I have a situation where I am sharing a 20Mbps Down/2Mbps Up cable connection with 2 roommates.
I currently have a Dlink DI-624 which I think has to go.
My laptop supports A/B/G networks.
My one roommate has wireless G.
My other roommate only has wireless B.
I live in a densely populated area with at least 15-20 other wireless networks found right where I sit.
My major issue is that I seem to have slowdowns and glitching even when watching a video off my desktop connected via ethernet. These are basic 300-1000kbps videos not even HD high bandwidth stuff. There is no excuse for that on a LAN.
My secondary issue (which doesn't seem to be happening anymore, but may happen again any time) is that my router seems to restart with utorrent running. I have a nice connection and I want to run a large number of connections at least as much as a SOHO router can handle. I want to see faster downloads actually using the connection. I don't use BT often but when I do, I want it to be fast and try to maximize my connection.
I have three options as I see it:
One thing applies to options 2 and 3 - the roommate with only Wireless B has to get a new card supporting G (or I'll get him one). I think having a B client on your network slows everything down.
Option 1:
Get this: http://computers.pricegrabber....networking/m/19153620/
A nice Buffalo simultaneous dual band router. I could set myself on wireless A and the roommates on wireless G. There are two advantages to this. One is that hopefully I will be the only person running wireless A in this building and I will be rid of interference once and for all! My roommates will be on a completely different band from me and they can run wireless B or G or whatever they want. I will never have stuttering video again!
My concern is about this router's ability to handle large number of simultaneous connections when asked to handle bit torrent.
Option 2:
Get this: http://computers.pricegrabber....networking/m/29159602/
A nice D-link DIR-655. Many wonderful words have been spoken about this router which seems to be the top SOHO router around these days. The QOS looks really great and I could prioritize my Slingbox and any VOIP, online gaming I may use. It uses the Ubicom Streamengine processor and has proven simultaneous connection ability. SmallNetBuilder says it can handle 200 simultaneous connections. I would still have to deal with fighting for wireless bandwidth with other routers in the area though.
Option 3:
People have gotten me intrigued with the buy a Linksys or Buffalo and drop some Tomato or DD-WRT on it. Someone has even gotten me convinced that you can make these routers handle 4000+ simultaneous connections with this 3rd party firmware. I have my doubts. Does anyone really know if this is true or just BS? Would it be worth it? It is the cheapest option at around $50.
Does anyone have suggestions?
Any used non-SoHo routers I should consider? Not more than $150 though.
Range isn't an issue apart from wanting to keep other signals out of my small space here.
I currently have a Dlink DI-624 which I think has to go.
My laptop supports A/B/G networks.
My one roommate has wireless G.
My other roommate only has wireless B.
I live in a densely populated area with at least 15-20 other wireless networks found right where I sit.
My major issue is that I seem to have slowdowns and glitching even when watching a video off my desktop connected via ethernet. These are basic 300-1000kbps videos not even HD high bandwidth stuff. There is no excuse for that on a LAN.
My secondary issue (which doesn't seem to be happening anymore, but may happen again any time) is that my router seems to restart with utorrent running. I have a nice connection and I want to run a large number of connections at least as much as a SOHO router can handle. I want to see faster downloads actually using the connection. I don't use BT often but when I do, I want it to be fast and try to maximize my connection.
I have three options as I see it:
One thing applies to options 2 and 3 - the roommate with only Wireless B has to get a new card supporting G (or I'll get him one). I think having a B client on your network slows everything down.
Option 1:
Get this: http://computers.pricegrabber....networking/m/19153620/
A nice Buffalo simultaneous dual band router. I could set myself on wireless A and the roommates on wireless G. There are two advantages to this. One is that hopefully I will be the only person running wireless A in this building and I will be rid of interference once and for all! My roommates will be on a completely different band from me and they can run wireless B or G or whatever they want. I will never have stuttering video again!
My concern is about this router's ability to handle large number of simultaneous connections when asked to handle bit torrent.
Option 2:
Get this: http://computers.pricegrabber....networking/m/29159602/
A nice D-link DIR-655. Many wonderful words have been spoken about this router which seems to be the top SOHO router around these days. The QOS looks really great and I could prioritize my Slingbox and any VOIP, online gaming I may use. It uses the Ubicom Streamengine processor and has proven simultaneous connection ability. SmallNetBuilder says it can handle 200 simultaneous connections. I would still have to deal with fighting for wireless bandwidth with other routers in the area though.
Option 3:
People have gotten me intrigued with the buy a Linksys or Buffalo and drop some Tomato or DD-WRT on it. Someone has even gotten me convinced that you can make these routers handle 4000+ simultaneous connections with this 3rd party firmware. I have my doubts. Does anyone really know if this is true or just BS? Would it be worth it? It is the cheapest option at around $50.
Does anyone have suggestions?
Any used non-SoHo routers I should consider? Not more than $150 though.
Range isn't an issue apart from wanting to keep other signals out of my small space here.
