Author Topic: wireless router question (Read 445 times)

lambo31 · « **on:** January 18, 2008, 07:29:42 PM »

I have a cable modem and would like to check in to having a wireless router added. How is it as far as gaming goes? Also, any recommendations on a certain one?

Lambo

OOZ662 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2008, 11:02:43 PM »

Routers will slow your connection down, period. Especially if the gaming computer is wirelessly connected. They will require resets every once in a while. The will require maintenance and nearly all of the regular-joe routers (except for a few of the "golden children" in every production run) will need to be replaced after probably around a year or two of use. Sometimes as little as a few months. Usually they die from overheating as they don't have fans.

However, a router is the best firewall you can have if it's set up correctly. Routers are also very expandable.

The Linksys WRT54G series have served me well. Netgear is the other big name. Keep in mind both have their flaws; it's the same as the PC vs Mac debate, really.

Just, for the love of God, set up WPA encryption that has a key that ISN'T made of any words!

Tigger29 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2008, 11:10:49 PM »

lambo, there are a lot of factors involved on how well a wireless router will work for your gaming needs. It has everything to do with the quality of your connection.

OOZ is correct in the fact that wireless routers are slower than wired ones, however this probably won't be an issue. You're still limited to your internet speed.

There are wired routers out now capable of 1000Mbps, but the standard is 100Mbps. Wireless routers are usually 16Mbps or 54Mbps, so yes that's quite a bit slower, BUT even the fastest internet connections these days are typically 10Mbps. As long as your network connection is faster than your internet speed, then anything more is overkill.

Now here's where your connection quality comes in. If you have a poor wireless connection (due to interference or distance or whatnot), you'll connect at a much slower speed, and you'll experience lost packets, but if you have a great connection the difference will not be noticeable over a wired connection.

I've been using wireless for gaming for over two years now, and have yet to experience any problems. My connections are very solid, no lag (not any more than when I used to have a direct connection to the modem)... 38ms to http://www.flyaceshigh.com right now! I RARELY get disconnected, but then again my computer is less than 15 feet away from my router (separated by a wall), and I live out in BFE and the nearest house is about 2000 feet away.

If you live in a city area with power lines or an air port nearby and plan on using your computer 250 feet away from your router, then I'd say wireless is not for you.

OOZ662 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2008, 11:14:27 PM »

Yes, sorry, I should've mentioned that you only ever reach peak network capacity when working in your own network (ie, transfer of files from one comp to the other). The internet comes nowhere close to end networking speed.

The number of dropped or damaged packets is what you need to pay attention to. The same things that make your car radio squeaky and crackly will have an effect on your network performance due to messing with the packets "in air" as it truely is just a radio signal. If you're a real nut you can get all the radio meters and set your antenna to the absolute perfect position and such, but...

Tarmac · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2008, 11:33:34 PM »

I played AH on a wirelessly for a few years (Linksys WRT54GS); never had any problems. My buddies and I also occasionally have LAN parties... we used to use only wired connections, but we now go with wireless for ease of setup and we don't really notice a difference as far as games go.

715 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2008, 01:02:46 AM »

I have a wireless router (LinkSys WRT54G) that goes from downstairs across the house to upstairs and I still have a 54Mbps connection almost all the time; the rate never falls anywhere near as low as my cable modem rate cap so it is never the limiter. I have no problems. Pingplotter shows essentially no packet loss (to the router, the rest of the path through the internet occassionally shows some lost packets).

There is only one down side: periodically, perhaps every 5 or 10 minutes, there is a very brief burp where the ping time to the router will jump to nearly a second (from its normal <1ms). I have no idea what it's doing during that burp, and I suspect it causes a brief and infrequent rubber bullet problem in AH. I never notice anything though.

I use WPA with a gobbledegook password, SSID broadcast off, and MAC filtering. None of the other WiFi's I see in my area use anything beyond WEP, and several were totally unsecured for awhile after being first started.

OOZ662 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2008, 01:27:57 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by 715
I have no idea what it's doing during that burp, and I suspect it causes a brief and infrequent rubber bullet problem in AH. I never notice anything though.

I think that has to do with Linksys's ultimate fail at firmware development in some cases. I had to switch over to "homebrew" firmware on my WRT54GL in order to get it to work as a wireless bridge for my xBox 360 (saved me $75 on the wireless adapter, but doesn't allow for media access on the network). The stuff's great. Many new features and it gets rid of the need to do a near-monthly reset of the router in most cases. Some people say it's faster too, but Ive never had an application to test its speed.

I think the name of the firmware I use was Thibor 15c. Something close to that. Check it out if you're ever curious.

Fulmar · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2008, 09:04:27 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by OOZ662
I think that has to do with Linksys's ultimate fail at firmware development in some cases. I had to switch over to "homebrew" firmware on my WRT54GL.

Now this is real homebrew! http://www.ipcop.org/

Vulcan · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2008, 03:47:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by OOZ662
Routers will slow your connection down, period. Especially if the gaming computer is wirelessly connected. They will require resets every once in a while. The will require maintenance and nearly all of the regular-joe routers (except for a few of the "golden children" in every production run) will need to be replaced after probably around a year or two of use. Sometimes as little as a few months. Usually they die from overheating as they don't have fans.

Try a USRobotics, doesn't need resetting, does die. If you're having those sorts of issues then you're doing something wrong.

Hoarach · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2008, 05:16:11 PM »

I just picked myself up a lynksys wireless router and have had no problems with it. I connect fine with it with my PC and my PS3. I havent had any hiccups and have nothing but positive feedbacks for it.

OOZ662 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2008, 10:21:14 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Vulcan
Try a USRobotics, doesn't need resetting, does die. If you're having those sorts of issues then you're doing something wrong.

I'm having those issues due to P2P and torrents. Hasn't died, but needs a reset every once in a while. It's a bug in the Linksys routers where they try to keep connections open far longer than they should be. The death of routers is caused by heat, and there are many reports of such happening all over the place.

Tigger29 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2008, 02:29:44 PM »

I use a cheap D-link wireless router I got on clearance for $20.

Been using it two years now with very few problems.

I did have an issue about a year ago where large downloads would stop for no reason, but an upgrade to the latest factory firmware resolved that.

I know it's cheap, but it's not missing any functions that I need, nor am I having any speed or stability problems. I kind of want it to die so I can get something better, but it just keeps on going.

I guess I got lucky!