Belkin 54G Wireless router or Netgear WGR614?

[andyjz]

I have both but don't know which one I should take out of the box and use. I have SBC DSL and a SpeedStream 5100 DSL modem. Any suggestions?

 

[JackMDS]

The Belkin 54g is probably a WDS capable unit.

If you plan to return or get rid of the second Router and the Belkin is WDS, keep the Belkin.

If you are going to keep both of them, use the Netgear, and keep the Belkin as a Very Good to have around unit, because it is WDS.

In general there are no performance differences between them; the Netgear is a more durable hardware

Hey Jack what is WDS?

WDS = Wireless Distribution System.

Link: Wireless Network - Configuration Modes.

:sun:

 

[andyjz]

Questions:

WDS "These features allow you to build a completely wireless infrastructure
because the network equipment no longer has to be connected to a wired
LAN. Also, WDS features allow you to create large wireless networks by
linking several wireless access points with WDS links."

1. Isn't WDS basically a repeater?

2. I was under the impression that I could already create a network without a wired LAN if all my computers have wireless adapters. The only hard connection required would be from the modem to the router?

 

[JackMDS]

WDS is Repeater and More.

You do not have to use it as a Repeater, you ask which one to keep and I gave you the General Pro and Con.

:sun:

 

[skyking]

with WDS, you can get a second unit and put it at the other end of the house, within range of the first. Set up WDS. Get a third unit, put it in the shop. So on, so forth. They talk to each other.
Now your laptop can connect totally seamlessly anywhere from the front of the house, to the shop. It will keep the same IP address. It will always be able to connect to any computer on your network, regardless of which access point it is "connecting to" at the time. You can also use the wired ports on those remote routers to connect other wired computers.
The caveat:
It shares the transmission bandwidth. If you have a good connection at 36 Mbps, you will get half that between the laptop and a computer hooked to the router. The other half is used getting your traffic across the Wireless Distribution System.
For surfing the net, this is totally unimportant. For moving large files across the LAN, It will make a difference.