Best router?

[ManBearPig]

Looking to spend no more than $100. I want it to be strong enough so that the signal penetrates the floor to our basement. If i can hack the firmware, great, but I would rather have it be good right from the start. I would like it to be wireless-n. Wireless-n IS backwards compatible with b/g, right? Thanks guys!

P.S. Not sure if this is the right forum or not, was contemplating this or networking :

Right now, our shitty wrtp54g with a wireless range extender from linksys just isnt cutting it. The gd range expander cuts out every time we change a setting on our router or anything happens. It's really fucking annoying.

 

[JackMDS]

There is No guarantee that any one Router can do whatever you want it to do,

Some time the environment does not let it no matter what.

WDS-II

The best way is to lay few CAT6 cables to central locations in the house, install Access Points, or Cable/DSL Routers configured as an Access Points ( Using a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point ), and connect them to the Main Router.

You do not want/can not/hate/your client hate to lay Cables.

Buy a Pair of Wireless Routers that can do WDS (Zyxel, SMC, Belkin have models that do WDS as is out of the Box.

Linksys WRT54GL can do WDS when flashed with DD-WRT firmware.

Using a Laptop loaded with Netstumbler, do a Wireless survey in the house, http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/

According to the Netstumbler's signal strength reading, identify spots that have strong signal. and spot with weak, or No signal.

Evaluate how you can cover the space and start placing WDS units.

Additional Wireless Routers in WDS Mode (Wireless Network - Configuration Modes. ) has to be placed in spots were the signal is good about Half way to the dead spots.

How many WDS units are needed? It depends on your specific environment (that is a good the reason to buying WDS units one at the time, try it, and decide on the Next step).

This is a very good Router that does WDS if it needed to extend with more units, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...181218&Tpk=zyxel%2b550

Otherwise.

Extending Distance - http://www.ezlan.net/Distance.html
Wireless Router as an AP - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html
Wireless Modes - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Modes.html
Wireless Bridging - http://www.ezlan.net/bridging.html
Hi Gain Antenna - http://www.ezlan.net/antennae.html

 

[Blain]

Nothing beats "wire". 🙂

 

[Modelworks]

Agree
If you can run wire any way at all do it.
If you can't figure out how to do it in wall, they make network cable that can go outside.
Run out of the basement up an outside wall and into the second floor , would be my choice.

I bought belden 9506 outdoor rated cable.
Great stuff, used it outdoor , in walls, attics , never had a problem.
It is a bit tough to cut/work with, has double wire shields, thick insulation, but that just makes it better.

You can run the cable 200ft +if you need to, and don't have to worry about signal strength or transfer speeds.

 

[Old Hippie]

There is no reason that any wireless router will cure all ails. However, this Buffalo router comes highly recommended.

 

[ManBearPig]

are ANY wireless-n (draft-n) routers under 100 bucks?

 

[JackMDS]

There are, however take into consideration that there is No guarantee that they would cove much better than a Good 802.11g and that the Wireless cards are expensive as the Routers.
So might have a system that cost twice or more and it is only Draft-N that might or might Not be compatible with the standard when it comes out.

In any case, you asked for it, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833156052

 

[bigsnyder]

If you just need internet access to various locations I highly recommend a pair of these. When they are in stock, sometimes its cheaper to buy them individually. There are faster kits available, I just can't vouch for those. I was surprised how painless these were to set up. These also don't seem to suffer from excessive heat issues that plague other powerline adapters that plug directly onto the power outlet without using a seperate AC cord.