Wireless Router Questions?

[NewChief]

Okay,

We currently have AT&T DSL service in our house. We use my wife's iMac to share our internet connection. The only problem is that this is slower than an actual wireless router and provides less coverage (we can't get wireless in our whole house, only rooms adjacent to the wife's office). Additionally, my son has an OLD iMac g3 in his room (not currently in the wireless range) without a wireless modem.

Two questions:
1) Do I have to go through AT&T's service to connect a wireless router to my existing DSL modem, or can I just buy a random wireless router and plug it into the DSL modem and thus get wireless service?

2) Are there any problems I should anticipate with getting a USB wireless modem for the old iMac g3? Like a different protocol in use with older iMacs that will keep it from functioning with a new wireless modem?

[phisherman]

1. You can buy any router you want.
2. You shouldn't anticipate any more issues than you would normally have hooking up a wireless network (getting security working correctly, etc).

[NewChief]

Thanks phisherman. Next question: suggestions for good wireless routers and wireless modems?

[R8RFAN]

I replaced the router that came with my Fiber optic internet and it works much better

[DaFace]

Thanks phisherman. Next question: suggestions for good wireless routers and wireless modems?

I honestly have trouble telling much of a difference anymore. I suppose if I were to buy a new router today, I'd think about a Linksys E1200 for a basic home setup, but Netgear and D-Link both make good products as well. If you're going to go crazy doing streaming video all over the place, you could potentially see some benefit to getting a 802.11n router rather than 802.11g, but you'd have to get new wireless cards for your other computers too in order to see much of a difference there.

I believe the "wireless modem" your referring to is accurately called a "wireless adapter" for what that's worth. Technically, the modem is the part that talks to your ISP - not the part that lets a computer talk to your router. As for what type to get, it once again doesn't make a difference, but I'd pick the same brand as your router just in case you ever have to call tech support. They like to blame other companies' products, which they can't do if both pieces are theirs.

[R8RFAN]

this is what I have
Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Router WNDR3400
http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/netgear-n600-wireless-dual/4505-3319_7-34169558.html

[NewChief]

Thanks. Rep all around.

[R8RFAN]

Thanks. Rep all around.

Thanks but I prefer Neg rep :thumb:

[TrebMaxx]

Interesting this was brought up, I was about to start a thread to ask a networking question. I recently switched to CenturyLink for Internet and Prism TV. During the install my D-Link WBR-2310 wireless router was replaced with a 2Wire 3800HGV modem/wireless router. The problem I have now is that my wireless signal is not as strong. Is it possible to convert my D-Link into a range extender for my wireless network?

[R8RFAN]

Interesting this was brought up, I was about to start a thread to ask a networking question. I recently switched to CenturyLink for Internet and Prism TV. During the install my D-Link WBR-2310 wireless router was replaced with a 2Wire 3800HGV modem/wireless router. The problem I have now is that my wireless signal is not as strong. Is it possible to convert my D-Link into a range extender for my wireless network?

I think it's possible but I think they sell wifi repeaters

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=wireless+repeaters&tag=googhydr-20&index=electronics&hvadid=8439376267&ref=pd_sl_3b3vcpf5k8_b

[TrebMaxx]

I think it's possible but I think they sell wifi repeaters

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=wireless+repeaters&tag=googhydr-20&index=electronics&hvadid=8439376267&ref=pd_sl_3b3vcpf5k8_b
Yeah, I was hoping that I could save a few bucks and use the D-Link. If it can't be done then I will look into repeaters.

[DaFace]

Yeah, I was hoping that I could save a few bucks and use the D-Link. If it can't be done then I will look into repeaters.

Unfortunately, the short answer is that your router can't function as a repeater. Some can, but I did a quick Google search, and doesn't look like yours has the functionality.

It might be a bit of a pain to set up, but you SHOULD be able to disable the wireless functionality of your new 2wire modem, then use your router just like you did with whatever your previous setup was. If you were satisfied with the range of your D-Link before, this would get that back with no cost.

[R8RFAN]

You can actually increase the router's range by making it more directional with cardboard with aluminum foil taped to it to reflect the signal in one direction.

I used to run buffalo routers and put tomato firmware which is actually Linux and you could increase the power output , the power out put is like 300 milliamps, imagine almost doubling that power.

[TrebMaxx]

Unfortunately, the short answer is that your router can't function as a repeater. Some can, but I did a quick Google search, and doesn't look like yours has the functionality.

It might be a bit of a pain to set up, but you SHOULD be able to disable the wireless functionality of your new 2wire modem, then use your router just like you did with whatever your previous setup was. If you were satisfied with the range of your D-Link before, this would get that back with no cost.

I looked around on net and found the same results. Your idea sounds like it has merit and I might give it shot. Thanks.

[TrebMaxx]

You can actually increase the router's range by making it more directional with cardboard with aluminum foil taped to it to reflect the signal in one direction.

I used to run buffalo routers and put tomato firmware which is actually Linux and you could increase the power output , the power out put is like 300 milliamps, imagine almost doubling that power.
Cool idea but I doubt the cardboard and foil will pass the Mrs. TrebMaxx interior decor test!

[R8RFAN]

Cool idea but I doubt the cardboard and foil will pass the Mrs. TrebMaxx interior decor test!

Yea that would be a problem :thumb:

[listopencil]

Unfortunately, the short answer is that your router can't function as a repeater. Some can, but I did a quick Google search, and doesn't look like yours has the functionality.

It might be a bit of a pain to set up, but you SHOULD be able to disable the wireless functionality of your new 2wire modem, then use your router just like you did with whatever your previous setup was. If you were satisfied with the range of your D-Link before, this would get that back with no cost.

I have a 2Wire gateway. Go to http://gateway.2wire.net (http://gateway.2wire.net/) this will bring up your network summary. At the bottom of the page there is a section named "Home Network". Click on the link inside named "View the home network". On the new page look over to the right side for the section named "Network At A Glance". In that section will be a list of "Local Interfaces". There will be a "Disable" button next to "Wireless". Click to disable wireless.

[DaveNull]

I've had problems dealing with some DSL modems that try to act as switches and/or access points. The interfaces suck and their support line is often told not to help. The key is to get the thing out of gateway mode if you can.

I run a Linksys WRT-54GL with the Tomato firmware. You can boost the signal, but it can shorten the life of the router and might actually not perform as well where you have a good signal. Mine is boosted, but not by much.

The nice thing about that setup is that it's cheap, and you can do all kinds of stuff with it like monitoring and controlling bandwidth (ok if you've got kids and want to make damn sure they turn into hackers when they're older), seeing who is connected to your router and even showing what the signal to the laptop across the house is.

Now about the wireless bridge question...

Getting an Apple Airport Express is probably the easiest solution (yes, I know I went from recommending a hacked/sooped up router to something that's dead simple) that you could get. The bonus is that the Express can be used to push music from your computer to real speakers somewhere else in the house while increasing the overall range of your network.

[Hammock Parties]

School me on wireless routers/wireless cards, people.

I just noticed I'm only getting 5 mbps on my wireless connection. My wired connection gets 5 times that speed.

If I buy this router can I get faster wireless? It's rated at "Up to 450Mbps."

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156286

[DaveNull]

How old is the wireless gear you're using now? 802.11n stuff won't work unless you have N ready gear. Even then, there are a few catches.

Wired will *always* be faster and more secure.

[R8RFAN]

get a dual band wireless N router and N adapters

[DaveNull]

Not that simple. You may actually need two APs running concurrently so that any legacy devices that don't support N (Nintendo Wii, older laptops, XBox Wireless adapter) don't end up choking the performance back to 812.11g speeds.

If he's getting that kind of poor performance, even a new A/B/G access point would be good.

If you're in KCK or KCMO and plan on getting Google Fiber next summer it might be worth looking into some of this stuff though...especially gigabit switches and N wireless access points. With gigabit, you may need to swap out cables as well since old and crappy Cat5 can't handle what gigabit can dish out.

I know one thing, when I build my house I'm going to run Cat6A everywhere.

[Hammock Parties]

My cousin said my current wireless adapter (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=308) would be fine, I should just get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190&Tpk=wrt54gl%20router

[R8RFAN]

My cousin said my current wireless adapter (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=308) would be fine, I should just get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190&Tpk=wrt54gl%20router

I like buffalo routers

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162031

[bevischief]

They were a hell a lot cheaper on Black Friday and Cyber Monday...

[Lzen]

My cousin said my current wireless adapter (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=308) would be fine, I should just get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190&Tpk=wrt54gl%20router

That's a solid router. I have had one for years until it just recently started acting up. I replaced it with a Linksys E2500 I bought from Newegg refurbed for $39. I don't see those refurbs now but they do have new ones for $79.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124414

[Fish]

I like buffalo routers

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162031

I second this. Buffalo routers have been awesome in my experience. Very customizable. They can be as simple, or as advanced as you'd like.

[R8RFAN]

My cousin said my current wireless adapter (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=308) would be fine, I should just get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190&Tpk=wrt54gl%20router

Also that router is ok but it probably has been out for like 4 years.... You may as well go ahead and get something with N on it for the same price or less...

[DaveNull]

My cousin said my current wireless adapter (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=308) would be fine, I should just get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190&Tpk=wrt54gl%20router


Your cousin is a scholar. That's what I run and it's great whether or not you decide to get fancy with the firmware.

Newer routers aren't necessarily better as companies will cut storage and RAM to increase margin. That happened with the original WRT54G.

N won't do any good since you dont have an N card.