Wireless Network Equipment |
Previous  Next |
Last Updated: October 13, 2007
 |
Today's Best Choice: 802.11n + GigabitThe D-Link DIR-655 is the best of the draft-n wireless routers that also includes a gigabit switch (10/100/1000Mbps). While D-Link draft-n products will work with it, draft-n products from other manufacturer's may not. Stick with all D-Link, all draft-n products and you'll get the fastest home wireless router today per SmallNetBuilder. A few customers reported difficulties in mixing 802.11g and 802.11n products with this router. If this concerns you, then wait until the 802.11n is standardized in mid 2008. Read owner reviews from NewEgg (over 130 reviews, 4/5 stars), PC Magazine (Apr 2007). Buy it for $120. |
 |
Today's Best Choice: 802.11g + GigabitThe D-Link DGL-4300 is a 802.11b/g access point, router, gigabit switch (10/100/1000Mbps), and firewall all in one box. You'll still want to install firewall software though. This router is optimized for games and gives network traffic for games the highest priority. You'll have to connect via Ethernet or a special wireless network card to obtain fastest speeds, but it will also work with other wireless cards. Even if you aren't interested in games, owners reported on NewEgg that the router is fast, stable, offers high speeds at long distances and has 4 gigabit ports. The higher price is worth it. Read owner reviews from NewEgg (over 590 reviews, 4/5 stars), ExtremeTech (Dec 2004). Buy it for $100. |
 |
Today's Best Choice: 802.11g MIMOCustomers either love or hate the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54. Multiple In Multiple Out (MIMO) is a bit tricky and I'm wondering if the people that hate it are using a network card from a different company. MIMO came after 802.11g and before 802.11n. Like 802.11n, MIMO extends the wireless signal range and increases the speed. The biggest drawback for me would be the lack of VPN support. I could not work from home with this router. Read owner reviews from NewEgg (over 350 reviews, 5/5 stars). Buy it online for $56 including shipping. |
 |
Today's Best Choice: 802.11gThe Linksys WRT54GL is a solid 802.11g wireless router. This one is loved by the techie community because it can be hacked to do things it wasn't designed to do. Read owner reviews from NewEgg (over 780 reviews, 5/5 stars). Buy it for $63 including shipping. |
There Isn't a Perfect Wireless Router
All of these wireless routers cover the basics, but each one offers a feature or two that isn't offered on the others.
Buy From One Company
It's helpful to buy all of the network equipment from one company. If you need to contact technical support, you'll only have to make one call. It also eliminates finger pointing. The router company may point to the wireless card as the problem while the wireless card company may point to the wireless router as the problem.
Features
| Capability | Feature | D-LinkDIR-655 | D-LinkDGL-4300 | BuffaloWHR-HP-G54 | LinksysWRT54GL | Comments |
| 802.11 version | draft-n | g | g MIMO | g | MIMO = reduced dead spots | |
| Theoretical top speed of router (Mbps) | 486 | 108 | 125 | 54 | ||
| Wireless Activities | Web surfing | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| Streaming MP3 music files and iTunes | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
| Viewing digital images | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
| Watching videos (YouTube): 1-2 computers | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
| Internet gaming | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
| Apartment, small to medium house | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
| Light to moderate file sharing | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
| Viewing digital photos over 5 megapixels * | yes | yes | yes | no | *Yes = slight pause may occur. No=longer pause. | |
| Heavy internet gaming | yes | yes | no | no | ||
| Watching videos (YouTube): 4 or more computers | yes | no | no | no | ||
| Streaming high definition videos (DVD quality) | yes | no | no | no | ||
| Large to extra large house | yes | no | no | no | ||
| Heavy file sharing | yes | no | no | no | ||
| Security | WEP, 128-bit | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| WPA - Wi-Fi Protected Access | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
| WPA-PSK (Pre-Shared Key) | yes | no | yes | yes | ||
| WPA2 | yes | no | no | yes | ||
| AES | yes | yes | yes | yes | encryption method (cipher type) for WPA | |
| TKIP | yes | yes | yes | yes | encryption method (cipher type) for WPA | |
| Disable SSID broadcast | yes | yes | no | yes | ||
| VPN | PPTP | yes | yes | no | yes | |
| L2TP | yes | yes | no | yes | ||
| IPSec | yes | yes | no | yes | ||
| Multi-Session | yes | no | no | no | allows two or more VPN connections simultaneously | |
| Firewall | NAT | yes | yes | yes | yes | translates local IP to internet IP - hides IP from internet |
| Stateful Pack Inspection (SPI) | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
| MAC Filtering | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
| IP Filtering | no | yes | no | yes | block certain home computers | |
| URL Filtering | yes | yes | no | yes | block one page of website | |
| Domain Blocking | yes | yes | no | no | block entire website | |
| Scheduling | yes | yes | yes | yes | restrict day/time when internet traffic is allowed | |
| Other | Gigabit LAN Switch | yes | yes | no | no | |
| QOS (Quality of Service) | yes | yes | no | yes | prioritize network traffic for VoIP or games | |
| DHCP Server | yes | yes | yes | yes | automatically assigns IP addresses to home computers | |
| Port range forwarding / special application rules / game rule / port mapping | yes | yes | yes | yes | for games, web cams, web servers, VoIP | |
| Auto switch crossover cables to straight thru cables? | no | yes | yes | no | auto MDI/MDIX | |
| Tech support using web site | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | |||
| Tech support hours (phone and e-mail) | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | Phone and e-mail support is not free for life | ||
| One touch secure setup | no | no | yes | no | ||
| Reduce power for shorter range | yes | no | yes | no | Controls how far outside your house the wireless signal can travel |
Most information comes from the online user's guide.