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Which Buffalo router should I get?

S Freud

S Freud

Diamond Member
As the title says I would like to get a new router(Buffalo) and use it as a bridge for networking my 360 to my wireless network.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
 
I was told by another member that I need to get a Buffalo router and use it as a workgroup bridge. He didn't specify any certain one, I have a belkin wireless router I am using right now and my provider is Comcast if that makes any difference.
 
If the Workgroup Bridge is additional to the Belkin, then the Buffalo in the first link in the above post is the One.

If the Buffalo suppose to replace the Belkin, then No more Buffalo the other two Routers are a Good current choice.

Otherwise explain what is that you intend to do (Network topology).
 
What's the advantage of doing this instead of buying the Xbox wireless adapter? I'm honestly curious, because I may want to do something similar.

I live in an apartment, so I can't drill holes in the wall. So I have an ethernet cable running down the length of my place from the office where my media center is to the living room. I'd love to get rid of this cable, but the Xbox wireless adapter wasn't up to the task of handling HD shows (live or recorded), so I returned it.

I even tried Powerline, but that was a huge bust. I have a WRT54GS running DD-WRT as my router, and I have a couple spare WRT54s not being used at the moment.

Thoughts? (sorry for the thread hijack)
 
Well I will try to explain as best I can, though I don't know anything about networking and such.

I've been having trouble trying to play Xbox Live using my Belkin wireless gaming adapter. I have a belkin wireless router for my home wireless network. Lately I could not connect to my secure network on my gaming adapter because of problems with the settings. Another member suggested that I just get a buffalo router and use it as a workgroup bridge. So I'm not exactly sure what I need to get or if I will be keeping or replacing my existing router.
 
Originally posted by: stash
What's the advantage of doing this instead of buying the Xbox wireless adapter? I'm honestly curious, because I may want to do something similar.

I live in an apartment, so I can't drill holes in the wall. So I have an ethernet cable running down the length of my place from the office where my media center is to the living room. I'd love to get rid of this cable, but the Xbox wireless adapter wasn't up to the task of handling HD shows (live or recorded), so I returned it.

I even tried Powerline, but that was a huge bust. I have a WRT54GS running DD-WRT as my router, and I have a couple spare WRT54s not being used at the moment.

Thoughts? (sorry for the thread hijack)
Click to expand...

I am the one that suggested Freud post this thread. He's been having a ton of difficulty getting network connectivity to his Xbox so I recommended he post his topic here with his specific title. I just can't bear another 360 user not have xboxLive funcationality.

Freud has been trying for weeks to get this going.

Can we help him out?
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: stash
What's the advantage of doing this instead of buying the Xbox wireless adapter? I'm honestly curious, because I may want to do something similar.

I live in an apartment, so I can't drill holes in the wall. So I have an ethernet cable running down the length of my place from the office where my media center is to the living room. I'd love to get rid of this cable, but the Xbox wireless adapter wasn't up to the task of handling HD shows (live or recorded), so I returned it.

I even tried Powerline, but that was a huge bust. I have a WRT54GS running DD-WRT as my router, and I have a couple spare WRT54s not being used at the moment.

Thoughts? (sorry for the thread hijack)
Click to expand...

I am the one that suggested Freud post this thread. He's been having a ton of difficulty getting network connectivity to his Xbox so I recommended he post his topic here with his specific title. I just can't bear another 360 user not have xboxLive funcationality.

Freud has been trying for weeks to get this going.

Can we help him out?
Click to expand...

Wow, I just read the thread over in gaming. You guys are making this way more complicated than it should be. Here's what you do.

Step 1: return the Belkin gaming adpater thing.
Step 2: buy the Xbox 360 wireless adapter I linked above.
Step 3: install said adapter.
Step 4: Use Xbox Live.

The Xbox wireless adapter is specifically designed for the 360. You plug it in, configure it through the Xbox and that's it. It supports WEP, and WPA as well as 802.11a/b/g

No bridging needed, and you shouldn't need to disable uPnP (works fine for me).
 
Thanks for the support Spidey07 🙂

STASH, the funny thing is when I first bought the adapter I said "up yours micro$oft, I will not pay $100 for YOUR adapter". Look at me now 🙁

I can't return my adapter because I bought it while visiting my parents, and this was about 3 months ago. I may just bite the bullet and buy the Xbox 360 adapter so I can get my Halo fix.
 
When a Wireless Client (Card) needs to be installed on a Network device that is Not a computer, there is No way to install software drivers.

As a first step (years ago) industry added to Access Points a Client Mode (The Linksys WAP11 had such a mode).

When GameBoxes came out and Wireless connection was desired by consumers, the industry decided to cash on the need for Driverless Wireless cards, and to make it simple started to sell GameBox Wireless Cards and called them Consumer Bridge/GameBox Wireless adapters.

Well the expectation was that since this is Not a real full-grown Access Point it would be inexpensive.

Marketing genius decided differently and they are actually as or more expensive than Access Points.

Access Points, as oppose the the puny plastic GameBox cards, are capable to be configured to Wireless Modes, many time have a stronger Radio, and a replaceable External Antenna.
Overall it a much better designed and capable Wireless Device than the gamebox thingies.
Wireless Modes - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Modes.html

Linksys, Buffalo, as well as few others, for a similar price to game box cards (usually $50 to $80) combined a Client Access Point with a Switch so you can Bridge Wirelessly and plug few wired computers at the remote location connected Wireless to the main Wireless Router.

The Buffalo unit is, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833162168

In addition, when it was discovered that Linksys, Buffalo, Microsoft (when they use to sell them), and few other vendors are using an open source based firmware for their Wireless Router, and that it is possible to replace the firmware with a 3rd party one, an industry of 3rd party open source firmware started to emerge.
The 3rd party providers re-programmed the firmware and added many more features including a capacity to configure the Wireless Routers to work as Clients (GameBox Wireless card) and have the 4 ports switch as well.

Now the fun started. I.e. you could find an inexpensive Wireless Router (or a good used one on eBay), flash it with 3party free firmware, and have a "Wireless Party"

As an example, I have few Buffalo Routers that cost me at the time $29.99 all flashed with DD-WRT firmware and work 10 times better than the double priced regular GameBox Wireless cards.
In wireless terms, it translates to better distance, and faster more stable wireless network connection.

Alas at the moment these cheappos are not on market.
The Buffalo Devices here, http://www.ezlan.net/buffalo.html
Why it is Not currently available here, http://www.buffalotech.com/pre...bout-the-csiro-appeal/

As is the Buffalo motioned before works as Wireless client with a switch.

Otherwise find a deal on any of the hardware that you like and it is mentioned in the following page, download the firmware, Flash and enjoy.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation

Configuration instructions here, http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/ind...p/Client_Mode_Wireless
 
As an example, I have few Buffalo Routers that cost me at the time $29.99 all flashed with DD-WRT firmware and work 10 times better than the double priced regular GameBox Wireless cards.
In wireless terms, it translates to better distance, and faster more stable wireless network connection.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'll give one of my DD-WRT routers a shot. But for simple Xbox Live, the Xbox adapter should work fine. It worked fine for me, it just couldn't handle HD content from my media center. If I had an A router, I'm sure it would've worked fine.

But yeah, the gaming adapters are overpriced. But most people don't care, they don't want or know how to setup a router as a wireless client (including flashing the thing) and they don't want a large box sitting near their xbox (the wireless thing is tiny and snaps on the back).
 
Originally posted by: stash
But yeah, the gaming adapters are overpriced. But most people don't care, they don't want or know how to setup a router as a wireless client (including flashing the thing) and they don't want a large box sitting near their xbox (the wireless thing is tiny and snaps on the back).
Click to expand...

Yap, in general you are right, for most people I would not spend the 25 minutes that it took me to write and set the proper links for my above post in another place.

So happen to be that the majority of the participant in AT Forums (for Good, and Bad) are of the Enthusiasts "Gender". 😉
 
Originally posted by: stash
There's always ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Connect-wi...?hash=item110199467538

Newegg also has it for about $88.
Click to expand...

So you opened the can of worms. In the networking forum. On a guy I was trying so hard to help.

<rant>
you have got to be fucking kidding me. seriously, this has to be a joke? wifi isn't some fucking magic voodoo that requires one to spend 100 bucks to get their 400-500 dollar console to connect and adequately use wifi.

I'm sorry for the slam Stash, but given microsoft's support for wireless and the changing environment in this arena one should not use microsoft's version of wireless. Not from a hardware perspective and most CERTAINLY from a device driver/OS perspective.

WiFi is really simple - got ssid? got encryption? got key and mode? Then there is no problem. This reminds me of trying to convince MS that they should natively support TCP/IP. *oh that's not needed*
 
Now I remember why I don't post much in this particular forum.

No siht it isn't some magic. No shit you don't need to spend 100 bucks. You also shouldn't have set up wireless bridging to play Halo. For what, to save 20 bucks?

If the OP buys the thing on Ebay or Craigslist, he can save money and play Halo. What a concept.

I'm not some fucking sales drone trying to push a product. I don't get any commission for posting this. I'm just providing the simplest, most certain to work out of the box the first time, solution to the problem at hand.

But don't let me stop anyone from providing "help".
 
From what I see, the gaming adapter is a simple client mode wireless bridge, and in principle will be no different from the Buffalo Ethernet Converter or even a Buffalo router flashed with third-party firmware for client bridge support. So, assuming you don't have a defective product, getting a similar product as a replacement would not solve the problem, and you need to understand how it should be set up.

Here's how I'd do the setup.

1. Enable SSID broadcast on the main wireless router and collect its wireless parameters including encryption password. Save these to a file on your computer.
2. Connect your computer directly to the bridge, manually changing the computer's IP as needed.
3. Assign a password to the bridge. Write it down somewhere.
4. Assign the bridge an IP that's compatible but not conflicting within your existing network.
4a. Write this down and tape it to the device.
4b. Re-connect to the bridge, manually changing the computer's IP as needed.
5. Set the bridge's wireless parameters as per (1).
6. Confirm that the bridge connects to the main wireless network system by accessing web through your computer. Some bridges need a good 30s or more to establish connection.
7. Remove manual IP setting from your computer, and re-connect to bridge with dynamic IPs
- e.g. use
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
(If any of this fails, you'll have to go back to a previous step and check your connections/settings. E.g. here you might need to go back to manual IP).
8. Confirm web access again

-- at this point, the bridge works, and should need no further configuration. it should now be a nice, drive-free plug & play device on your network--

9. Disconnect bridge from your computer, and connect it to the XBox.
10. Configure XBox for standard wired LAN connectivity (the bridge knows the wireless settings, not the XBox).
11. Confirm web connectivity through the XBox.
12. Re-connect computer to main network

In theory, you should be able to get support from Belkin for doing much of this, but maybe that's just theory.
 
I have a DLink 655 'gaming' wireless N router.

Before that I had a Linksys WRT54G with a variety of firmwares on it.

I was never able to get the XBOX USB wireless bit working fast enough for HD video from my media center to my XBOX360.

Ultimately I bit the bullet, bought 100 feet of white ethernet CAT6 cabling, and ran wires. XBox 360's media watching experience is now a million times better, and there's never any stuttering or hiccups.

Wireless networking, at least the 'G' type, just doesn't have enough bandwidth for completely and totally reliable HD content (~8GB/hour) with an XBOX 360.
 
Wireless was developed so it would be easy for business people to move with their laptops from one location to the other and perform simple task, like checking email, sync. Calendars etc.

Then Ma/Wife/GF discovered that they can say ?No Wire? in the house

OK so there is No Wire, but why you expect these things to do HTPC interfacing, heavy p2p download, and similar ?piggish? actions?

Actually I know why? Wishful thinking, that and the enjoinmnet of complaining.

===============
P.S. The above is a general expression of feeling and does not address any particular members.
 
Wireless marketing is partly to blame. Standard g is described as "54 Mb/s" -- wow, so that's almost as good as wired 100 Mb/s, right? I thought so myself at one point. In actuality, standard g throughput is around 22 Mb/s at best, and with practical issues of distance, obstruction, and interferences, often much less. But you won't see those figures clearly on marketing documents, and even otherwise technically knowledgeable people are mislead by the marketing and need to come to sites like this to learn about actual performance.

In this view, it's not surprising at all that we see posts here expressing disappointment with wireless performance, and some information being given about actual throughput.. ending with disappointment again, but at least informed disappointment, with the knowledge that in many cases wires are the answer and that wireless marketing a false promise.

It only gets worse with draft n, where they have the gall to promise "300 Mb/s", but typically fail to even hit 100 Mb/s in actual performance. Well, at least the overall performance potential has increased, and it's somewhat understandable that with the already-inflated figures of "108 Mb/s" or "125 Mb/s" that to show relative improvement, they have to increase the marketing figures even higher.

BTW, Buffalo was sued for such an issue, and they settled. I think the industry's leaned some of this lesson and is carefully moving away from the "300 Mb/s" or such claims, but they're still around, and there's potentially still a good chunk of money to be made by the lawyers.
 
Lawyers would fail because that actual data rates are truly 54 Mbs for 802.11G. The confusion is the misunderstanding of how wireless actually works and the difference between data rate and throughput. What is not mentioned is all the other data rates of 802.11 technology that can constantly change depending on environment. 1, 2.5, 5, 11, 24, 38, 48, 54, etc. Protocol overhead and layer2 management frames, etc. It's no different than a 56 Kbs modem in how it is constantly changing.
 
No, the lawyers don't always fail in such cases, at least in part because of the cost and quirks of the US legal system. Cases in point -- the WD and Seagate payouts because of the relatively minor confusions about GiB vs. GB, and more to the point, the Buffalo wireless payout. Lawyers win such cases through settlements and laugh all the way to the bank, regardless of the technical and moral issues.

Some wireless vendors have already learned some of these lessons, and so vendors such as Linksys and D-Link are avoiding putting the lawyer bait "300 Mb/s" figures on their boxes, but some others such as Netgear are still trying to rely on asterisks and footnotes. These didn't work for WD and Seagate, and could as easily fail for Netgear or others.

Legal issues aside, I think it's fair to say that "54 Mb/s" and "300 Mb/s" are misleading for consumers. It's a given that they don't really understand what that means, but in the absence of such understanding, they readily assume that means the same as wired, and then go on to replace decent wired networking with more expensive and unreliable wireless networking for those reasons.
 
I'm sorry to dig up a year old (plus) thread but I'm trying to understand this thread and have some questions.

1) I have a Buffalo Wireless G router that I don't like. It doesn't have a strong signal and I can't connect my laptop to my network when upstairs (the Buffalo router is downstairs).

2) I intend to replace my Buffalo with a Linsys 54G with (hopefully) a better range. I got this Linsys router for my Dad last month and I could connect to a strong single anywhere in his house (router was in the basement) and across the street and two houses down!

3) I have an Xbox 360 that I would like to connect to the network.

4) I'm cheap and would rather not pay the $80 MS wants for the Xbox 360 wireless adapter.

My question: Is an "access point" the same thing as a "client bridge" as discussed in this thread?

What I would like to do is buy the new Linsys, set up the network, take the Buffalo and flip the switch to make it an "Access Point", wire it to the Xbox 360 and then connect to the network.

Will this work? Will I have problems connecting?

I'm a complete noob at wireless networking.

TIA!
 
Which model is the Buffalo router?

Which model and revision is the Linksys?

Details please -- there can be significant differences between models with very similar names or revisions.
 
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