Need help building a good Wireless network

[gity69]

Hi all thanks for your time,

I am currently using a linksys wrt54g v8 in a 2 story townhouse, its close to 2000 sq/ft. Currently with my 2 roommates there are 2 ps3's 3 desktops and 2 laptops and 2 android phones. There is a lot of network traffic for my poor old router, even when gaming on lan there is noticable lag. The signal strength in one of the downstairs rooms is poor while the adjacent room in excellent, what can i do to boost this signal? What would be a good router upgrade? Im willing to spend up to $200 if thats what it takes but most of this networking stuff is completely foreign to me. Thanks for any help

 

[sk1939]

You could get a wireless repeater or wireless access point to boost the wireless signal. As far as upgrading the router, try the Asus RT-56U or RT-66U.

 

[gity69]

thanks for replying! Could you help me understand the difference between those two routers? Also the wireless adapters i installed in the desktops are only 2.4ghz is the 5ghz a major difference? What would you recommend for the repeater should i use the same brand to ensure compatability?

 

[gity69]

thanks for replying! Could you help me understand the difference between those two routers? Also the wireless adapters i installed in the desktops are only 2.4ghz is the 5ghz a major difference? What would you recommend for the repeater should i use the same brand to ensure compatability?

 

[ngrego]

I would say that your best bet would be to upgrade your router to wireless N (at least 300Mbps) and also add a couple of repeaters (also wireless N). You don't need to go overboard and spen outrageous amounts of money an super high end hardware. In my opinion, it would be a better idea to install 1 or 2 more repeaters and get the best possible signal throughout the house than to spend more on an N600 router and install only one repeater. If you are wondering about brands and models to get I can only offer these suggestions.
Router:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704038
Extender/Repeater:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=33-704-049
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704124

You can do the job nicely with these and you will have noticably better coverage and speed throughout the house, not to mention pulling it off with less than the 200 you were willing to spend!

 

[sk1939]

thanks for replying! Could you help me understand the difference between those two routers? Also the wireless adapters i installed in the desktops are only 2.4ghz is the 5ghz a major difference? What would you recommend for the repeater should i use the same brand to ensure compatability?

The difference has to do with age, price, and features for the most part.

5Ghz is less congested, as a result it won't receive interference from your cordless phones (unless you have the DECT 6.0 phones) or the microwave. The speeds aren't really that different. Most of the devices work well with other brands, but you could keep the same brand if you want. The options the poster above listed are decent low-cost options, but I don't know a thing about TP-Link. I'm not super familiar with the consumer wireless repeaters, as I work with and own enterprise gear.

 

[gity69]

Great! Thanks for the advice. Those TPLink look to be well reviewed and inexpensive. As the 5ghz devices would require all new wireless cards I think I will stick to 2.4 for now.

 

[gity69]

Best answer selected by gity69.