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    #1

    Looking for a good access point

    I need a good wireless access point for my LAN. Right now I have the WAN port of a cheap Netgear router plugged into my existing network, and I think I would get better performance with a real access point, especially since my laptop only has 802.11b to begin with.

    I tried to use the wireless radio on the Netgear by connecting to one of the LAN ports on it, but it would not let me configure it to work that way. So I have to use the WAN port, which adds more crap (a second DHCP server and firewall etc) to my wireless connection. This probably gives me a lot more latency than if I was using a real access point.

    Any recommended model of access point? I'll be buying it at Newegg.

    I assume that using an access point would allow my existing DHCP server and the rest of my LAN to see my laptop as if it was connected by a normal cable, instead of being on it's own little network from the Netgear router. I wish I could explain it better, but I'm tired and I can't think of a simpler way to describe it.
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    #2
    Re: Looking for a good access point

    linksys seems to come recommended
    capacitor lab yachtmati techmati

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      #3
      Re: Looking for a good access point

      For my system I have a Linksys WAP54G Wireless-G Access Point.

      I have it plugged in to my LAN, which is a home run to my switch and router. It works good with my Dell laptop running Linux.

      There was one thing that I had to do to get it to work. In my router, I had to assign it a permanent IP address. My LAN is set up for DHCP, and the AP just would not work! Once I assigned it a permanent IP address, everything worked fine.

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        #4
        Re: Looking for a good access point

        I like the Linksys routers and access points mainly because the Operating System on most models is Linux. Source code is readily available on these models and as such there are many different 3rd party firmware available.

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          #5
          Re: Looking for a good access point

          I am using a WR54g with tomato firmware right now as access point and router with an 16000kbs /1064kbs DSl line.
          I am really pleased with this firmware, as it is absolute stable and fast.
          Sure, there are other firmwares with a bunch of other features, but sadly they are lacking basic stability and speed.
          The goal of tomato is speed and reliability for lan, wan and wlan and a nice visualization interface for all the traffic.

          From my experience all those SOHO routers from Netgear or D-Link are all a sad POS.
          Either the firmware is bs or the hardware goes foobar and in many cases both.
          So i would not recommend any of those, without having it used for a long period without problems.
          I have made the mistake, to place recommendations based on good test results.
          I had to learn, that all those test in print media or on web pages are just sponsored quak or not based on at least a few days continuous operation.

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            #6
            Re: Looking for a good access point

            I've been placing Linksys for a long time. They are (mostly) reliable, and highly compatible. The routers and access points will support those users with Speedbooster cards. These are pretty rare, as most laptops come with standard wireless preinstalled.

            I will not use Linksys switches. They have a chronic reputation for failure and over heating. Evidently they use one of this those tiny, worthless fans inside, and they quit after a month or two.

            I find Netgear switches much more reliable, and the Netgear routers MUCH less reliable. Every router failure I've had, is Netgear. Even worse, the fuggin' Indian support assholes make it like pulling teeth to get a warranty replacment. I have turned my back on Netgear routers for this reason alone, and will never look back.

            Outsource this.

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              #7
              Re: Looking for a good access point

              I agree about their switches being good but routers being bad... My main switch is a Netgear GS516T Gigabit, and it's been great.

              I used to like D-Link for their switches before they went to the cheap plastic crap. I still have my original DSS-5+ that is over 6 years old and still going strong.

              I have a Linksys WRT-54G (I think) router sitting at work that is dead, I haven't got around to looking at it yet. Hopefully their access points are better.

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                #8
                Re: Looking for a good access point

                Just tried a ping test from my laptop to my server, and I get up to 22ms. From my desktop to server, 0ms on everything

                Though I think it's more of a sustained throughput issue than latency. It took me 24+ hours to transfer 30 gigs to my laptop over the wireless

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