Wireless router - NTL/Virgin

[just_laze]

Hi,

A friend has asked me to recommend a wireless router to them.

I haven't gone wireless yet myself, so I'm not entirely sure what to recommend.

After a quick browse I found this:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx...957,4294959741

review - "Set up a small 3 PC network - 1 wired, 2 wireless, Blueyonder Telewest cable modem. Seems to work straight away simply going through the setup wizard. Much easier than XP ICS was before. Using all "b at the moment" but will upgrade to "G" probably later. In my IT consultancy work this will now be what I recommend".

Which I'm confident would be bang on for their needs, but I'd like a few confirmations first.

As mentioned in the title they have an NTL connection using the standard silver modem. I take it I'll be able to just plug the ethernet cable into the above router and wallah, we're up and running (with a little configuration of course ;-)).

Anything else I should know (I'm aware of security implications).

Thanks.

laze.

[aidanjt]

The Linksys WRT54G is a good affordable drop-in solution. Most people will recommend this router, especially with the one of the many 3rd party firmwares.

[moogle]

I got ntl, using the silver modem and using this router. Updated to DD-WRT firmware and its all fine. Torrents download properly. I don't have reboots or router crashes. Just plug in from the ntl modem and then connect to whichever pc you want, wired or wireless.

[jamin]

Another vote for the Linksys WRT54G here! Great router.

[pak000]

i use this router with blueyonder, it works fine. I've also flashed it with dd-wrt.

Because you are doing it for friends, I'd just stick to the standard firmware, but if you decide not to then there are lots of different versions of this router, some of which are better for 3rd party firmware than others

[just_laze]

Great,

I've actually managed to find this router for £25 on ebuyer:
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/125577

Bargain?

laze.

[MSIC]

Good price. I use Netgear stuff myself as a general rule, but nothing wrong with Linksys (which i love the idea of flash-able open source firmware for by the way).
I have been playing around with the pre-N stuff also for a year or more, and whilst it works great as long as you keep all your PCMCIA cards etc from the same company, you'll signifcantly add to the cost over even 2 or 3 machines comapred to regular G.

In practice G is fine for a modern small house, going through max 2 thin walls.

[Apex]

Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 Router

[adam1701]

Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54G

amazing when flashed!

[Apex]

Buffalo uses the same chipset as the Linksys one and so can sue DD-WRT and according to what i have seem it has a much higher wireless output then the Linksys

[moogle]

Buffalo uses the same chipset as the Linksys one and so can sue DD-WRT and according to what i have seem it has a much higher wireless output then the Linksys

can use dd-wrt but its more expensive, specially since the wrt54g is £16 ex del with google checkout at ebuyer. plus faster transmit speeds but, no one really has internet faster than 54mbps, unless you are those special people testing fast connections. and you will probably say filetransfers is faster but, it'll only be 12mB/s. I always transfer files between pcs using a flash drive or portable hard disk. so the criteria is:

If you transfer alot of files over the wifi -> Buffalo is your choice.

If you have internet faster than 54mbps but not faster than 108mbps -> Buffalo is your choice.

If neither of the above apply to you then -> WRT54G is your choice.

I hope that helps you in choosing.

[Avalon]

WRT54GL is wht you want, a new G will run vxworks not linux and if you want to run 3rd party firmware you can't atm. Buy the GL as out of the box it's better and has the option of DDWRT etc.

[dannyboy83]

Cheapest place for WRT54GL is OcUK atm. £25.99 ex VAT

I ordered one today. £36.05 with VAT+Shipping (1st class)

[just_laze]

Hey,

I went for a cheapo dynamode jobbie in the end. Same cost as the Linksy (out of stock) and like it, has a long list of satisfied customer reviews.

I'm sure it'll serve it's purpose.

laze.

[Avalon]

Unlucky, ebuyer had them in stock for the same price (ok it's 2p cheaper). You genuinely missed out on the best router this side of a ton.

[just_laze]

I missed out on nothing.

laze.