Network: QOS through access point

[trd2343]

My hypothetical setup:

-> = ethernet cable
Shaw modem -> Asus router (access point mode) -> Linksys router (access point mode)

If I set up QOS rules on the Asus router (I'm looking at RT-N66U), would computers connected to the Linksys router be governed by the QOS rules?

Also, would I be able to reach the max speed provided in Shaw Broadband 50 with a WRT54G over WiFi?

Thanks.

edit: The reason I'm asking is I have 6 people living in the household. I need find some way to make sure that web surfing for homework, email etc, doesn't get affected by people who are streaming or downloading stuff.

[Iceman_2K]

Technically, only the Linksys router is affected by the QOS rules of the Asus router. However, since devices are pulling net traffic through the Linksys router, and the Linksys router is affected by the rules, it means that the overall traffic that the Linksys router is moving is going to be affected by the rule in place. So everyone that is connected to the Linksys will be affected by the kinds of activities that are happening on there. If you further have QOS rules on the Linksys, then it will further shape the traffic for devices connected to it. Why do you have two routers? Is one of them acting as a repeater?

Your second question: what kind of wifi? A,B,G, N? How big is the house and how far away are the devices? How many walls? Most likely you won't hit max speed if there are other users running things at the same time.

[trd2343]

1. Perfect, that's what I'm looking for. I want the traffic through Linksys to be controlled by the Asus.

2. Coverage wise, it should be ok, since I got the 2 routers acting as an access point at different ends of the house, so I got the whole house essentially covered. You're right though, with 6 people living in the house, even with BB 50, I don't think I'll be able to hit 50 Mbps. WRT54G is G, while Asus RT-N66U is N.

Have you heard of Mikrotik? Only reason I'm considering the RT-N66U is because I need a router with a really good QOS to control traffic. I've never used Mikrotik before, but apparently it's a brand that sells business grade router?

[!MiKrofT]

What Iceman2k says is right. Everyone on the Linksys will be affected at the same time whenever anyone hits a QOS rule. A better way would be to disable the routing features on the Linksys and have the Asus route all traffic. The Linksys will just provide a wireless connection.

With all the users you have you won't max out the connection on the 54G. It is possible for users connected to the Asus though.

[trd2343]

Here's what I'm actually trying to do.

So right now, I have this set up

-> Ethernet cable

Shaw modem (north end of house) -> Linksys WRT54G (south end of house)

The Linksys router is configured as an access point, so all it does is receives internet and broadcast it wirelessly.

Problem is, I have 6 people living in my home, and neither the Shaw modem or the Linksys router have a good QOS firmware to control the traffic.

That's why I was thinking of inserting a the Asus router in between, since I've heard it has a very good QOS firmware. I'll be disabling the WiFi from the Shaw modem.

In the end, hopefully, whether someone's connected to the Asus, or the Linksys, will have to go through the rules set up by the Asus router.

While I was searching for QOS router, pfsense or Mikrotik popped up, so I'm just wondering if anyone have experience with those routers.

[!MiKrofT]

Haven't used Mikrotik before. It seems to be more for corporate networks. Pfsense is nice but way too much work to configure. It's a linux based firewall/router. The Asus should be fine. I own the N66U as well.

[twitchyzero]

Is there a reason you would wanna use the Linksys for wifi only if the N66U will be doing a good job?

Buy the 66u, slap on shibby's firmware if the default QoS is not doing much..then retire the linksys

[!MiKrofT]

^probably to increase wireless reception range in his house.

[trd2343]

^Yup, that's exactly it. I've heard that the range on the Asus N66 is superb, so I might just take out the Linksys if I get almost full bar throughout the whole house.

[!MiKrofT]

^The range is definitely awesome on the N66U. I have it installed in a small community center and it's enough to get through the first and 2nd floors.

[trd2343]

Nice. If you don't mind me asking, how big is the community centre? lol, I imagine it should be bigger than a 2000 sqt*ft house right?

[!MiKrofT]

Probably over 20000sqft. But that's including the Gym and basement which don't have wifi coverage. Plus we're looking at a lot of concrete.