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Thread: Choosing a router

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    HEXUS webmaster Steve's Avatar
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    Choosing a router

    Planning ahead a few months to moving into a new flat, and I'm looking for a router and WAP that will serve me and my 5 flatmates.

    Having used a number of routers in the past, I'm sick of models that have lots of features, but lack power and stability. With that in mind, this is my current favourite conteder:


    http://www.3com.com/prod/en_UK_EMEA/...=3CRWDR100A-72

    Note that it has an ADSL modem in it... that's important. uPNP is important too as I feel like doing as little port forwarding as I can (I know I can't avoid it altogether, however.)

    Any other suggestions, or is this a good'un?
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    As far as my suggestions go I would say anything by DrayTek (take a look at the Vigor 2800G for what you want - uPnP that works ) I know that they're more expensive than most, but are worth it in my opinion.

    Beware that some routers on the market have an issue with "wandering" SNR which could affect you if you are on a marginal line - I don't know about the router that you've suggested but I know that some Netgears have a problem with this.

    Hope that helps even a little bit - good luck!

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    HEXUS webmaster Steve's Avatar
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    Thanks for the Draytek tip; anyone know what sort of hardware they use, particularly in the V2800G?
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    I recently replaced my NetGear DG834G with a NetGear DG834PN (MIMO) and the new box has proved to be rock solid and with much better signal strenght and range. I can thouroughly recommend this, I have a friend with the 3-com which I tried, and it had nowhere near the range and through-put.
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    http://www.draytek.com/product/adsl2...vigor2800G.php

    The info pages are pretty useful. If you want more info drop them a line, they are more than happy to help.

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    The OfficeConnect has only got 'so so' reviews. I think it was criticised for its lack of speed and paucity of setup/tweaking/security options. Its inexpensive though.

    The LinkSys WAG54v2 was great for about 6 months until it broke down. Sent it back to Linksys via Amazon and three months later I'm still waiting for it to be repaired. The customer services / status section of the Linksys website is also down, and they also never seem to answer the phone. Some people report no problems with these modem / routers but other people lots of reliability problems.

    The Netgear 834G/GT was okay but signal strength and reliability was very poor. I'd often find myself having to reboot the router every few days. There are also alot of horror stories about the 834 on various forums. DLink also seem to get very poor user feedback.

    Also had a Belkin Pre-N MIMO router with the Linksys Ethernet modem. Quite good and reliability but the signal strength / range is very overrated.

    The Buffalo WYR-54 (router only) was fabulous. Good speed, 100% reliability and not a single reboot in 12 months. I've ordered the ADSL2+/Smart Router High Power bundle as a result, and also due to me moving from NTL cable to ADSL / BT phoneline. About £52 from Amazon for the modem/router (non HP) bundle and £65 for high powered bundle.
    Last edited by davidstone28; 10-04-2006 at 01:17 PM.

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    I'd vote for the Draytek Steve - I'm not usually a big WiFi fan , but these seemed to do the job pretty well.

    personally I'd just use a 2600 and cat 5
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    In fact, they have some cheap (albeit B-grade) 2600s here

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    Wow they are cheap. Might pick one up in case I ever get ADSL.

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    Speedtouch 585.

    I love the thing.

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    I had one of the 3com Office connect routers you refer to and had no problems with it at all. I only replaced it because I went over to NTL and so needed one without the ADSL modem in it.
    I bought a Netgear DG834 MIMO unit and I really wish I hadnt. Their drivers for the wireless cards, both laptop and desktop ones, cause blue screening with ridiculous frequency and the router itself seems to overheat and disconnect all the time unless you follow Netgear's ever so technical advice and stand it on the cardboard box it came in.

    The PSU that came with it produces over 16v instead of the rated 12v and the power circuitry in the unit doesn't seem to be ble to deal with it. I went out and bought a 12v power unit and have seen a vast improvement.
    Yet Netgear will not accept that there is a problem, despite literally dozens of posts on their "support" forums complaining of exactly the same problems. One guy even went as far as to mod his router by drilling ventilation holes all over the case and mounting an 80mm fan on the top. He has had no further problems.

    In summary, I couldn't recommend Netgear to anyone.

    In comparison 3com are faantastic. I wish I still had my old one.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve
    ........With that in mind, this is my current favourite conteder:


    http://www.3com.com/prod/en_UK_EMEA/...=3CRWDR100A-72

    Note that it has an ADSL modem in it... that's important. uPNP is important too as I feel like doing as little port forwarding as I can (I know I can't avoid it altogether, however.)

    Any other suggestions, or is this a good'un?
    I bought and set up one of those for my parents as Staples has them on special offer including a pcmia card & usb dongle adaptor thingy for £69. Very easy to set up & coverage & speed weren't bad considering they live in a big house with very thick walls.

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    Would go for a Vigor here too.

    Used the lot - Netgear, Linksys, Belkin and SMC - most had quirks or niggles.

    Problem is the Vigor is really designed for SOHO rather than the norm, hence the pricing.

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    My Linksys has been faultless, fab range even though there isn't an antenna and its reliability is just brilliant. PLus its tiny so i can tuck it almost anywhere.
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