Wireless router with best range?
Discussion
Chaps,
My dad is contemplating joining the rest of the technologically-linked world and buying broadband. However, his main interest isn't speed, simultaneous telephone and connection use or anything else, his main interest is the idea of a wireless connection. He wants to be able to connect two or three PC's together in a network, some way away from a telephone socket and yet still have internet access for them.
One problem with this is that their house is a large, solidly-built affair, with thick stone walls. I am guessing that this will cause problems with signal transmission from a wireless modem.
Is this a valid concern? If so, what can be done to overcome it? Are some modems/routers known for having a stronger signal - is there a better brand to choose?
Also, I am assuming that it is possible to site the modem/router by a telephone socket, and a number of PC's (2x desktops, 1xlaptop) someway distant, but link them all up with a radio network? (i.e. the radio network will allow connections between the individual PC's as well as between the PC's and the modem?) If we do this, would we need some networking software, or anything else apart from the hardware? One desktop and the laptop are running XP, the other desktop is running '98.
Thanks for your help.
Oli.
My dad is contemplating joining the rest of the technologically-linked world and buying broadband. However, his main interest isn't speed, simultaneous telephone and connection use or anything else, his main interest is the idea of a wireless connection. He wants to be able to connect two or three PC's together in a network, some way away from a telephone socket and yet still have internet access for them.
One problem with this is that their house is a large, solidly-built affair, with thick stone walls. I am guessing that this will cause problems with signal transmission from a wireless modem.
Is this a valid concern? If so, what can be done to overcome it? Are some modems/routers known for having a stronger signal - is there a better brand to choose?
Also, I am assuming that it is possible to site the modem/router by a telephone socket, and a number of PC's (2x desktops, 1xlaptop) someway distant, but link them all up with a radio network? (i.e. the radio network will allow connections between the individual PC's as well as between the PC's and the modem?) If we do this, would we need some networking software, or anything else apart from the hardware? One desktop and the laptop are running XP, the other desktop is running '98.
Thanks for your help.
Oli.
Oli,
Just set up a Netgear DG834GT in my girlfriends cottage mate, and had similiar concerns as the place is around 150 years old, and the walls are very thick, not the compressed paper shite masquerading as walls these days.
As well as the ADSL modem, I also bought the "matching" Netgear PCMCIA card for my laptop and a PCI card for my g/f's sons PC in his bedroom.
The main concern was the desktop as it was about as far away from the router as it could be. And yet, set up was a piece of piss, and he regularly gets 54Mbps and a "good" signal strength. I have complemented this with a USB adapter, which works okay, not brilliant, but it works. That was from e-buyer, and was the cheapest 11G card they did (about 15 quid IIRC).
In terms of networking, I copied 4GB from my laptop up to Toms desktop last Saturday, and it took just over an hour, so I was well happy with that. I've also shared Toms printer so I can print to it from the laptop.
The file copy was staggering, since then I'd always done file copying by wire or media, the fact it was going over thin air was amazing (sorry I'll stop there!).
I really don't think you'll have any problems mate. Netgear have also released a series of what they call "Rangemax" products which allege to increase the range of 11G whilst maintaining 125Mbps. I've not tried this equipment so cannot comment on it, but certainly the cheaper 834GT did it for me.
Recommended.
Cheers!
Greg
Just set up a Netgear DG834GT in my girlfriends cottage mate, and had similiar concerns as the place is around 150 years old, and the walls are very thick, not the compressed paper shite masquerading as walls these days.
As well as the ADSL modem, I also bought the "matching" Netgear PCMCIA card for my laptop and a PCI card for my g/f's sons PC in his bedroom.
The main concern was the desktop as it was about as far away from the router as it could be. And yet, set up was a piece of piss, and he regularly gets 54Mbps and a "good" signal strength. I have complemented this with a USB adapter, which works okay, not brilliant, but it works. That was from e-buyer, and was the cheapest 11G card they did (about 15 quid IIRC).
In terms of networking, I copied 4GB from my laptop up to Toms desktop last Saturday, and it took just over an hour, so I was well happy with that. I've also shared Toms printer so I can print to it from the laptop.
The file copy was staggering, since then I'd always done file copying by wire or media, the fact it was going over thin air was amazing (sorry I'll stop there!).
I really don't think you'll have any problems mate. Netgear have also released a series of what they call "Rangemax" products which allege to increase the range of 11G whilst maintaining 125Mbps. I've not tried this equipment so cannot comment on it, but certainly the cheaper 834GT did it for me.
Recommended.
Cheers!
Greg
I've been looking for a router with the best wireless range because I want to share access with a neighbour. From my investigation i think the Linksys WAG54GX2 is one of the best out there for range (especially when combined with the Linksys SRX200 wireless cards). However, it isn't cheap at just under £100.
Guys,
Thanks for the recommendations.
The Netgear DG834GT doesn't do that well on the Amazon website - link here:
www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0006M5UQG/kelkoo-2004-ce-21/ref%3Dnosim/202-0495615-4899865
Are they all muppets, or just unlucky? (One may observe that to be a muppet you must be extremely unlucky, but this is by-the-by!)
Oli.
>> Edited by zcacogp on Wednesday 21st December 12:49
Thanks for the recommendations.
The Netgear DG834GT doesn't do that well on the Amazon website - link here:
www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0006M5UQG/kelkoo-2004-ce-21/ref%3Dnosim/202-0495615-4899865
Are they all muppets, or just unlucky? (One may observe that to be a muppet you must be extremely unlucky, but this is by-the-by!)
Oli.
>> Edited by zcacogp on Wednesday 21st December 12:49
Well, I ordered my 834GT from Amazon.
The firmware is bang up to date (had it nearly 3 weeks now) and its faultless.
I can connect at 108Mbps with my laptop, and, as I said, Toms PC connects at 54Mbps every time, and his PC is well away from the router. It has to go through several very thick walls, too.
Well pleased with it.
The firmware is bang up to date (had it nearly 3 weeks now) and its faultless.
I can connect at 108Mbps with my laptop, and, as I said, Toms PC connects at 54Mbps every time, and his PC is well away from the router. It has to go through several very thick walls, too.
Well pleased with it.
I have a Netgear ME102 802.1b access point - yes I can hear the howls of derision as it only runs at 11Mb but hey if you are sharing broadband its going to be 1 or 2mb so 11mb is blinding for it :-)
These are obsolete but you can pick them up on ebay for about £5 or less and they are very reliable with excellent range. Mine is upstairs back room I get full signal downstairs in the front room (opposite end of the house) , also in the garden and I can even pick it up in the house next door - about 20 ft away.
Result and for £5 if it doesnt work for you nothing much lost.
These are obsolete but you can pick them up on ebay for about £5 or less and they are very reliable with excellent range. Mine is upstairs back room I get full signal downstairs in the front room (opposite end of the house) , also in the garden and I can even pick it up in the house next door - about 20 ft away.
Result and for £5 if it doesnt work for you nothing much lost.
Chaps,
Thanks to you all for helpful advice. It seems that there is an overwhealming clamour in favour of Netgear products, so Netgear it will have to be. Thanks again.
Particularly helpful - thanks.
One question. You said that you "Complemented this with a USB adapter, which works okay ..." What do you mean by this? You also tried using a USB adapter in the same computer to see whether it worked any worse or better, or something else? Apologies if I am being slow ...
Bigdods - good idea about secondhand older versions. I *think* that the lappie in question only runs the 802.1b spec hardware, and I understand that the whole network only runs at the speed of the slowest item, therefore there is nothing to be gained by getting the later router ... in which case that is an excellent wheeze! Thanks! (The above certainly applies to my situation, and I'll be doing something similar in the next few months as well, so doubly helpful!)
Oli.
Thanks to you all for helpful advice. It seems that there is an overwhealming clamour in favour of Netgear products, so Netgear it will have to be. Thanks again.
GregE240 said:Greg,
The main concern was the desktop as it was about as far away from the router as it could be. And yet, set up was a piece of piss, and he regularly gets 54Mbps and a "good" signal strength. I have complemented this with a USB adapter, which works okay, not brilliant, but it works. That was from e-buyer, and was the cheapest 11G card they did (about 15 quid IIRC).
Particularly helpful - thanks.
One question. You said that you "Complemented this with a USB adapter, which works okay ..." What do you mean by this? You also tried using a USB adapter in the same computer to see whether it worked any worse or better, or something else? Apologies if I am being slow ...
Bigdods - good idea about secondhand older versions. I *think* that the lappie in question only runs the 802.1b spec hardware, and I understand that the whole network only runs at the speed of the slowest item, therefore there is nothing to be gained by getting the later router ... in which case that is an excellent wheeze! Thanks! (The above certainly applies to my situation, and I'll be doing something similar in the next few months as well, so doubly helpful!)
Oli.
zcacogp said:Oli,
Chaps,
Thanks to you all for helpful advice. It seems that there is an overwhealming clamour in favour of Netgear products, so Netgear it will have to be. Thanks again.
GregE240 said:Greg,
The main concern was the desktop as it was about as far away from the router as it could be. And yet, set up was a piece of piss, and he regularly gets 54Mbps and a "good" signal strength. I have complemented this with a USB adapter, which works okay, not brilliant, but it works. That was from e-buyer, and was the cheapest 11G card they did (about 15 quid IIRC).
Particularly helpful - thanks.
One question. You said that you "Complemented this with a USB adapter, which works okay ..." What do you mean by this? You also tried using a USB adapter in the same computer to see whether it worked any worse or better, or something else? Apologies if I am being slow ...
Sorry mate, I should have made myself clearer.
OK, we have two PCs in the house that use wireless. Well, 3 if you count Toms PSP. The PCs are Toms desktop (with a PCI wireless card) and my laptop (PCMCIA card). Both of these products are Netgear, to complement the router. I bought thes with Plotloss' advice, and they were dead easy to install - basically, install the software, shut down, install the card, boot up and away you go.
But...I am the familys' IT Support bloke, so from time to time I get given a PC to fix or update. In order to do this, I need access to the internet, so unless I want to Ethernet it to the back of the router, wireless it must be. Given the router is in the kitchen I don't think I'd be too popular hard wiring it! So I needed a wireless adapter that would plug into anything quickly, and be easily configurable, so I took the plunge and bought E-buyers cheapest 11G USB adapter.
Its okay, the signal strength is only acceptable though. Up in Toms room, the signal strength on the USB adapter is "poor", and even 2 feet away from the router it rises to the heady heights of "good". But, given it only cost a few sheckles I can't grumble.
Thats why I bought the USB adapter, so anyone can bring a PC to the house and get on the Internet.
Cheers,
Greg
Plotloss said:
Historically fraught with problems though Don.
I didn't realise.
Plotloss said:
Granted this 85mbps is brand new (launched 3 weeks ago) and it has big claims but I would like to see it fully working before commiting.
I bought a pair of "Dabs Value" Edimax 85Mbps jobbies - the cheapest ones they did. They work *great*!
Of course...proper wired is (more than) ten times better. But I didn't need to redecorate after installing the Homeplug system. I viewed the pair I bought as a £90 experiment...which has worked out really well for me (so far!). If you actually have a need for 'em - I recommend 'em!
>> Edited by Don on Thursday 22 December 09:28
I have used linksys stuff and found it to be very good. Currently using a wrt54gs
You can get custom made firmware from www.sveasoft.com/ that will boost range etc
Currently have 4 pc's wirelessly connected, one in the workshop 35m away, another in the loft 3 floors up with no problems
Excellent routers and easy to configure
You can get custom made firmware from www.sveasoft.com/ that will boost range etc
Currently have 4 pc's wirelessly connected, one in the workshop 35m away, another in the loft 3 floors up with no problems
Excellent routers and easy to configure
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