WiFi Broadband router decison? Linksys, US Robotics...??
Hi all,
I'm having some troubles with the D-Link DI-704P Ethernet Broadband
Router I purchased in New Zealand a few months ago.
At the moment I'm using it with Woosh Wireless 250k (in Invercargill) which connects by a PPPoE connection made through the WAN port. We are sharing the internet connection to 4 computers on the LAN.
To cut a long story short that D-Link router is highly unreliable and can only make a connection after powering the whole setup on and off about 5 times. At the moment something is seriously wrong with it and my internet is only going at 4-7kBytes/sec instead of 29-34kBytes/sec. Been through all the tech support system and I have to send the router back for warranty or refund.
So at this point I'm looking for a high end - absolute best possible router with WiFi to do the job. Not too worried about cost, I'm prepared to pay $300 or more if thats what it takes to get some reliability and performance.
Usually the routers that work with Telstra cable work with the same principle. The router needs to come with a RJ-45 WAN port socket that the Woosh modem will plug into. That rules out ADSL routers with RJ-11 sockets immediately.
So a list of the things the router needs to have are:
RJ-45 WAN port on router
Switch with 4x RJ-45 100Mbps or 1Gbit LAN ports
Capable of making a PPPoE connection
WiFi B/G Access Point at least. Twin antennas for less interference?
NAT, SPI firewall
Virtual server/port forwarding functions
WPA encryption
MAC filtering, disable SSID, other security features
Good brand name, high reliability and intuitive interface.
What are some of the good brand name wireless manufacturers? I see Linksys are a division of Cisco so they should be good?? I heard US Robotics make quality stuff as well? Are Netgear or any others very good? I'm looking for the best possible really.
I've looked at some current routers to give you an idea of what I'm after:
I would go for the linksys wrt54g, 2 friends have them operating as AP/routerss, one with a nokia M1122 as the ADSL modem, running PPTP to the M1122 in order to get UPNP support, and the other is using it just downstream of an ADSL router so performing a second layer of NAT.
Both seem reliable, no dropouts, no constant restarts like I get with my dlink APs
If I was buying again as an accesspoint for around the house, I would forget getting G, the usable range of G is basically the same room, as soon as im in the next room im down to 24 meg if im lucky, upstairs its down to 6 and not working at all, my B card hangs on there at 1 meg, I think the people that get full coverage thru there house cant have particually substatntial wall, perhaps just gib and nothing else? Thats all my upstairs walls are, and I can get all of upstairs with the AP upstairs so your luck may be better.
Thanks, you mean just the wrt54g or go for the newer wrt54gS ??
I've also been looking at the cost of PCI and PCMCIA cards to go with the router and they are very expensive Nearly $200, just about as much as the router itself. Why is that?
Also is it important to have the same brand of cards as the access point? Like Linksys access point, and linksys cards, or can you mix and match safely?
I think I might go for the WRT54GS, unless anyone else has some better ideas?? I'll have to order tonight or early tomorrow, so it'll have to be quick.
Anyone know if I can get this router anywhere in NZ other than Ascent??? Ascent's next stock is due on the 1st June which is nearly 2weeks :? My dad who will be using the router for business thinks this is much too long to suffer with slow speeds and is threatening to go back to Jetstream. Anything but Jetstream!! Need to obtain this new router ASAP.
Well I've waited for over a month for the WRT54GS and its gone through quite a few delays on the backorder. It was originally due in at Ascent on the 1st June. They think the next shipment will be on the 21st, but if that doesn't happen then probably 2nd July. So useless, I wonder whats going on :?
Anybody think this is any good? Comments? Remember I'm looking for something high-spec and ultra reliable. I know someone over in the netherlands who is keen on experimenting with a VPN, so would be interesting there too.
I use one of these find this product awsome gigabyte GN-B49G Wireless DSL Router.
GIGABYTE GN-B49G Wireless Router *Standard 802.11g *Data transfer up to 108Mbps *Advanced Firewall and Web Management *Built in Gigabyte Smart DHCP, avoid IP confliction *Supports up to 152 bits WEP key *Supports Auto Select Channel function *Supports Dynamic turbo G mode for high compatibility *DNS Reply and Dynamic DNS Support and more
Cost $185.00 + GST incl freight anywhere in NZ.
if you are intrested ultrascope at xtra dot co dot nz
I use one of these find this product awsome gigabyte GN-B49G Wireless DSL Router.
GIGABYTE GN-B49G Wireless Router *Standard 802.11g *Data transfer up to 108Mbps *Advanced Firewall and Web Management *Built in Gigabyte Smart DHCP, avoid IP confliction *Supports up to 152 bits WEP key *Supports Auto Select Channel function *Supports Dynamic turbo G mode for high compatibility *DNS Reply and Dynamic DNS Support and more
Cost $185.00 + GST incl freight anywhere in NZ.
if you are intrested ultrascope at xtra dot co dot nz
I would go with the WRT as there are plenty of third party firmwares around for it. These add heaps of other features and even unlock some stuff on the original firmware, ie power levels.
Both OpenWRt and sevasoft have these firmwares available.
I third that motion. Im using a WRT54G with the svesoft software. My one is running sweet as, with no problems and have had it running for hmmm about 4 months...
The interface is sweet and easy to use, and there is so much support for it that if you had a problem youre bound to find a solution.
The guy from Ascent assures me that the WRT54GS has arrived into stock at the suppliers and will be delivered first thing Thursday morning 8)
Ahh now isn't that some good news. I'll finally be able to get rid of this junk D-Link router. This morning it actually died, I can't access the web interface or anything. Tried a number of resets, everything. But strangely LAN traffic still works so I've set up ICS for the other computers and just using Woosh USB connection. I can't ping the router itself at all. Its dead in the water.
Ascents price is good on that, almost too good I feel. Let us know how it goes and if you get it at $203.98 or if it goes up. Perhaps the price at techpac has come down on that one since I was last able to look tho...
Ahh yes, Im reluctant to post techpac prices in a public forum, but yeah, you can see that $191+GST is more then $204 - hence me questioning the price at ascent as being correct. I dont think anyone else brings linksys into NZ, but would like to hear if there is someone else.
I am willing to purchase Linksys equipment for people
as long as I don't get any support hassles!
A small margin to cover my time and petrol costs.
Prepayment before purchase.
I repeat: I do not want to do this as a business or to make a profit.
If people are interested in a bulk-buy suituation, that would
suit me better.
__________________ Steve M
Bigted
Cute, Furry and Cuddly
They offered it to me again for $220 which is pretty darn good. I think that will be fine Their supplier, when they received the new stock, updated their price list according to the exchange rate and shipping, apparently.
ohhh...looks like the TP prices have come down for the WRT54g then...they were 190 about a month ago.
Any of you WRT cats got nocatsplash working on it?
Less, as there is delivery to take into consideration too.. It amazes me that places like ascent survive on even there normal margins.
Yes it is a wonder. Though I would think Ascent could have up to 1000 orders a day, which would mean at say $6 profit on each one, thats $6000 to cover expenses. They'd still be making a tidy profit at the end of each week even with half that amount of orders.
Courier costs must be factored into the "free shipping" price, because if you look around and compare prices you'll often notice Ascent's prices are $20 - $60 more expensive. They must get some blimin good courier deals too because they ship routers in boxes 3x the size of the actual router box. 8O Perhaps they do it to fit in all the air bag protective wrapping. Must cost a fortune though. If I was to do that with say CourierPost I'd be paying $25 - $35 easy.
WiFi Broadband router decison? Linksys, US Robotics...?? 
Thanks in advance!! 
Nearly $200, just about as much as the router itself. Why is that?
Linear Mode
