Wireless N...

[jamiesalter]

I'm currently looking for a new wireless router with more range than my current G604T D-Link router and I can't be bothered to wait until 2008/9 for 802.11n to come out...therefore I've been looking at current wireless N draft routers. I would also like, but don't actually need, a gigabit switch, but the wireless range and speed is my primary concern.

Here are the routers that boast wireless draft N speeds etc:

SMC SMCWBR14-N
Gigabit? No
Approx. price: £70

ZyXEL NBG-415N
Gigabit? No
Approx. price: £70

Asus WL-500W
Gigabit? No
Approx. price: £75

Belkin F5D8231-4
Gigabit? No
Approx. price: £75

TrendNet TEW-631BRP
Gigabit? No
Approx. price: £85

Netgear WNR854T
Gigabit? Yes
Approx. price: £90

D-Link DIR-655
Gigabit? Yes
Approx. price: £95

Linksys WRVS4400N
Gigabit? Yes
Approx. price: £130

Buffalo WZR-AG300NH
Gigabit? Yes
Approx. price: £160

Linksys WRT330N
Gigabit? Yes
Approx. price: £TBA

Do any of you have one of these routers or have you heard about any of them? Just trying to work out which one to get...

As you're asking, I'm needing the router primarily to travel through 1 wall out of the house and then another wall into the garage where a PS3 is sitting . My current G604T D-Link router can't hold a connection at that range and is frustratingly intermittent.

Anyway, any thoughts on the above routers would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and one more question...are there any new routers/technology coming out in the next, say, 2 months that you know of? Don't really want to wait longer than that for new stuff.

Jamie Salter

[s_kinton]

Why not buy a signal booster or another access point instead?

[jamiesalter]

A good access point possibly, but I would also like a gigabit switch so I figured the best way to get both is to get a router. I've thought about getting a new aerial etc, but as I'll be wanting to stream HD content through the PS3, I'll need a decent connection which i don't think 802.11g will be able to handle.

[s_kinton]

A good access point possibly, but I would also like a gigabit switch so I figured the best way to get both is to get a router. I've thought about getting a new aerial etc, but as I'll be wanting to stream HD content through the PS3, I'll need a decent connection which i don't think 802.11g will be able to handle.

Good idea to go with N then. Standard 54Mbps G is no good for streaming HD content. I cant help with the above routers though as Im still using G myself

[med2003]

Hey

I've got a D-Link DIR-655 and it's excellent. Moved away from a DG834G to a Draytek Vigor 100 and the DIR-655 and could not be more pleased.

mD

[jamiesalter]

Yeah, I've been looking at the D-Link DIR-655 and it seems a good choice.

The other I'm looking at is the Linksys WRT330N...or I simply wait for even newer technology from newer drafts.

I am frustratingly undecided.

[BlackDwarf]

But surely, no matter how much you upgrade your router.... Your PS3 is still only 'g' standard, so it won't go above 54Mbps anyway?

[aidanjt]

Using draft networking standards is retarded, they're prone to major changes when ratified, and when too many people use it pre-maturely, worse it becomes a sub-standard de facto standard that nobody is willing to change to improve it in case it breaks everyone's gear.

If you want to stream HD content even 802.11N is insufficient when dealing with multiple hosts, when it comes to high-bandwidth and low latency, ethernet is the only way to go.

[jamiesalter]

Ok, you've managed to persuade me to stay wired - so...I was looking at desktop gigabit switches (8 port) and came across D-Links DGS-2208 (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=495) which seems to do everything I want and more. However, where the hell is it in UK stores?? I can't find it anywhere. Are there such things as US only products from a manufacture such as D-Link?

[peterb]

Have you done a Google search. I entered

DGS-2208

as a search term and came up with shedloads of UK suppliers - including amazon.

If you are looking at streaming HD content live over the internet, your speed is limited by the internet connection anyway - gigabit is overkill. It MAY be worthwhile if you are streaming over the internal network only.

[jamiesalter]

Yeah, I'll be streaming over internal network with future use of streaming HD...if you look at amazon for the DGS-2208, its not there (Of course if you find that it is, please post a link)

[peterb]

OK - it is available from Amazon.com - but they won 't ship it to UK. Looking at the discounted price I wonder if it is a superceded model. There are other D-link gigabit switches available from Amazon UK.

[DratUK]

Perhaps an alternative without all the fuss.

DLINK

If you read the blurb its capable of delivering 200mb per second, enough for streaming HD.

Its the Powerline HD starter kit

D-Link’s PowerLine HD Ethernet Starter Kit is an ideal solution for connecting computers, HD media players, game consoles and network attached storage to your home network. By simply attaching one adapter from your router into your existing electrical system, you can turn every power outlet into a possible network connection.

From the blurb.

I have not read up on this tech but it seems worth doing a bit of research.

Broadbandbuyer has an overview of this system

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/defa...ShopGroupID=61

Product news

[PoDd]

I use a DG834N, had it the day it was released in the uk.. I thought id try a draft standard as work paid and it sounded interesting. Its pretty rubbish tbh, real world performance it not much better than 54g and therange not much better. Actually my draytek with high gain aerials was better. Stich with G, high gain aerials or an access point to help boost the signal where its lacking.

PoDd

[jamiesalter]

I've been looking at switches from companies other than D-Link and want priority tagging (IEEE 802.1p). Therefore i've come up with either getting the Netgear GS108T or the Linksys SLM2008 - the netgear is £20 more expensive than the linksys, but has a lifetime guarentee. Both features are fairly similar. Any opinions on either of these would be greatly appreciated.

Jamie