I have installed a bunch of Linksys routers and Access Points with the SB (20+) -- few of which have any problems. Of course, wired is always the best.
Some tips:
- Try 'B' only. G is really not necessary for streaming audio if wireless connection is good. B has better range than G, often resulting in a better connection that often solves problems. B is also more than sufficient for web surfing, print sharing. File sharing with large files suffers.
- Never double hop. It works like hell and is nothing but trouble. (Double hop: Wireless to Slimserver machine AND Wireless to SB). It just won't work consistently. One leg must be wired.
- Don't use the Linksys A/G models. The signal strength is poor.
- Scan the environment and select a channel with least congestion - Pretty much never use ch. 6 unless there is no congestion and then this is a good choice - the SB seems to like it.
- In a multiple AP environment, I have seen the SB home on the wrong AP (that is an AP with a weaker signal that is further from it than a closer AP). Resolve this by disconnecting the APs other than the one you want the SB to home to. Set up that connection. Then reconnect the other APs. If littel congestion on Ch. 6, use it for the AP you want the SB to home to.
- Interference issues - If you have 2.4 Ghz cordless phones, see if you can change the channel. if not, dump it and get a 900 Mhz, or other outside the 2.4 range. Old microwaves will blast out your signal. Get another one or just live with it.
- If a particular Linksys Router/AP has any weird things going on, install latest firmware, hard reset, then re-configure. If this does not help any strange behaviours (like failing DHCP, poor signal, etc.) return it or just get a new one - the $ are not worth the headache). Having installed over 100 of these routers/APs, bad ones account for somewhere around 5% or more. So dump them if problems occur.
- Encryption. I always use WEP 128. Do not see any reason to use stronger/better encryption in a residential environment - Who on earth would go through the trouble of hacking these home networks? -- especially since so many networks are wide open (at least in metro NY).
Charles
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