Need help - Wifi router & network config

[slave]

Hi all

I own a linksys WAG200G which has worked brilliantly for me for years with the only downside being signal range. Having recently set up a media server upstairs I decided to upgrade to N in the hopes of improving coverage. Yesterday I purchased and installed the TP-Link TD-W8961ND (300Mbps Wireless N ADSL2+ Modem Router). To say that I was underwhelmed is a huge understatement. The signal strength was very poor, dropping significantly from 5m away as I was climbing the stairs (using wifi analyzer (phone) and Xirrus wifi Inspector) and pretty much disappeared by the time I was upstairs. In fact my old Linksys provided the same range! I upgraded the firmware, identified and selected a suitable channel and set the router to N-mode only. Still no difference in signal strength. I do not usually go for cheap options but based on a few online reviews thought that this would be a good starting point for a first foray into wireless N. Clearly this didn't work and at this point I would certainly not recommend this router.

I am in a dilemma as I need to decide what to replace it with. My first port of call is try another unit as the supplier will swap it out for me and hopefully it is a fault on this specific unit. My second port of call is to go an entirely different route:

Route 1: Purchase a Linksys E3200 router and bridge it to my existing WAG200G. Upside is that it has USBStorage Port, is dual-band (simultaneous) and Gigabit ports. Downside for me is using 2 devices (old router/modem) and new N router.

Route 2: Purchase the Linksys WAG320N as an all-in-one device with the same benefits as route 1 with the exception that the dual-band is selectable and not simultaneous.

Route 3: Look at another router/modem or other options based on recommendations from this forum. Although my networking knowledge gets me by I am no guru.

The majority of my wireless devices are N (laptops, phones, media server with wireless N 300Mbps pci-e card). Only printer is G. I will also connect my mede8er and Samsung TV over ethernet.

Any advice would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Napalm2880]

Interesting. I've got the TL-MR3420 (Wireless N)set up at the neighbors and its signal reaches through 3 single brick walls + 1 double wall and I still get a faint signal on the far side of my flat.

That being said, if you're going upstairs then there could be steel re-enforcing causing signal the loss?

It may not be an option for you but personally, I've had little success with streaming HD media over WIFI. I would suggest going cable.. Otherwise through the power lines http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/?categoryid=206

 

[wetkit]

I might be wrong here, but N is only at 5.8GHz.
Problem is that freq does not penitrate walls that well.
Old 2.4 equipment is much better at going through walls.

Not sure if you can add other antennas to your router?
Normally the standard stubby omni does have 360 degrees horizontal covrage, but not much vertical.
You might have to adjust the antenna a bit to get better signal upstairs, or even get a bigger one.

Other than that, meadia streaming is much better via LAN cable than Wi-Fi, even at a measly 100Mbps.

 

[slave]

Thanks for the input. I initially suspected some interference going to the top floor but still have poor signal in the kitched - 7-8 meters away on the same floor. On my previous router I was able to stream HD video over wifi via allshare direct to the TV with no problem. I have not tried streaming from PC yet, only Samsung Galaxy Note and S2.

The router I am trying has 2 antenna and runs at 2.4GHz. Guess if other options don't work I'll have to run a cable to a wireless AP upstairs?