choosing a wireless router

tommyceb · 11-19-2008, 03:20 PM

Ok here's the deal. I am currently in the market for a new router. I have been looking at reviews and ratings all over the internet and think I have narrowed it down to just two. Those two are the airport extreme and the d-link extreme N gigabit router (dir-655). At first I was looking at just getting a "g" rated router but have now thought about going with an "n" router. My biggest concern is will I be able to get signal in my room which is at one side of the house while the router will be at the other end of the house. In reality it's under about two hundred feet but it will have to go through three walls. My other major concern is how will my xbox 360 work with it. eg. will i still have to go to b/g to get it to work on the airport express and lose the whole point of buying an n router. please any guidance or suggestions would be appreciated. and is it best to just go with a g router and save myself the money.

johnwill · 11-20-2008, 08:08 AM

I think you'll probably experience issues with most any router in that scenario. You have a 200 foot long house?

I thought mine was big!

If possible, I'd position the router centrally in the house to maximize coverage.

Hawking Tech has a number of products that will help you increase your wireless range. The root page is Hawking Hi-Gain™ WiFi Range Extending Products.

Some of the more interesting products are this Hawking [HSB2] Hi-Gain WiFi Signal Booster, which can be used on either end of a wireless connection to boost the signal power.

Another way to increase your signal strength is by the use of hi-gain antennas. You can choose from omni-directional or directional models, here are a some examples.

Hawking [HAI7SIP] Hi-Gain 7dBi Omni-Directional Antenna

Hawking [HAI15SC] Hi-Gain 15dBi Corner Antenna

[HAO14SD] Outdoor Hi-Gain 14dBi Directional Antenna Kit

This is just a sample of available products, many people have hi-gain antennas with similar specifications, but I haven't seen any other suppliers of signal boosters.

boslo · 11-20-2008, 08:30 AM

I would go for D-Link DIR-655 Extreme N Wireless Router which is a very good one, i have one myself, and then as suggested place it in the middle of the house.

Bob

krazyko · 11-24-2008, 10:23 PM

Wireless N is still draft. If you do not have Wireless N NIC then going with the N router is pretty much useless. You can't harness the power and usefulness of the Wireless N without a wireless N NIC.

johnwill · 11-25-2008, 07:44 AM

However, the MIMO capability of most 802.11n routers will assist in maximum range. Also, you're investing in the future so you don't have to replace the router as soon.

krazyko · 11-26-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

However, the MIMO capability of most 802.11n routers will assist in maximum range. Also, you're investing in the future so you don't have to replace the router as soon.

There are Wireless G models that have MIMO capability.

johnwill · 11-27-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krazyko

There are Wireless G models that have MIMO capability.

Yes, but why not invest in the future since you're spending money anyway?

11-19-2008, 03:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
tommyceb Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1 OS: os x 10.4.1	choosing a wireless router Ok here's the deal. I am currently in the market for a new router. I have been looking at reviews and ratings all over the internet and think I have narrowed it down to just two. Those two are the airport extreme and the d-link extreme N gigabit router (dir-655). At first I was looking at just getting a "g" rated router but have now thought about going with an "n" router. My biggest concern is will I be able to get signal in my room which is at one side of the house while the router will be at the other end of the house. In reality it's under about two hundred feet but it will have to go through three walls. My other major concern is how will my xbox 360 work with it. eg. will i still have to go to b/g to get it to work on the airport express and lose the whole point of buying an n router. please any guidance or suggestions would be appreciated. and is it best to just go with a g router and save myself the money.

11-20-2008, 08:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 39,800 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Windows 7, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: choosing a wireless router I think you'll probably experience issues with most any router in that scenario. You have a 200 foot long house? I thought mine was big! If possible, I'd position the router centrally in the house to maximize coverage. Hawking Tech has a number of products that will help you increase your wireless range. The root page is Hawking Hi-Gain™ WiFi Range Extending Products. Some of the more interesting products are this Hawking [HSB2] Hi-Gain WiFi Signal Booster, which can be used on either end of a wireless connection to boost the signal power. Another way to increase your signal strength is by the use of hi-gain antennas. You can choose from omni-directional or directional models, here are a some examples. Hawking [HAI7SIP] Hi-Gain 7dBi Omni-Directional Antenna Hawking [HAI15SC] Hi-Gain 15dBi Corner Antenna [HAO14SD] Outdoor Hi-Gain 14dBi Directional Antenna Kit This is just a sample of available products, many people have hi-gain antennas with similar specifications, but I haven't seen any other suppliers of signal boosters. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-20-2008, 08:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
boslo Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Re: choosing a wireless router I would go for D-Link DIR-655 Extreme N Wireless Router which is a very good one, i have one myself, and then as suggested place it in the middle of the house. Bob Last edited by Done_Fishin; 11-20-2008 at 10:32 AM. Reason: Removal of advertising links

11-24-2008, 10:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
krazyko Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 88 OS: 2000 SP4, XP Pro SP2&SP3, 2003	Re: choosing a wireless router Wireless N is still draft. If you do not have Wireless N NIC then going with the N router is pretty much useless. You can't harness the power and usefulness of the Wireless N without a wireless N NIC.

11-25-2008, 07:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 39,800 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Windows 7, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: choosing a wireless router However, the MIMO capability of most 802.11n routers will assist in maximum range. Also, you're investing in the future so you don't have to replace the router as soon. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience