Wi-Fi Newbie Seeks Wireless Router for Long Term Relationship in Large House

[rikadik]

Basically I'm moving into a student house and we need to set up a wireless network to share the internet connection. My requirements for a router are:

- 802.11g (I've heard good things about Pre-N but most the users have laptops with built-in 802.11g wireless)
- Must have a strong signal (is this something that varies between different manufacturers?)
- Must allow at least 7 people to simultaneously share an internet connection
- Good cross compatibility (due to integrated wireless in laptops)

Ok, I know I'm asking quite a lot, but I feel like a dodgy network which keeps dropping connections etc is going to be more trouble than its worth. Furthermore I don't really have a clue what I'm doing.

I'd really appreciate any suggestions!

Thanks

 

[JackMDS]

Since seven people sharing you would need very strong siganl all over the house.

The way to insure it is to buy few Wireless Cable/DSL Router, use one of them as the main Router and few others as a Switch with an Access Point.

The following pages might help you in designing the Network.

How many concurrent users can surf the Internet through the same Wireless Connection? -
http://www.ezlan.net/faq#wconcurrent

Link to: Wireless What Should I Get?

Link to: Extending the Distance of Entry Level Wireless Network.

Link to: Wirelessly Bridging Home / Network.

Link to: Hi Gain Antenna for Entry Level Wireless.
:sun:

 

[WPFossil]

If you need to save a buck or two (or twenty), go with Wireless-B. It's more than fast enough to handle broadband.

Cisco is an obvious choice, but is expensive and VERY tech-oriented.

Linksys is good for B or G, although their website is crap when it comes to support. It's geared towards the novice home user and is not easy to navigate if you need good tech info.

Netgear is also OK.

D-Link is cheap, but you get what you pay for.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: WPFossil
Netgear is also OK.

D-Link is cheap, but you get what you pay for.

Hmm... Quite few models of Netgear and D-Link have the same Electronics under the hood. So what make one better than the other the price or the Palstique box.

:sun:

P.S. I have installations with both and I do not see a difference. There are specific unites that might be problematic but that is across the board with D-Link, Netgear, Linksys, and most of the other Entry Level Wireless.

 

[rikadik]

Thanks for your help.

So would wireless B be anough to handle a 4mb broadband connection? Also, would a wireless g network with the same signal strength as a wireless b network handle faster connection speeds?

EDIT: The first article JackMDS gave me just answered all those questions in one paragraph!

 

[TheToOTaLL]

Speed is not your concern here, the signal is.

Broadband currently isn't even close to utilizing the bandwidth of even an 802.11b router, so not getting a G or pre-N router because "they're too fast" is a ridiculous assumption, as I'm sure you'll be passing files, etc over your wireless netwrork. Thats when the faster speeds will be of value.

Personally I'm a big fan of Pre-N. I've used it in over 2 dozen homes (namely big wigs of companies, with 4000+ sq ft homes) and 1 pre-N router has covered the entire area (where 2+3 B or G routers have been a nightmare to keep working). Within the past year I've purchased over 4 dozen, and not a single one has had problems. Everyone with one praises its range and capabilities.

I've heard the SRX routers by Linksys work similarly (MIMO), but haven't ventured to try one. I usually get the Belkin Pre-N, although I hate all of their other wireless gear, this one has regained my respect in them.

 

[Zap]

To really gain benefits from pre-N you'd have to upgrade all the clients.

If all the clients already have G, then use that since it doesn't cost much more than B.

To cover a larger area...

#1 Get a router/AP that has a detachable antenna, and get a higher gain antenna.

#2 Like retail, LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. Centrally located (both vertically/horizontally) and not near any large metal items (refridgerator, file cabinet).