What's a good WiFi router to buy now? - Page 3

Adrian Wong · 24th Jun 2005, 10:18 PM

Actually my current 3Com WiFi router has a tendency to lock up the WiFi network when transferring large amounts of data.

I'm hoping to get a new router that does not have that kind of problem. It's very irritating everytime the router locks up.

ZuePhok · 24th Jun 2005, 11:53 PM

the linksys WRT54G is really a proven model..
and a few more (G)

bslee · 25th Jun 2005, 06:28 PM

Have been using Netgear WGR624v2 108mbps for sometime now and its been very stable. Have transferred large data (movie files) from desktop to laptop with relative ease.Have never faced any lockups or unstability. I think its the only 108mbps router in our market for the time being.
Am not a fan of Netgear but gave it a chance since upgrading from former 11b Linksys.The same rules of wireless optimization still apply, flash latest firmware, optimize location, find best channel it works and other tips may apply too.

playahata123789 · 25th Jun 2005, 06:38 PM

im using the dlink xtremeg, it works well. pcmag says that linksys is good also.

Adrian Wong · 25th Jun 2005, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bslee

Have been using Netgear WGR624v2 108mbps for sometime now and its been very stable. Have transferred large data (movie files) from desktop to laptop with relative ease.Have never faced any lockups or unstability. I think its the only 108mbps router in our market for the time being.
Am not a fan of Netgear but gave it a chance since upgrading from former 11b Linksys.The same rules of wireless optimization still apply, flash latest firmware, optimize location, find best channel it works and other tips may apply too.

Does it really transfer files at 108mbps??

I'm quite skeptical about such bandwidth-doubling routers.

fuzzy · 25th Jun 2005, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZuePhok

the linksys WRT54G is really a proven model..
and a few more (G)

How much is the selling for?

TechZ · 26th Jun 2005, 03:24 AM

Dlink/Linksys/3com have their proprietary "Turbo" software on the new routers, it works with compatable hardware, it really does.

Ject · 26th Jun 2005, 02:45 PM

Linksys is owned my Cisco and is their lower end products. if you want to save cash and get the same performace. Go D-Link. D-Link and Linksys are the same in quality and reliability, cept Linksys costs more for name brand stuff.

Either or, they both are the same just depends on your $$$ situation.

bslee · 26th Jun 2005, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

Does it really transfer files at 108mbps??

I'm quite skeptical about such bandwidth-doubling routers.

No lah.. I don't think any domestic networking equipment can reach advertised speeds. I feel its more of a marketing hype than anything else in real world.
I think I noticed 36mbps constant whilst file transfer. (purposely router configured to forced 108mbs mode).I've not monitored the actual performance till probably next round of intended file transfers. I'll closely monitor the performace this time round and report back. What I noticed previously is not conclusive. I'm having both the wireless machines something like only 1 floor above at not more than 15 feet.
I'll reiterate, I took the opportunity to give Netgear an opportunity to serve me this round after a getting fedup with the 11b Linksys.
D-Link?...NO WAY!...Hate it! (that includes the local distributor too!)
BTW, am now using a simple bridge configered SMC7401BRAv2 modem with it..I find it a little faster average than the Aztech DSL600EU..using TMNet's xpeedometer. I believe its something to do with a better chipset. However the SMC operates somewhat a little hot.

AAY · 2nd Jul 2005, 05:16 PM

Most consumer-grade bits of network equipment are pretty similar in their performance and reliability...

Netgear used to be very highly thought of, not long after their spinoff from Bay (Nortel) Networks, but I know PsY doesn't like their stuff

. To be fair to them I've used some of their wireless routers and they've all performed flawlessly for me...albeit some of them needed firmware upgrades to work properly!

I haven't had much experience with Linksys equipment, but the progress that has been made with regards to community-built firmware (as in Sveasoft, HyperWRT, OpenWRT, etc.) can give you more features than any stock consumer-grade router...but just because Cisco bought over them don't expect IOS on a home router anytime soon

.

I think 3Com is overrated in many ways though...I don't know what the situation is with their current gear, but in the past many of their models were little more than glorified rebadges of generic hardware from companies like AMIT or Delta Networks. I remember some of their earlier 802.11b PC Cards being horribly unreliable and having pathetic radios/antennae.

If your wireless gear is finicky, try upgrading both firmware and drivers for everything. Sometimes (as in the case of the Belkin 802.11g PCI card I was using for a while), the manufacturer of the card might not be very good at issuing driver updates, and that's when you might want to look for a generic driver. Hint: Many 802.11g devices these days are using Broadcom controllers!

In scrolling up, I can see that I have rambled. I do this often. Never mind. I'll just sum it up by saying this: Brand isn't really much of a concern when you're dealing with cheap network gear...just check around and make sure the manufacturer is good with updates and there aren't too many complaints about the model.

24th Jun 2005, 10:18 PM	#21 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my ASUS F8V notebook! Posts: 30,419 Reputation: 3147 Rep Power: 68	Actually my current 3Com WiFi router has a tendency to lock up the WiFi network when transferring large amounts of data. I'm hoping to get a new router that does not have that kind of problem. It's very irritating everytime the router locks up. __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs

24th Jun 2005, 11:53 PM	#22 (permalink)
ZuePhok Hold me back! I can't stop posting!!! Join Date: 16 Dec 2002 Location: Floating Island Of Mandango Posts: 8,628 Reputation: 3005 Rep Power: 45	the linksys WRT54G is really a proven model.. and a few more (G) __________________ my motto: poison first, think later.

26th Jun 2005, 03:24 AM	#27 (permalink)
TechZ Active Join Date: 8 Feb 2005 Location: Bahrain - Middle East Posts: 572 Reputation: 258 Rep Power: 6	Dlink/Linksys/3com have their proprietary "Turbo" software on the new routers, it works with compatable hardware, it really does. __________________ PC Specs---PC Games---Codecs---Gaming/News---AutoPatcher XP/2k/2k3 "In ancient times they had no statistics so they had to fall back on lies." Stephen B. Leac0ck.

26th Jun 2005, 02:45 PM	#28 (permalink)
Ject I'm a regular Join Date: 31 May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 416 Reputation: 140 Rep Power: 5	Linksys is owned my Cisco and is their lower end products. if you want to save cash and get the same performace. Go D-Link. D-Link and Linksys are the same in quality and reliability, cept Linksys costs more for name brand stuff. Either or, they both are the same just depends on your $$$ situation. __________________ -=[RiG]=- CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ (2.6ghz) Mobo: Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-9 nForce 4 RAM: OCZ EL (2x512mb) CAS Lat: 2-2-2-5 Video Card: Gigabyte 6600GT 128MB (upgrading to 6800 Ultra) PSU: ThermalTake Pure Power 680w Case: Custom Chieftec Dragon

25th Jun 2005, 06:28 PM	#23 (permalink)
bslee Getting there Join Date: 6 Feb 2005 Posts: 236 Reputation: 15 Rep Power: 4	Have been using Netgear WGR624v2 108mbps for sometime now and its been very stable. Have transferred large data (movie files) from desktop to laptop with relative ease.Have never faced any lockups or unstability. I think its the only 108mbps router in our market for the time being. Am not a fan of Netgear but gave it a chance since upgrading from former 11b Linksys.The same rules of wireless optimization still apply, flash latest firmware, optimize location, find best channel it works and other tips may apply too.

25th Jun 2005, 06:38 PM	#24 (permalink)
playahata123789 Super Active Join Date: 11 Dec 2003 Location: TEXAS Posts: 1,881 Reputation: 40 Rep Power: 7	im using the dlink xtremeg, it works well. pcmag says that linksys is good also.

2nd Jul 2005, 05:16 PM	#30 (permalink)
AAY ARP Reviewer Join Date: 1 Sep 2004 Posts: 334 Reputation: 256 Rep Power: 7	Most consumer-grade bits of network equipment are pretty similar in their performance and reliability... Netgear used to be very highly thought of, not long after their spinoff from Bay (Nortel) Networks, but I know PsY doesn't like their stuff . To be fair to them I've used some of their wireless routers and they've all performed flawlessly for me...albeit some of them needed firmware upgrades to work properly! I haven't had much experience with Linksys equipment, but the progress that has been made with regards to community-built firmware (as in Sveasoft, HyperWRT, OpenWRT, etc.) can give you more features than any stock consumer-grade router...but just because Cisco bought over them don't expect IOS on a home router anytime soon . I think 3Com is overrated in many ways though...I don't know what the situation is with their current gear, but in the past many of their models were little more than glorified rebadges of generic hardware from companies like AMIT or Delta Networks. I remember some of their earlier 802.11b PC Cards being horribly unreliable and having pathetic radios/antennae. If your wireless gear is finicky, try upgrading both firmware and drivers for everything. Sometimes (as in the case of the Belkin 802.11g PCI card I was using for a while), the manufacturer of the card might not be very good at issuing driver updates, and that's when you might want to look for a generic driver. Hint: Many 802.11g devices these days are using Broadcom controllers! In scrolling up, I can see that I have rambled. I do this often. Never mind. I'll just sum it up by saying this: Brand isn't really much of a concern when you're dealing with cheap network gear...just check around and make sure the manufacturer is good with updates and there aren't too many complaints about the model.