Need a new wireless router. Need it fast.

Tek7

Tek7

CGA President, Tribe of Judah Founder & President
Staff member
So the wireless on my WRT54GL is about to bite the dust. Wired connections work fine, but when I ping the router from a wireless connection, I get between 10 ms and 2000+ ms delays.

I've changed wireless channels, shut off everything else in the 2.4GHz band, reset the router multiple times, and even wiped the settings and re-entered them (no small task considering how complex my DD-WRT settings are).

I need a new wireless router and I'm looking for suggestions.

Here are my criteria:
  • Wireless-N protocol or faster
  • At least 4 ethernet ports (preferably gigabit)
  • Compatible with DD-WRT (necessary to run multiple SSIDs)
  • Not stupid expensive
  • Available for sale on Amazon or Newegg (for 2-day shipping)

I have no particular brand loyalty, but I've <3'd this Linksys router while it's worked properly. I guess it's had a good run; I'm not even sure how old it is, but I'd guess at least 8 years old.
 
how funny, my wrt54gl with tomato is dying and I'm shopping for a new one. After tons of research only one sticks out for me. (well 2 if i want to pay more for the new wireless tech)

The one I am getting
The one I wonder if I should get for future proof and ridonkulous speeds.

I only wanted to pay wrt54g prices again but afforadable routers all look like crap these days with deceiving stats. I want 450Mbps across the N on both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz (very few routers offer 450Mbps across the 2.4 band = very key for me) and I want at least 450ft range. This is the only router that seems to produce that and is reliable, also with no cisco cloud connect crapola. It has multiple SSIDs with their WRT.

I want this to last 6 years like my 54g did. I know it is expensive, but you pay what you get for these days with routers.
 
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Ach. I really didn't want to spend over $100 on a new router, but I agree that the current crop of sub-$100 wireless routers look pretty weak.

I may just have to dig my spare wireless-G router that turn_key sent me out of its box and use it while I do some more research.
 
Tek7 said:
I may just have to dig my spare wireless-G router that turn_key sent me out of its box and use it while I do some more research.
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Well, I had similar issues with the Netgear WGR614v7: The latency was lower, but wireless connections to the router dropped pings and it took multiple attempts to connect wirelessly to the network.

I then set up my 2wire modem/router that came with AT&T U-Verse (desperate times and all that), but I couldn't even get devices to connect to the wireless network after triple-checking the configuration on the modem/router.

Maybe someone snuck under my house and installed a microwave under my living room (where the wireless router currently sits) and started making Hot Pockets. For 4 hours. I'm starting to run out of reasonable explanations, so, like Holmes, I must turn to the improbable for answers. It wouldn't be the first time I ran into bizarre tech problems. -_-

A co-worker has offered to let me borrow his D-Link DIR-601 so I don't have to rush into a buying decision. I plan on testing it tomorrow.
 
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I miss the days when there was one or two obvious candidates for purchase, when items had thousands of reviews and 5 eggs on Newegg, and quality wireless networking equipment cost less than $100.

/nostalgia'd

I'm borrowing a co-worker's TP-Link TL-WR1043ND and running stock firmware (I type as a single tear rolls down my cheek) because I encountered the same high latency issue with the TP-Link router running DD-WRT.

So now I have a little more time to pick a router, which is good because I'll need it if I'm going to convince myself to spend $150 on equipment to replace a $60 and still lose features (but it will be cool to gain speed!).
 
ewoksrule said:
Did you ever look at this one? http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-WNR35...&qid=1366152637&sr=8-1&keywords=netgear+3500l
Looks like it was made specifically for DD-WRT.
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Nope, I hadn't seen that one before. But I'll probably wait to buy a replacement until I either start transferring more files over wireless connections or the router I'm using dies.

Which reminds me...

I forgot to return to this thread after acquiring my wife's parents' WRT54GL after they switched to AT&T U-Verse and decided to use the wireless feature built in to the U-Verse residential gateway. I loaded WRT54GL, copied/pasted the scripts and settings I used on my old router, and got it working!

So, yes, I'm now back to using a WRT54GL for my home network...and I still <3 this router. :)

Also, Newegg has some deals on Rosewill routers today:

Rosewill RNX-N150RT Wireless Router, DD-WRT Open Source Support IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11b/g, IEEE802.11n Draft 2 Up to 150Mbps Wireless Data Rates 1 x 10/100M WAN; 4 x 10/100 LAN - $15

Rosewill RNX-N300RT (RNWB-11001) Wireless Router IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11b/g, IEEE802.11n Draft 2, DD-WRT Open Source Support, Up to 300Mbps Wireless Data Rates 1 x 10/100M WAN; 4 x 10/100 LAN - $20 with promo code

Neither router has gigabit ports, but hey, for $15 or $20, either router looks like a great deal!
 
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Tek7 said:
I forgot to return to this thread after acquiring my wife's parents' WRT54GL after they switched to AT&T U-Verse and decided to use the wireless feature built in to the U-Verse residential gateway. I loaded WRT54GL, copied/pasted the scripts and settings I used on my old router, and got it working!

So, yes, I'm now back to using a WRT54GL for my home network...and I still <3 this router. :)
Click to expand...
Well, it seems the second WRT54GL is on the fritz as well now.

:(

I've replaced it with my (now former) co-worker's TP-Link TL-WR1043ND and am running off that, but I really miss my second SSID and much (MUCH) more user-friendly MAC filter settings page.

I'm now looking again for a wireless-N router that supports DD-WRT (official support would be ideal), a reasonable price, and good ratings.

Any current suggestions?

EDIT: This is at the top of the dogpile right now: ASUS RT-N16 Wireless Router 802.11b/g/n up to 300Mbps DD-WRT Open Source support with USB Storage, Printer And Media Server
 
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I suggest you verify that you are not running into heat issues. Seems strange that both routers would experience the same problems.
 
This^

I had to add a little cpu fan to mine to keep it cool. There is instructions on the net how to do it.
 
I checked and the router didn't feel warm to the touch, but I agree it's odd I've had the same issue with two routers now.

If it is a heat issue, maybe I could put the WRT54GL back in place (now that it's had a chance to cool down), lower the transmit power to something like 42W, and see if it works and continues working.

I know I should get with the times, but I really <3 my WRT54GL and DD-WRT and my Internet-only second SSID. I guess if I get the ASUS router I linked above, I could install DD-WRT and get that second SSID back (probably).
 
ASUS is fine for me. I don't have the router you linked, but I bought one specifically for DDWRT two years ago to handle VPN automatically from within China, and it's worked fine for me.

It isn't N-compatible though.
 
I have a Buffalo that has been running nonstop for over 5 years. If you can find what you need in a Buffalo I would highly recommend it.
 
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