REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

Simplex123 · 10-25-2011, 10:37 PM

I am using a Linksys WRT160N right now and for some reason I am not getting a very good connection or range with it in my townhouse. My room is about 12/13 metres away from the router on the same level, but a lot of the time it would disconnect randomly and I wouldn't be able to find my network. This happens like a few times everyday. And when I'm right outside the house, I would not even be able to find my network..

I'm not very familiar with routers, so what router would you guys recommend around the $100 range? Are the dual band ones worth it? How do they exactly work?
There are usually 4 computers using the network just browsing and some torrenting.

Also how is the the Shaw Wi-Fi modem? How would it compare to a $100 router?

FerrariEnzo · 10-25-2011, 11:48 PM

the Netgear WNDR3700 or 4000 are probably the best home routers..
You could get a router with external antennas and buy a longer antenna, but that would reduce your speed...

.Renn.Sport · 10-26-2011, 01:21 AM

Asus RT56

hotjoint · 10-26-2011, 07:11 AM

I've been using the d-link dir-655 router for the past couple of years. It works great.

Soundy · 10-26-2011, 07:23 AM

+1 for DIR-655. Depending on the hardware version of your existing WRT160N, it may support flashing with DD-WRT, third-party firmware that gives you a lot more options and tweaks.

Simplex123 · 10-26-2011, 11:40 AM

^I am supported but there was a lot of reading to do in the guide so I got lazy haha
What exactly are the benefits of flashing to DD-WRT?

Soundy · 10-26-2011, 12:25 PM

https://www.flashrouters.com/ddwrt-r...nformation.php

Quote:

DD-WRT is a Linux-based firmware project developed to upgrade and enhance wireless Internet routers. This open-source firmware was developed for specific router models and is used as a replacement for the factory default firmware. This modification lifts restrictions built-in to the default firmware, providing advanced capabilities to make your Internet and Home Network more controllable and versatile.

Manufacturers develop routers for non-technical users in mind, making them simple and easy to use, while limiting their effectiveness as a web-access gateway. DD-WRT transforms a personal-class router with limited functionality into a powerful, multi-use, business-class router. With DD-WRT, a router's enterprise potential can be unlocked at a home user's price.

Benefits range from being able to create Wi-Fi hotspots in your home and increasing your antenna signal transmission strength, to encrypting your entire network by tunneling all traffic through a VPN connection in your router. You can find a more full list of DD-WRT benefits further down the page.

Below you will find answers to some of the general questions you may have regarding DD-WRT firmware. If you have any other questions about this amazing open source project, then you can either send us a support ticket or check out www.dd-wrt.com | Unleash Your Router - the official home page of DD-WRT.

Quote:

What are the detailed benefits of DD-WRT?

DD-WRT firmware lifts restrictions on a router by providing advanced capabilities that can improve your Internet experience. Here's a list of a few specific DD-WRT benefits:

Stability of running a linux-based, non-proprietary firmware.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) passthrough capabilities.
Advanced QoS (Quality of Service) controls for bandwidth allocation to your various Network connections.
Adjustable antenna power to increase your wireless spectrum.
WDS wireless bridging /repeating protocol AKA the "Repeater Bridge" mode, which allows you to easily expand your network using a second wireless router.
Cycle your router from the Administration settings.
Built-in DNS (Domain Name System) caching - speeds up your connection to an array of sites.
Viewable performance graphs and statistics to watch your network performance and measure your bandwidth levels.
Configure the router as a Wi-Fi hotspot for your business or neighbors with a verification page using the integrated Chillispot.
Radius Authentication for additional wireless security.
VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) Support.
A functional DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server.
Create unique SSIDs (service set identifiers) when using multiple routers.
NAT (Network Address Translation) support.
Frame Bursting Capabilities.
Software support for the SD-Card hardware modification.

!MiKrofT · 10-26-2011, 12:36 PM

+1 for DIR655. It's rock solid no matter how much stuff I cram through it.

Wireless strength is not that good though for this router. However replacing it with 3 higher gain antennas will fix that.

hotjoint · 10-26-2011, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by !MiKrofT

+1 for DIR655. It's rock solid no matter how much stuff I cram through it.

Wireless strength is not that good though for this router. However replacing it with 3 higher gain antennas will fix that.

Where's a place that you would suggest to buy these higher gain antennas and how much would would they cost roughly?

freakshow · 10-26-2011, 02:26 PM

I used to run DD-WRT WRT54Gs in almost every application.

I just moved to a new house and wanted an N router, so I picked up an Asus RT-N56U based on some great reviews. So far I'm very impressed. Speeds are good, and the firmware is great, gives you tons of options and flexibility. So far, I'm not missing anything that I had when I ran DD-WRT.

Router Charts - WAN to LAN Throughput - SmallNetBuilder

!MiKrofT · 10-26-2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotjoint

Where's a place that you would suggest to buy these higher gain antennas and how much would would they cost roughly?

eBay. I don't care much about wireless strength since I'm in a basement suite.

StaxBundlez · 10-30-2011, 09:25 PM

Unfortunately this router has been known to have this very common issue you speak of; before purchasing another more expensive router might I suggest a few things?

I suggest re-flashing your firmware and make sure you have the latest updates.
If that doesn't work you could try switching to another channel
WiFi Stumbler Scans Local Wi-Fi to Find an Interference-Free Channel

You can also try increasing the power on your laptops wifi adapter.

If it does come down to purchasing something, you can easily find a WRT54G on ebay and flash it with DD-WRT and turning it into a repeater to help boost your signal.

Good luck

Soundy · 10-31-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freakshow

So far, I'm not missing anything that I had when I ran DD-WRT.

Yeah, depends what you're doing with them. For me, I have a WRT'd Asus RT-N16 as my main router, and a couple of old WRT54Gs as access points connected via WDS around the house, which allow me to bridge IP cameras from those locations. It also gives me a VPN server for outside connections to my network, which I don't use a lot, but it has been handy at times.