router is still working properly, you could just buy a Wifi Repeater.

If it doesn't have Wireless-N though, you may want to upgrade (like, $50).

Originally Posted by Rathji

At 8 years, I would throw it away and get an N device, without question.

Could either of you boys suggest a brand/model?

[Rathji]

I edited my post to suggest one.

After a bit more thought, I would likely choose this Linksys EA 3500 over the Belkin, just based on brand.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Rathji

I edited my post to suggest one.

After a bit more thought, I would likely choose this Linksys EA 3500 over the Belkin, just based on brand.

Cheers, I apprecaite that.

[McG]

This isn't my area of expertise so there will definitely be people that know this topic better than I do...

I have been looking at replacing my Linksys 610 router with one of the newer routers. The one that I have focussed in on is the netgear r7000 nighthawk. I already have dual simultaneous 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, but I am finding that I am having to reboot every few days and I don't have a guest network. there are so many devices on my network that I just think that newer tech will help speeds and stability.

I won't be able to use some of the higher features, and I am aware that I am trying to future proof something that can't be, but I can't see saving $50 as a real saving. if I can get any extra speeds out of my shaw connection, then that $50 cost difference between the netgear and a current standard spread over 4 years is $1 per month.

If I assume that beamcasting isn't mumbo jumbo, and that there is some benefit to a 1GHz processor, and there is even the tiniest of truth amongst the marketing propaganda on the website, then the guest network, better stability, and improved WiFi speed (even if it is on my internal network only) will be worth it.

Just my thoughts.

[PsYcNeT]

The Linksys EA3500 is pretty much the best feature/reliability to price router out right now. It's a bit pricier than most, but I've (read: people who call me for friend to friend tech support) seen too many D-Link and Belkin routers literally cease to function in the last 10 years to ever buy one. Linksys/Cisco all the way, without question.

That said, I need to buy a new switch pretty soon for the LAN centre I'm almost done building...

EDIT: Woo Amazon has the SE2800 8-port switch for 5 bucks less than MemEx on Prime.

[keratosis]

Originally Posted by McG

This isn't my area of expertise so there will definitely be people that know this topic better than I do...

I have been looking at replacing my Linksys 610 router with one of the newer routers. The one that I have focussed in on is the netgear r7000 nighthawk. I already have dual simultaneous 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, but I am finding that I am having to reboot every few days and I don't have a guest network. there are so many devices on my network that I just think that newer tech will help speeds and stability.

I won't be able to use some of the higher features, and I am aware that I am trying to future proof something that can't be, but I can't see saving $50 as a real saving. if I can get any extra speeds out of my shaw connection, then that $50 cost difference between the netgear and a current standard spread over 4 years is $1 per month.

If I assume that beamcasting isn't mumbo jumbo, and that there is some benefit to a 1GHz processor, and there is even the tiniest of truth amongst the marketing propaganda on the website, then the guest network, better stability, and improved WiFi speed (even if it is on my internal network only) will be worth it.

Just my thoughts.

I'm running an R6200. Couldn't be happier.I live in a large house with the router in the basement and most of the wireless devices upstairs. I even have good reception on the back deck and attached garage.
Just saying you may not have to go top of the line.

[fredr123]

Bought this ASUS router about a year ago: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX32640

My old Linksys WRT54G was getting on in age (8 years or so) and had to be reset on a weekly basis. The ASUS has been rock solid, improved the range and speed of my wireless network, and allows me to hookup a portable hard drive for a network-accessible storage option.

[PsYcNeT]

As an addendum to my above post, I have no experience with ASUS routers, but I have heard they are good.

While I would generally recommend against D-Link, Belkin and everything but the top-level Netgears, I can't really say anything the ASUS routers. They look pretty slick too.

[Inglewood Jack]

honestly, wireless routers are just a big game of roulette. take a look at the reviews for any brand and there will be a lot of people with absolutely zero problems/rock solid stability, and a lot of others where the thing died or has to be rebooted every 3 hours.

for example the Linksys ones are generally reviewed pretty well but I just happened to be the unlucky ####### who got the schizo one that only worked whenever it felt like it. switched to a Netgear and have rebooted it maybe twice since 2011, yet reading the reviews on it you'd think it was cobbled together with parts from old 14.4 modems and dead StarTAC phones.

long as you stick to the big names, keep the receipts, and get down on your unworthy knees and pray as you plug it in, chances are decent you'll be ok.

[BlackArcher101]

I have an Asus RT-N66U and couldn't be happier with it. Others that bought Asus after my recommendation are also very pleased with theirs.

It handles every bandwidth load I send at it. I could be downloading torrents at 1.5mb/s while steaming 1080p movies over the network from media server to tv, and yet surfing the net stays the same. My 2 year old linksys would bog down and basically say "nope" if I tried any of that.

The wireless on it is great. It easily reaches my detached garage through 4 walls and is extremely stable.

It has more features than I need, but the handy one is the guest accounts. I'm sure other routers have this now too though.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

I have an Asus RT-N66U and couldn't be happier with it. Others that bought Asus after my recommendation are also very pleased with theirs.

It handles every bandwidth load I send at it. I could be downloading torrents at 1.5mb/s while steaming 1080p movies over the network from media server to tv, and yet surfing the net stays the same. My 2 year old linksys would bog down and basically say "nope" if I tried any of that.

The wireless on it is great. It easily reaches my detached garage through 4 walls and is extremely stable.

That's a $150 router you got there mind you.

EDIT: I guess just reinforces the whole "get what you pay for" thing, which applies to like 90% of all electronics.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

That's a $150 router you got there mind you.

EDIT: I guess just reinforces the whole "get what you pay for" thing, which applies to like 90% of all electronics.

That's very true. However in this case, it appears the RT-N56U, which is currently $90, actually has better throughput test results than the N66U. Appears to be an extreme value.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwa...er-charts/view

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

As an addendum to my above post, I have no experience with ASUS routers, but I have heard they are good.

While I would generally recommend against D-Link, Belkin and everything but the top-level Netgears, I can't really say anything the ASUS routers. They look pretty slick too.

Odd to hear others say that. I've owned nothing by D-Link and never had a failure at all. The gamerlounge I mentioned in my first post was going strong for 6+ yrs with not a single issue, it was a great router. Couple D-Link switches I have sitting on my network have had no issues either.

That being said, I've never bought their cheaper models, every one I've owned has been around $160.

[Vulcan]

I have a re-furbished Cisco Linksys e4200. I won't recommend re-furbs, but it had good reviews. In this case it's worked fine for a couple of years, even though it's almost too hot to touch. Good range, never needs rebooting and wifi is as fast as wired.

[Street Pharmacist]

I'm wondering if my Internet issues are Shaw related or router related.

The SpeedTest.net app on my phone shows the highest results I've got is Ping: 35msec DL: 15Mbps UL 0.615 Mbps, though I'm paying for the 25Mbps/2.5Mbps plan.

The real trouble with the Internet though happens when I want to play online with the ps3 (on a different floor, so I hard wired it through the power outlet) or YouTube/Netflix for my son. It frequently slows down and cuts out. It's particularly bad during early evenings and weekends. During these times the Ping goes to 2000+ Msec and often the SpeedTest.net app shows sub 1Mbps DL speeds.

I use a wifi analytics app and there's little interference on the channel I use, and even changing channels doesn't help. There are the following devices connected: ipad, 2 cell phones, ps3, chromecast, network printer, laptop. The phones are always connected as is the printer, but rarely anything else

I have not called Shaw yet because I wanted to be sure I've done all I can

I have a Linksys E1000.