Which Wireless Router?

[Balforth]

I've seen a lot of recommendations for the ASUS WL-520gU, and a little talk about the ASUS WL-500g, the latter only being $25 more than the former. I have a large family, with 1 desktop PC, 4 laptops, a PS3, and an iTouch all accessing the router.

Is the WL-500g actually BETTER than the WL-520gU? With the total number of devices connecting, am I better of with the 500?

I also see recommendations for Buffalo high powered routers. Are these merely for high range?

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mc866]

I believe the main difference between the two Asus routers is that the 500g has more internal memory. Both of them will allow you to run DD-WRT or tomato, I have a 520gU with DD-WRT installed and it runs great in bridge mode. I think the reason the 520gU is suggested so strongly is because it's a great router at a very reasonable price that allows you to install open source firmware if you wish. I personally don't know much about the Buffalo router's but have heard good things.

 

[JackMDS]

For the $20 extra I rather get this.

Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833162134

Why? It has Hi Power Amplifier and it provides better, stronger Wireless.

It is laso DD-WRT compatible.

 

[kevnich2]

I have the WL-500G Premium v2 and basically it has 2x more internal memory which translates to less issues if your running a lot of devices or connections. If your looking for a good unit with good wifi, you may want to get two units, the WL-500 G Premium v2 and the WHR-HP-G54 for the wireless. I don't know how the wireless is on the WL-500G as I use a separate unit for wireless (I only use the asus for just a DDWRT router). The WHR-HP-G54 definitely has better wireless though and is worth the extra money.

 

[geokilla]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
For the $20 extra I rather get this.

Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833162134

Why? It has Hi Power Amplifier and it provides better, stronger Wireless.

It is laso DD-WRT compatible.

They're allowed to sell again?

I'd get the ASUS WL-520GU if it's cheaper. Both can run DD-WRT.

 

[Brainonska511]

I love my Asus WL-520GU with Tomato. It works much better than my WRT54Gv8.2 with DD-WRT ever did.

 

[kevnich2]

Originally posted by: geokilla

Originally posted by: JackMDS
For the $20 extra I rather get this.

Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833162134

Why? It has Hi Power Amplifier and it provides better, stronger Wireless.

It is laso DD-WRT compatible.

They're allowed to sell again?

I'd get the ASUS WL-520GU if it's cheaper. Both can run DD-WRT.

The buffalo high power has a built in wireless amplifier = stronger wireless signal

 

[Balforth]

Please keep in mind I'm not necessarily looking for range... I'm specifically looking for something that will handle the high number of devices that I have reliably.

You guys still think the Buffalo over the ASUS routers, or the 520gU over the 500g?

EDIT: I never specified, but the desktop computer is the only device hard wired... the 4 laptops, itouch, and ps3 are all wireless...

 

[kevnich2]

With your specs, I would go with the Asus WL-500G Premium v2 then. The more memory will handle more devices better.

 

[geokilla]

Originally posted by: kevnich2
With your specs, I would go with the Asus WL-500G Premium v2 then. The more memory will handle more devices better.

That only depends on what you use with your router...My WRT54GSv7 doesn't have a lot of memory and flash RAM, yet it handles all my stuff just fine.

 

[Balforth]

ok... obviously the ps3 is used for gaming. The desktop computer and one laptop is also used for gaming. Almost all of them use video/audio streaming/downloading, as well as general web/email usage.

 

[Balforth]

So I'm trying to think of the best way to say this without sounding like an ungrateful jerk I'm really not, I just want to make sure I buy the right thing.

Some people have told me their personal experience with their own router, or that the buffalo router is good because of it's range. While that's all really good information, I'm really looking for something that is going to maintain a high throughput while staying stable with a high number of wireless devices. I'm not concerned about range at this point... if that ever turns out to be an issue, I'll pick up a second one I have 5 kids and a wife and everybody is on their computers all the time... I'm currently under my computer desk resetting my cheapo wireless router all the time, and I'd like to purchase something that I can count on.

I would love to hear sound technical advice given my circumstance/requirements. So far I'm leaning towards the WL-500 G Premium v2 for the extra memory...

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Balforth
I'm currently under my computer desk resetting my cheapo wireless router all the time, and I'd like to purchase something that I can count on.

Well may be you should put the Wireless Router in a metal Box and it would be so guarded that it would never need a Reset.

Of course I am Kidding One should put a Device that base on Signal Propagation high above any Obstructions, and Not under the Desk.

BTW, FWIW the Asus today prices at $59 so there is No if and but any more, the best countable deal is the,

Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833162134

 

[kevnich2]

Honestly, any router that runs DDWRT, shouldn't have to be powered cycled. The more memory will allow you to run more devices and more connections without the memory filling up and either having to reboot the router or wait until the connections are timed out to allow new ones (this is the primary advantage of the WL-500G Premium). It's not that more memory prevents it from locking up or something it just allows a few more connections to be run. Personally I run a LOT through my network, both LAN & WAN. I did run into a few times with the buffalo and the WL-520GU router that after a few months sometimes it would have too many connections (mostly due to torrents when I'm checking out a new linus distro) and I could either wait until the connections timed out or reset the router. So I switched to the Asus WL-500 and I haven't had that issue yet with it. My network consists of: 1 central file server, 2 desktops, 3 laptops, 1 media PC, and a few wireless webcams. Again, I cannot vouch for the wireless on this as I use a separate, dedicated wireless access point for my network's wireless. I prefer redundancy and I also don't like running everything through one box. I also have a 20/20 FIOS connections running thru my Asus so I know it can handle quite a load. But again, you could pick up any of these ddwrt routers and be able to handle a few dozen devices on your network without any problem. The only problem might come in is with torrenting due to the high number of connections it uses when downloading/uploading to multiple places at once.

DDWRT isn't a magic wand that suddenly makes bad devices good. Most SOHO network routers all have the same hardware, it's just that each mfr doesn't writ that good of firmware on it so they don't always work correctly, have to reboot all the time, etc. DDWRT just replaces the operating system or firmware on it with one that is fully tested and much more dependable.

 

[Balforth]

Jack! You're making me crazy!

LOL... you're totally right. I have my wireless router in a horrible spot. Although it's there because it kept falling behind the desk, and when it was on the desk it still sucked! I definitely intend to keep my new-router-that-costs-more-than-$5 in a more RF signal friendly location.

Now on to the new router discussion, it seems you used to promote the ASUS routers a lot, but now you keep pushing the Buffalo. Why? I know that's a great deal, but I'm not necessarily looking for a great deal, just the best router for my situation. I'm still struggling to understand how higher power rating on the wireless signal will benefit my gazillion wireless device configuration over more memory/processor power.

 

[Balforth]

2 of the laptops are N, 3 are G, the ps3 is G, and I'm not sure what the iTouch is. Based on this: http://oleg.wl500g.info/devices.html the WL-500W has the same specs as the original 500g premium, but with 802.11n support.

What about this: Buying both the 500w and the WHR-HP-G54, using my desktop PC (oops, did i forget to mention my wired network printer?), my printer, and the N laptops on the 500w, and the set the rest of the devices to use the buffalo? Is that a good balance?

In the event of a "yes" response, should the two routers sit side by side and be directly connected, or spread apart and set up as a wireless repeater type scenario?

Thanks all of you for putting up with me

 

[JackMDS]

I promote Nothing. I have No connection with any Hardware supplier and never got a penny worth of free Hardware, or a Penny Kickback from what ever I recommend.

As many Enthusiasts do, I link to NewEgg because they have the best Interface that allow people to get info and make decision. I never had any connection with NewEgg that is different than any regular customers.

The Asus is very good but the Buffalo is even better.

In the previous weeks the Asus with rebate and free shipping was $30 less than the Buffalo, so if some one is under financial duress the Asus was a good alternative.

Today the Asus is only $5 less than the Buffalo, thus from my perspective for $5 One might go with the Buffalo.

Same with my web pages, there is No commercial links, No ads, No nothing, beside technical info and my opinions on the matter at hand.

 

[Balforth]

Oh sorry Jack, I didn't mean it like that. I meant I read older posts where you were recommending Asus products, and I actually started leaning towards Asus based on your previous advice, and then in this post, when I'm really thinking asus is the way to go, you keep saying Buffalo is better. I didn't ever think you were getting kick backs or actually promoting a product for a company

I'm just looking for some technical explanations. You keep saying it's "better", but I'm specifically asking how and why... I understand it pumps out a stronger signal, which seems like it would be a preferred router if I were looking to have wireless devices connected at a distance, but I'm specifically looking for something that will optimally handle a large amount of wireless devices, and the system specs on the asus seem to lend itself more to handling higher loads.

 

[JackMDS]

Let start with Wire. There are many small offices that run around 10 computers connected by wires and using regaulr Entry Level Routers. They use the Router all day long connecting to the Internet and it works well for regular Internet use.

Load trouble starts when some computers are running heavy P2P download. Entry Level Routers are not design for heavy P2P download and if a business can affords the few hundred $ for Real SOHO Router they should thing about the need for heavy Download (I would not comment on End User use of heavy P2P because it is mainly done to avoid copyright payments).

As for Wireless. You can Not separate Wireless Signal issue from load and bandwidth consideration.

It is Not just an issue of distance, the stronger and cleaner is the signal the more Bandwidth is available to all Networked Wireless computers to share fairly.

This page does not relate to the Asus it compares the High Power Buffalo to a Regular Wireless Buffalo, the regular low power Buffalo Wireless is along the line of most Entry Level Wireless Routers.

http://www.ezlan.net/WHR-HP-G54.html

 

[Balforth]

Beautiful reply, thank you very much! Now that's the kind of info I was looking for

So do you think the combination would be overkill, if I used the WL-500W as a router and access point for the hard-wired and 2x 802.11n devices, and the WHR-HP-G54 as strictly an access point for the 4+ other g devices? Or am I just introducing more unnecessary points of failure? If so, is the Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH 802.11n a capable equivalent?

I have both of them added to my cart, but I'm waiting for you to convince to remove the ASUS before checking out

 

[JackMDS]

Well you more variables in the mix. Too many Access Points of variety of standards can spoil the "Broth".

As for Draft_N (there is No 802.11n), I do not use Draft (in Wireless ). If you have computers with Draft_N Wireless and you want take advantage of the Draft (if there is any advantage) but I cannot offer you any advice on the Draft topic.

For home use I would start with One Buffalo High Power and take it from there. If I need a second Wireless to extend the distance I would get a second one connect it with a wire configured as an Access Point, or use as WDS if a cable is out of the question.

If you like the Asus do the same with the Asus.

YMMV, this approach in situation when I am in control. In many cases people who seek advice over the Internet need someone to make a decision from them to alleviate Anxiety, or have someone else to blame when things turn "Ugly". Unfortunately I have a big personal short come, I am not a good help in such situation since I do not thing that what I have, or suggest is always the only Good Great Solution, and if it works for me it should work for everyone.

 

[Balforth]

I totally understand the blame game when you give advice... I've been in IT for 18 years now and have almost completely stopped giving advice or offering help with family/friends computers, because it always ends up that whatever happens, I am responsible! I don't look to hold you accountable. I'm really looking for good advice, but you happen to be consistently responding to me (you too kevnich!) And I greatly appreciate it.

So here's what I'm kicking around in my head... the WL-500W seems to be very touchy when it comes to DD-WRT, which makes me reluctant to use it. It sounds like people are making a lot of bricks out of these things... But I've also heard that the stock firmware is total crap. Leaves me scratching my head. I've heard that the "oleg" firmware has the same miraculous effects on this router as DD-WRT in fixing stability/speed issues, but I don't really know anything at all about it. The 500W had slightly heftier specs than the 500g premium v2, plus support for N, but it seems like the g might be a lot more stable with DD-WRT.

I don't HAVE to have 802.11n, but given that 2 of the laptops have n adapters, I thought I could take advantage of it and do some load balancing at the same time.

The new Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH router looks very sexy with lots of features and gigabit ethernet, but it had an estimated release date of yesterday and I still haven't found a place that's actually selling one. So who knows how it actually performs and how well it holds up with DD-WRT.

So I'm really just on a quest for information to make the best decision possible. I've almost pulled the trigger a couple of times, and so far I'm glad I haven't done it yet. It seems I keep gaining a little more insight each time. I think I really am leaning towards the Buffalo now, but I do have 5 children who all love youtube and the p2p crap (for legal purposes only) and just about everybody games. We're also getting ready to move to Germany, so I anticipate heavy skype usage and hulu streaming. So given the scenario where you said entry level routers buckle under pressure, that's the only thing that leaves me questioning not having some extra horsies for routing.

Oh my....

 

[Balforth]

The deal is done. I got the Asus 500g premium v2 AND the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54. I will use the asus to connect my hard-wired computer and printer, and the Buffalo will be used as a wireless access point only. I made the decision to use both based on the quantity and type of traffic that my network will be experiencing. I specifically chose those 500gpv2 over the 500w because of stability issues with DD-WRT. I don't really feel like having to walk a tight-rope to get DD-WRT working without bricking the router.

I'll revisit this thread once I get them both set up and serving my network. Thanks to everybody who helped me out If anything goes wrong or if I have any problems at all, it will be Jack's fault.

LOL j/k! Thanks again.

 

[kevnich2]

That's pretty much the setup I have running. The asus 500g Premium v2 as my router along with the buffalo WHR-HP-G54 as my AP (I do have another 802.11a for 5ghz though but that's a different story). Setup runs just for me and you can locate the buffalo router (configured as an AP) to a more central location in your house for better signal.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Balforth If anything goes wrong or if I have any problems at all, it will be Jack's fault.

LOL, may be some one can suggest to NewEgg to sell with the Wireless hardware a Jack Doll so that people have something to stick needles in when the wireless does not work.

http://www.craftycrafty.tv/il_430xN.9152449.jpg