Help, need some router suggestions...

[deadken]

I am currently running a 8-10 year old wired router (Netgear RT 314) and a Wireless router that is at least 5 years old (Netgear WGR 614 V5). I have them set up so that 2 of my computers are on the wired router, and the wireless router is connected to the wired router (BUT NOT ON THE WAN PORT). One of the four 'wired outputs' on the wireless router is plugged into on of the four connections of the wired router. A buddy of mine helped me set up the network years ago (unfortunately, he isn't available to help me now). I think the logic of it was to have the wired and wireless networks completely separate so that no one could access the wired network from the wireless network.

Currently I have having problems with my internet. I keep losing connection to game servers (BFBC2), etc. After replacing my cable modem, I figure that my wired router is giving me the problems.

So, would I be best off just using the wireless router by itself? Should I bother getting a new router? I've been happy with Netgear products, any pro's or con's to sticking with Netgear?


BASIC FACTS:

Home Network:
(4) PC's + (1) Laptop
all PC's have Win XP Pro, Laptop has Vista
(2) PC's on wired network, (2) PC's + Laptop on Wireless Network

Cable Modem (ISP: Cablevision)
Speedtest.net results:
5-6ms Ping
6.01-6.97 MB Download
2.09-2.10 MB Upload

-Thanks for any suggestions, Ken

 

[JackMDS]

Brand Name means nothing (it is only marketing and Logos). They all use the same few Network OEM hardware. Sometimes they even change the hardware and leave the model number as is.

As an example Linksys WRT54G v.1-4 as very little to do with the same Wireless Router above v4.

Netgear changed the WGR hardware in the middle of the production period too.

What to buy.

If you need short range HD streaming get a Draft_N Router.

Otherwise - Buffalo WHR-HP-G54

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162134

Asus WL-520GU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320023

Both are Very Good. The Asus is less expensive and have regular performing Wireless, while the Buffalo has High Power Wireless

-----------------
Entry Level Buffalo, and Asus Routers can be Flashed with 3rd party free firmware.

If you need extra features take a look at Tomato and DD-WRT.

If the features that you need are available in Tomato Flash with Tomato.

Tomato features - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato_(firmware)#Features

Otherwise, use DD-WRT - http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/What_is_DD-WRT?#Features

It is much easier to Flash Tomato than DD-WRT, thus to avoid frustration and Bricking risk I would recommend to casual “Flashers” to go with Tomato.

----------------------------
As an indirect side Note.

Routers are actually small computers with very weak CPU, small memory, and the Firmware acts as the OS.

Just like you do not expect using a NetBook for 3D Gaming, do not expect Entry Level Routers to perform well under the load that is generated by heavy P2P or similar downloads.


😎

 

[deadken]

Thank you Jack for a well written response. I appreciate the time and effort you took to explain things so clearly and thoroughly.

At the moment, I can't buy from Newegg since I don't have a credit or debit card linked to my Paypal account. I have been living without a credit card for the last 14 months and am happy to be living within my means. To make things worse, I can't even call Newegg on the weekend to see if they can make an exception (since I have a long history with them). To add to the insult, I can't get their 'live chat' option to work. I just sent them an email explaining why they have just lost a sale and will soon lose a customer.

In the meanwhile, I have disconnected my wired router and found that when I run an internet speedtest (www.speedtest.net or www.speakeasy.net) my computers went from 4-6M down and 2.1 up, to just over 10M down and 2.1 to 2.9 up. But, my internet problems persist (lost connections a few times a day). When I lose my connection, I have found that unplugging and replugging in the wireless router fixes the problem. So, while I can't figure out why I was having the problem before (when I was using the wired router) and now am still having a problem (when I am using the wireless router), I am pretty confident that it is time for a new router.

When I think about all of the money I have spent on PC upgrades for the 4 PC's in my house in the past few years, I realize that I really haven't spent anything on routers for years. I'll spend the $60 and see what happens. I'm guessing I'm overdue.

-Thanks, Ken

 

[Boztech]

Thank you Jack for a well written response. I appreciate the time and effort you took to explain things so clearly and thoroughly.

At the moment, I can't buy from Newegg since I don't have a credit or debit card linked to my Paypal account. I have been living without a credit card for the last 14 months and am happy to be living within my means. To make things worse, I can't even call Newegg on the weekend to see if they can make an exception (since I have a long history with them). To add to the insult, I can't get their 'live chat' option to work. I just sent them an email explaining why they have just lost a sale and will soon lose a customer.

In the meanwhile, I have disconnected my wired router and found that when I run an internet speedtest (www.speedtest.net or www.speakeasy.net) my computers went from 4-6M down and 2.1 up, to just over 10M down and 2.1 to 2.9 up. But, my internet problems persist (lost connections a few times a day). When I lose my connection, I have found that unplugging and replugging in the wireless router fixes the problem. So, while I can't figure out why I was having the problem before (when I was using the wired router) and now am still having a problem (when I am using the wireless router), I am pretty confident that it is time for a new router.

When I think about all of the money I have spent on PC upgrades for the 4 PC's in my house in the past few years, I realize that I really haven't spent anything on routers for years. I'll spend the $60 and see what happens. I'm guessing I'm overdue.

-Thanks, Ken

Interesting - you don't have a debit card (linked to your checking account)? It can be used to buy things online just the same as a credit card - in the fact the transaction will even be processed like a credit (non-PIN) transaction - it will just debit your checking account, and it has the same protections as a credit card with the same logo (Visa or Mastercard).

Edit: and I think your throughput issue was due to having a router downstream from another router, serving two LANs which divides the bandwidth. I'm not sure the person who initially setup your network meant to do this for some reason or simply didn't know what they were doing, but I see no reason to create different LANs for wired and wireless for home use. If providing guest WiFi access separate from your personal network is the case then that is a feature provided by DD-WRT and in the factory firmware of some newer wireless routers.

 

[deadken]

Interesting - you don't have a debit card (linked to your checking account)? It can be used to buy things online just the same as a credit card - in the fact the transaction will even be processed like a credit (non-PIN) transaction - it will just debit your checking account, and it has the same protections as a credit card with the same logo (Visa or Mastercard).

Edit: and I think your throughput issue was due to having a router downstream from another router, serving two LANs which divides the bandwidth. I'm not sure the person who initially setup your network meant to do this for some reason or simply didn't know what they were doing, but I see no reason to create different LANs for wired and wireless for home use. If providing guest WiFi access separate from your personal network is the case then that is a feature provided by DD-WRT and in the factory firmware of some newer wireless routers.

I do have a debit card, and literally last week they sent me a new one with a Mastercard logo on it. I have been debating whether I will request a plain one or not. I have been enjoying being required to live within my means. I have been asking my friends how happy they are with their CC company and most say 'they are all the same'. I used to like Citibank Visa, but after going through a 'bunch-of-bull' with them, I am done with them. I never carried a balance from month to month. Maybe, I might have accidentally had a late payment every 2 or 4 years apart. I went as far as to request that they lower my limit and cap it, saying that if I ever needed more then that, I'd call and ask them to raise it. Well, they jerked me around for months and months over a fraudulent charge (one in which they called me to ask if I made a $1,500 purchase) and so I never renewed my card. I'll eventually get a card for emergencies, but I don't think I will go back to using a card daily, after not using one for over a year. Frankly, I hate the idea of Paypal having any more information about me and my finances then they already have.


Anyways, I bought the Buffalo at MicroCenter (they pricematched Newegg), and I have it all set up. I am now getting 17M to 20+M downloads. I haven't seen more then 2.1 upload though (I asked my son about the 2.9 Upload, and he said it was 2.09). Whatever made the difference I am glad! As long as I am not getting disconnected, I am happy.

Thanks for all of the help and the ROCK SOLID suggestion for this Buffalo Router. Hopefully, it will last me as long as my Netgear Routers did!

-Ken

 

[Boztech]

I do have a debit card, and literally last week they sent me a new one with a Mastercard logo on it.

You know you can use that for online purchases too, right? As long as it has the Visa/Mastercard logo, when you checkout just fill in the card number and expiration date from your debit card. It runs as a credit transaction, but it just debits your checking account.