If you've been watching the internet speed thread, you'll see that I'm having issues of only getting about ~200kbps downloads through my Linksys BEFSR41 router while connected to Insight 10.0MB broadband.

Linksys tech support explained it that the router is dividing the download stream by four (since I have a four-port router).

The router is about six years old.

I'm not one for going to wireless, but may entertain the idea. I just don't like the idea of wireless, even though it is probably more convenient. If a router has both options, that would be ideal. I don't want to waste a slot on my mobo to install a wireless card nor am I interested in using a USB wireless connection. My desktop is going to stay on the desk. My laptop already has a wireless network adapter built into it.

Anyway, here is what I'm looking at right now to improve my download speed...

LINK

Any thoughts and/or suggestions?

Netgear WPN824 RangeMax. Awesome router, been using it for just under 2 years now and its the best damn router we've ever had

Doesn't adversly affect download/upload speeds, LAN gaming has been a breeze, easy to setup using your favourite browser to configure, and best of all, reliable.

Forgot to add...it needs to have multiple ports. Got one desktop (soon to have two) and two laptops.

If yer not too sweet on havin wire(use) less . I bought an RVS4000 4port security router w/ VPN ( Linksys Business series) . Its gigabit , didnt cost all that much and WOW !! did it make a difference over my old netgear 10/100.

I'd definately recommend it to anyone

I've got this D-Link Gaming Router. I really don't know that much about this
kind of stuff, but it seems to work pretty good when I'm gaming and such and
I usually get fast downloads. As for that Internet Test, I think it's really a matter
of timing and picking the right server. I tried it from the closest server a few
times and got some low scores. Then I tried some other servers and it did better.
Then I tried the closest server again and got in the 11000's.
Newegg.com - D-Link DGL-4100 10/100/1000Mbps GamerLounge Broadband Gigabit Gaming Router 1 x 10/100Mbps WAN Ports 4 x 10/100/1000Mbps LAN Ports - Retail

Rob i am with Slaymate and highly recommend you get the D-Link Gaming lounge router, i have one that is the wireless version and it has been the best router i have had for gaming and surfing the net and what have you.

This is the one i have it is the wireless one with 4 extra ports.
D-Link DGL-4300 IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11b/g Wireless Gaming Router

Linksys being a division of Cisco, is probably a good choice, my understanding is that they're using same components in some of their Linksys routers/switches as in Cisco routers/switches....

I've got a D-Link DI-524 wireless router w/ b and/or g w/ 4 port. It works well w/ windows and linux. But before I needed windows i just used a basic setup w/ a Commercial hub. Which worked well w/ a wired setup.

Quote: Originally Posted by BeetleMan Linksys being a division of Cisco, is probably a good choice, my understanding is that they're using same components in some of their Linksys routers/switches as in Cisco routers/switches....

You are correct , my router says " Cisco System" right on the front

I would definitely suggest at least looking at the wireless N routers out there. Some may not support the 5ghz spectrum but most will support it with a firmware update when N becomes a standard. Why by a wireless G router when N will be the next big thing soon. I doubt you would want the apple wireless router since its $179 but it does sport gigabit and the 5ghz range.

post_break, can you hit me up with some info on the wireless N standard? Sounds interesting...

Wireless N is a theoretical 270mb connection and it operates at bassically a 100mb connection. You can stream high def video with this wireless standard. The linksys and dlink routers probably dont support 5ghz but rather 2.4ghz which isnt as fast as it doesnt support wide channels (more data). It operates with mimo (multiple in multiple out). Usually uses 3 antennas instead of two.

5ghz doesnt go as far as 2.4ghz

wireless N is expensive compared to G

One bonus for now is that as long as your neighbors dont have N they cant see your network (5ghz only) so my router is sitting wide open (no slow down due to wpa or wep). And my mac addy is the only one that has connected to my base station.


The apple base station can be annoying as hell. If you change ANY setting on it you must reboot it (automatic) This is extremely annoying and leads to a lot of down time.

The usb port can handle usb drives and printers. You can plug a usb hub into it and connect multiple devices.

Don't think they made a standard out of it yet,they call it N draft, so different manufacturers got different N, very expensive so far... up to$100 for a network card, and about the same or more for a router

Also heres a comparison chart from smallnetbuilder.com
SmallNetBuilder - Router Performance Comparison Charts - WAN to LAN Throughput

Quote: Originally Posted by post_break Wireless N is a theoretical 270mb connection and it operates at bassically a 100mb connection. You can stream high def video with this wireless standard. The linksys and dlink routers probably dont support 5ghz but rather 2.4ghz which isnt as fast as it doesnt support wide channels (more data). It operates with mimo (multiple in multiple out). Usually uses 3 antennas instead of two. 5ghz doesnt go as far as 2.4ghz wireless N is expensive compared to G One bonus for now is that as long as your neighbors dont have N they cant see your network (5ghz only) so my router is sitting wide open (no slow down due to wpa or wep). And my mac addy is the only one that has connected to my base station. The apple base station can be annoying as hell. If you change ANY setting on it you must reboot it (automatic) This is extremely annoying and leads to a lot of down time. The usb port can handle usb drives and printers. You can plug a usb hub into it and connect multiple devices.

You can plug HDD's into the base station?
So it's also a NAS, and Printserver?

Another vote for the Dlink Gamers Lounge. I got mine and love it. 100 x better than my linksys. I find my ping doesnt change at all between having direct to the modem or to the router then modem.



Thats using the router



Again using the router



Using no router.

I have all gig routing with 4 pcs on the network two wireless and 2 hooked via cat5e for gig ethernet speeds.

I run that wrt54gl. Runs sweet with modded firmware, not so much with out.

Good Choice I would say.

I went with the Linksys WRT54GL, but I'm going to run it with the Tomato firmware.