2 router

[Megaweb]

you need the layers cake to make all networks work

 

 

jokes a side

 

to improve network at home, you can either

 

1. use homeplug via powerline, some comes with wireless bridge

2. ask vendor to install ethernet trunking to link between rooms

 

 

[Happily1986]

How much speed will i loose if I use wireless router? as long as I can still watch movie streaming smoothly..its fine with me.

 

Here are the various wireless IEEE standards and the real world throughputs (ball park figure)

1.)802.11b has a theoretical speed maximum of 11 Mbits/sec with a typical transfer rate of around 4.5 Mbits/sec (0.5 MB/sec) with an ideal signal.

2.) 802.11g has a theoretical speed maximum of 54 Mbits/sec, with a typical transfer rate of around 23 Mbits/sec (2.5 MB/sec) with an ideal signal.

3.) 802.11n has a theoretical speed maximum of 300 Mbits/sec, with a typical transfer rate of around 74 Mbits/sec (9.25 MB/sec) with an ideal signal.

 

Take note, all these bandwidth mentioned here is the maximum that the standards can support. They will drop down to the bandwidth as subscribed in your internet plan. You mentioned that you are interested in streaming media wireless. This is tricky waters. In theory, you now have to look at the actual bandwidth between a wireless client and another client e.g. a Network Attached Storage (NAS) and a computer. In my personal experience, i struggled to get even 15Mbps. Please note that client - client connectivity is different from client - router connectivity. On paper, you need at least 20Mbps throughput to support full hd streaming without jerking and frame loss.

 

 

i like to ask a better router is mainly for better coverage or can it share among more devices with better throughput?

 

i have 8-9 pieces of devices currently using wifi at home (though not all at the same time but about 4-5!), the mio 2wire N (on FO) still serving us fine.

 

For your case, you have a lot of devices on your WLAN. The primary consideration of your network is whether your router is good at

 

1.) WAN to LAN throughput

 

(This is a measure of how good the router is in downlink performance. Down link is referring to router to client. Your router is connected via the modem to the internet. There is a subscribed bandwidth. Lets leave the uncertainties regarding the bandwidth that actually reaches the Starhub cable point /telephone jack/ fibre ONT alone and assume it is perfect. You want a router with good WAN to LAN throughput.)

 

WAN to LAN performance lineup of routers

 

2.) Number of simultaneous sessions

 

(This refers to the max number of connections that the router can support. Whatever you do in networking, you need to open a connection or maybe even more. Some connections are for overheads to initiate even more connections, some are meant for authentication, some are meant for data fetching. When you have many devices on the WLAN accessing the internet, you need to open alot of connections. So if your router cannot take it, your wireless surfing experience on the numerous devices will suffer.)

 

Total Simultaneous Connections lineup of routers

 

So a better router with superior performance in these two regards will be better for you.

 

For wireless 802.11n 300Mbps mode to work, the following must be fulfilled.

 

1.) Wireless adapter either PCI or USB must be 2T2R (2 antennas internal or external doesn't matter, both antennas are on MIMO Multiple Input Multiple Output, used for transmitting and receiving at the same time.

2.) Channel bonding/Wide Channel Mode/40MHz mode must be enabled

3.) Short Guard interval ie 20ns or Short Preamble mode must be enabled.

4.) No clients on a/b/g/150N must be present on the same WLAN.

Edited October 25, 2011 by Happily1986

[Baphomet]

Here are the various wireless IEEE standards and the real world throughputs (ball park figure)

1.)802.11b has a theoretical speed maximum of 11 Mbits/sec with a typical transfer rate of around 4.5 Mbits/sec (0.5 MB/sec) with an ideal signal.

2.) 802.11g has a theoretical speed maximum of 54 Mbits/sec, with a typical transfer rate of around 23 Mbits/sec (2.5 MB/sec) with an ideal signal.

3.) 802.11n has a theoretical speed maximum of 300 Mbits/sec, with a typical transfer rate of around 74 Mbits/sec (9.25 MB/sec) with an ideal signal.

 

Take note, all these bandwidth mentioned here is the maximum that the standards can support. They will drop down to the bandwidth as subscribed in your internet plan. You mentioned that you are interested in streaming media wireless. This is tricky waters. In theory, you now have to look at the actual bandwidth between a wireless client and another client e.g. a Network Attached Storage (NAS) and a computer. In my personal experience, i struggled to get even 15Mbps. Please note that client - client connectivity is different from client - router connectivity. On paper, you need at least 20Mbps throughput to support full hd streaming without jerking and frame loss.

 

Not sure if I understood correctly.. my plan is 16Mbps.. meaning if i use wireless...i will only be expecting ard half of that?

 

If thats the case...I will have to seriously consider getting a contractor to lay and conceal the wiring...

 

Thanks bro.

[Jman888]

Not sure if I understood correctly.. my plan is 16Mbps.. meaning if i use wireless...i will only be expecting ard half of that?

 

If thats the case...I will have to seriously consider getting a contractor to lay and conceal the wiring...

 

Thanks bro.

 

 

yes, wifi can easily half the speed.

 

perhaps can consider another higher broadband plan, since price is lower than before.

[Baphomet]

yes, wifi can easily half the speed.

 

perhaps can consider another higher broadband plan, since price is lower than before.

 

 

ya..maybe I should...darn...Im restricted by my scv outlet position.. Isit possible to install additional outlet?

[Yewheng]

Currently PC is placed near to the set up box and modem due to wiring all there. I do not want to have wiring lying ard nor want to go thru hassle of getting contractors to do it up.. so tot of having a wireless router so that I can shift my PC position to another location.

 

Usage will not be that heavy..mainly watching movies online and some light surfing. Internet required only for 1 PC(no wifi function so need to get a wifi receiver?) and Ipad.

 

Thanks Bro!

 

Ai ya.. very easy.. get any wireless router will do. If possible get those labeled 300Mbps Wireless N Router since budget not a concern for you.

Edited October 25, 2011 by Yewheng

[Hamburger]

back to aquare one.....

[Hamburger]

bro happy, your numbers are.....

 

 

 

its like explaining physics to kindergarten children

[Yewheng]

dear bros..

 

I would like to set up wireless network at home but i know nuts about IT...hope you guys can advice me..please understand that I my knowledge on this area is practically zero...

 

Im currently using the starhub modem which connects directly to my PC. So what do I need? a wireless router, wireless receiver for my pc, anything else? Can recommend a good wireless router? Price? and where to buy?

 

Thank you so much!

 

Regards

 

To make things simple for you.

 

 

Those circle in red are those that you should look out for.

 

I do not know whether size does matter to you. If it does just take note of the size.

 

Any 802.11b/g/n will do for your case

 

And if budget not a concern than perhaps you could get those labeled with 300Mbps instead of up to 150Mbps.

 

And lastly try to get those with labeled 5dbi antenna. ( those are for better coverage )

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

For my case, my usage for internet is very light and I never download movies etc. So this is sufficient for me.

Edited October 25, 2011 by Yewheng

[Joseph22]

ya..maybe I should...darn...Im restricted by my scv outlet position.. Isit possible to install additional outlet?

 

 

btw if you are interested in fiber optics you can still call starhub to check if they allow you to upgrade.

[Happily1986]

Not sure if I understood correctly.. my plan is 16Mbps.. meaning if i use wireless...i will only be expecting ard half of that?

 

If thats the case...I will have to seriously consider getting a contractor to lay and conceal the wiring...

 

Thanks bro.

 

After all that has been said and done, you will most probably be getting a router which supports 802.11n or 300Mbps N speed. The problem is that even though i quoted that the actual real world throughput is rated at 74Mbps, this is assuming that the signal strength is perfect with no interfence.

 

Interference can arise from the following forms

 

1.) 2.4GHz interference from cordless phones, microwave ovens and baby monitors

2.) Neighbouring SSIDs from your neighbours' wireless network. Overcrowding.

3.) Natural interference due to infrastructural attenuation.

 

 

The rule of the thumb is for every 3dB of interference attenuation, you lost 1/2 of your transmission power. Thats how bad radio propagation is!

 

For peace of mind, going cat6 may be the best long term investment ever for hassle free usage.

[Happily1986]

bro happy, your numbers are.....

 

 

 

its like explaining physics to kindergarten children

 

if you are unsure, just feel free to ask lor

[Hamburger]

i more i ask, the more silly that makes me look like one....

 

and,

 

the more blood you vomit......

[Hamburger]

ok......whats a signal booster or extender??

[Baphomet]

btw if you are interested in fiber optics you can still call starhub to check if they allow you to upgrade.

 

 

ya....it would be perfect as the new location whereby I intend to place my PC is exactly where the fibreoptics outlet box is located.

 

Only problem is my contract is barely 1 year... will try see how bah. Thanks!

[Baphomet]

To make things simple for you.

 

 

 

Those circle in red are those that you should look out for.

 

I do not know whether size does matter to you. If it does just take note of the size.

 

Any 802.11b/g/n will do for your case

 

And if budget not a concern than perhaps you could get those labeled with 300Mbps instead of up to 150Mbps.

 

And lastly try to get those with labeled 5dbi antenna. ( those are for better coverage )

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

For my case, my usage for internet is very light and I never download movies etc. So this is sufficient for me.

 

 

thanks bro!

 

[Yewheng]

thanks bro!

 

Np. Actually currently for your internet plan with 16Mbps any router will do, unless you house is very big or has many wall or obstruction. Than you will need a better router. The above is just a guide to let you understand some basic information you should look out for.

[Baphomet]

After all that has been said and done, you will most probably be getting a router which supports 802.11n or 300Mbps N speed. The problem is that even though i quoted that the actual real world throughput is rated at 74Mbps, this is assuming that the signal strength is perfect with no interfence.

 

Interference can arise from the following forms

 

1.) 2.4GHz interference from cordless phones, microwave ovens and baby monitors

2.) Neighbouring SSIDs from your neighbours' wireless network. Overcrowding.

3.) Natural interference due to infrastructural attenuation.

 

 

 

The rule of the thumb is for every 3dB of interference attenuation, you lost 1/2 of your transmission power. Thats how bad radio propagation is!

 

For peace of mind, going cat6 may be the best long term investment ever for hassle free usage.

 

 

 

woah woah woah....sorry ar...u lost me there!

 

Seriously if im gonna loose so much speed...I think i will consider upgrading to fibre optics (Suggested by bro J22) ... only thing is din noe they allow me to upgrade or not..

 

what about the wifi receiver? is it critical?