Any router experts around?
Originally shared by Steve Anthony Herrera
G+ help me, you're my only hope!
So of course after working a 12 hour day at the office I come home to find that my poor little Linksys wireless router has died on me. It had a full life of nearly 10 years, so I can't complain too much.
That said, I've not had to look into routers in a long long time. As such, I don't even know what I should be looking for in terms of specs, brands, etc.
I live in a modest size apartment so I don't really need a lot of range. That said, I have several devices connected simultaneously:
1- Laptop,
2- Tablet
3- Mobile phone
4- Office VoIP phone
5- Smart TV
6- Potentially getting a second laptop.
I don't do much uploading, but since I do not have cable TV I stream a lot of music and videos.
Who can give me guidance on what to look for? How much I should plan on spending? and/or provide any specific recommendation?
Thanks in advance for your help!!
i'm going through the upgrade process real soon myself, so i could use ideas as well.
ReplyDeleteMotorola SBG6580 SURFboard Docsis 3.0 Wireless Gateway is working really well for me....
ReplyDeleteSteve Anthony Herrera
ReplyDeleteI think it's probably just clever nomenclature from the marketing department. "Router" sounds so utilitarian, so dogsbody....while "gateway" sounds like you're walking into the welcome plaza at a 5 star resort.. http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-SURFboard-Gateway-SBG6580-Wireless/dp/B0040IUI46
ReplyDeletegateway = modem+router in one. my current device is a gateway, and it's nice. just need to bump up to docsis 3.0 so i can get more capability.
ReplyDeleteyou may want to check with tw. comcast loves gateways.
yes....and yes.
ReplyDeleteMichael McIntyre exactly the model i've been pondering.
ReplyDeleteMichael McIntyre, Gateway = Cable Modem. I replaced my original Motorola Surfboard with a new one when it died about a year ago. The main difference was upgrading from DOCSIS 2 to DOCSIS 3, which provides dramatically better speed if your network can use it. What Steve Anthony Herrera is talking about, however, is not a cable modem (which is what the Surfboard is) but his router. I say that assuming he hooked up a laptop or something directly to his cable modem and it worked. My advice would be to replace Linksys with Linksys but upgrade to a model with hardwired gigabit speed and wireless N instead of the older standards. DOCSIS 3 cable modems can all support that. Most laptops and other computers made for the last few years support it, too. If you are doing NETFLIX or downloading really large files, this higher speed capability can make a difference. Depending on the particular site and the ISP, it may not. Your mileage may vary.
ReplyDeleteThat's correct, Andrew. I was simply suggesting a two-fer, because if his router is 10 years old, then his modem probably is too. And now he's got 4 other wireless devices in the house on at one time, all the while streaming Downton Abbey on his Kindle.
ReplyDeleteDOCSIS 3.0 is the current (to my knowledge) cable modem telecommunications standard used when you are connected through a cable TV system like Comcast.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOCSIS
Michael, I think most everyone has multiple devices today. In my house, we have three desktop computers, three printers, and a scanner hardwired to the network along with three laptops, another printer, a Blu Ray player, and two cell phones that connect wirelessly as needed. When something burps, it takes a while to get everything running smoothly again.
ReplyDeletenow that i have a rec on that motorola, i am probably ordering it soon. thanks to everyone here for the help!
ReplyDeletecomcast explained to me (and they may be doing their sales-pitchy thing and exaggerating) that docsis 2.0 tops out around 15ish mbps, whereas docsis 3.0 is capable of much better speeds.
i'm not an expert, by far, but more speed/bandwidth, for me, is a big draw, since we sometimes have 7 or 8 devices doing stuff at once.
Elly, I can tell you from experience with Comcast is that DOCSIS 3.0 really can make a difference and is worth the upgrade. However, it all depends on what is going on at the other end. You cannot receive any faster than the other end can transmit.
ReplyDeletethey offer a bundle in my area that is at least 3 times (supposedly) what i get now, as a 6 month free upgrade. it can't hurt to get the better gateway anyway and give it a shot.
ReplyDeleteFYI, I just looked up the particular Surfboard model that was recommended above. Looks fine to me. As a matter of personal preference, however, I separate the modem and the router. That way if one or the other fails, I may still be able to get work done by swapping out the failed piece with an older component that still works, albeit somewhat slower.
ReplyDeletegateway fails = outage call to work. nothing else in this place matters more than work, but they pay me (at least for a while) during an outage, so i'd potentially have enough time to do something about it.
ReplyDeleteall other devices can be kept going via my cel phone if there's actually a need.
You might take a look at their rental fee and compare it to what it would cost to buy the same hardware on Amazon or at a local store. My memory is that the break-even point is after only about a year or so. The only advantage of renting the equipment is that you have someone to yell at should something not work correctly.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing I always recommend is plugging the cable modem and router into a UPS. They provide power protection and the network will stay live for battery powered devices (laptops, cell phones) even if the power goes out.
ReplyDeletei am done thread-hijacking for now...hopefully Steve Anthony Herrera gets the answers he needs as well :) i am off to bed, to hopefully be recovered enough from whatever's trying to kick me, so i can work tomorrow. thanks to all!
ReplyDeleteElly Ice Geof Fantastico Michael McIntyre Andrew Williams thank you for all the great advice and for jumping in to help. This is why I ♥ Google+ :-)
ReplyDelete