Hi, there
My first post here so let me start off by saying thanks for all the helpful advice - been referring to this site a lot over the last few days as I try to decide on which router to get.
I live in the UK and have just moved into a 2-bed apartment on one floor of a small block of flats, with several other small blocks nearby.
My work and personal info and large media collection syncs between 2 PCs and is obviously important to me, representing years of effort
My setup is
-----------
Desktop PC by TV in lounge as backup pc/file+media server (gigabit NIC, no wireless)
Laptop in office, which I sometimes use in other rooms (gigabit NIC, Intel 5300 wifi)
Laser printer with network/USB connectivity
AIO HP printer, with USB/network/wifi/buetooth connectivity
PDA
SIP modem
4-port Gigabit switch
Considerations:
---------------
I use MS Live Sync to keep desktop and laptop synced (laptop has 2Gb external drive)
That way, I have backups of everything and, if one PC fails, I can continue working (I work from home, run small business)
I have a fair chunk of info and downloads that get synced daily
My laptop's wifi picks up about a dozen signals, plus 2 hotspots
I am getting Sky ADSL next week - their contract states you have to use their modem/router
Fibre might come to this area next year
So, a router with WAN port seems better than a combined ADSL modem router
BUDGET! - I don't want to rely on yet another crappy piece of unidentifiable hardware from my ISP, yet can't splurge. The Netgear WNDR3700 looks tasty, but it is over £100 here.
Wants:
-------
Dual-band, dual-radio
Gigabit ports
Likes:
------
Guest mode (keep family and friends away from my stuff)
USB printer/drive functions on router (not pc)
Candidates:
-----------------------------------------
a) Belkin Play Max (F7D4301) - £66
b) D-Link DIR-825 (don't know which Rev) - £85 with free DWA-160 dongle
Questions:
----------
a) Are these 2 more than I need or require?
b) if not, which seems the better choice?
c) Belkin is Broadcom, D-Link is Atheros - does this make a difference?
Other considerations:
--------------------
I know the Belkin is hobbled by the bundled apps, but those can be circumvented
Both routers can be flashed with DD-WRT
I believe both can be extended with Optware
Though speed over the network is important to me, stability and reliability win out as the most important factors
Having spent the better part of the last week's spare time reading up on and learning about the state of, and options for, home networking, I find myself deadlocked between these two choices.
I'm hoping that wiser heads can point me in the right direction and help me make a more informed choice.
Thanks in advance and please keep up the good work.
My first post here so let me start off by saying thanks for all the helpful advice - been referring to this site a lot over the last few days as I try to decide on which router to get.
I live in the UK and have just moved into a 2-bed apartment on one floor of a small block of flats, with several other small blocks nearby.
My work and personal info and large media collection syncs between 2 PCs and is obviously important to me, representing years of effort
My setup is
-----------
Desktop PC by TV in lounge as backup pc/file+media server (gigabit NIC, no wireless)
Laptop in office, which I sometimes use in other rooms (gigabit NIC, Intel 5300 wifi)
Laser printer with network/USB connectivity
AIO HP printer, with USB/network/wifi/buetooth connectivity
PDA
SIP modem
4-port Gigabit switch
Considerations:
---------------
I use MS Live Sync to keep desktop and laptop synced (laptop has 2Gb external drive)
That way, I have backups of everything and, if one PC fails, I can continue working (I work from home, run small business)
I have a fair chunk of info and downloads that get synced daily
My laptop's wifi picks up about a dozen signals, plus 2 hotspots
I am getting Sky ADSL next week - their contract states you have to use their modem/router
Fibre might come to this area next year
So, a router with WAN port seems better than a combined ADSL modem router
BUDGET! - I don't want to rely on yet another crappy piece of unidentifiable hardware from my ISP, yet can't splurge. The Netgear WNDR3700 looks tasty, but it is over £100 here.
Wants:
-------
Dual-band, dual-radio
Gigabit ports
Likes:
------
Guest mode (keep family and friends away from my stuff)
USB printer/drive functions on router (not pc)
Candidates:
-----------------------------------------
a) Belkin Play Max (F7D4301) - £66
b) D-Link DIR-825 (don't know which Rev) - £85 with free DWA-160 dongle
Questions:
----------
a) Are these 2 more than I need or require?
b) if not, which seems the better choice?
c) Belkin is Broadcom, D-Link is Atheros - does this make a difference?
Other considerations:
--------------------
I know the Belkin is hobbled by the bundled apps, but those can be circumvented
Both routers can be flashed with DD-WRT
I believe both can be extended with Optware
Though speed over the network is important to me, stability and reliability win out as the most important factors
Having spent the better part of the last week's spare time reading up on and learning about the state of, and options for, home networking, I find myself deadlocked between these two choices.
I'm hoping that wiser heads can point me in the right direction and help me make a more informed choice.
Thanks in advance and please keep up the good work.