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A good wireless "router" (?) to attach to my current wireless router? ;)

T

tami

Lifer
Okay, this is a bit of a convoluted question but it can't be impossible.

I have a Linksys WRT54GL wireless router that seems to have a sporadic wireless connection. It's starting to bug me because I'm unplugging my router 2-3 times a week to get the wifi back up and running. Clearly, this thing is dying, but since I have a nice configuration of Tomato going on, I don't want to replace the thing. I just want to expand upon my configuration.

I'm thinking of using one of the ports on the WRT54GL and just plugging in a more stable wireless N router. I assume I need a router, not a repeater, or whatever else they have these days, right?

First, will there be issues in doing this? (I'll disable wireless off the other router entirely when I set this up.)

And if not, what does one recommend? I'm specifically looking to also increase the range as the WRT54GL doesn't really have a great range.

Thanks!
 
1. Get a new router, and just use it as a router.

2. Get a WAP, disable wireless on the GL

What's your budget.
 
1. I want to keep the Linksys WRT45GL per my message.

2. I'm open to this. What should I get?

No budget but I don't know if I want to spend more than $70... unless it will be REALLY good.
 
What speed connection are you getting from your ISP? The WRT54G(L) has a relatively slow 200Mhz CPU and no hardware NAT support.

I would recommend replacing it altogether. The Asus N66U is the de-facto standard N router, and will also run Tomato.
 
VirtualLarry said:
What speed connection are you getting from your ISP? The WRT54G(L) has a relatively slow 200Mhz CPU and no hardware NAT support.

I would recommend replacing it altogether. The Asus N66U is the de-facto standard N router, and will also run Tomato.
Click to expand...

Good call. I didn't realize there was new hardware that supports Tomato 🙂

My ISP has some pretty good speeds, and you're right, I'm not maxing out on that.
 
Looks like the ASUS RT-AC66U supports Tomato as well. Is that a better upgrade, given it's a newer model?
 
More good news. Tomato is Broadcom-only (whereas DD-WRT and OpenWRT support more mfgs / router platforms), but support is progressing for Broadcom ARM-based routers, like the Netgear R7000, aka "NightHawk".
 
All right... so... re: ASUS RT-AC66U and the Asus N66U - should I go with the former or the latter? Or the Netgear R7000?

Help 🙂
 
tami said:
All right... so... re: ASUS RT-AC66U and the Asus N66U - should I go with the former or the latter? Or the Netgear R7000?

Help 🙂
Click to expand...

If I had a need for wireless AC then I would get the NetGear R7000.

If Wireless N is all I need (99% of the population), then I go with the Asus N66U.
 
tami said:
Or nevermind. I went with the N66U. Hope it works out. 🙂 Thanks!
Click to expand...

There's nothing wrong with the AC66U, I just like the Nighthawk a little better. Like I said, the N66U is the best option if you don't need wireless AC. They are functionally very similar.
 
Currently the only benefit for End users using ac as compare to a/b/g/n is benefiting only people who use short distance WIFI for massive transfer of huge files through their Network (LAN only Not Internet).

Most End users would not see real benefit from ac for next few years unless ISPs would start to provide fast skyrocketing Internet connections for decent price.





😎
 
So I finally configured my N66U.

The coverage area is horrific. Even with 2.4 GHz, it's the same or worse than my WRT54GL.

Was that suppose to happen? I thought I was paying $100 more for quality and coverage :/
 
I guess bumping up an old thread doesn't compel people to read the bottom-most complaint.... 🙂 Might have to start a new thread unless someone can tell me if they are listening! 🙂
 
tami said:
So I finally configured my N66U.

The coverage area is horrific. Even with 2.4 GHz, it's the same or worse than my WRT54GL.

Was that suppose to happen? I thought I was paying $100 more for quality and coverage :/
Click to expand...


That means that somethings in your environment and the physical way that your Hardware is placed are a problem for WIFI.




😎
 
Thanks. I don't know what could possibly interfere with the range. I have all doors open and very wide spacing..
 
Maybe configure the old router as a wireless access point, and use a network cable to position it to extend overall wireless coverage?
 
I was actually considering that. But I'd still like to know why I'm having this issue altogether! The spacing between the walls are literally no smaller than 8-10 feet wide - the walls can't possibly be interfering....
 
tami said:
Thanks. I don't know what could possibly interfere with the range. I have all doors open and very wide spacing..
Click to expand...

May be you should consider some numbers and layout description of the Environment and wireless devices' placement.

In general more modern devices like b/g, as compare to b/g/n, as compare to a/b/g/n, as compare to AC, do not extend much the distance coverage but rather provide better service bandwidth and stabilization vise to the existing environment.

In many cases good distance coverage ends up with installation of additional Access Points (or Wireless Routers configured as Access Point).

Using Wireless Routers (or Modem/Wireless Router) as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html



😎
 
What country is the router set to? If it's not US there are power limitations to meet local regulations.

Also, what firmware are you on and what did you set transmit power to? Are you using WPA2/AES?
 
Agreed. There is generally an increase in range from a/b/g to 11n and 11ac. MIMO, which 11n and 11ac support, but 11a/b/g do not, has signal gain due to increased number of spatial streams.

Of course, this only applies if your 11n/ac device HAS multiple spatial streams (and isn't just a phone with 1:1 setup).

Anyway, that can increase range modestly, but not significantly.

11ac also supports explicit beamforming, which can significantly increase signal strength at medium and long distances, but does not actually increase range really (if it were on facebook, its relationship status would "Its complicated").

At any rate, 11n and especially 11ac can significantly increase wireless performance at the same range as 11a/b/g, but will not significantly increase the actual range that you can connect to the wireless network (in some cases with 2:2+ router/access points and 2:2+ clients, the range will actually be somewhat better than 11a/b/g).

Even a simple wall can degrade signal strength rather significantly.

As a real world example with testing, a basic interior 2x4 wall and 10ft of distance to the router has the same signal strength as standing a bit over 20ft away and line of sight to the router.
 
Tami, I was going to pull the trigger and get this router too. What firmware are you using?

I would use my existing netgear 3700v2 as an extender.
 
I'm using TomatoUSB (1.28/shibby)

re: layout. Good idea. I'd need to start whipping out the measuring tape for specifics and need a hand with that, so give me a bit of time to do it 🙂 But we're really not talking significant distances here. I get more coverage from Bluetooth!

Not sure if my settings are a problem. It's set as an Access Point (the other options are Access Point + WDS, Wireless Client, Wireless Ethernet Bridge, and WDS).

The country is set to United States. I changed the Transmit Power of the Wireless to 70 so I hope that shows improvement... It's WPA2 Personal. I'll take whatever secure protocol you suggest that may allow for greater coverage!
 
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