On Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 10:25:40AM -0600, Garth Hill wrote: > I'm looking to replace my shoddy wireless router and I have the > following questions for the myriads of (knowledgeable, experienced) > sysadmins and hobbyists on this list: > > 1. Is it preferable to have a regular router and then a wireless access > point, or a wireless router?
I keep mine separate. I have two FIT-PCs, one for the firewall, and one for all other network services (DNS, DHCP, git server, etc.). I don't trust the firmware in either my wireless APs (Linksys WRT-54g) or my DSL "modem", and want to have the latest software on my firewall. > 2. Is 802.11n the way to go yet? Probably not for SOHO applications, Look at the actual sustained data rates any two machines on your network get. Most of mine aren't even at 10 MB/sec yet, never mind the 100MBs at which my network switch is rated. The only reason to have the 100MB/sec switch is because it is faster than a 10MB/sec hub, and because it can handle multiple pairs of machines shipping data to each other. But by then you've likely swamped your up-link to the outside world, the most likely usage scenario. To get a good idea of the actual sustained data rates, use netperf. Short of netperf, if you use a Debian derived disty and a local cache for your repos (apt-cacher, etc.), observe the data rates for the various machines once the cache has all the files for an update in place. But is should be a fairly large update: at least 25 MBs. On the other tentacle, as 802.11n is the latest and greatest, it will likely give you the best forward compatibility. > 3. What are your suggestions of a good router and/or WAP based on > these priorities: reliability, speed, price? I'm doing just fine with the hardware I have. -- Charles Curley /"\ ASCII Ribbon Campaign Looking for fine software \ / Respect for open standards and/or writing? X No HTML/RTF in email http://www.charlescurley.com / \ No M$ Word docs in email Key fingerprint = CE5C 6645 A45A 64E4 94C0 809C FFF6 4C48 4ECD DFDB
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