VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Bish

My existing network is pretty well maxed-out. I'm running a Linksys WRT54G (with DD-WRT firmware) with an expander switch on one of the ports. The hard-wired network is working sweetly, but I need to bring the wireless side up to date. The system is running wireless g, and I really need to add wireless n (due to multiple wireless n capable devices now appearing in the house).

As far as I can see there are two options open to me:
1) Disable the WRT54G wireless and add another wireless router (in switch mode) to one of the ports. Ideally, I'd just like to add a plug'n'play wireless n access device (rather than a reconfigured full-blown router), but I can't seem to identify a clear idea of the "access-point" products available.
2) Just buy a new router (it's not cheap, but I like the idea of getting an Apple AirPort Extreme)... but I'm loathe to rip-down and rebuild the whole network (as it isn't broken) just to add wireless n. Things never go as simply as they should, and I don't really want the hassle or possible down-time.

Anyone solved the problem of adding wireless n to an existing g network? Any opinions welcome.

Cheers
Peter
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

heyguido · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:57 am Post subject:

Wow. Sounds a lot more complicated than it needs to be....

First off.... Who's your internet/cable/phone provider? All the same?

Secondly.... How many wired connections do you need?

Third.... How many wireless devices do you need to support at once?
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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

Bish · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:30 am Post subject:

Off the top of my head...

Hard wired on main router (downstairs):
1. Mac Pro
2. VOIP adaptor (for my google voice line)
3. Apple TV
4. External switch

Hard wired on external switch (upstairs):
1. House utility PC
2. Apple TV
3. Apple TV
4. Apple TV

Wireless:
2 x iPod touch
1 x MacBook Pro
1 x MacBook Air
2 x iPad
3 x iPhone (coming soon!)

I can reduce the port congestion by letting one or more Apple TVs run wireless when I switch to n. I really need the external switch upstairs for logistics. As I say, I've no problem with the hard-wired side, but the upcoming deluge of iPhones make me want to upgrade to n (which I should have done when the iPads arrived).

Yes, I am a fan-boy Smile

Cheers
Peter
_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

heyguido · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 10:08 am Post subject:

"port congestion" is an understatement.....

From a budget conscious standpoint.... Talk to your provider about whether they provide wifi routers with your service. Many now do, at no cost.

From a purely technical standpoint.... Pick up a new nband dual-band gigabit router for $99 bux at bestbuy this week..... you get the n wireless you want, expanded wireless capacity for multiple devices, and gigabit wired connections for a faster wired network.... (Netgear N600, on-sale thru Saturday). Problem solved for less than a c-note.
_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

Bish · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:50 pm Post subject:

OK, I solved my own problem and got the AirPort Extreme. It just seemed like less faffing around, and with the educational discount, was quite reasonable. It's one port short (three instead of four) but I can work around that by putting Apple TV 1 on wireless.
_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

heyguido · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 3:00 pm Post subject:

Can't go wrong with that unit. Solid, easy to setup, outstanding support.

Good choice. Let me know how the TV handles wireless..... I'm curious for my own purposes....
_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

Mushmelon · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 3:00 pm Post subject:

I was going to toss my 2 cents in but see you've got it all worked out. I was going to suggest that you make sure that everything that connects wirelessly is able to support"N", because if you have any hardware that can only connect at "G" it will more than likely slow the entire network down to "G" speeds while that "G" device is connected. It's like dropping to the lowest common denominator...if that makes sense
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Tony Impieri
www.tonyimpieri.com

heyguido · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 3:06 pm Post subject:

Which is why @ Casa de Guido, we run the old G off of one of the new N's hardwired ports, effectively giving us doubled capacity and a separate net for the slower toys.... Best of both worlds.... and what were we gonna do with the old G anyway? Put it in the closet til yard sale day?
_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

Bish · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 3:12 pm Post subject:

I think the only G unit in the house is an old 1st Gen iPod touch... I can easily disable that as I don't need it to connect to the network. As far as the Apple TVs go, I've got two of the old type, and two of the new... I'll play around with them and see which streams best over N.
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

bransom · DC Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 650 Location: St. Louis, MO

Hey, Bish,

Maybe in a separate thread, would you talk to me about the VOIP adapter and Google Voice? I'm looking for a way to lower the stupidly high cost of communications for the business and the family, and this sounds intriguing.

Thanks.
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Bob Ransom
"I really need a pithy quote here."

todd ellis · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 9:27 am Post subject:

yeah - i'm interested too - fire that thread up!
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
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