Router Hierarchy?

[Wizrow]

So I have a WRT150N router right now and I found a WRT54GS router in a box while cleaning...I've checked the wiki's on both but I really can't figure out if I should stick with my current or switch. Are one of these better than another? Should I get an overall better router? I run 20/4 internet and moving things across the network takes ages. Would the WRT54GS be faster? What router would you recommend for general speed?

If it matters i'm running 1 computer hardwired with 4 on wireless.

Thanks for any advice!

[Skjie]

If you have N devices on your network the 150N will be faster. The 54GS would only be more stable.

[Cephius]

The WRT150N is better, but only if the wireless adapters you have are N-network compatible. In short, it's faster and it has better range.

[Djghost454]

the wrt54 series is popular due to aftermarket firmware, if you don't use that, don't bother with a switch.

[Wizrow]

I have upgraded to a 20/2 internet connection running through a WRT150n router.

My question is, does the router make a difference in respect to wireless speeds? Am I getting the most out of my new internet connection with my current router or do I need to get a different one?

[TummieGaruda]

I have upgraded to a 20/2 internet connection running through a WRT150n router.

My question is, does the router make a difference in respect to wireless speeds? Am I getting the most out of my new internet connection with my current router or do I need to get a different one?

Couple of things. Wireless G is 54 Mbps and Wireless N is about 300 Mbps. Those numbers are simply the signaling rate and not the actual data transfer rate. Wireless G's transfer rate is usually half of it's signaling rate... about 22 Mbps.

Your bottleneck for your connection is at the WAN, so if you have a 20/2 internet connection and you are using wireless G, your wireless G connection should have more than enough to take advantage of your connection ( 20 Mbps on the WAN ---> 22 Mbps on the WLAN with wireless G). The real difference that you will see between Wireless N and Wireless G is data transfer rates between computers on your network.

Now, the above 22 Mbps data transfer rate is pretty typical, however, there are variables that can increase or decrease that data rate. The best thing to do would be to get a program called Jperf. You should be able to google it. You basically install the program on two pc's on your network with one being wireless. The program lets you set one PC/laptop as the Server, and one as the client, and the server will send packets to the client and the client will report bandwidth. Try with both routers to see what your bandwidth is.

If one router gives you bandwidth less than your internet connection provides and the other gives you more, then stick with the one that gives you more. If both give you more than what your internet provider gives you, then it is a matter of wanting faster data transfers between clients on your network. If that is the case, then go ahead and use the wireless N.