the best damn wifi router money can buy!

[luv2liv]

can anyone suggest 1 for me???

this is what i currently have. and i have to constantly yank the power cord to reset it. coverage has been amazing though.
http://www.amazon.com/Premiertek-POW...erlink+boost+n

i need something super stable because security cams are connected via wifi to it. now i really want something robust. i dont need excellent coverage.

 

[Fardringle]

"The best that money can buy" is a pretty subjective thing. You can spend about $10,000 (or more) and get a large wireless array designed for big corporations and heavy traffic events like conventions, but I'm pretty sure that's not what you had in mind...


What is your actual budget? $50 or less, $50-$100, $100-$200, $200-$500, $500+?
How many (and what type) devices will be connecting?
How much distance/space do you need to cover?
Are there any issues such as interference, thick/metal walls, and lots of wireless signals in your area?

 

[imagoon]

I consider this a good start:

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/Ar...troller-Base-System-network-mana/1563490.aspx

 

[luv2liv]

i meant the best that money can buy for residential

* under $200
* 3 laptops and wifi security cams, 2 desktops
* 3 story brick building, in the middle of the row with other houses
* no known issues with interference, no metal nor thick walls, lots of other wifi network nearby because im in the heart of the city

i can understand interference with wifi for laptops in my house. but i cant understand why that would affect the hard line for desktop. with no internet access for desktop, im forced to yank the router power supply and then internet resumes.

i have secured the router with password but off course, thats not infallible to hackers.

 

[xSauronx]

i had some buffalo units i was really happy with for years, then i upgraded to a netgear unit to get me some wifi n love going on. happy with the netgear, and you can get n/mimo/usb support in them. mine also gave me access to extra web filtering options which is pretty handy.

 

[JackMDS]

http://www.ezlan.net/brouter.html

Or more Humble - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320091

In many cases there is No Magic Wireless Router that can cover whatever One desires.

In such cases multiple APs are needed to provide good Wireless services.

 

[NXIL]

Apple Airport Extreme.

Stable. Works. Set and forget.

Put your wireless router on a small UPS too to make sure the power it gets is clean. This often helps stability.

 

[luv2liv]

ok, i ordered the Asus as suggested.
if that disappoint, i will get the Apple router as last option.

thanks!

 

[JackMDS]

Many people consider having an Airport (or other Apple products) as a Bragging right devices (Yeah, shopping habits compensating for having a real mind).

In know people living in small apartments in Manhattan in which even a No name $10 Wireless Router will provide good service. Yet they are convinced that they have Good Wireless because they are using expensive Airports.

None of the Wireless Router manufacturer produce Wireless chipsets.

There is only 6 manufacturers of Wireless Chipsets and everybody buys from them the core hardware of Wireless devices.

The main differences are in the implantation of the Firmware and Antennae. In the case of the Airport the firmware is build to be a little more accommodating to the Apple's gizmos so it might make Apple's owner a little happier. Otherwise, it is an OK Wireless Router that is way overpriced.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

I would have suggested the all-time reigning champ of consumer-grade wifi routers: Linksys WRT54GL. This would be rock solid stable and reliable, exclusively for the security cams. You could have kept your other router for your computer/internet use.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Also, if you have to constantly reboot your current router, it's probably just overheating. Solve the overheating and you'd probably be just fine.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Many people consider having an Airport (or other Apple products) as a Bragging right devices (Yeah, shopping habits compensating for having a real mind).

In know people living in small apartments in Manhattan in which even a No name $10 Wireless Router will provide good service. Yet they are convinced that they have Good Wireless because they are using expensive Airports.

None of the Wireless Router manufacturer produce Wireless chipsets.

There is only 6 manufacturers of Wireless Chipsets and everybody buys from them the core hardware of Wireless devices.

The main differences are in the implantation of the Firmware and Antennae. In the case of the Airport the firmware is build to be a little more accommodating to the Apple's gizmos so it might make Apple's owner a little happier. Otherwise, it is an OK Wireless Router that is way overpriced.

Bingo, and the N66U is epic, especially if you throw some tomato on it.

 

[JackMDS]

I would have suggested the all-time reigning champ of consumer-grade wifi routers: Linksys WRT54GL. This would be rock solid stable and reliable, exclusively for the security cams. You could have kept your other router for your computer/internet use.

The WRT54G as is is a bellow Mediocre device.

It is "rock solid stable and reliable" when flashed with DD-WRT.

However it is a very old Wireless Router that was Not designed to withstand the current load of many End-User.

Many users have a "Sh**t load" of Wireless devices + Wireless Streaming of Netflix, Pandora, Hulu, and the like. Old style as much as they are "rock solid stable and reliable" can not deliver enough bandwidth for this needs.

If One does have an elaborate Need for Wireless the current solution is Dual Radio Wireless Devices + upgrading Wireless devices that allow it to Dual radio Clients too.

As an Example this USB Wireless is inexpensive Dual Radio that can provide Bandwidth of few hundred Mb/sec. when working to gather with Dual Radio Wireless Router.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833166046

 

[AnonymouseUser]

The WRT54G as is is a bellow Mediocre device.

It is "rock solid stable and reliable" when flashed with DD-WRT.

DD-WRT or not, it is stable and reliable. It's better with DD-WRT, of course, but hardware-wise it's a solid router.

However it is a very old Wireless Router that was Not designed to withstand the current load of many End-User.

Many users have a "Sh**t load" of Wireless devices + Wireless Streaming of Netflix, Pandora, Hulu, and the like. Old style as much as they are "rock solid stable and reliable" can not deliver enough bandwidth for this needs.

Maybe you missed the part where I said "exclusively for the security cams." I highly doubt the security cams would saturate wireless G, unless we are talking a dozen or so. This would leave his other router for his more bandwidth intensive needs, which should be more stable due to reduced workload. Out of pocket cost $50 vs $160 (N66U), needs met. The only problem might be if the PC/DVR needs internet access for remote viewing/uploading, but it could still be done.

 

[Bull Dog]

Re: The RT-N66U.

I agree that it is important to upgrade it to TomatoUSB (Shibby) firmware. The stock Firmware is lackluster.

 

[hometownfl]

How well do you know networking??

For a home or small business, this beast of a router is the best bang for your buck, so long as you know how to configure RouterOS: http://routerboard.com/RB2011UAS-2HnD-IN

 

[luv2liv]

router came today! newegg is fast!

so do i use DD-WRT or tomato firmware? any real difference?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

router came today! newegg is fast!

so do i use DD-WRT or tomato firmware? any real difference?

Try with the default firmware first. If you find it falls short of your needs/desires, then try the third party firmware.

 

[JackMDS]

Try with the default firmware first. If you find it falls short of your needs/desires, then try the third party firmware.

+1

 

[alkemyst]

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com

reviews and specs of all the small business / home devices out there pretty much.

 

[boomhower]

Asus was a good choice. I'm an Apple fanboy but their routers are overpriced and underperform. Personally I'm a Linksys guy when it comes to routers. 64G->610N->E4200. Take a look at the reviews at smallnetbuilder, pretty much the best reviews your going to find.

 

[Rob_63]

I currently have a D link DIR 655 that freezes up after a while of downloading u-torrent, streaming netflix etc.. so this thread caught my interest, and after reading around about the Asus N66U I have one in my shopping cart @ newegg right now along with some more ram.

The room my main rig is in with the modem and router is being turned into a home theater room, so I have decided to move my tower upstairs to a small den. (IOW now I must make it wireless)

So what N adapter would best compliment the Asus N66U for my desktop ?

EDIT: While at smallnetbuilder the Asus RT-AC66U caught my eye and I read many favorable reviews, it looks like it is worth the few dollars extra, so I am going with it now rather than the N66U

 

[adairusmc]

I used to have the N66U (work gave me an Asus AC66U to tinker with), but I use this adapter on both routers and it works great -

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Wireless-.../dp/B005SAKW9G

 

[Rob_63]

I used to have the N66U (work gave me an Asus AC66U to tinker with), but I use this adapter on both routers and it works great -

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Wireless-.../dp/B005SAKW9G

How do you like the AC66U ?

I am going to get the Asus 3 in 1 Access Point/Repeater/Gigabit Ethernet Adapter,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320112 to put on my rig, if it really works as a repeater then it will help in my house (3 story victorian, lots of walls, obstructions, etc..)

and a couple of the USB adapters you linked me to.

thanks!

 

[Insert_Nickname]

http://www.ezlan.net/brouter.htmlOr more Humble - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320091

I'm very interested in why you recommend the RT-N66U over the RT-AC66U. Is there some issue with the AC?. I was thinking about getting the AC myself so input is welcome...