Best wireless router/access point?

[squirrel]

Hello guys

A friend of mine has a network with the following setup: D-Link DSL-2500U for ADSL, connected straight into a Telkom DG834GUv5 which has 2 PCs connected via cable, and 2 laptops via Wireless. A cable runs from the Telkom into a standard IPLink switch, which merely extends a cable into a D-Link DIR-615 running DD-WRT that has 2 computers connected, and shares wireless to a couple laptops.

At the moment the network is somewhat unstable, and recently the Telkom router has been giving serious problems, even after resetting to default. I want to try make the network a bit simpler and more stable. Firstly, I want to remove the IPLink switch, which merely extends the cable. Do I need an Ethernet Coupler? Are these readily available from most places? Both cables are definitely under 100m combined (probably under 50m).

Now the big thing is a replacement for the Telkom. Should I get another D-Link DIR-615 or is there a better solution? Their budget is between R400-R550. Is it best to stick to the same brand, considering both devices are D-Link at present?

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[eCliPSe]

1) Dude get the Netgear router replaced it might have a 2 year warranty. Those are awesome ADSL routers.
2) cat5 cabling can easily make 100meters so if its less than 100 meters and its not outside in the sun you should be sorted.
3) I have a DSL-2500U and its cr@p Remove it from the network.
4) Ethernet coupler is just for connecting cables up but not extending the reach... get a proper cable made up.
5) why the need for another wireless access point ( DLINK DIR-615) ? Is this for coverage ?

 

[squirrel]

1) Dude get the Netgear router replaced it might have a 2 year warranty. Those are awesome ADSL routers.
2) cat5 cabling can easily make 100meters so if its less than 100 meters and its not outside in the sun you should be sorted.
3) I have a DSL-2500U and its cr@p Remove it from the network.
4) Ethernet coupler is just for connecting cables up but not extending the reach... get a proper cable made up.
5) why the need for another wireless access point ( DLINK DIR-615) ? Is this for coverage ?

1) I'm sorry, but the Telkom DG834Guv5 is utter rubbish, and cannot be updated with any new firmware. I've reset everything to default, and somehow it won't even give out DHCP addresses anymore. I've googled the router and it's well documented how terrible it is.
2) I'm aware of that
3) Why do you say the DSL-2500U is rubbish? Most reports say it is decent
4) That's exactly what I want to do. Getting another cable made up would result in going in the roof, rerunning the cables through the gutters, etc. BIG mission
5) The DIR-615 extends the coverage as it runs in to my friends cottage from his parents house. There are PCs inside and people bring laptops all the time. So the DIR-615 is essential.

 

[eCliPSe]

1) Well I have only had success with Netgear products. It is a personal favorite of mine and a number of people i know. ( Not to sure on that exact model though but Netgear products in general )
2) cool
3) Well I have had a bit of capacity problems with the packet processing of the unit. I have a fairly large network at home and it just could not hold its own.
4) Well then it sounds like you have it figured out. I wont use those at all you are asking for more hassles. Rather run a proper cable route instead of adding on and degrading a network by doing so.
5) Cool well just make sure you use one of the the 3 clear 2.4gh channels. Say channel one on your gateway ( what ever you have decided on ) and channel eleven for your DIR. It will provide clear RF signaling.

I always recommend Netgear rather than D-Link as i have had bad experiences with D-Link like you have had with netgear. In the end i am running on my network a Cisco 1901 with DSL HWIC and with two dedicated Linksys 54GL wrts.

 

[Vlad]

whatever wireless access point you buy, make sure you get one that supports DD-WRT.
i flashed my tp link wa830re last week to install dd-wrt and it is absolutely flying afterwards and it suddenly seems to have twice the range. It only works as a wired bridge though, not as a wireless one (on some routers wireless bridging is supported)