ADSL Router Advice

[chris_meier]

Hi

Our home network is getting a little busy. At the moment we have the following wireless devices:

• 2x Laptops
• iMac
• 2x iPads (WiFi at home, 3G as backup and when travelling)
• Printer

The printer is new, and obviously we went the wireless/network route so that we could print from all our devices.

We previously used a Netgear router (Telkom issued) which worked great until we accidentally dropped it. We replaced it with the Asus DSL-N10, which hasn't been so great. Even with the latest firmware we keep losing WiFi periodically (only for a few seconds at a time, but its enough to drop downloads on the iPad and cause browsers to become unresponsive). Note - it isn't dropping the ADSL connection, it is specifically the WiFi that drops.

With the addition of the printer this is becoming a real problem. When we first set the printer up we had no problems, but now every time we print we lose the connection. We are able to print one document before the connection disappears completely and the only way to fix it is to restart the router and recreate the connection.

Any recommendations for a new router that can handle all the above without dropping WiFi, and offers decent coverage, would be appreciated. We're probably adding two iPhones to the mix soon, though I don't think that would impact too much.

Thanks.

 

[Gtx Gaming]

http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=1_55_57&products_id=735

get this one

 

[PsyWulf]

I've got around 8 of these N10's and they are rock solid,could you do a ping -t to the router IP and do a test print?

 

[Pada]

If you want an all-in-one unit (ADSL + WiFi), then the one that hereticangel suggested is a good choice.

Otherwise, you can look at something like the TP-Link WR1043ND router, which would require a separate ADSL modem. This router has got USB 2, 1Gbps LAN & MIMO (multiple-in, multiple-out WiFi) support.

If you simply want to add a WiFi AP, then you can also look at the TP-Link TL-WA901ND which is only a WiFi AP with 1x 100Mbps LAN.

PLEASE take note that the prices on Uniterm Direct's website EXCLUDES VAT!

 

[OMB]

I have the TP-Link WR1043ND, during the day it has 3 laptops, 1 desktop, 2 printers, 1 ipad and 3 smartphones connected to it and handles those no problem

 

[chris_meier]

Thanks for the replies, I will look into the suggestions.

My main problem with the N10 is the periodic loss of WiFi signal, not just the 'lost' printer connection.

 

[TonyA]

Also using 1043ND router connected to adsl via Billion 7402G modem. The 1043ND has 2 desktops and 1 laptop connected by wire, 2 laptops and 4 cellphones connected by wireless. Printer attached via 1043ND USB port, all pc's connect. Only thing I cannot achivie is Gbps speeds for wired PC's.

 

[PsyWulf]

My main problem with the N10 is the periodic loss of WiFi signal, not just the 'lost' printer connection.

Thats why I want the ping -t log,only time i've seen similar issues is with high interference on a channel,becomes congested under certain circumstances

 

[chris_meier]

Thats why I want the ping -t log,only time i've seen similar issues is with high interference on a channel,becomes congested under certain circumstances

I've got the channel option set to auto, and running random length pings is not showing any loss at the moment. I don't notice the WiFi drop when I'm on the laptop, but definitely notice it on the iPad.

Should I rather try individual channels and see if that helps?

 

[PsyWulf]

I've got the channel option set to auto, and running random length pings is not showing any loss at the moment. I don't notice the WiFi drop when I'm on the laptop, but definitely notice it on the iPad.

Should I rather try individual channels and see if that helps?

Indeed,try individual channels

Also are you running WPA or WPA2 encryption? In my experience iPads are notoriously retarded with WiFi

 

[chris_meier]

Also are you running WPA or WPA2 encryption?

WPA2 currently, for the life of me I cannot remember what we used on the old modem. Will try out individual channels and see if that doesn't eliminate this problem.

 

[roskii]

http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=1_55_57&products_id=735

get this one

Excuse me if this sounds silly, but we have currently have a set up of:

- 2x PC's
- 3x Laptops
- 2x SII's (2x SIII's inc soon!)

Can this router support the PC's with direct LAN connections for gaming/downloads on one dsl account while the rest of the laptops/phones will all be able to connect wirelessly with another dsl account? The router will be situated on one side of the house, with around 20-30m to the other side, and there are a number of concrete walls between either end.

We currently have 2x Vodacom 3G (work) and they are absolutely useless. Prefer to just go LAN+Wifi all round.