rivethead
Platinum Member
Hi. Let me start off by saying I don't know a whole helluva lot about networking.
I'm hoping those of you with more knowledge will be kind enough to offer some advice that will help me upgrade the speed and strength of the network in my home.
Here's what I have:
I have a 3 year old house in Austin, TX with AT&T DSL (Elite...up to 6mbps...the fastest they can offer) coming into the house. Yes, I'd like to get something faster but unfortunately my family is pretty attached to their @sbcglobal.net email accounts.
From there the signal goes into a SpeedStream 5000 DSL modem. And then to an Ooma Hub for VOIP home telephone service. And then to a Buffalo WHR-G54S router ( http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16833162173 ). I'm using the stock firmware/software in the router as it's designed for dummies like me. I've heard that other firmwares are better "DDRT? Tomato?", but haven't messed with those.
From there I have it going through a wired powerline network adapter upstairs to an Xbox 360 (I wanted to avoid or reduce the dreaded "lag" as my kid plays a lot of FPS game online).
The wireless signal is used to provide internet to a Wii about 30 feet away (through three walls though) and various laptops throughout the house.
My issue is the wireless signal. It sucks. The Wii is frequently unable to connect to the wireless router. Just sitting 30 feet from the wireless router, the laptops usually only get one, maybe two bars.
I a perfect world, I would like to get rid of DSL and covert all the phone jacks in the house to CAT5 jacks and rely more on wired connections. But for the moment I'm stuck with DSL. Regardless, the signal strength of my wireless router sucks and would still suck even if I did that.
Questions:
1) Can you recommend a better, more powerful router (under $100 would be great)?
2) Do you have any recommendations for improving the overall "design" of the network? Other products I should consider?
Thanks!
I'm hoping those of you with more knowledge will be kind enough to offer some advice that will help me upgrade the speed and strength of the network in my home.
Here's what I have:
I have a 3 year old house in Austin, TX with AT&T DSL (Elite...up to 6mbps...the fastest they can offer) coming into the house. Yes, I'd like to get something faster but unfortunately my family is pretty attached to their @sbcglobal.net email accounts.
From there the signal goes into a SpeedStream 5000 DSL modem. And then to an Ooma Hub for VOIP home telephone service. And then to a Buffalo WHR-G54S router ( http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16833162173 ). I'm using the stock firmware/software in the router as it's designed for dummies like me. I've heard that other firmwares are better "DDRT? Tomato?", but haven't messed with those.
From there I have it going through a wired powerline network adapter upstairs to an Xbox 360 (I wanted to avoid or reduce the dreaded "lag" as my kid plays a lot of FPS game online).
The wireless signal is used to provide internet to a Wii about 30 feet away (through three walls though) and various laptops throughout the house.
My issue is the wireless signal. It sucks. The Wii is frequently unable to connect to the wireless router. Just sitting 30 feet from the wireless router, the laptops usually only get one, maybe two bars.
I a perfect world, I would like to get rid of DSL and covert all the phone jacks in the house to CAT5 jacks and rely more on wired connections. But for the moment I'm stuck with DSL. Regardless, the signal strength of my wireless router sucks and would still suck even if I did that.
Questions:
1) Can you recommend a better, more powerful router (under $100 would be great)?
2) Do you have any recommendations for improving the overall "design" of the network? Other products I should consider?
Thanks!
