Seeking some networking advice

[TheAdvocate]

Current setup:

- Good ol' Linksys WRT54G. It's old. I cant even remember when I bought it. Running on stock/likely outdated firmware.
- PC hardwired - have a laptop and an ancient imac wirelessly connected.
- Paying TWC for an all in one modem (including telephone)
- Have a smart TV & blu ray player downstairs, opposite end of house, without wireless connectivity (been thinking about trying to get this on the network)
- Have a roku HD - not usable downstairs - too much stutter on the wifi connection - weak signal.

TWC is now charging for modems, so it may be a good time to buy one. Looking at this one: http://moto.arrisi.com/Video-Soluti...-Gateways-and-eMTAs/Cable-Modems/SB6141-US-EN

Also have been looking at one of those Buffalo wi fi routers - preferably a dual band/extended range one.

Might add on one of the telephone boxes (e.g. ooma).

What's stopping from jumping in is the setup. I'm too busy to fuss with tons of setup headaches. I really need something virtually idiot proof out of the box. Plus, my linksys has been rock solid stable for years, albeit dated tech with limited range. I have lots of custom settings including port forwarding, etc on the linksys that I did so long ago that I have forgotten them - and I wonder how much of a PITA it'll be to duplicate them on the new gear.

Basically, I wanna update and extend my range and security with as little hassle as possible. I'll pay a little bit of a premium for less hassle.

Thanks in advance for advice.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Honestly pretty much all consumer routers are idiot proof and easy to set up these days. I upgrade to the ASUS n66 from a wrt54g and the difference in my network performance was immediately noticeable. The wrt54g was throttling my internet speeds because it's connection to the WAN was limited by it's ancient hardware. The ASUS also has ridiculous range and a laundry list of other great features for a router.

 

[Zargon]

that modem is great cant go wrong with it

 

[JackMDS]

I would be careful about replacing TWC Telephony Modem.

1. It takes long time to Re-coupe the cost by saving on the Modem Rent.

2. By the time its evens out you might need some thing else.

3. If there is Trouble in the se4rvice, TWC will tell you that according to their computers every thing is OK on their side and will refuse to provide local service service because it is not any more their hardware.

In other words the need to do replacement his more "Psychological" than providing any functional and real financial benefits.

 

[TheAdvocate]

Honestly pretty much all consumer routers are idiot proof and easy to set up these days. I upgrade to the ASUS n66 from a wrt54g and the difference in my network performance was immediately noticeable. The wrt54g was throttling my internet speeds because it's connection to the WAN was limited by it's ancient hardware. The ASUS also has ridiculous range and a laundry list of other great features for a router.

To be clear, you're talking about wireless (only) speeds being throttled, correct? It would seem to me the router isnt going to affect my hardwired speed.

And JackMDS - that's my worry. I also dont know how much of a PITA it is to setup telephone service on another modem. I think I may have read somewhere that I'd need some kind of add-on?

I dont want to replace functioning hardware just to do it. If I'm not going to experience noticeable performance gains (i.e. the roku suddenly works downstairs), then I'm not going to bother.

 

[JackMDS]

If I'm not going to experience noticeable performance gains (i.e. the roku suddenly works downstairs), then I'm not going to bother.

In the past ISPs used less control with software on the Servers and kind of left it to the Modems.

Currently the Modem capacity (unless the Modem is a real "crappolla") really does not matter much since the Traffic flow is controlled by the ISP distribution servers.

My TWC service is objectively capable to deliver a download of 3MB/sec. (B=Byte).

Does not natter what DOCSIS I would use, few minutes into large Download they throttler it to about 1 to 1.2 MB/sec. and it stays this way during the duration of the download.