Networking & wireless: Wireless G - Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink
Netgear compatibility with Vonage/Linksys RT31P2
by ghamil - 6/30/05 10:18 AM In reply to: Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink vs Belkin by LeggLoverYour great article taught me a lot about wireless router choices. I recently signed up for Vonage VioP service and will recieve their Vonage/Linksys RT31P2 router. I would like to order a wireless router and agree that D-Link and Netgear look great. I have a Netgear 802.11g WG511 PC card. I also have a D-Link D1-704 router so things are about to get complex if I am not carefull. I have three notebook computers. One is used as a print server, one as my primary and one as a backup that I take with me for presentations. The primary has a Lacie USB powered 80GB external for backup and currently my keyboard and optical mouse run off a USB hub that the 80GB Lacie will be connected to. I also have 1 HP5250 USB printer and 1 HP6210 multi-function that will be wired on the network. Whew, quite a home office I am trying to put together here.
I would like to know if anyone knows of any compatibility issues between the Netgear, Vonage/Linksys and D-Link. I can drop the D-Link from the network if necessary and just go with the Vonage/Linksys and whatever wireless 802.11g or super-g you recommend. Any advice or shared experience would be greatly appreciated.
personal preference is DLink...
by sctang73 - 4/27/05 9:28 AM In reply to: Wireless G - Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink by cgsauerTech support is OK. Wireless performance is the same as competing products from Linksys & NetGear. General experience is good. The part that won me over was the detailed firewall logs. It was also nice to have some basic cable/ ping test utilities built in.
Linksys & NetGear products have one advantage - wireless MAC address filtering. DLink has MAC address filtering, but you can not specifically control access for WLAN clients. Also, NetGear appears to be the only brand that offers 256-bit WEP security in their routers.
Always remember to implement some form of wireless security. It is a necessary pain/ evil.
Comparison
by bclinger - 4/30/05 2:57 PM In reply to: Wireless G - Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink by cgsauerWhen I first started looking at a wireless network, I hit the CompUSA, talked with a salesman, went home, read a bunch of stuff on the Internet and then wondered to Google and read a lot. I ended back at CompUSA and got a personal demonstation. I walked out with a Belkin F5D7230-4 "g" wireless router. Installation was a breeze and setting up everything next to nothing.
With 4 computers on the network (desktop and three laptops) it is important for the family to be able to access the printers, drives, et cetera on the other computers. In addition, when it comes to maintenance issues such as adware, virus checking, being able to do it from one main computer is a plus. I have ZoneAlarm with Antivirus on each machine and have each machine set to run scheduled maintenance. However, being able to control it all on the fly from one machine is a big plus.
Anyway, the "g" router has worked flawlessly for me and handles the load with no problems. The kids on the desktop doing their games, me with my word processing, the wife with her surfing, not a problem at all.
I though wanted to increase my range and after reviewing the options available, I went with the Belkin Pre-N - and after installing it, I have been pleased with it. I discovered it best to uninstall the previous router drivers before installing the Pre-N system. I also added a Pre-N card to my personal laptop and that was a trip - two hours before the system came anything close to being stable.
I now have great range, great speed (approaching the desktop's speed and the desktop is a high-end machine). My only concern is will the Pre-N be viable when the new standard is out. My wife says I shouldn't care, I'll buy the new stuff anyway.
Ben
Great range?
by joseph whitaker - 5/14/05 3:00 PM In reply to: Comparison by bclingerBen, your entry piqued my interest since I am about to spring for all the hardware to make a wireless network work hopefully over 250' or so between my home and workshop.
When you say you now have great range what distance are you talking?
Thanks for any help, I want to spend my money wisely!...Joe W...
Range
by bclinger - 5/14/05 4:24 PM In reply to: Great range? by joseph whitakerRange for me is in excess of 300 feet with no concrete obstructions between. Taken outside with no obstructions at all and I hit 400 very well. It definitely does not like concrete buildings. My next step is to put a wireless card in the desktop and see what happens when the router is placed next to a window. It is currently set in the middle of the apartment. Ben
litl late, mite help
by ikjadoon - 5/4/05 4:33 PM In reply to: Wireless G - Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink by cgsauerI have a linksys wireless G router, which is great! I can use my laptop form 2 floors up. It requires just a lil configuring, but otherwise a great product.
108 mps
by mdowen - 5/15/05 4:01 PM In reply to: Wireless G - Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink by cgsauerWould suggest you avoid it.
In the early days of 802.11 (11mps), one manufacturers equipment would not work with another (or sometimes their own). After a year or so, this stopped being an issue. The same thing then happened with 802.11g (54mps). Many manufacturers launched equipment that was designed before the standard had been finalised, and so all worked slightly differently. This has now mostly been solved.
802.11n (108mps) has not yet been finalised, which is why everything you see will be called Pre-N. It means people are building to what they THINK the standard will be. Even if it all works now, it may not if ou try to upgrade other kit later. Also, you would need to upgrade your notebook card to see any advantage.
Stick with 54mps, and whatever you pick make sure it has the WiFi Certified logo- it porves it's been independently tested to meet the specs. If you do this, any manufacturer should be fine, and it comes down to personal preference of the interface
Personally, I use Belkin and have not had any problems in the year I've been running.
I don't see the "n" nor the "Pre-N" on the 108mbps
by csg - 5/16/05 1:04 AM In reply to: 108 mps by mdowenOn the Netgear 108 mbps wireless router I'm considering for purchase, I did not find the designation you're talking about, or am I just not finding it? The one I'm pricing is labeled a "storage router." Is that dfferent? Can I use it as I intend to or not? (Please see my post above titled "Help: My dog ate...") THANKS.
Pre N is...
by mdowen - 5/16/05 3:24 PM In reply to: I don't see the "n" nor the "Pre-N" on the 108mbps by csgA standard written by techie engineers, and dertimnes the way the thing should work. 802.11g (which is what your laptop has) is the fastest standard that has been agreed. Definetly stick with that. Anything that runs at 108mps will not be built to the standrds when they are published so you have no guarntee's it will work properly.
As for a brand and security, the security is the same strength on all kit, regardless of brand, as it is built to a standard. Security is an issue only if you don't set it properly. From that point of view, use something that's easy to use- if you get on with your Netgear kit then buy Netgear.
No idea what a storage router is.....
a storage unit...
by csg - 5/16/05 9:59 PM In reply to: Pre N is... by mdowenallows one to store files on it from the home computer and then retrieve those files remotely from the web when away from home. I got on the Netgear page and finally found this info. Anyway, since that is not anything I would ever need to do, and since I also read that this unit (the storage router) gets pretty hot, I've decided against it after all. As I have researched further, I'm not convinced it is a good idea for me to get a router and use the card I already have with it and fret about how they work together when I can get a set ("kit") comprised of router and card that is made to work together. There's also a current sale offering a $40 rebate, so I think I'm going with a Netgear kit = the WGTB511T (which also supposedly reaches 108 mbps when in "turbo mode" whatever that is.) Thanks for your input.
Linksys? Maybe ... Maybe not!
by hdavidt - 10/14/05 5:43 AM In reply to: Wireless G - Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink by cgsauerMy experience with Linksys has been love hate. More hate than love lately. While I love the easy router configuration and the reliability... I absolutely hate their support and past experiences with firmware updates. After doing a firmware update on a Linksys wireless G router (without speed boost) I quickly discovered that it would no longer connect to my G only wireless network. After some searching I found many other people had the same problem. The only work around at the time was to switch my G only network to G & B. This solution worked but I purchased and wanted router that could do a G only network. Linksys never offered any back-leveling of firmware to correct this know issue... only saying "our engineers are reviewing the problem". The final straw that broke the camels back was the purchase of the Linksys wireless game adapter. I'd have to say by far it was the most frustrating device I've ever configured in my life. After much struggling with it I finally got rid of it replacing it with another device that worked great. After those two experiences I'll never purchase Linksys again and have since been very happy with the D-link and Netgear alternatives I now own.
still confused
by gilly44 - 10/14/05 7:37 PM In reply to: Linksys? Maybe ... Maybe not! by hdavidtI have read all the posts and am still confused as to
which one to buy.
I have read though that Linksys have upgraded the firmware to v. 3.1 and
it has a one touch buttton SES to configure the router. Has anyone out
there used this new Linksys WRT 54g with SES?
Its the configuring part that has stopped me so far in buying a wireless
router.
Easy configuration winners
by artek-studio - 10/26/05 8:45 PM In reply to: still confused by gilly44For easy configuration just 2 winners :
Linksys
Netgear
Both are incredibly easy to setup, both come with easy setup wizards (quick install).
You can't find anything easier outhere other than this.
Regards
Jorge R.
México City
Why just compare these 3?
by hypno444 - 10/14/05 5:50 AM In reply to: Wireless G - Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink by cgsauerI have a US Robotics router connected to a satellite modem with 1 wired connection, 1 desktop wireless connection and a laptop wireless connection.
The setup was extremely simple, speed is 125mbps and the only problem I have is the satellite connection. I have never had to call for technical support as the network works flawlessly. I am only working on one floor with a maximum distance of 50 feet.
The USRobotics pcmcia card in my laptop also functions flawlessly with every other WiFi network I have encountered at motels across the country.
LinkSys vs. NetGear Routers
by ethayer - 10/14/05 7:05 AM In reply to: Wireless G - Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink by cgsauerGot one of each.
LyinkSys WRT54G / NetGear WPN924
Used LynkSys for years. Only problem being distance rage on the wireless side. New Toshiba notebook with built in 54g could not get connected 50 feet away.
NetGear works fine BUT as a Starcraft Nut found that NetGear has bigtime time lag in resolving IP addresses. Partly a Starcraft problem I suspect but LinkSys works fine.
Now running both. Netgear(for wireless) is bridged thru Lynksys to cable modem. Startcraft limited to Lynksys.
Regards.
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