[olug] seeking wireless LAN recommendations

[Rod Hurley]

Here's my take on the home wireless network:

Linksys used to drop connections like crazy until Cisco bought them. 
Now whether Cisco improved on their firmware or hardware is hard to
tell, but I use Linsys now and have for over a year with great success. 
Signal range (since 2004) ranks 8 on a scale of 1-10..  (This is funny
because Linksys is supposed to use a lower power transmission than
others.)  I sat on my couch 70 feet from my router on another floor and
got 95% signal.  That's the best I have seen for the under $100 range
routers.

Netgear is fast as lightning but has the LOWEST quality wireless
components.  I have had 4 customers fail and one of those got a
replacement router that was bad straight from the box.  Their hardware
and tech support are awful, unless you like speaking to Hakim Azadmanesh
and love on-hold music.  Signal range 6 out of possible 10.  

D-Link is right between Linksys and Netgear in speed and connectivity,
but I hate their interface and and have had issues needing regular
reboots to the router.   Signal range is about 7 out of possible 10.

Cisco is just as you would expect:  premier quality, premier price.

TIPS:  
Don't buy what you don't need.  If you don't need a range extender
antenna or a multi-band router, don't buy them.  Many people buy the
"latest and greatest" and end up with a multi-band router and never use
the wireless A band. 

Set up your encryption and security settings from a ethernet connection
instead of a wireless browser so you don't lock yourself out of the
router when you save the changes.  

Change your admin password, and use encryption.  It doesn't slow you
down much, and keeps the wardrivers off your network.  Unless you are
constantly tossing new devices on your network, turn off the SSID
broadcasting.  You know what you named it, why tell everyone else.  (I
actually still broadcast mine for a laugh, it's called
IGOTYOURMACADDRESS.)    

Wireless phones (unless you use the 5.8ghz handset) and microwaves
interfere with the signal.  Also signals like to bounce off of furnace
ductwork sometimes.     

As for USB Wireless adapters, I don't use them but I know some folks
who do and seem to like them.  I avoid as much plug and pray hardware as
I can.  


These are solely my opinions and I am not saying I am always right,
although I am.  :o)

>>> thelarsons3 at cox.net 7/6/2005 12:52:13 PM >>>
I'm looking to possibly upgrade my home network to have 802.11 support
by replacing my Linksys router.  Anybody have any info whether one
brand/model is better/worse than others?  I've tried searching for
reviews and comparisons online, but it's hard to find ones that look at
all the current models since it changes so fast.  If they're all about
the same, that makes it easier - I'll just look for one with the best
price after rebate.

Also, what's your experiences with those USB wireless adapters?

If anybody knows of a place currently offering a good sale or rebate,
that would be good to know, too.  :)

-- 
Tim & Alethea

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