RMD: ADSL router + 802.11n + gigabit LAN

[Stone]

My amp is daft - fully reconfigurable inputs, but each one is assigned a name in the default setup. You can rename inputs but the original names are still on the remote, so DVD is the Freesat box, HDP is the 360, iPod is the PS2...

SWMBO kept hitting TV when she wanted to watch a TV programme and getting frustrated with the blank screen and silence (obviously it decodes the optical output from the TV - used when I play mkv files off the NAS).

I ended up cutting long yellow strips out of some earthing leccy tape, sticking a chunk above each input button and writing the new assignments on them

Stone

[Stone]

Aaaargh. Moved router to the desk. All the wired kit still works. but the wifi signal is now terrible - much shorter range so areas previously covered now aren't. The cheapo 802.11n USB stick, plugged into the upstairs PC, can see the network but barely connects at all. Turning the DECT phones on breaks everything even more!

I wonder if it's a channel thing - I'm using channel 1 as all 7 nearby networks seem to be using 11. It's complicated by the shit firmware on my router only accepting some channels as valid and getting itself into an infinite loop if you try the ever-changing wrong one

Not really keen on buying new hardware until I can work out wtf is wrong with it...any ideas?

Stone

[Flojomojo]

I would put everything wireless into pure G mode and see if that improves reliability. You need that before trying for speed. I would set the channels to automatic, as different devices might not be tuned exactly the same.

[Stone]

That made a big difference. (why ) Upstairs PC now claims to have a 54Mb connection to downstairs and even the Web works after some initial DNS wobbles. Wifi range is still shit in the rest of the house, mind.

Not wishing I'd left well alone quite as fervently...

Stone

[seanyseansean]

I had the same buying problem a few months ago and settled on a Billion 7800N after seeing various problems with the Netgear et al (mainly due to overheating)

This bit of kit is unbelievably good. It does Jumbo Frames, the ADSL is rock solid (the connection time is never less than since I last rebooted it). The web UI is fast and comprehensive, not dumbed down for lusers, and the latest firmware has dual stack ipv6 support for free. Most other vendors aren't doing this so they can sell you new stuff.

I can thoroughly recommend it. The wireless is rock solid too though it does seem to get slower with distance, no idea if it's any worse/better than other kit in this regard. Either way it's a league above the shite you get given for free with your internet connection.

[Dio]

That made a big difference. (why )

If you lock it in g-only mode it can make a load of assumptions about the signal - transmit shorter bursts, and the like, because it doesn't need to meet various minimum timing constraints. It might also cause it to reject more agressively any competing signal showing b characteristics, perhaps.

[gumboot]

Do you have those little lightbulb-shaped screw mounts in the bottom of your router? Perhaps mounting it flat on a wall at a suitable height might help.

I _assume_ that the aerial(s) fold over so they can stay vertical.