Need a new router for a large house w/ 4 comps

[MrMiyagi]

Long story short....my folks have an old (really early) 802.11b Linksys that isn't working so well any more. My step-mom is annoyed that her internet connection is so sporadic over the last few days she'll pay whatever to get it back. No time for figuring out the bugs with the current setup, she wants me to just go buy some new hardware at BestBuy tomorrow (yah I know its silly but I dont have the time).

I'm having a hard time figuring out why two of their four computers (which happen to be closest to the router) are having such a difficult time while the others are not. It's a big house and they've got like 5 Panasonic 2.4ghz phones around there so....I'm wondering if this is an interference thing or a range issue. So I'm wondering if I should go for the a/b/g thing for a different frequency...or some routers equiped with MIMO that might help (i'm not sure).

 

[sswingle]

I would say the phones are the problem. Especially with 5, I'm sure they are using the same channels as youre wireless network.

 

[MrMiyagi]

That is my inclination as well...now to search at BB for a router with 5 ghz frequency and some extended range/MIMO thing.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: MrMiyagi
That is my inclination as well...now to search at BB for a router with 5 ghz frequency and some extended range/MIMO thing.

Yeah, let me know when you find that. :roll:

 

[MrMiyagi]

Originally posted by: werk

Originally posted by: MrMiyagi
That is my inclination as well...now to search at BB for a router with 5 ghz frequency and some extended range/MIMO thing.

Yeah, let me know when you find that. :roll:

So I take it they don't currently exist...

 

[sswingle]

Replace the phones and be happy.

 

[MrMiyagi]

Now I'm realizing something else...if I decide to go with a router capable of 5.0ghz does that mean I need to buy all new wireless network adapters? Or, can the router spit out 2.4 and 5.0 at the same time? Common sense tells me the former...

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: ScottSwingleComputers
Replace the phones and be happy.

 

[JackMDS]

Yeah these Cool 5.8GHz.

:sun:

 

[MrMiyagi]

Dudes, those phones are expen$ive and it would cost more to replace them than the router and wireless adapters...pending this 5 ghz router idea works.

 

[JackMDS]

802.11a are not sold in big numbers so they are expensive.

All the adapters would need to be change too.

However this is Not really the way to approach the problem. Tell your Step Mom that running and spending money without thinking would Not solve the problem.

You can start by buying for $5 Normal Wire phone @ Radio Shack, and use it for a day instead of the Cordless to make sure that the phones are the Trouble.

There might be other Wireless interference like furniture, appliances, etc. and might be that interferences s will keep hindering you No matter how much money you throw away.

:sun:

 

[freebsdrules]

While it may not be an option, have you looked at all into wiring the house? It may not be the best option in this situation but you cannot beat the reliability that a wired setup would provide.

 

[MrMiyagi]

Well, went with the Netgear WGU624 , its got a+g some "XR Technology" extended range feature (extends from 120 ft to 400 ft.) I figure this should (sorta) kill two birds with one stone.

Oh, and I guess they have 7 of the 2.4ghz corless phones in their house...I got a prompt "no way!" when I suggested they switch that system

 

[ktwebb]

Well unless you bought .11a cards to go in every workstation then the phones are going to still be a problem, if in fact they were a problem originally. Extended range and .11a AP capabilities are irrelevant with 2.4Ghz radios on the client machines. So if you still have problems then it is very likely the phones and you have a couple of choices. replace the phones, or purchase 5 Ghz radios for the client machines. .11a cards use roughtly 5 to 5.3 Ghz radios so you wouldn't have to worry about future telephone upgrades to 5.8 Ghz.

 

[MrMiyagi]

Originally posted by: ktwebb
Well unless you bought .11a cards to go in every workstation then the phones are going to still be a problem, if in fact they were a problem originally. Extended range and .11a AP capabilities are irrelevant with 2.4Ghz radios on the client machines. So if you still have problems then it is very likely the phones and you have a couple of choices. replace the phones, or purchase 5 Ghz radios for the client machines. .11a cards use roughtly 5 to 5.3 Ghz radios so you wouldn't have to worry about future telephone upgrades to 5.8 Ghz.

Actually on the box they show standard 802.11g as 120 feet, and their new extended range 802.11g as 400 feet. So, I don't think its .11a that the extended range is solely applicable.

So anyway the WGU624 actually didn't do much...there was still a totally crappy signal at her computer just down the stairs from the router even on the .11a frequency. It kept cutting in and out. Went right away to get the Linksys WRT54GX which uses MIMO. Got a MIMO radio for her computer and now there is a stronger signal and no cutting in and out....yet. All the other computers with .11b radios are still working fine on it.

Now its time to sit back and see if I get any calls....I've got my fingers crossed.