Rethinking Frankenrouters
A while ago, I had replaced a Linksys WRT54G with a Netgear switch and a D-Link DWL-G730AP. One day last week, this router stopped being able to get on the WDS mesh I have set up. This is despite the fact my wife’s computer, which is plugged into the downstairs end of the WDS mesh, was working perfectly well.
While the problem was more likely my WDS Mesh routers needd rebooting, the DWL-G730AP was also dropping more than occasionally. Clearly, this router wasn’t cut out for the job.
I took the opportunity to pull out the WRT54G and upgrade it to the latest DD-WRT firmware. I also did the same thing to my WDS mesh routers as well. I configured this WRT54G in Client Bridge mode, which is basically what the D-Link DWL-G730AP was doing. Worked like a champ. Furthermore, I notice far less WiFi dropouts now that I am using something with external antennas.
All of this futzing with WiFi does make me long for the days when my house had CAT-5 in every room. While WiFi is nice, I prefer the family computers be on a wired connection as they are more reliable and are less fiddly. I tried WiFi cards on the kids (and wife’s) computers and it ended up being a tech support nightmare for me.
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Tags: dd-wrt, ddwrt, linksys, wds, wifi bridge, wrt54g, wrt54gs Fnord
Comment by Paul S.
Try the Netgear Powerline adapters. They work pretty well in a lot of situations (unless you’ve got funky electrical wiring) where it’s not feasible to get CAT5 run. It’s more reliable than wireless. You’d need one by your base router (where your Internet connection comes in) and then one for each PC. You’d patch the PC’s ethernet jack into the ethernet jack on the powerline adapter and plug the powerline adapter into the wall. If you want higher throughput get the HD version. Fry’s or Best Buy carry these.
Comment by PhoneBoy
I have thought about these, but avoided them for cost reasons. I would only consider using these things if I could plug them into a switch at the remote end. Seems silly that each computer needs one. I’ve also seen many of them “returned” at Frys, which is usually a bad sign.
Comment by Paul S.
They are a little on the expensive side. You would be able to plug one into a switch at the remote end though like you want. It’s just a bridge. It converts ethernet to a signal that tranmits over the electrical wiring (common ground I think).
Like I said, they don’t work in all situations. I’ve used them at a handful of clients with large homes with varying success. Probably about 75% success rate. I have three at my house…one for my XBox 360, one for a network laser I have stuck in a weird place, and one that connects them to my network switch. They work great. I’ve only had to reset one of them once in the 8-10 months I’ve had them in place.
Comment by PhoneBoy
If I start having problems with my current setup again, I might consider getting them. Right now, though, the current setup seems to be a lot more trouble-free. Then again, it might be because the kids are ignoring the computers and playing the Wii.