Router and Access point recomendations

[drnick5]

Hey guys,

I'm doing an upgrade of my parents home network. they are currently running on a Docsis 2.0 cable modem and using 2 WRT54GL's (one as a router, one as an access point). So I'm looking for some recomendations

Here is a pic of my new networking plan: (note my awesome MS Paint skills)
http://i.imgur.com/IrhgQJq.jpg

The cable company ran a dedicated line into the basement for the cable modem, so the router is sitting next to it, neither can be moved.

Currently in the "theater" area, there is an access point connected via a Powerline Ethernet adapter to link back to the router in the basement, since there is nothing wireless in the theater, I'm going to replace this with a wired gigabit switch, which will hook into my fathers desktop computer as well as the Roku box I'm getting them for Christmas. I've already run a network cable from the basement up to the theater area.

I plan on running a 2nd network cable from the basement up into the attic, and placing an access point up there which should hit the entire house nicely.

So, I'm looking for a recommendation on a new router for the basement (I don't care about the wireless ability of this router, mainly its wired networking capability and reliability as I'll likely turn the wireless off) I'll also need a recommendation for a dual band N wireless access point to put in the attic. (not sure if I should use an identical router that I get for the basement and just run it in access point mode, or just get a dedicated access point). I have a cable box with a slingbox attached to the router so I can access cable TV from my house. I'm assuming streaming, and my parents using their 3 or 4 devices is a lot for the WRT-54GL to handle.

I also just ordered a new Docsis 3.0 cable modem to replace their 5 year old Docsis 2.0 modem. So I have about $200 left over for a router and access point. Any recommendations, thoughts, ideas or criticisms are more then welcome.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

Asus RT-AC66U running dd-wrt firmware for your combined Router/AP. You really don't need a separate Router/AP.

If you need better coverage you can use the 54GLs (put dd-wrt firmware on them too) as additional APs using the same SSID on different channels.

 

[drnick5]

Thanks for the tip, but I don't think a router exists that will give complete coverage in the house from the basement, hence why I've decided to go with an access point. I have an Asus N56u at my house currently thats only 2 months old, but I'm thinking of replacing it since the wireless seems to randomly cut out (I've noticed this on my smart phone the most, I'll click a link to watch a youtube video, and it will say "network unavailable" if I hit retry a few times it will work). I just got a new phone last week and it has the same problem, so I don't think its the phone itself. I haven't tried changing the firmware, still using the stock one. My last router was an Asus RT-N16, and I had loads of problems with that using the stock firmware, DD-WRT and Tomato. I'd have to power cycle the router once a week or so, sometimes it would just flat out lose all connections, wired and wireless. I love Asus as a brand, their laptops and motherboards are great. But I've been having bad luck with their routers. (and yes, I've made sure to check local networks and made sure to switch my channel to one not being used by my neighbors)

Using one of the old GL's as an Access Point might be where I start, I already have DD-WRT loaded on them, but that won't give me wireless N. I'm trying to do this in a semi future proofed way so it doesn't need to happen again anytime soon.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

I've installed 2 of the RT-AC66Us in my house and I stand by them with the dd-wrt firmware.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Thanks for the tip, but I don't think a router exists that will give complete coverage in the house from the basement, .

not necessarily true. Years ago...back when the wrt54gl was "current"..I used them, hardly could catch a signal in the 3rd floor. Regardless of what firmware and cranked up settings I had.

Current generation units with N...I have a Cisco e3000 now..and my network distro is in my basement, in the bar of the man cave. I have a 3,600+ sq ft 3 story house. Great signal upstairs...even outside at other side of the pool and in the pool cabana.

 

[drnick5]

Thanks for the response! The range on my N56U I have at my house isn't quite as good as I had hoped for. My house is only 1100 sq ft. 1 floor, and it will drop to 3 or 2 bars in my bedroom on the 2.4 ghz band (5ghz is even worse, I'll get 1 or 2 bars when I'm 20 ft away in my living room, where the router is just behind the wall). The router is almost directly in the center of the house.

I did just install an AC66u in a clients large house and it has pretty good coverage, but still doesn't get upstairs, so we had to put in a repeater. should the AC66u have that much better range then the N56U?

I had an E2000 router a few years ago and had nothing but problems with it. It's possible it was a bad unit, but range was bad, and I constantly had to power cycle it to get any sort of wireless connection. I'm surprised at your range with the E3000 considering it doesn't have any external antennas.

Maybe I'll try going with either an AC66u or a N66u and see how the signal is before adding the access point. Has anyone used both of these routers that can comment on the range differences? (if any) From what I can see the only difference between the 2 of them is AC compatibility, which I don't need.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I'm surprised at your range with the E3000 considering it doesn't have any external antennas.

I was too..and I'm running Tomato on it, didn't crank up output I don't think..or if I did, maybe just a tad.
But I've read in a few places the e3000 had one of the most powerful radios made in a home grade router.
It's long disco'd and old now though.
But generally get still 4 bars sometimes even 5 still when I'm upstairs.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

I actually bought 2 and ended up only using one for a few months. I had it installed in the basement and was able to get good signal on my MBP on the 2nd floor. I recently added the second one just to see if there was any change in speed and there really wasn't.

I have a 75x35 fios connection and wired I'm getting closer to 85x35. On wireless I get about 20x20 all through the house.

 

[drnick5]

Thanks for the feedback Paul! I'm between the N66u and the AC66u at this point . Do you have any experience with the N66u? just wondering if its worth the extra $40 or not. AC won't be needed as all of their devices are G or N.

Thanks!