Looking for a router

[dkane360]

So I'm in need of a router in my apartment. We have one now, but its not very good. The problem is that we have a huge apartment that was at one point 2 apartments. So I'm assuming there is a firewall of some sort in between the 2 halves making wireless really difficult. We probably have 20 internet connected devices (desktops, laptops, 360's, PS3, etc) so wiring everything isn't an option. So I guess what I'm getting at is I need a router with a lot of ethernet outs (more than 5 or 6), and has powerful wireless, and doesn't suck lol. Can anyone help?

 

[highfigh]

So I'm in need of a router in my apartment. We have one now, but its not very good. The problem is that we have a huge apartment that was at one point 2 apartments. So I'm assuming there is a firewall of some sort in between the 2 halves making wireless really difficult. We probably have 20 internet connected devices (desktops, laptops, 360's, PS3, etc) so wiring everything isn't an option. So I guess what I'm getting at is I need a router with a lot of ethernet outs (more than 5 or 6), and has powerful wireless, and doesn't suck lol. Can anyone help?

The firewall is usually just extra layers of drywall, to give it the fire rating and as long as you use a metal box on each side and conduit to connect both boxes, the rating will still apply if you caulk the gaps around the boxes. If there's a way to look into the attic, make sure it's not cinder block (I doubt it). If you can't, remove a wall plate from a receptacle on that wall and slide a stiff wire past the electrical box and move it around. If you hit anything, make it scrape that surface- if it makes a strong metallic sound, it's harder than you probably want to cut through. Hard wire as much as you can in one area and if you exceed the ports on the router really fast, get a workgroup switch. Then, use a wireless router as a bridge so you can connect to the router.

The devices that need to be hard-wired are spread all over the place, right?

 

[dkane360]

The firewall is usually just extra layers of drywall, to give it the fire rating and as long as you use a metal box on each side and conduit to connect both boxes, the rating will still apply if you caulk the gaps around the boxes. If there's a way to look into the attic, make sure it's not cinder block (I doubt it). If you can't, remove a wall plate from a receptacle on that wall and slide a stiff wire past the electrical box and move it around. If you hit anything, make it scrape that surface- if it makes a strong metallic sound, it's harder than you probably want to cut through. Hard wire as much as you can in one area and if you exceed the ports on the router really fast, get a workgroup switch. Then, use a wireless router as a bridge so you can connect to the router.

The devices that need to be hard-wired are spread all over the place, right?

Yea the hardwired devices are all over. I have a 100 ft cat 6 running from one side to the other side of the apartment already. My biggest concern is that I feel like were overwhelming the router. If one person is on youtube, the internet is ridiculously slow, and if one person is streaming netflix, no one else can use the internet. I think its the router which is why I'm looking into a new one.

 

[highfigh]

Yea the hardwired devices are all over. I have a 100 ft cat 6 running from one side to the other side of the apartment already. My biggest concern is that I feel like were overwhelming the router. If one person is on youtube, the internet is ridiculously slow, and if one person is streaming netflix, no one else can use the internet. I think its the router which is why I'm looking into a new one.

Get a Cisco, if you can. Linksys is their consumer line. What protocol are your devices using- G or N? Again, hard wire as much as you can to maintain the speed. Also, make sure you're on a channel that's free of other networks. Use Inssider- it's a free download and shows who's active in the area, what kind of gateway they're using, their speed, channel, etc. Much easier than just using the little utility that's normally available on a computer. Being on a crowded channel will slow things down considerably if you're working wireless.

 

[bhodge]

Cisco would be top of the line and as such alot more expensive, but I don't think you are looking at a quick fix either way.

Wireless N is the fastest you can get, double G not to mention it is more powerful (covers easily 3x the distance) but to get the equipment to do N will be costly as every device would have to have N. However, I believe routers that do N can do the older protocols as well (but double check to make sure).

What is your connection to the internet? Just double checking, but your bottle neck could be your internet connection and not your network. In general, I think its going to be hard for the average person (you are above average with all your devices) to put a strain on a home network. You can test your internet speed to see what it is (opposed to what your bill says) here http://www.speedtest.net/ but keep in mind if you have cable internet you don't have a dedicated line and every time you do the test it will vary as your speed is related to how many other people are using the bandwidth as well.

Personally I would hardwire everything, I hate wireless and only use it for my laptop when I'm roaming the house. Its not going to be easy to find a router with more than 4 ethernet jacks, the best solution is to buy a GOOD wireless router and then daisy chain switches together to get enough ports. The size of the switch (they come in varying sizes 4-16+) is up to you but if you ever run out, just buy another one and connect it up.

Get a switch not a hub. A switch is a smart hub and will direct your traffic to the exact port it needs to go, whereas a hub floods all the ports with the info and the port that requested the information will take it while the others ignore it.

 

[dkane360]

I'm using N, and part of the problem could be that there are so many other networks. Theres probably 20 networks in our building, all using the same. Can anyone recommend a good switch with a lot of ports?

 

[Alex2507]

So I'm in need of a router in my apartment.

I got some great advice in this thread and finally settled on something called a D-Link 655. It got recommended in the 7th post and then mulled over a bunch.

I'm pretty computer illiterate and this was no problem to set up. No issues whatsoever. Somewhere along the line I believe I read that you can get some sort of hub for additional wired connections but I'm already talking outside of my experience.

 

[dkane360]

I got some great advice in this thread and finally settled on something called a D-Link 655. It got recommended in the 7th post and then mulled over a bunch.

I'm pretty computer illiterate and this was no problem to set up. No issues whatsoever. Somewhere along the line I believe I read that you can get some sort of hub for additional wired connections but I'm already talking outside of my experience.

i actually have that at home, and i think its on its way out lol. Every few hours it just loses connection and starts back up. It's been good for a while though. I think I'm going to get this one if I don't find a switch. http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WRT400N-Dual-Band-Wireless-N-Router/dp/B001SEL36M/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top