Wireless router suggestions?

[Dresden]

Current home setup:
D-Link DIR-855
D-Link DGS-2208
Dell Powerconnect 2816


1 MacBook Pro running Lion(wireless)
1 iMac running Lion (wired)
1 Dell Inspiron running XP(wireless)
1 Dell Optiplex running Win7 (wired)
1 iPhone 3Gs
1 iPhone 4G
2 Xbox 360 (wired)
1 PS3 (wired)
1 Wii (wireless)
1 TiVO Premiere (wired)

All wired connections are home runs to the Powerconnect, with the exception of one Xbox 360, the PS3, and the TiVO. They are plugged into the DGS-2208, which is then connected to the Powerconnect.

I'd like to replace the DIR-855 at the least, and any other suggestions would also be appreciated!

I've been considering the Apple Airport Extreme 5th gen wireless router, and I've also heard a lot about a Netgear WNDR3700/4000. If there's something else I should take a look at as well, I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[stevech]

so all your wired devices go to the Dell switch. Good.
Are the WiFi based devices spread out around a large house such that you might want an access point as well as a router?

You might also consider getting a wired-only router and use WiFi access points (which can be re-purposed cheap routers). Then you one really good/secure router will be better than the all-in-one wireless router which often has too much in a cheap product.

 

[Dresden]

so all your wired devices go to the Dell switch. Good.
Are the WiFi based devices spread out around a large house such that you might want an access point as well as a router?

You might also consider getting a wired-only router and use WiFi access points (which can be re-purposed cheap routers). Then you one really good/secure router will be better than the all-in-one wireless router which often has too much in a cheap product.

Thanks for the quick response! The WiFi devices get strong signal (either full bars or only missing one bar). That said, if I can get a wired-only router that is more secure/stable/better than an all-in-one, I'd rather do that and then go with a dedicated access point or two. Any suggestions?

 

[Dresden]

Any word/review of the 5th Gen Apple Airport Extreme? The MacBook Pro gets the most wireless workout of any of the wireless devices, and I've heard good things about the wireless range with Apple-on-Apple action, but I'd like to make sure I'm not going to be causing any other issues with the non-Apple stuff.

Also, what kind of security product would you suggest I go with? I've considered a ZyXel/Sonicwall kind of thing, as well as setting up a small *nix box and running something on that... any suggestions? I like the idea of an appliance out of a size and energy consumption standpoint, but I really would like to avoid yearly licensing fees. Anyone?

 

[keenanj]

There are not many good wired routers these days.

You can use a wireless router with WiFi disabled and connect AP's for wireless.

The engenius esr9850 is a good one it has a gigabit switch and WAN port and can handle heavy traffic.

http://www.keenansystems.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_31&products_id=305

 

[Dresden]

Actually, it's now looking like I'm going to be switching providers, from Brighthouse to Verizon FIOS (phone/internet/tv). Without getting too messy, it looks like I'll be using their provided router, an Actiontec? I believe, it sounds like I just need to demand the one with the GigE ports on it.

Anyone know how well it handles the following:

-Torrent traffic
-Newsgroup traffic (I use SickBeard & SABnzbd quite a bit)
-gaming/latency (mostly Xbox Live)

Thanks!

 

[GregN]

I posted something about this before, there wasn't a response.

I found I got significantly better performance by swapping out the Actiontec with a performance router ( D-Link DGL-4500 ) - the Actiontec isn't required ( tho I just had internet, no phone or cable ).

Again this was a few years ago, so the ActionTec might have resolved these issues.

DSLReports.com has several write ups on the Actiontec and FIOS that can be of assistance. There also seem to be some security issues....

Do you have an old laptop? Take a look at Dennis Wood's thread on pfSense, using version 1.2.3 ( not 2.0RC ) you get top notch QOS for gaming, a enormous state table, and depending on the platform, extreme performance (including torrents). Several folks have talked about using an old laptop, a switch, and your old wireless router. Of course this is a DIY project and you have to be into that sort of thing.

Hope that helps