Need advice buying a wireless router... HELP!!!

This question is seconded by me also.  I'm also getting the TM1400 and am wondering which router would work best... I've heard that most of them (NetGear, D-Link, etc) all work well, but it does seem like maybe the Linksys WRT54g router has a slight lead over the others... Thanks!

Jeff

I'm presently researching the same matter.  My i8600 is now being "boxed" and I have to get my house-wide network established.  I have gone to CNet, PC Magazine, PC World, and several threads here to find out which wireless routers to consider.  Upon reading all the reviews, I have definitely ruled out anything from D-Link, Microsoft, or Motorola.  That leaves Linksys, Netgear, and Dell to consider (unless you want to jump into the $100's for commercial-grade SpeedStream).  My research has led me to seriously consider the Linksys WRT54G ($114.95 through Dell online) for versatility (b,g), comprehensive features, security, and range; and to also consider the Netgear WGR614.  However, from evaluating the user reviews of these specific Linksys and Netgear models, I understand that there are still functionality problems and compatibility issues that have yet to be solved by either manufacturer.  Then, I thought about Dell's TrueMobile 2300, especially regarding compatibility.  However, the Dell website info about the TrueMobile 2300 is very vague.  (I can't even tell if it has actual hardwide 10/100 ethernet ports, which I need for another PC.)  This led me to another consideration: to buy a non-wireless router for network internet access, and buy Dell's TrueMobile2300 for use as strictly a wireless access point.  My research on non-wireless routers has led me to only two considerations: Linksys BEFSR41 EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 4-port switch ($51.95 through Dell online), or Netgear's FR314 Cable/DSL Firewall Router ($349 list, but only $78 through CompuVest online).  In my case, Netgear's non-wireless router seems to be the most compatible with my DSL provider, BellSouth, who uses Efficient Networks' EnterNet modems in a PPPoE environment, which they certify as compatible with the SpeedStream firmware that is also used in the Netgear non-wireless router.  Not wanting to unnecessarily purchase two pieces of equipment, and at the very real risk of potential compatibility problems, I thoroughly researched the threads here at this forum, finding great information regarding Dell's TrueMobile 2300, which is actually made by Gemtek Technology Company for Dell.  The Dell TrueMobile 2300 has a switchable setting to serve as either a full-blown, 4-port, wireless router or simply as a wireless access point for my i8600.  So, with my focus on compatibility and a comprehensive set of features, I'm going to immediately purchase only the Dell TrueMobile 2300 ($89) to establish my home network, and hopefully it will be the only piece of equipment I need.

Maybe the above information will help others with similar decision-making dilemmas.  However, I am still receptive to anyone else's insights within the next 30 days or so.  

Message Edited by H-Ned on 09-08-2003 09:01 AM

im in the same boat...which is best????...also if anyone has the software stylewriter...would you please let me know

AIM phil1854

email   prosty41@hotmail.com

thanks

avoid netgear at all costs.The first one of those I encountered would just spontaniously drop all connections and refuse to connect anything until a factory default reset was performed. Here on the forums, I see constant problems with them.

Linksys is very wide spread. You'll see lots of problems with them, but that's because there are lots of users. I'd recommend linksys equipment to people. Hardcore geeks tend not to.

I know nothing of D-Link, but i see good recommendations on this site.

I have a belkin .11b router i got for $20. It's excellent. I've never had a problem with it. It also has an SPI firewall built in, which is a definate plus.

Message Edited by VBlueV on 10-11-2003 03:35 PM

I've decided to go with Dell's TM 2300 wireless broadband router, operating at 802.11 b/g.  After seriously considering the Linksys product line, I determined that only the Linksys WRT55AG (at $299, operating at 802.11 a/b/g) had the best user reviews and industry write-ups.  However, I questioned my need for 802.11a, especially at the cost of $200 more than I would have to pay for a high-quality b/g router.  And then there is the question about where this whole 802.11 wireless is going.....(802.11i additional security measures are being well received now, and it is expected that 802.11d will be ratified by IEEE by mid-2004).

From all the great posts on these threads and the very recent industry guidance, right now, "802.11g delivers the best balance of price, performance and backward compatibility, and is your best choice for wireless home networking. With usable throughput up into the 15-20Mbits/sec, file transfers will move along at bearable speeds, and you've also got a fair amount of "cushion" to allow for decent video streaming."  http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1253139,00.asp

By ordering the Dell TM 2300 wireless broadband router ($89), I'm saving $200, I'm assured of compatibility with my i8600's TM 1400, and I have the versatility to use the TM 2300 as only an access point or "trash" it when I upgrade to 802.11d next year. 

I have the Inspiron 8500- TM1300.  I got the DLINK DI-624 router which was the version A.  Works great.  I had problems earlier but here is the few steps that got everything running perfect.  I range from 48Mbps to 55Mbps in a 4000 sq ft home.  You can always add signal boosters all over the house if you need them. 

My problems were: Keep on connecting to a neighbor's wireless signal, dropping connection and reconnecting on the neighbor's signal.

I enable the WEP, and also have a Key made.  Disable the 802.x and now my signal doesn't drop.

I disable the WEP, and have no key. Enable 802.x and signal was good also with no drops.

I paid $89 for the router (comes with 4 ports hardwired) so you never lose that wired feature.  Make sure you get the C revision which has only 1 antenna because it's the newest one out now.

Good Luck

Well, Dell's TM2300 wireless broadband router has come and gone.......

When I first received it and installed it, everything worked fine and wireless communications worked well with the TM1400 in my i8600 in an unsecured mode.  However, the minute I progressed to implement security measures, such as WPA, I never successfully regained wireless communications.  Upon calling Dell technical support, I was informed by the Dell technician that they do NOT support the use of security features, such as WEP and WPA, even though the options for these are included in the setup of both the TM2300 and the TM1400.  So, while the technician and I were attempting to restore my settings back to a default, unsecured state, the TM2300 "died" -- unable to reset, no power light, no internet light -- even though we were able to get a onetime "blink" from the LAN lights.  Using the web-based configuration utility we verified that the TM2300 was not able to reset, although the successful access implied to us that the router was indeed "powered".  The Dell technician was very cordial and apologetic, and he immediately authorized FedEx'ing a replacement to me.  I said thanks, but no thanks, and I immediately went to Best Buy and purchased a Linksys WRT54G, which I easily installed, successfully implemented WPA security, and have been using flawlessly.  Wireless network setup and subsequent wireless communications between the Linksys WRT54G and the i8600's TM1400 have been easy and stable.

I'm indeed disappointed at the TM2300, especially since I have read other posts about initial problems with this router (which is actually not made by Dell, by the way).  There may be others that will work well, but I can now recommend the Linksys WRT54G for serious consideration at an affordable price..... and it comes with full technical support for security issues such as WEP and WPA, if ever needed.

I bot the Dell 2300 wireless router together with a 5100 laptop with 1300 true mobile b/g wireless adaptor.

Using no security or WEP, the system is ok. It still loses the connection from 5 feet away with no apparent reasons. It is always easily reconnected.  I setup WPA /shared key/AES two nights ago. Since then, both the router and the PC are unstable. PC hang every half hour to an hour or so. The router can't keep the setting at AES. Sometimes the PC identified the wireless router is running WEP. The router needs to be reboot once a day minimum to keep the network going. I am not sure if these problems are common. I have to rate this setup as UNSATISFACTORY.

Tonight I have just switched to WPA/shared key/TKIP. Hope it works better in this mode. Wasted a lot of time on this.

H-Ned,

I read with great interest your successful setup with the Linksys WRT54G router and was wondering what magic you used to get it to communicate to your Inspiron 8600?  My router is hooked up to my Dimension 4550 and works wonderfully on the desktop, but for the life of me I can't get the laptop to acknowledge its existence.  I thought I checked and unchecked everything I was supposed to in the Network Connections setup but obviously I'm missing something obvious.  Any idea where I can go for help?  This is my first attempt at wireless networking and I could use all the help I can get.

Thanks!

Jingles