GazGuzla

Using Technology to Cut Energy Costs

Choosing a Home Router

Written by TeleCommuter on Mar 10th, 2008 | Filed under: Research, Router

Before you buy a wireless router for your home or small business, here are some things that should help you narrow down the selection.

Does your ISP connect you with a modem, wireless router, both, or nothing?

Your Internet Service provider usually installs a device which serves two purposes. One is to convert the ISP connection type (Cable Broadband, FiOS fibre, DSL, etc.) to an RJ45 Ethernet output used by your computer or router. The other provides your ISP the ability to perform diagnostics on your connection, known as a termination point. Usually this device is known as a Cable or DSL modem. In some cases, the ISP provides a modem and rents you a wireless router. In other cases, just a router, or nothing at all. If your connecting to a Cable Modem you need a Router, so you can enable Router or Gateway modes. If your ISP provides the cable modem and the wireless router, you only need what’s known as a WAP (wireless access point), also used as a range expander. I personally don’t like or recommend them, I think your better off adding a second cheap router and use DD-WRT Repeater Bridge Mode.

What is the distance from the ISP access point to your network devices?

Its very likely the input jack or cable modem from your ISP is near your TV in the living room, in the garage, or not close to where you want your network devices or home office to reside. Determine the Distance/Range requirements if your choosing to run a cable, or use wireless. On average, a good wireless signal only carries 50 feet inside, due to:

  • interference from other 2.4 Ghz devices (microwaves, cordless phones, other routers)
  • Insulation, sheet rock, metal and wood barriers deflecting radio waves

The signal could carry farther, but you won’t get the throughput or performance, because packets begin to corrupt, or drop. Your options are:

  • Move your ISP’s connection point
  • Buy a second Router to expand Range

What Network Devices do you want to connect to the Router?

Depending on how your computers, VoIP phones, printers, external drives, web cameras, and other devices will connect to the network determines whether or not you want a router with USB ports, capable of serving as a signal "Repeater" ( expands range), as a wireless "bridge" to another router (WDS).

How will you use the network?

With A rapid rise in the use of VoIP telephone and p2p applications like Xbox Live, Torrents, and Skype, controlling how your available bandwidth is used has become critical. If you plan on using VoIP or p2p apps on your network you need to be sure that the router supports QoS (Quality of Service). You have two options for this, use the factory firmware, or a alternative Firmware like Tomato, DD-WRT, or X-Wrt. Of the three, Tomato QoS is by far the best, followed by DD-WRT, then X-Wrt. Tomato requires 4+MB Flash. See Articles on this site fo further info.

Recommendations

Once you have answered the above questions, you can narrow your search. Here are some recommendations for each level that also work with alternative firmware:

Cheapest: If your ISP provides a standard Cable/DSL Modem, and you want basic wireless access for your laptop, or use as a secondary router if your ISP’s connection is located near your TV, in the garage, away from your devices, or Repeat the signal from the main Access Point (AP), a wireless router with a 2 MB flash will work ok. I still recommend you flash DD-WRT or X-Wrt micro for stability and performance. Recomended:

DD-WRT and X-wrt can run micro versions of firmware with limited functionality on some 2mb flash models. See the Supported Devices link below. * Linksys makes it tough to change to alternative firmware in versions 5+. requires "vxworks killer’ program prior to flash.

Medium Price: If you want a router that supports most alternative versions of Firmware like DD-WRT, Tomato, and X-Wrt, you should look for a router with 4+MB flash. Its worth the few extra dollars to have the larger flash.  Recommended:

See the GazGuzla list of 4+ MB Routers for more options.

Most Expensive: If you want USB file and print sharing, add additional packages for samba, webcams and other devices, you would want the models that have 4+mb flash, USB 2.0 ports, and support alternative firmware. A example setup for a Router with USB would be "sharing" a USB printer or external disk to your home network, then create a wireless bridge from that router to your main router or access point using WDS or DD-WRT Repeater Bridge. This eliminates the requirement of a running PC attached to your printer and storage. Recommended:

See the GazGuzla Master List of 4+ MB Routers for more options.

USB Print and File sharing requires additional configuration, and specific firmware. See This Article (coming soon)


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