Networks ADSL Wi Fi Kit - Recommendations - Please :)

Hi all - I've been think about going wireless for a while... I'm on adsl and would really prefer to get it all in one box (i.e. modem, router, wi-fi) unless separates can provide a cheaper route?

I've been looking at the D-Link DSL-604+. I know it's not the latest spec stuff but it does have this Airplus which is supposed to acheieve speeds of 22mbps (if you use all airplus kit)....

I don't really need the most blistering network performance but still want to do some gaming so latency is really the biggest issue but I don't know if this varies from product to product.

Also with this sort of all in one wireless router thing can you run more than one wireless device off it at a time? Perhaps a syupid question but I just want to be sure before I buy.

Any suggestions for other decent and semi cheap wireless gear would be gladly accepted

 

I am running on 802.11g and i have to say it's a thousand times better than b or a. I had both a and b before, and not only speed, but reliability with g seems to me, to be better than the others. I would also have to suggest D-Link. D-Link EVERYTHING. Linksys has mega probs with win98 sometimes

 

I have very little experience with wireless, so I'm not going to try to advise you there. I just had to pop on and defend Linksys. I have a Linksys router and have had almost zero problems with it ever since taking it out of the box over two years ago. Thats running it everyday, 24/7 and with OS's like Win98, Linux, and XP.

I would recommend that, no matter what brand you end up going with, stick to that brand for all of the devices.

 

I went through 2 of those crap linksys 4 ports, and one wireless g card from them. i dont trust their crap.

 

From discussions about DLink and Linksys that have occured here before, I think you'll find that there are plenty of people that would back me up about Linksys quality.

I'm sorry you've had problems with them. I just never have.

 

OK, so are there any recommendations of actual kit?

 

If you want wireless G, I doubt you'll be able to find an all-in-one solution (modem/router/wireless).

I ended up getting the X-Modem and Buffalo G54 as this is the only combination which supported all of my needs.
Some websites will tell you that the D-Link modem works with the Buffalo G54, this is complete BS. D-Link have refused to update their firmware so that it will work with the G54.

So far this little lot has never failed me.

 

How much will that little lot set me back, if you don't mind me asking...

How much stuff do you run off it?

 

Buffalo G54 Wireless Router (with PC-Card for lappy) - £140inc. Ebuyer
X-Modem - £70inc ADSLNation

With that little lot I run 4 wired devices (G54 has 4 ports) - Main PC, Xbox, Print Server and soon-to-arrive file server. Probably add a switch in the near future.

Wireless, I only run 1 computer at the moment (Sony Lappy).

Hope that helps.

 

I already have an adsl router... would i have to just use a wireless access point rather than a router if I wanted to just add it on to this?

Also do standalone wireless access points just support one device each?

Many thanks

 

You can use either one in this situation, sometimes the WAP/routers go on sale for a lot cheaper than just the standalone WAP's.

Depends on the device itself... most Linksys WAP's support up to 32 concurrent wireless connections. Dlink (and Cisco's if memory serves me right) is something like 64 concurrent.

Best advice would be to stay as far away from SMC's Barricade WAP as possible, junk junk junk... doesn't even support MAC filtering. Got one for $20, waste of a good 20. I agree with the others about matching all one maufacturer equip. if possible, except for pcm/cia cards... Orinoco Gold is the only way to fly, same price as the others but its one of the few out there with an external antenna connector that has many advantages and "other uses". Like checking the range of your WAP......yeah that's what they're good for....

 

dakar, I am just wondering how the singnals are routed if you have more than one device on a wap that is running off on port of a router?

Also if I like a standard router and wireless router together using an up link they will both just work?