3
I'm looking for a WiFi N Gigabit router. I'll be using an iPod Touch 2G and a 2009 17" MacBook Pro over WiFi, and I need at least 4 gigabit ethernet ports plus a WAN port.
What do people recommend?
In particular, are there any compatibility issues between different WiFi N drafts that would limit the speed of the MacBook, and is it worth getting dual-band?
SLaks
Posted 2009-07-28T19:34:20.227
Reputation: 7 596
8
I have a Linksys WRT310N, which has 4 ports of Gig-E and Draft-N WiFi. The antennae are internal, which looks nice. It can run the open source firmwares like DD-WRT. See this wiki article for some details.
$95 from Newegg
Jay Bazuzi
Posted 2009-07-28T19:34:20.227
Reputation: 3 780
3
Since your already going with Apple products, I would recommend the Airport Extreme. A bit pricey but guaranteed to work with your MacBook and iPod Touch.
Also the Time Capsule is not a bad choice which also gives you the ability to use Time Machine.
BinaryMisfit
Posted 2009-07-28T19:34:20.227
Reputation: 19 955
I need four ports plus the WAN. – SLaks – 2009-07-28T19:51:10.927
1Fair enough. I forgot about the 3 ports only. However leaving the answer since it could still be an option. – BinaryMisfit – 2009-07-28T19:53:12.560
whether it has 3 or 4 ports isn't an issue since you get splitters for next to nothing – Kim – 2009-07-28T22:02:22.673
well, if you really mean a splitter that would be a horrible idea, because you can't split an ethernet signal. Now if you mean a switch that is true, but still, next to nothing is not nothing. – Mike Cooper – 2009-10-19T18:08:05.883
0
You can extend a Time Capsule network with an Airport extreme and get that last last ethernet port. This has the added benefit of supplying an audio output and a larger effective network area if your machines are spread apart. It is an expensive solution for that last port . . . but it is very easy to manage from your mac. I have this solution running in my house. I have backups and a fast, reasonably secure network with remote speaker capability. I'm considering putting one outside on the deck in a weather proof box to supply music outside . . .
TheEruditeTroglodyte
Posted 2009-07-28T19:34:20.227
Reputation: 163
Too bad WRT350N are no longer being sold on Newegg, it has much better coverage than this one. Still +1 for DD-WRT suggestion. – LiraNuna – 2009-07-28T20:16:01.640
Be careful with what you buy. Linksys regularly releases new revisions of existing products that have the same model number, but different hardware. As such, not all versions of a particular model are supported by DD-WRT. – Ryan Bolger – 2010-01-14T16:11:26.520