Following a decision by the parents to do some redecoration, I'm in need of reconfiguring the home network. Previously I would run a cable from the master socket in the living room up the stairs and into the bedroom where the router lie. Unfortunately, they no longer wish for a cable to run up the stairs so I have had to move the router into the living room so it is within easy reach of the master socket. I now have to work on a suitable solution to get internet access upstairs to all the various devices. This is where I need your help! 
Despite trying to keep up with various bits of technology, networking seems to be one place where I've fallen behind...
Layout:
Downstairs: Living Room (Telephone Master Socket)
Upstairs: Bedroom 1 (Computer1, PS3, Xbox 360, NAS Box w/o wireless capabilities)
Upstairs: Bedroom 2 (Computer2)
Roaming Devices (1x Laptop, 1x PSP)
Equipment:
1x Speedtouch 780WL supplied by O2
1x Netgear DG834 v1
2x Linksys WMP54G
As it currently stands, I have the Speedtouch router sitting downstairs which gives internet connectivity to the two computers + PS3. However, the NAS and 360 are now out of commission from an internet/network point of view. I was therefore assuming that a 4 port wireless access point would provide a relatively cheap and stable method of getting internet access to these non-wireless devices. However, from my initial research it seems that the range of options in this area is minimal and in a lot of instances more expensive than buying a router... Is that a fair reflection, or am I missing something? Given that some routers can be setup to operate as an extender/repeater, would I be getting better value for money from buying a router? Then when I come to move out, I'll have the flexibility to use it as a router if so required.
The next option comes into play due to my desire to stream HD between my NAS box and the PS3. The 54mbps speed isn't anywhere up to the spec needed and therefore I was considering attaching a gigabit switch to whatever wireless extender I choose to use. I'd then have the internet supplied by the wireless gateway and all local connections being beemed around by the gigabit network. Whilst a 100mbit connection would be enough to stream HD, I wouldn't mind trying out a gigabit connection.
Finally, I was looking at this Zyxel P660HWP. This combined with a gigabit switch in the bedroom would appear to give me optimum speed/reliability at each point, but obviously at a price premium. Given that I like to use my NAS box as a torrent downloader, I'm not sure how well this would work over wireless given the number of connections etc. that need to be made. I would therefore assume that powerline/homeplug technology would be a little better in this area. But, I'm unable to find out much about this device from reviews, so can't tell how well it'd work as a router.
So that's it. I'm really twisting and turning at each stage and can't make what appears to be a simple decision on the surface. Please help.
Despite trying to keep up with various bits of technology, networking seems to be one place where I've fallen behind...Layout:
Downstairs: Living Room (Telephone Master Socket)
Upstairs: Bedroom 1 (Computer1, PS3, Xbox 360, NAS Box w/o wireless capabilities)
Upstairs: Bedroom 2 (Computer2)
Roaming Devices (1x Laptop, 1x PSP)
Equipment:
1x Speedtouch 780WL supplied by O2
1x Netgear DG834 v1
2x Linksys WMP54G
As it currently stands, I have the Speedtouch router sitting downstairs which gives internet connectivity to the two computers + PS3. However, the NAS and 360 are now out of commission from an internet/network point of view. I was therefore assuming that a 4 port wireless access point would provide a relatively cheap and stable method of getting internet access to these non-wireless devices. However, from my initial research it seems that the range of options in this area is minimal and in a lot of instances more expensive than buying a router... Is that a fair reflection, or am I missing something? Given that some routers can be setup to operate as an extender/repeater, would I be getting better value for money from buying a router? Then when I come to move out, I'll have the flexibility to use it as a router if so required.
The next option comes into play due to my desire to stream HD between my NAS box and the PS3. The 54mbps speed isn't anywhere up to the spec needed and therefore I was considering attaching a gigabit switch to whatever wireless extender I choose to use. I'd then have the internet supplied by the wireless gateway and all local connections being beemed around by the gigabit network. Whilst a 100mbit connection would be enough to stream HD, I wouldn't mind trying out a gigabit connection.
Finally, I was looking at this Zyxel P660HWP. This combined with a gigabit switch in the bedroom would appear to give me optimum speed/reliability at each point, but obviously at a price premium. Given that I like to use my NAS box as a torrent downloader, I'm not sure how well this would work over wireless given the number of connections etc. that need to be made. I would therefore assume that powerline/homeplug technology would be a little better in this area. But, I'm unable to find out much about this device from reviews, so can't tell how well it'd work as a router.
So that's it. I'm really twisting and turning at each stage and can't make what appears to be a simple decision on the surface. Please help.
