It's been 7 years since I went wi-fi router shopping...

[rockymtnhigh]

One thing to realize about Dual Band Wireless N -- not all laptop modems (or smartphones) can use the 5GHz band. My toshiba laptop only sees the 2.4Ghz network; my mbp sees both (and can use both at the same time if the SSID is the same on both channels).

[LMW]

Wireless N is backwards compatible with both Wireless G and B.

I’m under the impression that while N routers are backwards compatible, that they will only run at the N speed if all the devices connected are N devices. Meaning if you connect a B or G device all your connections will slow down to the B or G speed. Can anyone confirm if I am correct?

[JrC]

When I was upgrading my wireless network I needed a wired to wireless bridge. I stumbled on the Zonet ZSR4174WE Wireless N Router. I bought a number of these and a ZSR4134WS 802.11N Wireless Broadband Router w/Fixed Antenna.

This configuration allows me to easily connect my older server (Digital AlphaServer DS10 / OpenVMS) to my wireless network.

These work well for me.

[isaacmorseMI]

I’m under the impression that while N routers are backwards compatible, that they will only run at the N speed if all the devices connected are N devices. Meaning if you connect a B or G device all your connections will slow down to the B or G speed. Can anyone confirm if I am correct?

Not all of your connections. Just your B and G devices will run at B and G speeds.

Sent from my iPad 2 using the SatelliteGuys App

[televisionarchives]

So why does everyone think about this one? Over a mile range?
Premiertek PL-APN POWERLINK PL-APN Boost N 802.11b/g/n AP Router + 1W Amplifier/Booster 2in1 Combo High Power 1W, 28dBm w/High Gain Dual 5dBi Dipole Antenna Wireless Router w/4 Port Switch Transmit up to 2000 Meters Improving 6X Signal Reception and

[Bongu]

So do you find the cable providor slows down randomly, certain times of the day? I'm trying to figure this all out and I'm about to conclude that I need to start with the router as the problem source as direct connected speeds were consistently good. I'm hoping thing will work together once I get that sorted. I think that the Linksys is either just tired or overwhelmed by the amount of use and streaming that is commonplace these days. I mean, 7 years ago, what *was* the average internet speed? 1-3mb/download or something? Maybe less.

Any many thanks to everyone for all your help, experience and advice. It's still overwhelming to figure out what I NEED (instead of *want*) and there's a budget but it's getting easier to get my head around now.

My cable provider is Comcast in the Chicago area.
My provider is usually pretty good during the late evenings, but they slow down for me during the day. I replaced my first 2 Linksys due to then quickly becoming obsolete and I didnt notice any slowdowns while on early DSL at 1.5MBps. I went cheap and got bargain prices on old tech that I outgrew very quickly once I got hooked up to cable after the DSL provider(Covad/Earthlink) kept jacking with me.. My online experiences go way back to 110 baud acoustic couplers with teletype equipment, so I have seen vast improvements in data transfer speed.

Tech changes very quickly, so plan ahead. The Ubiquiti products mentioned previously should work well and should "future proof" you for a few years.

If you are in an apartment, you can get one of the higher power routers, you just need to make sure it is secure. My family bugs me for running WPA2 with MAC address filtering, but I tell them that they can feel safe knowing my network is secure. I only authorize address in the router as I read them on the devices myself. I am very paranoid about keeping my personal information personal and being into tech for many decades had opened my eyes to a lot of the pitfalls. One of the things I tell friends and family that set up their own wireless networks is that they must change the default password before they turn on the wireless part of the device.

[digiblur]

So why does everyone think about this one? Over a mile range?
Premiertek PL-APN POWERLINK PL-APN Boost N 802.11b/g/n AP Router + 1W Amplifier/Booster 2in1 Combo High Power 1W, 28dBm w/High Gain Dual 5dBi Dipole Antenna Wireless Router w/4 Port Switch Transmit up to 2000 Meters Improving 6X Signal Reception and

You might find yourself having issues close to the router due to the router and antenna gain being too much.

[digiblur]

If you are in an apartment, you can get one of the higher power routers, you just need to make sure it is secure. My family bugs me for running WPA2 with MAC address filtering, but I tell them that they can feel safe knowing my network is secure. I only authorize address in the router as I read them on the devices myself. I am very paranoid about keeping my personal information personal and being into tech for many decades had opened my eyes to a lot of the pitfalls. One of the things I tell friends and family that set up their own wireless networks is that they must change the default password before they turn on the wireless part of the device.

MAC address filtering is a waste of time. If someone is tech savvy enough to crack your WPA2 key, then getting past your MAC address filtering is nothing. It's actually very simple. One or two commands and you are through the MAC address filter. If you want to make sure you are secure use a random generated WPA2 key that is long! Mixed case and nothing out of the dictionary.