Wireless Routers

I am looking into buying a new wireless router. Any experinces or opinions with wireless N routers?

I wouldn't get one until the standard is ratified (it's still in draft 2). If you get a draft-n router theres a slight possibility it may not be compatible with the final standard

You should get a G-router, they're better in my opinion.

Replying to #3

Personally I have an a/b/g wireless access point (not a router, its got one ethernet port and all it does is wired <-> wireless) No-one even knows I have a wireless network because 802.11a uses a different part of the radio spectrum to b/g, so it can't be detected unless you're using 802.11a equipment, which is pretty uncommon :)

SpeedSyndicate · #1I am looking into buying a new wireless router. Any experinces or opinions with wireless N routers?

Basically wireless standards pros and cons are:802.11b:

Good: cheap, good signal range
 Bad: slow, not very resistant to interference (causing additional slowness)

802.11a:

Good: fast, resistant to interference
 Bad: highest cost, very short and limited signal range

802.11g:

Good: fast, good signal range
 Bad: costs more than 802.11[b]b[/b], may be vulnerable to interference (causing slowdown)

802.11n:

Good: fastest maximum speed and best signal range; more resistant to signal interference from outside sources 
 Bad: standard is not yet finalized; costs more than 802.11g; the use of multiple signals may greatly interfere with existing nearby 802.11b/g based networks

So I would say go for newer equipment which supports firmware upgrade, so when n standard gets finalized (Wikipedia says it'll not be before December 2009) you can flash your router ;) (I hope that n will not require special hardware?)I suggest until n gets finalized use g mode, I had no problems with it so far.

Loonylion · #4Personally I have an a/b/g wireless access point (not a router, its got one ethernet port and all it does is wired <-> wireless) No-one even knows I have a wireless network because 802.11a uses a different part of the radio spectrum to b/g, so it can't be detected unless you're using 802.11a equipment, which is pretty uncommon :)

We can plug network cables in our wireless router too, that's what I do, powerline networking.I Love my power supply near our router :D

ThisIsTheUsername802.11n:
the use of multiple signals may greatly interfere with existing nearby 802.11b/g based networks[/tt]

Depends, n is intended to use the 5ghz band by default as it has more potential channels than 2.4Ghz. b/g use 2.4Ghz

ThisIsTheUsername · #5So I would say go for newer equipment which supports firmware upgrade, so when n standard gets finalized (Wikipedia says it'll not be before December 2009) you can flash your router ;) (I hope that n will not require special hardware?)

flashing your router to full n depends on how much of the standard changes between draft 2 and the final standard. Most n equipment will be backwards compatible with b/g, but new equipment will be needed to use the full benefits of n. whether draft 2 hardware will be compatible with full n hardware cannot be guaranteed at this time.

Thank you for all the replies so far. I think I see why the mix feedbacks for Wireless N. It's a good thing I'm still looking and didn't buy anything yet. I will wait until a standard is set. I think I'll try to hold as long as I can to my Wireless G.

waylonn · #6We can plug network cables in our wireless router too, that's what I do, powerline networking.I Love my power supply near our router :D

And that's what, 84mbit? I have gigabit speeds (full 1000BaseT over Cat5e) in the house

Replying to #9

I reach too 100mbit

waylonn · #3You should get a G-router, they're better in my opinion.

What are you, high?

The G-router is more stable. If you have a small house i suggest a G-Router. If your house is like 2 stories and you have wirelesss connections everywhere get the N.

Replying to #12

My house is 2 stories and my a/b/g access point covers the whole house easily.

Replying to #13

Ours is 3 stories and could reach all computers, but the computers on the third one had a 'very weak' connection status.

i got a g/b router and my download speed is the same wirerless as it is wired

And your router is ....m away? Probably next to your computer. ::)

well most of the time im two rooms away from my router, and other times they sit side by side

Yeah, I guess the "g" is better for the price. 'n' really isn't all that necessary.

G's are such shit. They tend to have deteriorated reception due to things like... walls.

Replying to #19

All wireless suffers from that.