[jqp]

This is the by far best wireless router according to these tests!

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=156

These new draftN wireless routers are expensive if you are used to a 5-year-old wired router! But this one allows for amazing range and amazing speeds and many,many simultaneous connections.

Also gigabit LAN in the 4-port wired switch, and gigabit WAN for when they bring fiber to my door!  And QoS, etc.

And ultimately, you need to be able to make your wireless network secure, which is not that easy. My ancient D-Link DI-604 can just not be made secure enough.

Now, to get the most amazing bandwidth you will need the D-Link wireless cards, but even with g and b it should be faster than before.

I bought it because I wanted better security, more simultaneous connections, gigabit LAN, and mega futureproofing.

MSRP is I think a whopping $179, you can find it for $149, today you can get it from Circuit City for $109

The best way is to go online, order it for 109 and go pick it up to save shipping and to get it today!

btw RESIST the temptation to get the Linksys WRT54G V5


"Yes, the Linksys WRT54G V5 Really Is a Lousy Router"

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/26843/51/

[ehart]

The criticism of the Linksys router is silly.  If you follow the link, you'll see that the "issue" is that the operating system of these routers can no longer be replaced by hackers.  There's no criticism of the reliability, range, or features of the router (all of which are excellent).  "Hackability" is irrelevant to 99.9% of consumers, including audio buffs.  (And isn't even a feature of the D-Link that the poster likes, as far as I can tell!).  There's a reason that Linksys sells these by the carload -- they're cheap, easy to setup, and work well.

[jqp]

Not true - you may get that impression if you only read the first page. The criticism is that the v5 version of this router allows far fewer simultaneous connections than other routers, even previous versions of this router.

I can't say for sure that the V5's inability to support more than 16 simultaneous connections is at the heart of what ails most unhappy purchasers of this product. But I do know that for a router to be successful in today's market, it had better be able to handle as many simultaneous connections as its design will allow and the higher the number the better!

Granted for basic web-browsing it may not be an issue, but those days are over for most wireless users.

I bought that router for my Mom and do not regret it as she has 1 laptop and 1 desktop, and does nothing to challenging as far as simultaneous connections.

My new router is in a different class. (802.11n (High Throughput) draft 2 ballot has just passed - still some work)

[ehart]

Linksys doesn't publish specs for number of supported connections on this router.  Have you ever run out of connections with one?  How many users were on the network? This is a Small Office Home Office (SOHO) device -- I wouldn't expect to use it with over 10 users, thought it might work.

My company does nothing but computer networking.  We mostly install higher-end gear, but use the Linksys for SOHO use, so I've installed quite a few, and run one at home and at my office.  No problems.

We actually use the WRT54GS rather than the WRT54G -- I believe they're the same except the "S" supposedly gives better wireless performance.

Cordially,

Eric

[zybar]

Isn't 802.11n still a draft and not a standard?

Doesn't that mean you run the risk of buying this gear and haven't it be incompatible with whatever the ultimate standard becomes?

I want faster speeds and better range, but I don't want to throw money away...

George

[jqp]

Linksys doesn't publish specs for number of supported connections on this router.  Have you ever run out of connections with one?  How many users were on the network? This is a Small Office Home Office (SOHO) device -- I wouldn't expect to use it with over 10 users, thought it might work.

My company does nothing but computer networking.  We mostly install higher-end gear, but use the Linksys for SOHO use, so I've installed quite a few, and run one at home and at my office.  No problems.

We actually use the WRT54GS rather than the WRT54G -- I believe they're the same except the "S" supposedly gives better wireless performance.

Cordially,

Eric

Remember that "connections" does not refer to 10 PCs "connected" to the network, but to all the simultaneous connections that each PC may make.


The v5 of that Linksys router could not make more than 16 connections in tests. Older versions could do 64.

[jqp]

Isn't 802.11n still a draft and not a standard?

Doesn't that mean you run the risk of buying this gear and haven't it be incompatible with whatever the ultimate standard becomes?

I want faster speeds and better range, but I don't want to throw money away...

George

Yes 11n is draft, but just passed a second vote, so less and less will change going forward. The major players all have draftN routers, and a firmware upgrade should get you in line with the final spec.

Remember I am replacing my DI-614+ and my dead Linksys wired router. I got the new one now for better security options, gigabyte LAN (my PCs can do 1000), QoS, and other good things such the many simultaneous connections. I hate to spend even $109 on a router though, but when you consider how important it is to a SOHO...

Also IMO the price may go back up to $149 or maybe $129 after today for several months...so if you are on the edge, grab it

[Levi]

Good find!

I may have to go back to this thread when I am in the market for a new router.

[jermmd]

I have the D-Link Gaming router DGL-4300 which is the 3rd on the posted ratings. I've seen mine listed for under $90 recently. It is an exceptional router and highly recommended. The DIR-655 scores much higher than the DGL-4300 and is worth a look for only another $20.