Hi there, Currently looking for a quality but reasonably priced wireless router to compliment my fiber line (50MB/50MB) here in New Zealand. The provider has supplied a modem so I only need the wireless router with an ethernet entry. I will need at least one Gigabit LAN port to attach to my multitasking/gaming desktop and wireless N access for my laptop and my girlfriend's for use around our 2 bedroom flat. The flat is quite small and the walls are not massive so the wireless does not need to have massive range. What I would like however is to have StreamEngine Technology such as this router has: Sitecom WL-308 300N XR Gaming Router (not available in NZ btw !) http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/networking/2008/11/30/sitecom-wireless-gigabit-gaming-router/1 or a similar technology that can prioritize data usage so I can still play online games smoothly or use skype while my gf is downloading or vice versa. What would you guys suggest ?
StreamEngine? That sounds like fancy QoS to me. In that case, any old router will do the trick - well, any new router. I usually recommend Netgear routers - good value, and they do what you tell them. Like the WNDR4000, for example (N750 in some parts). http://www.netgear.com/home/products/wirelessrouters/high-performance/WNDR4000.aspx One step down from that is the WNR3500L (or N300), which lacks the dual band capability (which probably wouldn't be any use to you whatsoever, due to the small wireless coverage needed). http://www.netgear.com/home/products/wirelessrouters/work-and-play/WNR3500L.aspx Both of those routers have Gigabit, Wireless N and will work with your modem. And both also have: Which is what StreamEngine seems to do anyway. Oh, and it has 128MB of flash memory, so you can probably fit a fully featured Linux distro on there! But I would stick to DD-WRT or OpenWRT, for compatibility's sake.
Thanks for the input Rob. I have had netgear networking gear in the past and have indeed always been happy, which I could not say from other manufacturers ! Dual band is indeed probably overkill so the N300 WIRELESS GIGABIT ROUTER (WNR3500L) http://www.netgear.com/home/products/wirelessrouters/work-and-play/WNR3500L.aspx#one looks like a good option. Would the built-in "Jitter-free voice and gaming — Automatic Quality of Service (QoS) for reliable Internet connections " do the same job as third party firmware such as DD-WRT ? Also I have never used third party firmwares before, what value do they add ? And am I right by thinking that they would void the warranty ? So is it really worth it ?
So I have ended up buying Cisco Linksys E2000 router which was on offer at a local shop as I would have had to order the netgear online. The cisco was also on a 30% sale. It has gigabit ethernet and N wirless with selectable 5 or 2ghz band. I have updated the router to the latest cisco firmware (December 2010). I have setup WPA2 security on the wireless. Now... I have just done a speed test directly form the modem on ethernet and I am getting 52MB down/48MB up. Now when I plug into the router on a gigabit port I still get 52 MB down, but only 13.9 MB up !! Is this normal or is this Lynsys router just rubbish ? Wireless is giving me 37 MB down and 13 MB up. Ping is the same 5ms direct on modem, on router or wifi.
If you want to run DD-WRT or some other custom firmware on the router (may be worth a try, you can always revert if you want) then see here. Might be best to try it out before you get the network fully set up, otherwise you just repeat setting up. As far as the upload issue goes - sounds like a dodgy cable between the modem and router. Sometimes the wires inside the cable break, resulting in a loss of speed in one particular direction. If the problem persists, try plugging the router into one of the 'switch' Ethernet ports (aka not the WAN port). Then try connecting again (if your PC cannot get an IP, then this won't work). If it works - there is a problem between the WAN ports and the LAN ports in your router. If not, the switch inside the router may be to blame. Just to verify, try transferring a file to another PC on the LAN. If you get around 100MB/s (Gigabit speeds) then you can be sure that the switch is not to blame. Just to summarize: Change cable between modem and router Try connecting to modem to LAN ports, not WAN port Try transferring a file between two wired PCs (with Gigabit)
The modem only has one ethernet port that has been "activated" of the 4 by my ISP so that is the only one I can use anyway. I have tried switching cables and upload speeds are still at 13MB from the router instead of the 50MB direct from the modem. Tried this from all 4 gigabit ports on the router, same result. Will try the file transfer later in the day. Might just return the router and get the Netgear online otherwise. Traffic prioritizing is all manual on the router anyway rather than automatic on the netgear.
Traffic prioritizing (QoS basically) is dependent on the firmware - so if you can get the upload speed thing worked out then DD-WRT has automatic QoS (but still configurable). Alternatively, get the Netgear - I would still flash it with DD-WRT though.
Have flashed the router with DD-WRT and followed some setting recommendations form their wiki and things are runing at 52MB down and 42MB up ! Night and day. Thanks for the tip.
