Should I upgrade or use something I already own?

[truoc]

Hi all! I am fairly new to the site, have read numerous things and have looked at numerous charts, but am still having a hard time deciding what is the best route to take for my given situation. Let me explain a little bit. I am somewhat of a router hoarder it would seem since I currently have 4 just lying around. I currently own: Linksys WRT54GL loaded with Tomato firmware, Dlink DGL-4300, Netgear WPN824, and a Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 also loaded with tomato firmware.

4 desktops:

Desktop #1 - hooked up via ethernet cable directly into router
Desktop #2 - hooked up via ethernet cable directly into router
Desktop #3 - connected wirelessly via wireless usb adapter (N compatible)
Desktop #4 - connected wirelessly via wireless usb adapter (G compatible)

3 Laptops:

Laptop #1 - connected wirelessly via internal adapter (G compatible)
Laptop #2 - connected wirelessly via internal adapter (G compatible)
Laptop #3 - connected wirelessly via internal adapter (G compatible)

2 printers hooked up via ethernet cables directly into router, an iPhone, and a Windows Phone 7.

We have Comcast performance internet package which is rated at 12mbps download and 2mbps upload, but we normally get a little more than that on average. Desktop #1 is used for mainly surfing the internet and playing games on Facebook. Desktop #2 is a server that sits quietly in the closet to house various files. Desktop #3 gets used the most and it is used heavily for streaming Youtube videos, music, and gaming. Desktop #4 is rarely used and will be disconnected in the near future. The laptops don't get too much use overall and are mainly used for surfing the web, checking email, watching some Youtube videos, etc. No gaming takes place on the laptops at all. I have been looking at the router charts and eyeing a couple of different models. Right now we are using the Dlink DGL-4300 router and it is performing decently, but what I am curious about is given my situation if I was to upgrade to the Asus RT-N56U would I see any type of improvement in terms of speed? One other thing I should mention is that at the end of this month we plan on upgrading to the Comcast Blast! internet package which is rated at 20mbps download and 4mbps upload. Would it be worth the price to upgrade or should I stick with one of the routers I currently own and if that is the case then which one out of the 4 I own is the best for my situation? Thanks for any help!

 

[thiggins]

DGL4300 has >200Mbps wired routing speed so don't need to upgrade for that.
Switching to an N router would improve speed only for Desktop 3. But if you are happy with current performance leave the DGL4300 in place.

 

[truoc]

DGL4300 has >200Mbps wired routing speed so don't need to upgrade for that.
Switching to an N router would improve speed only for Desktop 3. But if you are happy with current performance leave the DGL4300 in place.

Thanks for the quick response, I appreciate that! I thought I might see an increased speed for the one desktop, but I wasn't sure it was worth it to spend >$100 just to see a speed increase in one PC. On another note, how does the Buffalo stack up to the DLink? In the past I have had a few dropouts in wireless connectivity with the DLink and the Linksys which required a restart, but nothing major. On the other hand I haven't used the Buffalo enough to put it to the test. Which of the three is the better router in your opinion?

 

[thiggins]

I used a DGL4500 for years and it worked fine. No router is perfect. I would leave things as is.

If you really have an itch to experiment, get a cheap N router and convert it to an AP to add N. Cisco home store has Single band refurbs as low as $30 with free shipping and 30 day return. http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/products/linksys-outlet-refurbished_stcVVcatId543906VVviewcat.htm

 

[truoc]

Thanks for the reply! Coincidentally right after I got done reading your post I opened my laptop to look at something on it and the wifi wouldn't work. It wouldn't work on two laptops or the phones, but was working for two other wifi connected computers which is odd. I ended up hooking up the Linksys WRT54GL to give that a try for awhile. Okay I have a new dilemma that would appreciate some opinions on and the best route to take.

Desktop #3 is only using a N compatible USB wireless adapter because there aren't enough ports on the router to take advantage of directly wired ethernet. I am contemplating purchasing a switch and taking the N compatible adapter off the desktop and hooking the desktop directly into the switch. I am also contemplating leaving the N compatible adapter in the desktop and purchasing the Engenius esr9850 router at the end of the month when we switch to better internet. Which do you think the best option would be? Two of the desktops have NIC cards that are gigabit compatible while the server NIC is not, it is 10/100. I don't really transfer files back and forth too much, but I stream music and some videos off the server. Also pretty much all of the laptops are only G compatible. I guess my question is if I got the Engenius router, which is a N router, would I see any improvement really if I leave the one N adapter in the desktop while all other wireless computers are only G compatible or would I see degraded performance because most wireless devices are G and only one utilizes N so I would be using mixed mode? Also if I do decide to purchase a network switch I think it will be either 5 or 8 port so what brand of switch do you recommend? I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thanks.

 

[stevech]

Thanks for the reply! Coincidentally right after I got done reading your post I opened my laptop to look at something on it and the wifi wouldn't work. It wouldn't work on two laptops or the phones, but was working for two other wifi connected computers which is odd. I ended up hooking up the Linksys WRT54GL to give that a try for awhile. Okay I have a new dilemma that would appreciate some opinions on and the best route to take.

Desktop #3 is only using a N compatible USB wireless adapter because there aren't enough ports on the router to take advantage of directly wired ethernet. I am contemplating purchasing a switch and taking the N compatible adapter off the desktop and hooking the desktop directly into the switch. I am also contemplating leaving the N compatible adapter in the desktop and purchasing the Engenius esr9850 router at the end of the month when we switch to better internet. Which do you think the best option would be? Two of the desktops have NIC cards that are gigabit compatible while the server NIC is not, it is 10/100. I don't really transfer files back and forth too much, but I stream music and some videos off the server. Also pretty much all of the laptops are only G compatible. I guess my question is if I got the Engenius router, which is a N router, would I see any improvement really if I leave the one N adapter in the desktop while all other wireless computers are only G compatible or would I see degraded performance because most wireless devices are G and only one utilizes N so I would be using mixed mode? Also if I do decide to purchase a network switch I think it will be either 5 or 8 port so what brand of switch do you recommend? I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thanks.

sounds like you could have a good 11g or 11n router and add an access point (or repurposed router as an access point) - to put the older 11g devices on their own channel and SSID and keep an SSID that's 11n only. This helps speed. If you really need that speed!

Switch: I have two Fry's store brand gigE 5 port switches. Cheap. Have run for a long time. I also have a 2nd generation Netgear 5 port (605?) switch - white desktop package with rear cables. No issues. The netgear metal switches are good if they hide in a closet.