Need a new router

RWBRWB Icrontian
edited February 2009 in Science & Tech
I just got internet again after several months YAY!

So now I need a new wireless router, I used to have the WRT54G but bricked it on updating the firmware a year ago or so, so now I am curious what a good router is these days. I'd like to limit my roommates connections somewhat as they don't understand the internet very well and I don't want them causing me lag.

Comments

  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited February 2009
    Find a WRT54GL online that you can stick DD-WRT or Tomato onto.
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited February 2009
    Any revisions or advice? Or just get "a" WRT54GL?
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited February 2009
    "A."
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited February 2009
    54GL is still the way to go running tomato firmware.
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited February 2009
    I used DDWRT before and when I bricked my old router, how is Tomato? Haven't heard of that one.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited February 2009
    Your experience with DD-WRT was quite abnormal. Your router may have been incompatible with DD-WRT.

    Either way, I find Tomato to be superior.
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited February 2009
    DD WRT worked, I flashed it many times and it was a great setup. Unfortunately yes I had one problem while updating or whatever it was and that was all it took, I knew it was a possibility from the start so I had no grudge. I'll be buying the router shortly but while I am at it I'd like to buy something else and instead of posting a new thread maybe it can be answered here.

    I also would like to buy a wireless adapter for my XBOX 360, I figure a wireless bridge should do, but I just don't want to pay $100 for the 360 wireless addon. Just unsure of a good option, advice?
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited February 2009
    You can unbrick a WRT router should it crash while you are flashing the firmware. You have to open it up and jump a bridge on the inside, but it's pretty basic work and there are plenty of instructions on the net for it.

    As for the difference between Tomato and DD-WRT. Tomato is a smaller foot print which means your router is free for handling more resources. Tomato is based off the linksys software which has an end result of it being more stable then DD-WRT. I find it's also easier to work with and configure things also and the QoS handling is (or at least was at the time I switched to it) way better then DD-WRT.

    Where DD-WRT has some advantages is if you want your router to do more then sort of standard operations there are DD-WRT packages for it. So if you want your router to act as a VPN authenticater it can or if you want to hack an SD Card onto your router and run asterisk there is a DD-WRT hack to do it. That sorta thing. But for all practical purposes if you want a solid fast stable router that does routing very well Tomato is better.

    For your xbox any wireless bridge will work. You don't need to buy the specific Xbox one. Linksys has a WGA54G for around $60 which works well. Personally I'm using an apple airport express for mine which costs around $120. However it has an rca audiojack on it so I have that connected to my stereo so I can stream itunes to my stereo. It also has a USB ports so you can connect a printer to it and it'll act as a print server as well.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited February 2009
    RWB, check out your local Craigslist. If it's like ours up here, there will be several WRT54G routers up for sale every week. You should be able to get one for half the store price. You should be able to get most CL sellers to give you specs off the label. Advertise on the Deal Depot & Trading Post as well. Maybe someone here has what you want.
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited February 2009
    G != GL.

    The GLs are far superior to the Gs.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited February 2009
    It depends if it's an early version G then it's ok up to version 4 IIR. It's the version 5&6 and beyond that suck.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited February 2009
    Well, you'll be extremely hard pressed to find v0-v4 in retail these days. :)
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited February 2009
    True, but I was referring more to shopping off Craig's List.
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