Can anyone recommend a router?

[Ben B]

Hi All,

I am thinking about upgrading to a different router as since I have moved to a bigger house I am getting lower signal strength in some rooms and it sometimes disconnects if the signal is that low. The router i'm currently using is a Belkin F5D7230-4 v1000uk Wireless G Router. I only have 2mb Virgin Media Cable Broadband so speed isn't an issue. It is more range I am looking for, and preferably one of the kits that includes a USB adaptor for my computer upstairs. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

~Ben B~

[Dai]

I had a similar problem with my house. This is a big old Victorian property with loads of solid walls.
I could not get reliable wireless coverage throughout the property. The solution that worked for me was to add a 'wireless access point' as a signal repeater.
The main wireless router gives me coverage at the front of the house and is bridged across to the WAP at the rear of the house. The combination of the 2 points now seems to work just fine.

Looks like Belkin do a unit matched to your router.
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=278082

[MovedGoalPosts]

Wireless isn't supposed to have a massive range, so changing routers might well not solve the problem.

Changing router location, might be more beneficial, but probably impractical.

Some routers do allow third party firmware which adds controls that mean you can increase the signal strength. Who knows whether that might be detrimental to your future health and sperm count so probably not a good idea.

That leaves two alternatives. Adding the signal repeater, as indicated above (cost benefits, only the one bit of kit too add / change), or looking at an alternative networking solution such as the LAN over power supply systems, Homeplug I think it's called (cost may be high as lots of things need to change or be added).

[TheNorm]

Originally Posted by Rob

... or looking at an alternative networking solution such as the LAN over power supply systems, Homeplug I think it's called (cost may be high as lots of things need to change or be added).

Costs aren't too bad, £50 for a fast pair (http://www.solwise.co.uk/net-powerline.htm). You could then have your WAP (or router) wherever you like.

[popper]

Originally Posted by Rob

Wireless isn't supposed to have a massive range, so changing routers might well not solve the problem.

Changing router location, might be more beneficial, but probably impractical.

Some routers do allow third party firmware which adds controls that mean you can increase the signal strength. Who knows whether that might be detrimental to your future health and sperm count so probably not a good idea.

That leaves two alternatives. Adding the signal repeater, as indicated above (cost benefits, only the one bit of kit too add / change), or looking at an alternative networking solution such as the LAN over power supply systems, Homeplug I think it's called (cost may be high as lots of things need to change or be added).

actually rob, changing old kit for the right type of new router (and matching client wireless cards)will make a large difference (if you dont go for the cheapest you can get), mimo devices are designed exactly for these reasons.

rather than mess around with signal repeaters , they are just APs in a different mode after all, most people are far better just linking two wireless routers/APs together with generic rj45 cable on a cheap switch/router and connecting to the nearest one with your wireless PCs if you have your cash invested in old cheap and slow kit already.

going through the wired router/switch keeps more wireless throughput for each wireless AP/router.

its also wise to consider the CPU inside your new kit for getting better throughput, and while the OP says its not speed their after, they might have forgot to include PC to PC copying speeds.

so a faster connection is always a consideration weather its wired or wireless, unless you enjoy sitting there for hours while you copy those remote pc DVD ISO to the local HD before you use your DVD writing SW etc..

take a look at this thread for a good URL and perhaps better future proofing your network.
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/87...l#post34465076

[DocDutch]

Ben, you could go for an N range router and I've seen on Novatech the belkin N router F5D8231uk + F5D8051 (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s....html?B5DUK061) which is an alright piece of kit.

but my personal preference goes to NOT using USB adapters for wlan as usb isnt always as reliable as PCI or even PCI Express.

[MovedGoalPosts]

Originally Posted by popper

actually rob, changing old kit for the right type of new router (and matching client wireless cards)will make a large difference (if you dont go for the cheapest you can get), mimo devices are designed exactly for these reasons.

I stand corrected

<<<<<

[fonejacker]

Dont know a lot about routers, but im using a Netgear router. Model number WGT624 V3 upstairs in my office (I live upstairs in a pub). Downstairs; right up the other end of the pub (About 30 meters), through a concrete floor, I can still use my wireless on my laptop which has built in WLAN.

When I bought this router about 8 months ago (I think it was around £80), ir came bundled with a usb wireless adaptor, but ive not used it so not sure what thats like.

Just thought I'd share that with you

[Ben B]

Originally Posted by DocDutch

Ben, you could go for an N range router and I've seen on Novatech the belkin N router F5D8231uk + F5D8051 (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s....html?B5DUK061) which is an alright piece of kit.

but my personal preference goes to NOT using USB adapters for wlan as usb isnt always as reliable as PCI or even PCI Express.

This one looks interesting, I didn't know you could get the N routers that cheap. Then again I was looking on the PC Rip Off World Webite

~Ben B~

EDIT: Just too good to be true, its an ADSL router

[Bri_G]

If you have an Ebay account try this guy:

http://search.stores.ebay.co.uk/Plan...ngemaxQQsofpZ0

I have had a few bits n bobs of him without a problem.

I would go for a wireless n router for better range and coverage.......

might get one of them myself!

[popper]

Originally Posted by ben_b

This one looks interesting, I didn't know you could get the N routers that cheap. Then again I was looking on the PC Rip Off World Webite

~Ben B~

EDIT: Just too good to be true, its an ADSL router

you obviously didnt take the advice and look at that thread and url link i placed there.

if you look,you can find 11N routers today from around £60 for the 10/100 WAN/LAN to around £110 for the bells and wistles 1gigabit wired/300Mbit wireless gaming kit.

the average 10/100/1000 WAN/LAN 11N routers are around that £70/£85 mark.

personally the D-Link DIR-655 unit looks like a good investment but a little high in price just now, but thats the choice, go cheap and pay later in slow throughput and lacking in full function, or pay slightly more and now and get better long term useage.

just read the link, work out what unit suits you best for the long term (learn the reasons behind the speed/range etc for a unit), and go look for a good price based on that unit.

also dont be fooled into the usual if its a higher price its better, you need to understand at least the basics of why a wireless unit might be better even if its cheaper.

if you understand the limitations and then go for the slower unit thats your choice OC, as is realising one version of a unit might not be the same as another version even if its got the same name.

if you get a new 11n it might be a good thing if you gave the full version and spec in the url below to help expand the thread for future use.
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/87...l#post34465076

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/compo...rt/Itemid,189/

PS it seems theres far to many people not searching for or reading/replying to the existing Can anyone recommend a router type threads, perhaps a merge of threads might make it clearer to these wanting info and advice rather than have to keep repeating ones self over and over here...

[The Jackal]

Sod all the hype about wireless-n

This router is a give away...

http://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk/prod...id=434&osCsid=

What other router has an option to 'turn down' the wifi output ?

You can also flash with dd-wrt. Best router on the market imho.

I liked it so much that I didn't even bother flashing it.

[Claudio_LDN]

I can only speak for myself and my experience, I have a Netgear Rangemax Wireless-N and it works absolutely fine with everything (desktop, laptop and xbox) even when I'm in the loft 2 floors up! I'd reccomend it and they're now fairly cheap at around £40.

Cla

[tweetiepooh]

There is also a homeplug wireless extender available now.

So you plug SACM to existing router then LAN on that to homeplug 1 over mains to 2nd homeplug that has a wireless A/P on it (and a LAN port). PCW were pretty pleased with it.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by tweetiepooh

There is also a homeplug wireless extender available now.

So you plug SACM to existing router then LAN on that to homeplug 1 over mains to 2nd homeplug that has a wireless A/P on it (and a LAN port). PCW were pretty pleased with it.

I have one of these. Not cheap, at £120, but it works a treat. I'm in an old (Edwardian) house where the wifi signal is very poor. I was unable to stream MP3s over my network. I got this starter kit, plugged one plug in at the router site and the access point in the lounge and it's worked flawlessly from day one. Obviously the price is a drawback, but I'd recommend it to anyone.