Spec me a Wireless Router and adapters

devilman_079

devilman_079

devilman_079

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Help need to suggest Wireless Router and adapters

Hello, I am thinking of getting Virgin Media broadband for my new house (This is the NON-CABLED package Bundle) and I will need to get a wireless hub and two adapters for my PCs.

I am new to wireless and would like to hear your recommendations as to which hub and adapters to get? I am on a tight budget but would rather pay for a network that worked rather than one that did not!

The hub will be situated in the downstairs living room with one PC downstairs and the main gaming PC in the upstairs bedroom. My main concern is will something like "Netgear DGB111GUK Wireless 54Mbps ADSL Modem/Router & USB Adapter Bundle" be good enough with wireless connectivity over two floors? Are the USB adapters any good or are the PCI cards with aerials better?
 
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Anyone able to help? Much appreciate any advice ...

Also reading around the forums and issues with VM service is this true for the non cable option? And can anyone suggest a better service or are have a good experience with VM? Again appreciate the help, cheers D.
 
In my experience the USB 'sticks' are not as good as PCI cards or USB adapters with aerials. If the bedroom is directly above the living room then the DG834G router in the package should be okay but consider the GT or PN versions if you need more coverage and buy the matching adapters to make the most of them.
 
I'm not a huge fan of Netgear these days, too unstable. Check out Linksys or D Link. I'm not an expert on wireless (I went wired after hacks), but make sure whatever you use includes WPA2 encryption, isolate your MAC addresses and change the router name to something non-descript.
 
Use WPA/WPA2 in preference to WEP, and use a strong passphrase (as many digits as your kit will allow, ideally, with a mixture of mixed case letters, numbers and symbols).
Don't think that filtering MAC addresses gives you any shape or form of security.
 
Snapshot said:
Netgear describes it as 'standard+' coverage so obviously I believe every word.... ;)
Click to expand...

It's two 802.11g channels bonded together, so if anything the range will be reduced, as well as reduced resilience to other devices using 802.11g.
Beware that some of the 108Mbps routers are MIMO - the GT isn't.
 
Thanks, I didn't know that was how it worked. Is that standard for all 'extended' 802.11g routers?

I have the 834PN which is the MIMO version and it seems to give better results than the WAG54GS it replaced.
 
How do you guys rate the following router and adapter:

Netgear DG834PN 108Mbps Rangemax Wireless ADSL2+ Modem/Router/Switch/Firewall

and

Netgear WPN311 108Mbps Rangemax Wireless PCI Network Adapter (Is this preferable over the USB version "Netgear WPN111 108Mbps Rangemax Wireless USB 2.0 Network Adapter")

Also can you use normal wired cat connections in the DG834PN???

What to place my order at the weekend, if anyone can suggest better much appreciated ... Cheers D.
 
Excellent on the ports, thanks.

Any comments on the usb dongle vs. the pci card? I hear internal cards are better? Is this true?

Also for the money is this netgear hub good for range? Any with it have any comments? Does it have secure WPA as mentioned above?
 
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