Seeking an experienced opinion from a networking enthusiast regarding wireless routers

[Trizik]

My network generally hosts at least 10 active clients at any given time. All are wireless except one and an occasional two, which are wired. The wireless clients are stationed 10 to 200 feet from the router. The primary purpose of the network is public internet access.

I'm currently using a Linksys WRT54GX2 v1.01.18 (latest firmware) router for this network. While the range is excellent, speed can be very slow especially in the early evenings when internet demand peaks. Internet bandwidth is not the problem because accessing the router locally is also very, very slow.

I believe the issue is simple: My network is too large for this router.

Long story short, I would like your personal recommendation for a fast, long-ranged wireless internet router that can handle the demand from ~10 simultaneous wireless clients. Cost is not too important, but 802.11g compatibility is a must. I'm considering the Netgear WPNT834 RangeMax 240 or Belkin Wireless Pre-N - any thoughts on these routers?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Goosemaster]

Just use multiple access points and a single router.....also layoff the bitorrent.

 

[spidey07]

10 clients on a single access point is pushing capacity, espeicall if there are 802.11b clients on it.

Best to use mutliple access points.

 

[JackMDS]

And the year is 2012.

Recent in the news, a Magic Wireless Access Point that complies with the new standard 802.11Z is finally out. It can serve over 10 clients and cover large space with No additional Hardware for about $100.

Right now 2007 No magic.

The preN (MIMO) means, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#MIMO

I.e. they would not help and cost a lot.

So, get Good High power unit and two or three WDS units, load a laptop with Netstumbler do your own Signal propagation experiment, and wait patiently to 2012 for a Magic.

g=good. MIMO(currently)= Magic Is Momentary Only

One Example for in expensive hardware that works well with any 802.11g.

Router with High Power Output for Extra Wireless range,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162134

Similar Router for regular use,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162173

High Power Card Bus, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162128

 

[Trizik]

Thanks for the replies.

The problem is that I don't have control over the connecting clients and most of them aren't comfortable configuring advanced settings. Performance is very important, but the network must also be user-friendly in terms of accessibility and compatibility. The router is setup to broadcast a WEP-protected SSID so that when a client's wireless adapter picks it up, he or she simply enters the password to connect and that's it. WPA is disabled and 802.11b is enabled because I read that older technology isn't compatible otherwise.

OK, suppose I have a wireless modem and two wireless routers to support this network...

Questions:

1) Should each have its own DHCP server? Or should only the routers have their own DHCP servers? Or should only one router have a DHCP server while the other router acts as an access point? Or should the modem and one of the routers have their own DHCP servers while the other router acts as an access point?

2) Can/should they all use the same channel or different channels?

3) If the modem and one router only allow 802.11g while the other router allows 802.11g + 802.11b, will the performance of the entire network be affected? Or will only the router that allows 802.11b be affected?

 

[JackMDS]

Main Routers does the Routing and the DHCP, the secondary Routers should be transparent.

If the Routers are not connected to the main Router with a Wire, it should be capable to configure as WDS.

Newer Routers that can do WDS would not be affected by 802.11b Clients.

 

[Trizik]

I see. So, since my modem has DHCP, would it make sense to use it as the router while the other two routers act as access points?

Also, is it OK to do ROUTER -- wire -- AP -- wire -- AP? Or must the APs be wired directly to the router?

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Trizik
Also, is it OK to do ROUTER -- wire -- AP -- wire -- AP? Or must the APs be wired directly to the router?

It is Ok if there is a port for a second wire.

If the addtional APs are Wireless Router this might help, Using a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point

 

[T3C]

Originally posted by: Trizik
My network generally hosts at least 10 active clients at any given time. All are wireless except one and an occasional two, which are wired. The wireless clients are stationed 10 to 200 feet from the router. The primary purpose of the network is public internet access.

I'm currently using a Linksys WRT54GX2 v1.01.18 (latest firmware) router for this network. While the range is excellent, speed can be very slow especially in the early evenings when internet demand peaks. Internet bandwidth is not the problem because accessing the router locally is also very, very slow.

I believe the issue is simple: My network is too large for this router.

Long story short, I would like your personal recommendation for a fast, long-ranged wireless internet router that can handle the demand from ~10 simultaneous wireless clients. Cost is not too important, but 802.11g compatibility is a must. I'm considering the Netgear WPNT834 RangeMax 240 or Belkin Wireless Pre-N - any thoughts on these routers?

Thanks in advance.

Look into a MikroTik RB532

 

[cmetz]

Trizik, if cost isn't too important, consider the Cisco 1100 access points. They're pretty much the best you can get.

Then use an outboard router/PAT device.

You could also consider the 1800 ISR model with built-in wireless.

If cost is important, consider Proxim or some of the other enterprise vendors.

It sounds like you've outgrown SOHO gear.

 

[nweaver]

I haven't used the 1100 series, but the 1200's are nice. You might be able to setup a backhaul on A band and front end AP on the G band.

 

[Trizik]

cmetz, would you please briefly summarize the setup for such a network?

I'm guessing something like this:

internet modem<->ethernet cable<->router with DHCP<->ethernet cable<->Cisco 1100 AP

Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks!

 

[cmetz]

Trizik, yes, you've got it. Other upside is that your AP can be wherever it makes most sense for the wireless.

You might need to get a better router than a SOHO unit, if your users are doing a lot of heavy traffic (e.g. P2P).

nweaver, the 1100 series is basically a smaller, cheaper 1200. I found in practice that they have just as good a RF performance in your normal indoor office building kind of environment (in practice, you either have good signal or lousy signal, and that depends on whether concrete/steel stuff is between you and the AP; so an AP with better antennas and such won't make that big of a difference). I typically use the cost savings of the 1100 vs. the 1200 and put more of them on a floor. The 1200 is better if you know you need an outboard antenna for a particular reason, such as going long distances on a uni.

Search for the AIR-AP1121G-A-K9. Should run you about $400.