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suggestions for upgrading wireless to N

M

merk

Senior member
Hi all.i was wondering if anyone could offer suggestions for a decent wireless N router(s).

I currently have two G routers at home, one acting as a bridge. I want to replace both of those with N. So I need one to act as a router and another to act as a bridge. Both of them have been flashed to run dd-wrt. I was considering replacing them with N routers that will also run DD-wrt but i had another idea:What if i dont install ddwrt on the N stuff?

What if i keep using my current router (which has ddwrt on it), turn off the wireless on that, and then pick up two N bridges (or routers and turn off DHCP) and plug one of them into the gb switch?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833156232 N bridge $45
Would two of those work?

Here's what my current network looks like:
cable modem
4 port wireless router running dd-wrt
8 port gigabit switch
4 port wireless router acting as bridge running dd-wrt

I'm asking if changing it to this would work:

cable modem
4 port wireless G running dd-wrt
8 port gigabit switch
4 port wireless N router/bridge
4 port wireless N router/bridge

I'd turn off the wireless on the G router running ddwrt, plug in one of the N routers into the switch, and the other N router can go sit in my living room. Would that setup work? And of course i still want to keep it secure (using WPA right now).


My PC's are plugged into the switch, which in turn is plugged into the router. PS3/Directv is connected to the wireless bridge. The end result i want is faster speeds between the PS3/Directv and the network (current network cant handle streaming from directv). So i want to upgrade to N. Can anyone offer suggestions as to how to accomplish this reliably and not too expensively? If i don't need to install dd-wrt on the N stuff, that increases my options. I looked on newegg (of course) but there dont seem to be any N routers that got more then 3 eggs unless i'm willing to spend $150 or more. Since i need to buy two, i'd really like to try and keep the price down. I don't mind something with less then 4 eggs, as long as it's reliable and works. Although it would be nice if it had good reviews 🙂

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833156232 N bridge $45
Would two of those work?

thanks
 
thanks, i did see that post, but after skimming through it, it seemed more of a debate/discussion as to the merits and worth of upgrading to N or sticking with G and advertising practices. Was there something i missed in there which actually suggested some reliable routers (or if i could use a bridge as i asked about) ?

thanks
 
I think that device is just an AP and not a Bridge and will not work. Other then DD-WRT supported N routers, I don't think I have seen and N devices that work as a bridge.
 
I guess i am confused - what's the difference between an AP and a bridge then? i thought they were basically the same? Their little demo even says you just plug it into an existing wired or wireless router to expand range/upgrade to N. So i thought this would do exactly what i needed - convert my G wireless network to N.

What am i a confused on?

thanks
 
Running a long LAN cable is the best option from a performance and security standpoint. You or your SO might disagree for other reasons.

There are some draft-n wireless bridges, but that TrendNet isn't one of them.

E.g. the D-Link DAP-1522, and the Linksys WET610N. Netgear also has a 5 GHz-only bridge/AP that some people like.

If you live in a crowded area, and don't have much of a challenge in distance or obstructions, 5 GHz is the way to go (if not wired). I like simultaneous dual-band capability on the main router / AP for the greatest flexibility, as I happen to be in exactly the sort of environment which benefits from 5 GHz and doesn't suffer the penalties -- very crowded 2.4 GHz neighborhood, and not very long / challenging runs from AP to client. 2.4 GHz is important for legacy / wider compatibility. Of course, you could keep the existing wireless on for that purpose.

The Linksys WRT400N might be a good choice for the main AP once it's out in the field: http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30775/96/ DD-WRT support for it is pie-in-the-sky at the moment as DD-WRT isn't even fully baked-in on the older Broadcom-based WRT610N.
 
Originally posted by: ccbadd
I don't think I have seen and N devices that work as a bridge.
Click to expand...

You are right, there is No Bridge or any other Network Device beside straight Router and Client cards.


As an Expert in the Draft do you know Why?
 
Originally posted by: ccbadd
I think that device is just an AP and not a Bridge and will not work. Other then DD-WRT supported N routers, I don't think I have seen and N devices that work as a bridge.
Click to expand...

Take a peek at the Dlink DAP-1522 I have a friend using this and he said it's been working very well for him. Very small and has a built in 4 port gigabit switch (though obviously not gigabit over wireless)
 
Originally posted by: merk
I guess i am confused - what's the difference between an AP and a bridge then? i thought they were basically the same? Their little demo even says you just plug it into an existing wired or wireless router to expand range/upgrade to N. So i thought this would do exactly what i needed - convert my G wireless network to N.

What am i a confused on?

thanks
Click to expand...

http://www.ezlan.net/APvsRoute.html

Wireless Modes - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Modes.html
 
Access points you plug into an existing Wired network to add wireless connectivity. A wireless bridge lets you connect two Wired networks using a wireless network.

As Kevnich2 said, there is the DAP-1522.
http://dlink.com/products/?pid=663

I've been using one for about 6 months now. My network consists of:

FIOS comes into the kitchen into my DLink DIR-655. I have my Media Center PC and Vonage box there. Up stairs is where I have most of my computers. I have my DAP-1522 talking to my my DIR-655 and my Main PC, Testing PC, Laptop and HP Windows Home Server all attached to the Gigabit DAP-1522.
 
hmm, ok so I was a little clueless when it comes to understanding a bridge vs an AP. So it sounds like i just wasted my money when i ordered 2 of these then:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00134LUE2

I thought i'd be able to plug one of those into each of the two routers i have now and have them both speaking using N.

If i cant use those, the dap one is a bit pricier then i was hoping to spend since i'd have to get 2 of them.
what about this:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00126R3P6/
$100 is closer to what i wanted to spend on this.

If i cant do this for less then $100, then i'll probably reconsider running ethernet cable.

thanks for the info/advice from everyone.
 
merk, you can try to pick up a couple of motorola NIM-100's and use your existing RG-6 instead of wireless bridges. I have only been able to find them on ebay, but they are faster and more reliable the WIFI IMO.
 
Originally posted by: merk
hmm, ok so I was a little clueless when it comes to understanding a bridge vs an AP. So it sounds like i just wasted my money when i ordered 2 of these then:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00134LUE2

I thought i'd be able to plug one of those into each of the two routers i have now and have them both speaking using N.

If i cant use those, the dap one is a bit pricier then i was hoping to spend since i'd have to get 2 of them.
what about this:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00126R3P6/
$100 is closer to what i wanted to spend on this.

If i cant do this for less then $100, then i'll probably reconsider running ethernet cable.

thanks for the info/advice from everyone.
Click to expand...

I haven't used the Netgear stuff you linked but it should do the trick for you. Just attach one to your router and put the second where you seconded wired network is to bridge them together.
 
ccbadd: the nim100 looks like it's used with the FIOS service - i'm not sure how i'd use that here - does it use coax instead of ethernet?
griffin: cool - then maybe i'm not quite as clueless as i thought 🙂 they should be arriving tomorrow so i'll give them a try then.
 
Originally posted by: merk
hmm, ok so I was a little clueless when it comes to understanding a bridge vs an AP. So it sounds like i just wasted my money when i ordered 2 of these then:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00134LUE2

I thought i'd be able to plug one of those into each of the two routers i have now and have them both speaking using N.

If i cant use those, the dap one is a bit pricier then i was hoping to spend since i'd have to get 2 of them.
what about this:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00126R3P6/
$100 is closer to what i wanted to spend on this.

If i cant do this for less then $100, then i'll probably reconsider running ethernet cable.

thanks for the info/advice from everyone.
Click to expand...

This would work, one would act as an access point and the other as a bridge. You could also just get a WNHDE111 as your AP and then get the DAP-1522 as your bridge (it's much smaller and would serve the same purpose)
 
Originally posted by: merk
ccbadd: the nim100 looks like it's used with the FIOS service - i'm not sure how i'd use that here - does it use coax instead of ethernet?
griffin: cool - then maybe i'm not quite as clueless as i thought 🙂 they should be arriving tomorrow so i'll give them a try then.
Click to expand...

Verizon does use them for FIOS, but you can use it with other equipment. It gives you an Ethernet port and connects to you coax and uses a frequency not used by cable operators or broadcasters. Bandwidth with 270mbs theoretical, but results are very close to 100baseT. Here is there FAQ: http://www.mocalliance.org/en/aboutus/faq.asp#1

 
Originally posted by: kevnich2
This would work, one would act as an access point and the other as a bridge. You could also just get a WNHDE111 as your AP and then get the DAP-1522 as your bridge (it's much smaller and would serve the same purpose)
Click to expand...

Why wouldn't i just use two of the WNHDE111 ? Just asking because it would actually cost me more to buy the WNHDE111 and a dap1522 then just to buy two wnhde111.

Since i already ordered those two of these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00134LUE2

I'll give them a try and if they dont work for some reason I'll consider the WNHDE111 since i just noticed i can pick up refurbished models for less even then the two trendnet ap's i ordered.
 
Originally posted by: merk
Originally posted by: kevnich2
This would work, one would act as an access point and the other as a bridge. You could also just get a WNHDE111 as your AP and then get the DAP-1522 as your bridge (it's much smaller and would serve the same purpose)
Click to expand...

Why wouldn't i just use two of the WNHDE111 ? Just asking because it would actually cost me more to buy the WNHDE111 and a dap1522 then just to buy two wnhde111.

Since i already ordered those two of these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00134LUE2

I'll give them a try and if they dont work for some reason I'll consider the WNHDE111 since i just noticed i can pick up refurbished models for less even then the two trendnet ap's i ordered.
Click to expand...

You COULD. I stated that the reason to use the DAP-1522 was because it was physically smaller but yes, the wnhde111 can work in AP and bridge mode just fine
 
ah ok, sorry i didn't catch that bit. Considering the price difference I'd go with the bigger model since the refurb wnhde111 sells for less then $40. That appeals to my cheap bone too much 🙂
 
hey folks,
i got the two trendnet tew-637ap's but i'm having some problems getting it working.
I'm not sure if i have configured them correctly. I'm going on the assumption that i can turn off the wireless radio in my two pre-existing routers. I figure that's also a good way to tell if its working. I believe one of them needs to be in bridge mode (and one of my two existing routers is set to bridge mode, the other is in AP mode) - if so, i think i might be out of luck:
http://www.trendnet.com/suppor...questId=1689&catId=543

According to that, the AP model doesn't support bridge mode.

The options for the trendnet under wireless that i'm not too sure about:
AP-client support - enabled or disabled and if i select enabled i have the option to put in the AP mac address

There's also a section called HT Physical mode and under there operating mode with a choice of mixed or green (set to green)
channel bandwidth: 20 or 20/40 (set to 20)
guard interval: long or auto (set to auto)
MCS: set to auto
reverse direction grant: enable or disable (set to enable)

can anyone offer some advice as to how i should configure all this? (or let me know if i bought something i cant use)
 
The emulator shows WDS support. You could try that, but WDS repeating has a performance penalty which would probably leave you no better off than with standard-g.

Before you worry about performance though, you'd have to get it working. Set them up with different IPs, enable WDS on both ends, enter the respective MAC addresses, and disable security altogether until you have a link established.
 
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