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Router Advice

RickSmith

Junior Member
I know that you guys most likely get sick of answering this, but I would like advice on what options I should consider for my networking situation.

30Mb Cable connection

2-Level 50 year old house with about 1100 SQ per floor, where the modem and router are both in one corner of the basement (fully underground, no walkout), diagonally opposite of the stairs. (Note: its there because its a direct, un-split line from the house's incoming cable connection, previously this was unmovable because the previous owners dry-walled the basement ceiling so it would not have been easy to wire without a mess, thanks to a water pipe leak a few months ago, much of the ceiling has been opened and this is not as much of an issue anymore).

Using the network at various times are the following:
  • 1 wired desktop
  • 2 wireless desktops
  • 2 wireless laptops (1 when used is connected to a corporate VPN)
  • 1 wireless PS3
  • 1 wireless XBox 360
  • 1 iPad
  • 2 iTouchs
  • 2 Nintendo 3DS
  • 1 Wireless multi-function Network Printer
Additional information that may, or may not, be helpful:
  • Its common for up to 3 of these items to be to be engaged with some form of on-line gaming at the same time. So like the 3 desktops, or 2 desktops and the PS3, etc.
  • The iPad is used to stream lots of video
  • The laptop used on the corporate VPN needs to maintain as high upload speed as possible, my download speed seems to max out what my company allows per connection but I have noticed that any reduction in my upload is very noticeable.
  • Three of the devices are definitely N's, the rest I don't really know, but would just consider to be a mix.
  • Lately, a number of devices seem to 'forget' what it was doing. So things just seem to timeout. For web browsing this is just an annoyance, since reloading will usually do the trick. For others, like gaming and video streaming this can make it unplayable until it stops with the Alzheimer's.
What I am looking for:
  • I would like to keep the budget under $200, but am willing to go over.
  • One that will last. I seem to have the ability to burn/wear them out. I've been though numerous routers over the last 10 years, and every year we seem to add more devices.
  • Be able to handle at least 5 of these devices simultaneously without getting confused (or whatever is going on)
Finally, I am technically proficient (I'm a legacy system programmer), but my networking knowledge is just enough for me to get done what I need. So I guess what I am saying is that I don't have much specific networking knowledge but can (and will) learn what is necessary to meet my goals.

Sorry this is long, but I wanted to give full information. I've been investigating routers and have several in mind, a number of them are from here actually. This research lead me to here and I saw that several people had posed similar questions. So I thought I would as well, just with my specifics just to see if there are some that would be better options for my situation.

Thank you in advance for any help.
 
Im an ASUS fan but reguardless your best bet is going to get those other two desktops wired. (and/or XBox/PS3) With that much giong on wireless it may slow things down to a crawl. Get all of your "N" devices on a separate SSID because the "G's" will slow wireless thruput matched with "N" devices.
 
I have a 30/25 FIOS connection, and I use (besides the primary Verizon router, which takes the coax input) three WNR2000v2 routers with DD-WRT configured in a WDS configuration.

I have one desktop wired (HTPC) directly to my primary WDS router, and then in another room, I have another secondary WDS router connected to a gigabit switch, with two other desktops (and often a third, to work on, etc.), my wired network printer, and eventually, a server. I then have a third WDS router connected wired to another computer in the corner.

I also have a wifi phone, and three laptops/netbooks. Thankfully, I don't have any G-only devices I don't think. (Unsure about my wifi phone.)
 
kbp, I will see about adding some additional wired connections.

I just saw the multiple SSID solution today and while I had read a little about WDS it didn't seem to be some that I needed, but after reading your reply, Larry, I'm thinking that its something I need to investigate.

Thank you both.
 
I doubt that any One Wireless Router will be a solution for such load and large area.

Put a decent Router in the basement and lay two wires one to each floor.

Survey a good location on eack floor install a Wireless Router configured as an Access Point on each floor and enjoy Wireless.

If you do not need Giga switch you can use three of these.

Cisco E2500 refurb. $35 each

http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Ro...-Router_stcVVproductId138177695VVviewprod.htm



😎
 
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