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Better wireless router; Any advice, suggestions?
Topic Started: Jun 23 2013, 06:25 AM (90 Views)
heatseeker
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I have a triplex in Montreal -- three apartments one atop the other.

For the past year I have been providing free wifi to the middle apartment via a wireless router (we keep the top floor for ourselves) and would like to be about to do this throughout. The existing router (can't remember the name, but cheap, I'm sure) provides very spotty coverage.

I've heard good things about the ASUS RT-N66U, which is about $200. Anyone have it? Any other recommendations? Thanks!
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Trotsky
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Big City Boy
Actiontec MI424WR.
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wildie
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heatseeker
Jun 23 2013, 06:25 AM
I have a triplex in Montreal -- three apartments one atop the other.

For the past year I have been providing free wifi to the middle apartment via a wireless router (we keep the top floor for ourselves) and would like to be about to do this throughout. The existing router (can't remember the name, but cheap, I'm sure) provides very spotty coverage.

I've heard good things about the ASUS RT-N66U, which is about $200. Anyone have it? Any other recommendations? Thanks!
I have a similar problem and I use a second, el cheapo router on the second floor. It does require a a network cable to be run between routers.

The output of the new router is plugged into one of the input ports of the main router.
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Delphi51
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I also use two wifi routers, not to extend the coverage but because the first one, from the phoneco needs a reset nearly every day. The second one, a $30 DLink is much better. No problem running a second one through a cable from one of the ports on the first one. I used a $100 "range extender" at a motel to do the same without a cable and it needed resetting nearly every day. Maybe spending $200 would be better. I did hear somewhere that wifi routers run too hot and their performance degrades with time so you just have to buy a new one every two or three years. It helps to cool it with a fan or leave the case open.
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wildie
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Delphi51
Jun 23 2013, 08:25 AM
I also use two wifi routers, not to extend the coverage but because the first one, from the phoneco needs a reset nearly every day. The second one, a $30 DLink is much better. No problem running a second one through a cable from one of the ports on the first one. I used a $100 "range extender" at a motel to do the same without a cable and it needed resetting nearly every day. Maybe spending $200 would be better. I did hear somewhere that wifi routers run too hot and their performance degrades with time so you just have to buy a new one every two or three years. It helps to cool it with a fan or leave the case open.
My 2nd router is a DLink also! It cost about $30. My prime router is a telco rental. Its a 2Wire combination modem/router. It only provided wireless G, whereas the DLink is wireless N. The DLink has a much stronger signal.
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heatseeker
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Thanks! I may go the two router route, and also increase the speed of the service, since it would be stretched to three apartments....
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wildie
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heatseeker
Jun 23 2013, 10:25 AM
Thanks! I may go the two router route, and also increase the speed of the service, since it would be stretched to three apartments....
If you can run a cable between units you will be good!

In my case I bought a pair of network jacks. One was a wall jack, the other a baseboard jack. Then I plug in a network cable at each end.
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Delphi51
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Consider also a second internet service as an alternative to extending the speed of one. At the motel, this was a huge benefit because when one needed a reset, everybody could use the other one. I don't know which would be better in your situation.
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Trotsky
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Have a read:

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelessrouters/tp/80211nprenhome.htm

The best of these claims 450 meters. I have trouble believing that having one on the floor of the top apartment (or better in the middle apartment will not give terrific coverage for the whole building.) I also cannot believe that more than one router in a frame building would be needed to provide coverage for 3 apartments atop one another.

(Never put a router in a steel drum laugh123 or a safe bounce and jump045 )


Sounds like the multiple antennae jobs (I have dual) that are n-routers are the way to go.


Heateeeker,

What speed internet are you buying/getting (preferably measured via Ethernet connection?) After all what you can do with a 50/50 Mbps. connection is a lot better than what you can do with 5/5 especially with a neighbor who wants to stream movies.
Edited by Trotsky, Jun 24 2013, 12:46 AM.
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