Greetings All,

I'm sure there have probably been like 4 million posts on this already, but
I'm looking for a *high quality* recommendation for a home wireless router.

My only requirements are a built in hub & USB printer port.  I'm working
behind a 3Mbps Road Runner connection so speed isn't a big issue for me.  I
live in a 2600 Sqft home and my router is located in the office so signal
strength is important.  Basically, I'm looking for a router that "just
works".

I currently have a dysfunctional Linksys supporting 1 Dell & 1 Mac laptop.
Basically my laptop hangs at "acquiring IP address" which is corrected once
I reboot the router.  Of course it also drops the connection after some time
for apparently no reason.  Both laptops work fine on other networks so I'm
fairly positive the router is at fault.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Regards,
David

David wrote:
Show quoteHide quoteI'm just guessing, but from what you describe, it sounds like it may be a
linksys wrt54g that needs the firmware update put on the website a few
months back.

As for the USB printer port, they make Ethernet to USB converters (about
$30) that lets you hook a printer into most ethernet routers.

I can't remember the model number as I'm at work right now, but the first
thing I tried was a firmware update.  Wish it were that simple.

I know about these converters, but I was hoping to knock this out with one
purchase ;0)

Thanks,
David

David wrote:
Show quoteHide quoteWish ya luck then, I haven't seen one with a USB printer output on it, so I
just went with the converter thing. If you happen to run across one, post it
in here.

On Wed, 9 Mar 2005 14:34:53 -0800, in alt.internet.wireless , "Peter Pan"
<Marcs1102NOSPAM@HotmailNOSPAM.com> wrote:

Am I missing something? How about the SMC 2804 WBRP-G ?

Check these out.

http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=474920&cm_mmc=Traffic%20Leader-_-Search-_-Datafeed-_-Technology

http://www.shopping.com/xPF-SMC_BARROCADE_WRLS_CBL_DSL_ROUTER_W_USB_PRNTR_INTEGRATED

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/reviews/AP/article.php/3331471

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=19


Show quoteHide quote

Hmmm... Ethernet to USB converters? They run like 90.00. Unless you're
talking about a USB print server - those are ~30 - 40.00 : )

Lucas Tam wrote:
Nope... search the internet (I used www.search.com), searched for "ethernet
to usb converter" <-- no quotes, and got Metasearch results 1 - 10 of about
88,520 for ethernet to usb converter.. First one displayed, I clicked on and
got $32, second $34, 3rd $29.95, 4th $31... then I got bored.....

Check out Zyxel.

I have just finished replacing 4 Linksys Wireless Access Points and Routers
with Netgear WGR614 Wireless Routers.  These units have been running great.
Last week, you could have bought one at Compusa for $9.99 after rebates.
This week, they are $29.99 after rebates at Best Buy.

This unit doesn't include a printer port, so I don't know if it will fill
your needs or not.

Mike Schumann

Show quoteHide quote

Draytek Vigor 2600G (or 2600VG with two VoIP ports), has a USB printer port
and all the facilities you may want,
very reliable, this is an 'office class' product hence not cheap but still
affordable for home use.
Mine hasn't missed a bit in 22 months.
Regards,
Martin

me.  I
so I'm
Heres a few that support printers.. check comments for USB support.
Check all in case I missed USB support.
Cost are average.
   Brand P_Function Model Prt_Serv Comment Price
      D-Link AP, Router DI-824VUP y
     $150.00
      D-Link AP, Router DI-714P+ y Up to 22mbs Dlink $85.00
      Netgear AP, Router FWG114P y DB9 for modem etc, USB Prt. Svr.
$160.00
      Netgear AP, Router FM114P y
     $140.00
      Belkin AP, Router F5D7231-4P y USB Print $125.00
      SMC AP, Router SMC2804WBRP-G y USB Printer Port, Hacker Alert
via Email, Prism Nitro Technology(ext.range,t-put) $80.00
      SMC AP, Router SMC7004AWBR y DB-25 Printer Port, Dial-up
Support - DB9 $125.00

Methinks it's time for a rant...

My definition of quality is defined by the construction of the circuit
board and case.  I suspect yours might be different. 

Good, fast, cheap.  Pick two.

They usually have a switch, not a hub.   Since you apparently want an
all in one box, with the kitchen sink, allow me to propose an
alternative.  Separate boxes (or component system as the hi-fi
fanatics call it).  See below.

Put enough mass between your access point and your unspecified client
radios and your wireless speed will decrease until it becomes the
limiting factor.

Assuming something like a single story rectangular floor layout, 2600
sqft is about 25ft x 100ft.  At perhaps 15ft per room, that's 5 walls
to go through from one end of the house to the other.  Since we don't
have the slightest clue as to where your office is located in the
house, my guess(tm) is that it's at one end, and the users are at the
other end.  This will not work through 5 walls no matter what quality
home wireless router you purchase.  If your walls have aluminium
backed foil, even one wall is a challenge.

Therefore, in lieu of you disclosing something about the house layout,
I suggest you abandon your dreams of obtaining good signal strength
with one radio and concentrate on figuring out what it will take to
cover the entire house or the areas of interest.  Layout and number of
floors are important.  Keep it down to going through one or two walls
and you should have a strong signal.  That may require more than one
wireless access point.

Therefore, I suggest you separate the functions.  The router section
wants to live near where all the wires and cables come together.
Usually, that's near the floor, under the desk, in the closet, or some
inaccessible locations.  Such locations are horrible for RF coverage.
The radio wants to live up high, in the open, where the RF coverage is
maximized.  These are mutually exclusive in one box.  The solution is
to use separate boxes for the router and the wireless access point(s).

Incidentally, you can use a wireless router as an access point by
simply ignoring the WAN port, changing the IP address to something in
the same Class C IP block as the router, disabling DHCP, and
connecting a cable between a LAN port on the router and a LAN port on
the wireless router.  You'll find that wireless routers are cheaper
than wireless access points and have a 4 port switch that AP lack.

The USB printer should be a printer and not a multi-malfunction
fax/scanner/printer contraption.  Getting these to work correctly with
a USB print server is often a challenge and is totally dependent upon
the driver software installed on the PC.  If it's just an ordinary
printer, then any of the $30-$50 USB print servers will work.  Just
plug it into the LAN port of the router or (converted) access point.

OK, DHCP isn't quite working correctly.  Download and install the DHCP
client from the bottom of:
  http://www.weird-solutions.com/download/demo.html
When it craps out again, fire up the program and see if it returns
anything interesting.  The last person that absolutely insisted that
his wireless router was failing to deliver IP's via DHCP and was
trashed, magically discovered that the Linux box, that he didn't
bother to mention, was also running a DHCP server on the same IP
block.  Turning the extra DHCP server off fixed his "broken" wireless
router.

You can thank me by realizing how much easier it would have been to
answer your questions if you would not have been so vague, left out
make and model numbers, and supplied a better description of what
you're working with.  Next time you ask a question, read your posting
and count how many numbers you have mentioned.  If it's only one or
two, you'll just get generalized and vague answers like this one.

Jeff Liebermann <je***@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us> wrote in
Also make sure the printer has an actual print engine - alot of cheaper
lasers and some inkjet printers lack a hardware print engine and are
incompatible with standalone print servers.

This is the best router with a built-in USB port:

http://netgear.com/products/details/WGT634U.php

Show quoteHide quote

JB:
BEST ? Gee, how much are they paying you ?
I my unfortunate and personal experience Netgear kit is c**p and their
support non existent !
Regards,
Martin

Thanks for the info everyone.  I ended up going with the Netgear WGR624
which works like a dream.  The Mac and Dell laptops are sailing along at
54Mbps.  I haven't had a dropped connection or had any hang-ups trying to
acquire a network address.

I decided to just bite the bullet and learn how to network my printer
through my PC with the rest of the network.  I liked the idea of plug and
play, but the lack of wireless was getting on my nerves.

I bought the router at Best Buy.  For s&g I asked the sales rep what he
recommended for a wireless router.  He recommended my old Linksys wireless G
router.  I told him the router (with current firmware) wasn't working and
that I had friends who had similar problems.  He then mused "maybe mine
doesn't have problems because I'm not running factory firmware".  Is it just
me or should he not be recommending a product he had to hack to get to work?

Of course, I could care less about all of this as my wireless network is
functional and I can go on with my life.  Thanks again for all the
recommendations.

Regards,
David

FYI about Netgear.  If you call support, you usually get someone that
doesn't speak English.
As far as rebates, typically when I send in a rebate that says it is
for up to X, I usually get X.  Netgear is the first company that gave
me less than that.

Just my 2 cents

When I spoke to Ahmed in Bangalore his English was OK-ish, but all he had to
help me was the very same poorly written installation guide I had in front
of me !
As it happens the router was a dud and I was able to return it - having lost
a week and lot of hair.
Won't touch anything Netgear ever again.
Regards,
Martin

You're not seriously judging the qaulity of a product based on whether their
outsource tech support are you? Because you've probably ruled out about 50%
of them. Does this mean you don't buy Dell or HP either?


Show quoteHide quote

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