Computer Question Regarding Wired Ethernet vs Wireless Connections

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

It's more than adequate for what most people do. The thing about FIOS is that they use their supplied routers as a quasi modem as well. It's not a simple case of just swapping in the new router and having it act like the old router. The old router will need to remain in place, as it acts as a media converter on the coax installs, and will need to be put into bridge mode (if you want the new router to be a true router).

That's the main reason whey I've been harping on just sticking with G. Going with N may open a can of worms that Schneed just may not want to deal with.

No, they are modems that act as quasi-routers. I appreciate your input but you're really just spreading misinformation here, leave it to the rest of us, not to be an asshole

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

Yep, you could do that. Or you could buy an N router, turn off DHCP, run a cat5 between the Actiontec and a LAN port on the new router. Would do the same thing. If this is the way you go, it would also be advisable to turn off the radio in the Actiontec as well to reduce possible interference. N uses channel bonding, so in order for it to work as intended, you have to have semi clean air.

Okay now you're on the right path. And it's no problem to bridge a modem/router combo to another router and you'll see much better performance likely. Hell even without bridging it (which most people don't) you won't see an issue likely unless what you do is very dependent on port forwarding properly. Such as I have a local MySQL database that is accessed by some scripts on my site when I do internet radio broadcasts; for that reason, in order for my local machine to see the mysql requests I have to bridge/forward ports.. you might run into that case in gaming or certain other applications, but not likely

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

No, they are modems that act as quasi-routers. I appreciate your input but you're really just spreading misinformation here, leave it to the rest of us, not to be an asshole

No, they are media converters, plain and simple. Not modems. More routers than modems, in fact. Especially now since Verizon has gotten away from PPPoE.

The fiber comes into the ONT, gets converted to and distributed over coax, and then converted to ethernet at the Actiontec.

[Schneed10]

I love this site, you guys know stuff.

Quick couple of questions:

1) What's the difference in cost between a G adapter in the computer and an N adapter in the computer?

2) How easy is it to later upgrade from a G to an N (assuming I'm willing to also pay to upgrade the router to N)? Like, could a relatively smart person with limited computer knowledge and mediocre handyman skills get it done in a reasonable timeframe without damaging the computer?

Thanks for all the help guys.

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I love this site, you guys know stuff.

Quick couple of questions:

1) What's the difference in cost between a G adapter in the computer and an N adapter in the computer?

2) How easy is it to later upgrade from a G to an N (assuming I'm willing to also pay to upgrade the router to N)? Like, could a relatively smart person with limited computer knowledge and mediocre handyman skills get it done in a reasonable timeframe without damaging the computer?

Thanks for all the help guys.

1) Not too much, until you factor in the need for an N router to take advantage of your N adapter. <$100, router included, probably

2) Piece of cake.

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Okay now you're on the right path. And it's no problem to bridge a modem/router combo to another router and you'll see much better performance likely. Hell even without bridging it (which most people don't) you won't see an issue likely unless what you do is very dependent on port forwarding properly. Such as I have a local MySQL database that is accessed by some scripts on my site when I do internet radio broadcasts; for that reason, in order for my local machine to see the mysql requests I have to bridge/forward ports.. you might run into that case in gaming or certain other applications, but not likely

I know that it's no problem. My entire point in this thread is that it G will do what Schneed is asking. Yes, he can get an N adapter, set his Actiontec to bridge, and buy an N router to make things fast. But, does he need to go through all of that? Nope. What I've suggested will do what he wants/needs, and will be less headache for him in the end, given his admitted level of computer literacy.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by saden1

Get a Wireless N card and router and you're all set. You won't lose any speed because your home network communication will be faster than you ISP speed. Don't go with Wireless G because it is inadequate for streaming multimedia files through your network.

Agreed on this. I have my NAS (digital storage for DVDs, setup as a media server)connected via a wired connection to the main router. I was using a wireless-G connection from the PS3 to the router and for the most part videos played fine but occassionally they would skip or hang. I moved the PS3 and connected it via wire and no issues. We now have wireless-N. my son's PS3 is connected wireless and he plays a bunch of online games (Madden, third person shooters) he hasn't mentioned any problems. If you go wireless, I'd definitely go with the N version, it's not a major cost difference.

[724Skinsfan]

Run a freakin' cable, Schneed, from the upstairs wireless router (4 port?) to the pc downstairs.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

Run a freakin' cable, Schneed, from the upstairs wireless router (4 port?) to the pc downstairs.

LOL

I think I decided I'm going to ensure my new desktop has both the wireless G and ethernet capabilities. Seems that wireless G cards aren't very expensive.

If I find the G doesn't do the trick for my purposes, I'll probably just run the freakin cable, as you say. That seems like a more appealing option than paying the extra hundred bucks for the N router.

[Schneed10]

So I ultimately decided to spring for the wireless N router (went with a Linksys) and N adapter in the new PC. Just got done setting it up and it's working out great. Router is located on the second floor and the new PC is in the basement. Pages are loading as fast as I'd ever need them to, no problems with youtube videos and such.

I think it might have been a decent decision because I had to spend an hour with linksys on the phone setting it up. Had problems with interference, I guess because the PC and router are separated by two floors. They had me change the channel and encryption to one that handles interference better. Who knows, maybe G would have worked, but I'm pretty happy with this.

Thanks for all the advice given here, it's nice to get the opinions of a bunch of smart people at once. It's funny, there are great sources on the internet for just about anything you can think of. But the Warpath community can cover it all. Nice to be able to come here for reliable help and opinions. Thanks all.

[BDBohnzie]

Yeah, I noticed in my house, I had to change the channel that my router uses and use different encryption in order to shake out any interference from household appliances and other routers in the neighborhood (townhouse). While Wireless G would have been sufficient, it never hurts to be ahead of the curve.

I've only used Linksys products and have never had any problems with them. Good luck.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

Yeah, I noticed in my house, I had to change the channel that my router uses and use different encryption in order to shake out any interference from household appliances and other routers in the neighborhood (townhouse). While Wireless G would have been sufficient, it never hurts to be ahead of the curve.

I've only used Linksys products and have never had any problems with them. Good luck.

Yep; I change mine as well because there are 3 or 4 other signals that I can reach, each on the same channel. So I change mine to get out of that.