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Networking & wireless: Wireless G - Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink
It is easier if everything is one brand
by kinnear3 - 4/17/05 7:11 AM In reply to: Brands may matter by arbeeArbee makes a good point. My setup is a complete hodgepodge: Motorola cable modem, Linksys VOIP telephone adapter, 2Wire hardware firewall, Netgear wireless router, Netgear, Linksys and Apple Airport wireless cards. The Airport wireless card is inside a Macintosh PowerBook. Everything works together very nicely, except when the Netgear card occasionally loses touch with the Netgear router. I did run into a bit of a problem when the PowerBook was new and would not connect with the Netgear router. When I called Apple support, the tech told me that he did not know anything about Netgear routers. Then, he had me try a simple alternative method of establishing a connection and everything worked fine. If all hardware is the same brand, no support person can pass the buck to another company.
I see no need for 108 mbps for the purposes you describe. A standard wireless g setup will provide far more speed than you will get from any internet connection. If you are trying to span large distances, you may want to consider one of the new routers that employ MIMO technology. These systems promise far greater range than any 802.11g systems. Of course, they are currently far more expensive.
Dave
pass the buck to another company
by William Randall - 4/17/05 12:47 PM In reply to: It is easier if everything is one brand by kinnear3Thanks Dave for showing the rest how to at least do a couple of paragraphs instead of one long diatribe with no break in the rambling bull crap with no real point other than that Linksys sucks.
D-Link USB 802.11-G wireless USB adapter (DWL-G132)
by rmassaro - 4/27/05 6:50 AM In reply to: brands may matter by cfalzoneI'm just moved into a condo and brought my Dell Axim home to check if there are available wireless networks...and there are a ton. I was able to connect to the net through my PDA. So, I set up my D-Link USB adapter, can see the networks' signals within the software, but I am still unable to connect to any of them (and yes, the security is disabled on the networks I'm trying to connect to.) I have WinXP SP2 - perhaps there is a setting I need to change?
What OS System?
by FEMMEONE - 10/14/05 6:57 AM In reply to: D-Link USB 802.11-G wireless USB adapter (DWL-G132) by rmassaroI have used a D-Link604 router for a few years because of the write up in a computer magazine stating it was the best buy because of cost and hardware firewall built in.
With that, I hook a Microsoft wireless - so four computers have access to the one cable line. The computers I used were XP and 98.
Recently, I purchased a new computer and the Microsoft Base couldn't be used because it wasn't capatible with the XP MediaCenter OS.
If you still have your box, check the requirements. I had no idea there would be a difference between XP and XP MediaPlayer for the wireless hookup until the puter gave me that message.
Brands do matter sometimes
by captgg63 - 12/23/05 7:34 PM In reply to: brands may matter by cfalzoneI think you may have changed something else (raised your router or NIC card (by raising your PC). Brands do not matter, using the same type of wireless, ie: ''B'' ''G''.
Only time it matters is when you try to couple with more advanced types, ie: ''extreme G'' etc.
WI-FI equiptment
by sleuth - 4/15/05 5:45 AM In reply to: Wireless G - Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink by cgsauerI’ve been running a wireless connection for about one year now, my choice of a Router was a D-Link DI-624. I live in a rural New Hampshire setting, I’m Networking on one level in my home and I have 3 desktop computers connected to the network. I have Comcast as a Broadband ISP. I use a Comcast provided Surfboard cable modem and a D-Link VOIP Telephone Adapter. Other than occasional power outages I haven’t needed to reset my Router once. As far as customer service is concerned I did call them once when initially setting up the Network. The problem as it turned out was due to my confusion. I found them to be prompt, courteous and knowledge. My friend who lives two towns over uses LinkSys gear on two levels in his house and has no problems. I guess as long as you stick to a brand name, don’t mix and match WI-FI components you should be alright.
-Sleuth
D grade says it all
by William Randall - 4/16/05 11:58 AM In reply to: WI-FI equiptment by sleuth"As far as customer service is concerned I did call them once when initially setting up the Network."
With my Linksys, I've never once had to call for tech support.
EVEN during setup.
D-LINK remids me of a D grade in school (which I never was subjected to). Why ANY fool with any compamy would chose a name thusly is beyond me.
All reading this all can make up their own mind as to which is best.
D-Link AirPlus Extreme G Router - so so
by kokomoko2 - 4/15/05 6:41 AM In reply to: Wireless G - Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink by cgsauerWhile it generally works fine, I have had some issues with this router and various d-link cards. I tried to replace some B cards with G's after I upgraded the router and had installation issues. I have kept the B cards which seem to work with this router better than the newer G's though of course there could be more to it that I am not able to diagnose. I use a security code and my laptop picks up a different wireless network, sometimes I have to reset the router or reinstall the card to get it to work at home again. My next choice will be the Belkin Pre-N which I have heard is excellent.
buy brand name routers
by woody38 - 4/15/05 7:37 AM In reply to: Wireless G - Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink by cgsauerI have been in this business for 20 years and I have a lot of worthless equipment from companies who have gone out of business or no longer support their product. I try to buy from companies that I believe will be here in 10 years. There is little price difference if you shop around.That said, I like Linksys, Netgear and Belkin products. They will be here when you need them!
woody
Tried all 3 brands first - pleased with Netgear
by dlauber - 4/15/05 8:46 AM In reply to: Wireless G - Linksys vs Netgear vs DLink by cgsauerWhen we finally added wireless to our wired home business network (3-4 computers), I tried Linksys, then DLink, and finally Netgear before settling on Netgear's 108 mpbs router (which has plunged in price). I had been using Linksys' wireed routers, but hadn't been terribly happy with them since they would consistently fail after 2 years of use. Linksys tech support was a disaster -- it had moved to the Philipines and cultural and language differences were turning 5 minute tech support calls into hour-long affairs. Plus Linksys sometimes posted old firmware updates as new! Linksys' wireless router was a nightmare to try to set up. I tried DLink's just wouldn't work right and tech support was pretty much worthless. But Netgear's WGT624 wireless firewall router worked incredibly well right out of the box. Administering it has been a breeze. It has been a pure joy to use. And I do find the higher speed worthwhile, but then again we move some pretty large files (100+ MB) between computers. I don't know how good Netgear's tech support is, because I've never had to call it. We use Netgear wireless network adapters for a computer on another floor and on our laptop without difficulty. One other advantage of the 108mbps is that the wireless network's range is much greater than with 54mbps. It now reaches into parts of the house that the other brand's 54 mbps could not reach.
NETGEAR RIGHT NOW
by Cubanazo - 4/16/05 1:19 PM In reply to: Tried all 3 brands first - pleased with Netgear by dlauberAs a networking consultant, I've used LINKSYS, D-LINK, and NETGEAR for various network projects, not only wireless.
I like LINKSY's wireless products, but they lack the features of NETGEAR and D-LINK and they tend to be a bit pricey. D-LINK has a decent user interface and tons of features, but they fail too often and the range is sometimes poor.
Right now I'm happy with NETGEAR. Of all the times I've setup and used NETGEAR products I only called Tech Support once. Unlike D-LINK and LINKSYS Tech support people who do not respect my MCP/Network+ along with being a past student of ITT Tech, the Netgear rep (in India) was courteous and realized that I knew what I was talking about. Immediately he directed me to a webpage for a firmware upgrade and I was soon back to business.
Right now I'm recommending NETGEAR prodcuts for all my clients, because I need a network that will actually work, and that is easy to manage.
By the way, I'm using a NETGEAR wired router at home with a built in print server. I'm using a replaced D-LINK DI624 as a WAP simply because I got it free.
NetGear RT314
by parkerd - 8/29/05 11:04 AM In reply to: NETGEAR RIGHT NOW by CubanazoI tried to upgrade my RT314 to the -22 firmware using the ethernet connect per NetGear's posted instructions for that upgrade.
It crashed and no longer communicates via ethernet.
NetGear's Indian tech support said the serial port would still work. I tried to follow their instructions but do not see the same screens when I use hyperterminal and xmodem protocol. NetGear support (get the women, they speak English better with less sing-song), could not tell me how to configure xmodem. It has been a long time since I used serial communication.
If you have the time, please post a process for communicating with the RT314.
I am running Win2K with all the latest upgrades, AMD Athelon, lots of memory and a 22" Mitsubishi Diamond Scan monitor at 1600 X 1200. I mention this since I can see several windows open at the same time.
Sincerely,
David Parker
PS I agree that D-Link does not work well.
thanks for triple comparison
by jes2005 - 9/27/05 12:29 PM In reply to: NETGEAR RIGHT NOW by CubanazoThanks for the triple comparison. I am searching for info on wifi cards and your post was very helpful.
Netgear!!!
by sbartelski - 4/17/05 8:54 AM In reply to: Tried all 3 brands first - pleased with Netgear by dlauberI started wireless using Linksys, but after many problems (and having to replace it due to a lightning strike) I switched to Netgear. I was amazed how places in my house that did not have a signal, all of a sudden were getting a good signal. I was able to take out the extra D-Link access popints, which had also not impressed me.
Looking forward to trying the New MIMO Netgear router when the price starts dropping.
lightning strike
by William Randall - 4/17/05 12:42 PM In reply to: Netgear!!! by sbartelski"and having to replace it due to a lightning strike"
May we all assume that you were adequately protected?
If not, you can hardly blame Linksys
I see that Linksys is getting a bad rap in this thread.
Shame, because I've had NOTHING but GREAT service with Linksys.
I think many users are ________ heads.
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