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Originally Posted by pittpanther
(Post 17287823)
I have had a WRT54G for a decade - it's the first and only wireless router I've ever bought for myself. It has been a rock solid performer all these years, and I believe I updated its firmware maybe once in all this time.
I really have no idea why I would want to invest the time with these alternate firmware options. Over the years I use VOIP phones, the original Slingbox, Netflix streaming. I really haven;t had any trouble with these tools and I have never wished I had more firmware controls available. I guess if you like tuning and tweaking then it might be a plus for you... |
Originally Posted by nmenaker
(Post 17288245)
try using the voip phone while streaming an HD movie, or someone downloading an itunes update, or doing some picture uploads. Sort of kills the connection. Now, if one has a good cable connection with at a minimum of 1MB upstream and over say 6MB down then it is certainly LESS of a problem but most DSL services don't offer over 600kps upstream IF THAT
What settings in the firmware make this possible? |
Originally Posted by pittpanther
(Post 17288658)
I'm not sure I understand your reply... Are you saying that simply by switching to one of the alternate firmware options, that you can overcome the speed limitations of DSL and have a smooth VOIP call at the same time as an HD movie?
What settings in the firmware make this possible? |
WRT54GX is an excellent choice. If you are going to get N, get a dual band router as otherwise it's not much better than G and the router probably won't be as solid as the WRT54G. Those will probably run twice as much in price, though.
DD-WRT or Tomato will unlock quite a bit of power but is overkill for a simple home network. I do think it is overall more stable but if you aren't familiar/comfortable with upgrading the firmware and tinkering, just stick with the most up to date Cisco firmware. However, if you ever use P2P, have troubles with VOIP, or want to expand your network (adding more routers, etc) then DD-WRT compatibility is key. |
My father's WRT54GL just died after many years of service. From my perspective, buying another today would be like buying another Geo Prizm. Sure, it was a reliable car for the 90s, but there have been many improvements since then. His new $50 E2000 has (in his words) "snappier" performance. And he's getting better reception in distant parts of the house as well.
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Originally Posted by mgchan
(Post 17309658)
WRT54GX is an excellent choice. If you are going to get N, get a dual band router as otherwise it's not much better than G and the router probably won't be as solid as the WRT54G. Those will probably run twice as much in price, though.
Originally Posted by mgchan
(Post 17309658)
DD-WRT or Tomato will unlock quite a bit of power but is overkill for a simple home network. I do think it is overall more stable but if you aren't familiar/comfortable with upgrading the firmware and tinkering, just stick with the most up to date Cisco firmware. However, if you ever use P2P, have troubles with VOIP, or want to expand your network (adding more routers, etc) then DD-WRT compatibility is key.
QOS to lower priority of P2P and raise it for VOIP? For expansion, DD-WRT seems good for secondary routers, such as using one as a repeater. In any event, we seem to get by fine on one router. One feature that can be appealing is creating a virtual interface for a separate guest network so that guests can access the internet without touching the main network. |
Originally Posted by boberonicus
(Post 17310898)
My father's WRT54GL just died after many years of service. From my perspective, buying another today would be like buying another Geo Prizm. Sure, it was a reliable car for the 90s, but there have been many improvements since then. His new $50 E2000 has (in his words) "snappier" performance. And he's getting better reception in distant parts of the house as well.
The WRT54GL is measurably snappier than my old Netgear, at least in terms of top download speed. Out of curiosity, where did you find an E2000 for $50? FWIW, it's been superseded by the E2500. |
Originally Posted by richarddd
(Post 17311053)
Out of curiosity, where did you find an E2000 for $50? FWIW, it's been superseded by the E2500.
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