View Full Version : New Router Time!
bluemicrobyte
12-07-2005, 8:34 PM
Updated question: Is SpeedBooster technology worth the extra money?
How does standard 802.11b compare to standard 802.11g? How does that compare to 802.11g with speedbooster? (not MIMO, not SRX, just "speed booster")
Alright, heres what I know about wireless routers:
There is 802.11b, which is 11MBps
There is 802.11g, which is 100 MBps
I think theres something new.... 802.11a???
Most wireless routers also have a number of wired ports, along with a port for the broadband internet connection (in my case cable).
Currently, I have a Linksys 802.11b router. I'm looking to upgrade my router to something thats faster and has a better wireless connection between the router and computer. It should be one of the better routers available, and my budget is 40-60 dollars.
What is the ideal wirelss protocol (802.11something) for me?
What is the best brand or what are some brands I should avoid? (I'm going with Linksys if they're all about the same since I have Linksys now and I'm familiar with it).
Is there anything else I should know about next-gen routers? (if there are even "next gen" routers)
WeekendLazyness
12-08-2005, 2:22 AM
Most of the questions you tend to ask can be solved with a simple google search or a visit to wikipedia.
But regarding your questions:
802.11a is an older standard that runs as fast as 802.11g but uses the 5GHz specturm. It is therefore not interoperable with 802.11b and g. I recommend getting a router with 802.11g, seeing as it is the most popular and still backwards compatible with any 802.11b equipment you have. Any major manufacturer is fine, but if you are comfortable with the Linksys setup page, you should probably stick with thier hardware. Also, depending on what router you buy, it may have a feature called MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) that greatly increases speeds with compters that have compatible wireless adapters (same manufacturer and product line). MIMO is actually a proposed part of the new wireless spec, 802.11n, but don't expect that hardware to be out very soon.
Summary: Get a 802.11g router with MIMO functionality and matching wireless cards.
bluemicrobyte
12-08-2005, 2:44 AM
Is MIMO disguised as "speed booster"? because that's the only thing I see available in most stores. Also, how much does MIMO increase the speed? Is it significant enough that I should try to get it, or if it isn't easily available should I just stick with plain old 802.11g?
WeekendLazyness
12-08-2005, 6:25 PM
Unless you do large file transfers over your network, there really isn't much need for the increased speed. Therefore, if you can't find it, don't worry about it.
As WL said, the speed difference is generally negligable. Most cable internet in the United States runs at 1Mbps-6Mbps so you could still use 802.11b and your internet traffic would not bottleneck. The extra bandwidth is useful when you need to transfer large amounts of data across the local network.
bluemicrobyte
12-08-2005, 9:39 PM
As WL said, the speed difference is generally negligable. Most cable internet in the United States runs at 1Mbps-6Mbps so you could still use 802.11b and your internet traffic would not bottleneck. The extra bandwidth is useful when you need to transfer large amounts of data across the local network.
The main reason for the upgrade is actually because the signal is weak in some areas of my house which is drastically lowering the transfer speed. My own computer is fine with the current 802.11b setup, but some other compturs in my home are suffering.
I'll probably go with a regular 802.11g router - when I do do large file transfers I usually set up a network cable between the computers involved.
IceFlare
12-08-2005, 10:29 PM
If its a weak signal... and dont want to spend money.... people have fashioned radio dishes from aluminum foil to focus the signal to 1 part of your house... crude but it works and its cheap.
bluemicrobyte
12-09-2005, 12:02 AM
I'd rather have the added speed and range as well :P
WeekendLazyness
12-09-2005, 2:52 PM
The first thing you may want to do is put your router in a more central location in your house. That's what I did and I got much better speeds, and I didn't have to spend any money.
But if you really do want to get a new router, and you're getting bad signals in some parts of your house, MIMO may improve connections to those computers. So try to look for it if you really want to spend the money instead of relocating your exsisting router.
bluemicrobyte
12-09-2005, 5:45 PM
The router is in a perfectly central location right now -- middle of my house on a table out in the open... sort of =P
If I see MIMO I'll get it, but chances are the selection is very limited here in Hawaii so I don't know what I'll find....
bluemicrobyte
12-16-2005, 10:51 PM
Is SpeedBooster technology worth the extra money?
How does standard 802.11b compare to standard 802.11g? How does that compare to 802.11g with speedbooster? (not MIMO, not SRX, just "speed booster")
WeekendLazyness
12-17-2005, 5:41 PM
Do you ever do your own research?
Speedbooster is a proprietary technology that is implemeted on equipment that is from the same product line. If you want to utilize it, you must buy all new matching equipment (including routers and NICs).
bluemicrobyte
12-17-2005, 7:50 PM
Do you ever do your own research?
Yes
Speedbooster is a proprietary technology that is implemeted on equipment that is from the same product line. If you want to utilize it, you must buy all new matching equipment (including routers and NICs).
And that's what I found out from my own research - not how speedbooster compares to normal.
edit: btw I already got the speedbooster router and a new NIC card with speed booster for the new computer. Thanks to everyone who helped make the decision :) (some help was received from the Warboards IRC)
Sgt.SlagRock
12-21-2005, 9:24 PM
dude, if i'm wrong you may call my ignorant. But won't buying some repeaters for your wireless internet work just as well? I'm all for the tin-foil thing, but if you don't like it. I suggest you go to Fry's or something and buy some wireless repeaters that plug into your wall
bluemicrobyte
12-21-2005, 9:55 PM
see above edit.
But how do you get than tin-foil thing to work? I can't seem to make it work with the old router at a house where the signal isn't even picked up past 5% signal strength.
WeekendLazyness
12-22-2005, 6:43 PM
see above edit.
But how do you get than tin-foil thing to work? I can't seem to make it work with the old router at a house where the signal isn't even picked up past 5% signal strength.
Fold the foil into a parabolic shape and point it at the computer that you want the signal to get to. Just so you don't ask later, "The parabola is a conic section generated by the intersection of a cone and a plane tangent to the cone or parallel to some plane tangent to the cone" (Wikipedia). Kinda like a hemisphere. You should just fold it into a hemisphere to be safe.
Did you ever find out how SpeedBooster compares to normal? I'm not quite sure, but I'm guessing it boosted the speed of your connection.
bluemicrobyte
12-22-2005, 10:08 PM
Fold the foil into a parabolic shape and point it at the computer that you want the signal to get to. Just so you don't ask later, "The parabola is a conic section generated by the intersection of a cone and a plane tangent to the cone or parallel to some plane tangent to the cone" (Wikipedia). Kinda like a hemisphere. You should just fold it into a hemisphere to be safe.
I tried something like that, but its so hard to get the foil in just the right shape AND balance it on the antenas. I think I'm just gonna upgrade to wireless g
WeekendLazyness
12-22-2005, 11:27 PM
I tried something like that, but its so hard to get the foil in just the right shape AND balance it on the antenas. I think I'm just gonna upgrade to wireless gThat probably won't solve your signal issues.
bluemicrobyte
12-23-2005, 12:55 AM
are you sure? isn't g supposed to have better range?
This is mostly a range issue, not a signal strength issue. The computer is JUST outside of the routers range -- the signal fluctuates from 0-5 percent strength.
Router signal strength is governed by the FCC - it's not a technological limitation. It is possible to make more powerful wireless routers with greater ranges, but the FCC does not allow it.
bluemicrobyte
12-23-2005, 1:39 AM
roar. So what do I do?
WeekendLazyness
12-23-2005, 2:15 AM
You could:
A) Get a bigger antenna in an attempt to boost the signal
B) Move the router closer to the computer, or vice versa
C) Run a cable from the router to the computer
bluemicrobyte
12-23-2005, 4:12 AM
cables are expensive and inconvenient.
moving the router requires getting a longer cable so it reaches the desktop PC its by
bigger antenna..... will that work? and how much is it?
cables are expensive and inconvenient.
On the contrary, CAT5 cable is ridiculously cheap.
bluemicrobyte
12-23-2005, 1:55 PM
how cheap? CompripUoffSA is probably overpriced...
Newegg has 50 ft of CAT5 cable for about $5.
WeekendLazyness
12-23-2005, 6:34 PM
Although if you want to crimp on your own connectors, the crimping tool will cost you about $20.
bluemicrobyte
12-23-2005, 8:02 PM
Newegg has 50 ft of CAT5 cable for about $5.
O_o
I see. Would there be any retail stores that have cable for that cheap?
WeekendLazyness
12-23-2005, 8:33 PM
O_o
I see. Would there be any retail stores that have cable for that cheap?
Home Depot. You have to crimp on the connectors yourself, though.
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