Best wireless router? (range wise)

[cmp1223]

I am looking for a wireless router to cover a large house, 3500 to 4000 square feet. It would need to pass through mutiple walls and through a floor, for access to the top story. My brother thinks that such a powerful router doesn't exist, and that the only wireless soution would be some kind of phoneline routing/wireless hybrid and/or wireless repeaters. It would be much simpler just to use one wireless router. Are there any out there? Maybe commercial grade or such? Or routers that accept external antennas. Anyone have experience with these antennas?

Thanks
-Chris

 

[InlineFive]

I think your brother might be right. For a house of that size I would either (1) create an ethernet backbone to key points in the house and place WAPs there. Or you could buy a range extender for your current wireless network. If you want to make sure that you can have good signal quality and not have one access point rely on contact with another then the backbone idea is probably the best bet.

 

[cmp1223]

I think that an ethernet backbone would work best, but the house is not wired for ethernet (even though it is a new house). Interestly enough, I was told all the phonelines are Cat-5 based wiring, exept they are phone, not ethernet jacks. My brothers idea was to have a phoneline router, and then connect the Phoneline network adapters to a WAP (kinda like a phoneline backbone) But, neither of us have found a Netowork adapter that outputs ethernet for use with a WAP, all they use is USB for use with a computer.

 

[JackMDS]

You have few basic options.

Buy Cooperate Level Wireless (Cisco Proxim).

Or get multiple Entry level Bridges and Repeaters.

Or lay few Cables to one or two central places, and use few APs (or Wireless Routers working as APs).

Link to: Extending the Distance of Entry Level Wireless Network.

:sun:

 

[InlineFive]

Well then if you don't feel like running ethernet cable you could use PowerLine as the backbone.

 

[Davegod75]

I have powerline in two houses and it works great...only 14mbps though. I think that is more than enough though since my internet conneciton is only 3mbps

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: Davegod75
I have powerline in two houses and it works great...only 14mbps though. I think that is more than enough though since my internet conneciton is only 3mbps

Actually I was talking about using PowerLine as the backbone. Like this...

Internet <> Main Router <> Powerline Interface <.............> Powerline Interface <> Additional WAP

 

[JackMDS]

Yeah,PorBleemo is right. It is much better to use PowerLine as the "Back Bone" rather than to Network with Powerline.

:sun:

 

[cmp1223]

i was a little confused too. So instead of buying a powerline router, use a powerline interface? Where can one be bought? Is it the same thing as a powerline bridge? Wouldn't it still be 14mbps through the powerlines?

 

[JackMDS]

You buy a regular Router and a regular AP (or APs if one is not enough).

You plug one of the Router?s Ports to the Outlet using Ethernet-to-Powerline Bridge. (Like this: http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=4).

You get a second Ethernet-to-Powerline Bridge and you plug it elsewhere n the House to an Outlet, and than you plug an AP into it.

You will not lose ?Speed? with 802.11b, you will lose about 30% with 802.11g.

:sun:

 

[InlineFive]

Nevermind...

 

[sjgmoney]

You (and your brother) might be underestimating a wireless router's abilty to generate signals. I have a D-Link DI-524 wireless router in my basement. My son's computer is two fllors up and in the opposite corner of my house. While my house is not quite as big as yours (3000 sq ft), the signal has to travel thru many walls and two floors to get to his computer. Signal strength is just great. Try it (or something like it) If the signal is no good, you could always add a WAP in the middle as a "booster"

 

[cmp1223]

Its not our house, its a clients. My brother does some basic computer help for hire. Thankfully I've learned that the house is wired for ethernet in almost every room, so all that is needed is a router and some WAPs. Questions:

Does anyone have experience with different brands of WAPs? Netgear, Linksys, D-Link, or others- is one significantly better?

Also, just for interest, what could be used if price was no object? I looked on the Proxim site and the wireless stuff they sell is like $3000+! There must be some sort of high gain antenna that could blanket a good half acre!

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: cmp1223
Its not our house, its a clients. My brother does some basic computer help for hire. Thankfully I've learned that the house is wired for ethernet in almost every room, so all that is needed is a router and some WAPs. Questions:

Does anyone have experience with different brands of WAPs? Netgear, Linksys, D-Link, or others- is one significantly better?

Also, just for interest, what could be used if price was no object? I looked on the Proxim site and the wireless stuff they sell is like $3000+! There must be some sort of high gain antenna that could blanket a good half acre!

If money was no object, then yes a ap2000 or a nice Cisco AP would be nice, moreso for their reliability then their range.

Since I would like to be honest, it seems as if your brother is trying to 'wing it' which is NOT a good idea period, but that does not mean it cannot be done.

My advice: KISS. Keep it simple stupid


1. I would reconsider going with commercial grade equipment as you prolly won;t know how to use it without experience. For your benefit and that of your customers, use something you can deal with.
2. Since the house is wired for Cat5, use intermittent AP's in locations that are reception-deprived.
3. Buy a nice router with enough switchports to handle all the AP's
4. Make sure to use MAC ACL's and WEP/WPA etc.
5. Try the opwerline stuff ONLY if you get to try it at home and get used to it.

This has the potential to get disastorous if you get excited. Stay calm, relax, use what you know, and KISS.

Good Luck!

 

[cmp1223]

Thanks for the advice. My brother is much better at networking then i, so thats not too much of a concern. I wasn't seriously considering using such commercial grade equipment, i was merly interested in how the pros do it. Also, powerline will not be necceary because we now know the house it ethernet networked, but i thank all of you for your help. Back to the question that matters: What are people's thoughts here about the best wireless products, especially APs, for the home users? Linksys, Netgear, D-Link, or some other brand with similar or slightly higher prices? What are your recomendations?

Thanks!

 

[homestarmy]

why not hpna?

 

[cmp1223]

Neither phoneline or powerline networking is needed because the house is indeed wired with cat5. In addition to my last questions
(people's thoughts here about the best wireless products, especially APs, for the home users? Linksys, Netgear, D-Link, or some other brand with similar or slightly higher prices? What are your recomendations?)

DOes anyone have experience with Power over ethernet PoE? THat would make the install easier