Help with Choosing New Router ....

[vja4Him]

I need some advice on which Router to buy ... I've been using the D-Links 655 for about one year now, but need a new Router, because it will no longer allow me to set up a Schedule.

I've contacted D-Links Tech Support many times. They said my old Router is defective and sent out a replacement two times. Received the second one today, but both replacement Routers will not allow any of our wireless devices to connect.

So, I'm sending the second new Router back, and keeping the old one, so at least we can all connect online.

I need to be able to set up a Schedule to limit Internet use for my youngest son. The old Router was working just fine with the Schedule for several weeks, but now we cannot get a Schedule to work again.

I also need a Router that will allow us to set up the maximum security, as people were hacking into our Internet connection and downloading illegal files.

What would be some good Routers to consider? I also need very good Tech Support, and if possible an Extended Warranty ....

[RicheemxX]

Well I can jump out and say in terms of security you aren't going to find anything better than what that router has.

So either
A) you didn't have your router setup properly or weren't using a very strong password
B) have someone in your house doing the downloading
C) have a computer acting as zombie

Hacking WPA/WPA2 isn't impossible but most people aren't going to bother with the hassle when there are a ton of open networks or easier networks to gain access to.

Couple things to consider - based on what you have now

Do you need gigabyte networking?
Do you use the built in USB port?
Are there any special consideration for devices you need?
Where are you located and do you have a price range?

[vja4Him]

Well I can jump out and say in terms of security you aren't going to find anything better than what that router has.

So either
A) you didn't have your router setup properly or weren't using a very strong password
B) have someone in your house doing the downloading
C) have a computer acting as zombie

Hacking WPA/WPA2 isn't impossible but most people aren't going to bother with the hassle when there are a ton of open networks or easier networks to gain access to.

Couple things to consider - based on what you have now

Do you need gigabyte networking?
Do you use the built in USB port?
Are there any special consideration for devices you need?
Where are you located and do you have a price range?

My Router was set up correctly, working just fine, until several weeks ago, when the Schedule quit working. I called Tech Support many times, and they decided my old DIR-655 is defective and sent me out two new replacement Router, both which will not allow any of our Wireless devices to connect.

I know how to set up the Schedule, I'm positively certain of that!!!

We have lots of Wireless devices to get online:

-- my old iBook G4
-- Archos 70 Internet 250GB (Android)
-- iPod
-- iPhone
-- other laptops
-- desktop

Both of my boys and their friends do lots of gaming, so I think we do need the GB networking. When we were using my old D-Link 524 Router, our connection was much slower. Don't need the USB port, at least for now.

We are in Central California. I really don't mind paying extra for a higher-quality Router .....

[RicheemxX]

You clearly misunderstood what I meant by setup incorrectly. I meant if you believe someone outside your network gained access to download "illegal" files (and I'm not sure how you'd know that) then you have your security setup wrong, or not at all.

Gigabyte networking is only across your own wired network, so if all you have is wireless connections its not that big an issue.

Personally I'm a linksys fan, and have been for years. Either one of these would be good options, you can get them a bit cheaper through newegg, walmart or another retailer

Linksys E2500 - Advanced Dual-Band N Router - Cisco Home Products Store

Linksys E3200 - High Performance Dual-Band N Router - Cisco Home Products Store

Linksys E4200 - Maximum Performance Wireless N Router - Cisco Home Products Store

[vja4Him]

You clearly misunderstood what I meant by setup incorrectly. I meant if you believe someone outside your network gained access to download "illegal" files (and I'm not sure how you'd know that) then you have your security setup wrong, or not at all.

Gigabyte networking is only across your own wired network, so if all you have is wireless connections its not that big an issue.

Personally I'm a linksys fan, and have been for years. Either one of these would be good options, you can get them a bit cheaper through newegg, walmart or another retailer

Linksys E2500 - Advanced Dual-Band N Router - Cisco Home Products Store

Linksys E3200 - High Performance Dual-Band N Router - Cisco Home Products Store

Linksys E4200 - Maximum Performance Wireless N Router - Cisco Home Products Store

Thanks for the links. I'll check out those Routers ....

I received numerous post cards in the mail telling me that illegal files were downloaded, and that I that I had to pay for the files or face a lawsuit and possible jail time!

Charter told me that they also had records of the illegal downloads. Since I beefed up the security, no more notices ....

So, GB Router is not helpful with gaming ... ???

[RicheemxX]

Gigabyt Lan is only over the wired network and mostly helps for things like large file transfers, streaming video ect. Having the Gigabyt Wan (inout from your ISP) is really only useful if you have a seriously fast connection.

With gaming the slow downs you see can be alleviated through the routers QoS settings. Just allocate less bandwidth to those devices and more to the ones that need it and you'll be ok.

With any of those routers you can use parental controls and won't have to use the "guest network" setup. But you can schedule offline times, url blocking ect as needed.

I have the E4200 and love it. It gets pretty good range, has a ton of feature and is one of the fastest routers on the market. You have to pair it with a good wireless n card to get the speeds but its a nice little router. Expensive but nice.

[stroyal]

Just add to what Rich said Gigabyte LAN has no effect on your internet connection, for gaming on the NET.
Your average internet connections are just starting to pass 10MB, and are no where near 100MB yet.

It could have an effect, on gaming between computers within your home,IF you run wired.
But as Rich said, if you are using wireless, that is less than 100MB.

A LAN party would use a gigabyte switch, wired.
Edit,
Too slow again

[Taxmancometh]

Next time you chose the security for your network use WPA2 and copy the 64 random hexadecimal characters that are provided. Each time you refresh that web page a key is generated. https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

I have this router and it has been solid for the last 5 years. Newegg.com - Linksys WRT54GL Wireless Broadband Router 802.11b/g up to 54Mbps/ Compatible with Open Source DD-WRT (not pre-load) It's $49.99

I also flashed the router with a new firmware called DD-WRT Linksys WRT54GL - DD-WRT Wiki

www.dd-wrt.com | Unleash Your Router

[GroundZero3]

As others has stated gigabtye will only benefit you locally, not for gaming over the internet.

The WRT54GL is showing its age and doesnt have N, on top of the amount of clients he has on his network.

[vja4Him]

I'm really looking for a newer Router. My only experience has been with D-Links 524 and 655. The 524 Router actually still works, just don't get any Tech Support, since it's discontinued.

The 655 Router has been a very good Router, but will no longer allow me to set up a Schedule, which I really need to limit my son's Internet access ....

[Taxmancometh]

Here are the top sellers from Newegg. Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Networking, Wireless Networking, Wireless Routers, Top Sellers

And what do you know the WRT54GL still shows up. After all these years.

[GroundZero3]

Yes its a popular router but as I said for laptops these days with N wireless cards you are losing out. Im not saying not for him to not but the WRT54GL, im just saying its something else he needs to consider when buying a router.

[Taxmancometh]

What good is N anyways? I mean just for network file transfers, right? 100 MbPS is all you really need for Internet. That's 12.5 MBPS!

I would just get something that is rock solid. The WRT54GL is one of those routers you can count on, even with the stock firmware.

[GroundZero3]

If his gaming clients are N wireless network cards, N supports MIMO which will give better performance over 802.11b/g as it allows data to be sent and receive at the same time. 802.11B/G is pretty much a hub technology which means there are wait times when sending and receiving data. This wont affect gaming much but you could get hiccups with so many wireless clients trying to talk and receive data at the same time.

As he mentioned earlier:

-- my old iBook G4
-- Archos 70 Internet 250GB (Android)
-- iPod
-- iPhone
-- other laptops
-- desktop

So that is already 5 plus whatever amount of laptops he has using the wireless.

Of course if he doesn't have any N clients then N would be a waste.

I'm not not knocking the WRT54GL its a great router, I had the original WRT54G back in the day and it was rock solid. Btw im running DD-WRT on a Netgear WNDR3300 and its rock solid too

[Taxmancometh]

Well, all those devices he has would have to support N in order to take advantage of MIMO. Does the iphone even use N wireless?

[JPMiller]

Netgear Rangemax WNDR3700
Or you can get a dual band router and have the best of both worlds...
MaxPC's best-of-the-best

[GroundZero3]

Well, all those devices he has would have to support N in order to take advantage of MIMO. Does the iphone even use N wireless?

As I stated before this post

Of course if he doesn't have any N clients then N would be a waste.

Another benefit of N is that if he has N clients with b/g clients the N clients will not be slowed down unlike 802.11B/G. Of course the 802.11 clients wont benefit from MIMO

The apple iphone/itouch only have 802.11b/g

JPMiller thanks for bringing that up! I totally forgot about that router (it support DD-WRT too!) I am waiting for the WNDR3800 to come out!

[Taxmancometh]

Netgear Rangemax WNDR3700
Or you can get a dual band router and have the best of both worlds...
MaxPC's best-of-the-best

I don't get it. His devices can communicate at 5 GHz?

[GroundZero3]

Newer wireless cards (N) can (A also runs in the 5 Ghz range). A isnt really used anymore but it came out the same time 802.11B did

[Networker4321]

As I stated before this post




Another benefit of N is that if he has N clients with b/g clients the N clients will not be slowed down unlike 802.11B/G. Of course the 802.11 clients wont benefit from MIMO

The apple iphone/itouch only have 802.11b/g

JPMiller thanks for bringing that up! I totally forgot about that router (it support DD-WRT too!) I am waiting for the WNDR3800 to come out!

The iPhone4 does support N but not the "awesome" N. You can search using"iphone4 support N" and get several articles explaining the difference. But, I am limited at home to G speeds as I too use some older Cisco/Linksys product.

Although I have two E4200's bridged across the office network and the home office (300') I use a WAP11 in the office and a WAP54G in the home office.

I do take advantage of the 5GHZ channel on all the desktops and notebooks.

But, security is important even though I live in the middle of my 101 acre horse farm. I can "see" the feed mill network that is a mile away using the WIFI finder app on my iphone but can't get on it. Even the good ole boys have security enabled!

You get good support from Cisco. If you don't like the rep you get, hang up and dial back in!