Linksys WRT120N Wireless-N Home Router?

[paragon]

I have the router noted above - placed at one end of the house. Doesn't seem to work all that well at the other end of the house (garage, etc.) where I have a wifi radio - drops the connection regularly.

Anyway, this router isn't highly rated but I'm wondered if it's worth looking into the settings etc. to improve it or finding another router that will work better out of the box?

I know nothing about this sort of stuff - any input will be appreciated.

 

[L&LD]

Why not change the location of the router to a more central (wired) position first before going down the rabbit hole?

Location (x3) will fix all sort of problems.

 

[paragon]

Wired location? Sorry to say, but whether or not a location is 'wired' is not in my knowledge base.

 

[TonyH]

Wired location? Sorry to say, but whether or not a location is 'wired' is not in my knowledge base.

Can you or are you willing to find the sweet spot for your router? Usually it is central and higher position in the house.
Then can you run a cable from modem to that location? If this is absolutely impossible, then you will have to think about
AP, repeater, power line plug, etc.

 

[paragon]

Can you or are you willing to find the sweet spot for your router? Usually it is central and higher position in the house.
Then can you run a cable from modem to that location? If this is absolutely impossible, then you will have to think about
AP, repeater, power line plug, etc.

Actually, I was hoping that a better router would solve the issue - I'd have to hire someone to go through the steps you listed.

 

[sfx2000]

I have the router noted above - placed at one end of the house. Doesn't seem to work all that well at the other end of the house (garage, etc.) where I have a wifi radio - drops the connection regularly.

Anyway, this router isn't highly rated but I'm wondered if it's worth looking into the settings etc. to improve it or finding another router that will work better out of the box?

I know nothing about this sort of stuff - any input will be appreciated.

Is it possible that you can move it to a more central location inside the house?

Location is everything, in both WiFi and Real Estate, lol...

But seriously, a different router likely won't solve what is basically a physics problem with how radio waves propagate thru the area you're trying to cover.

 

[paragon]

Is it possible that you can move it to a more central location inside the house?

Location is everything, in both WiFi and Real Estate, lol...

But seriously, a different router likely won't solve what is basically a physics problem with how radio waves propagate thru the area you're trying to cover.

Now that's the answer I was looking for - unit is fine, location is the issue.

By the way, is there a way to use some sort of extender - placed in the middle of the house to solve my issues. The wireless signal strength is only 43% to a wifi radio in the garage - doubling that would be a real good thing.

 

[htismaqe]

I would refrain from using an extender/repeater if at all possible. Running ethernet cable doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. I bought 50' of pre-terminated Cat6 cable on Amazon for $12. I drilled two inconspicuous holes in the ceiling, one in my office and one in the central living room where my main router is. It probably took me 30 minutes total to hook up and even though I am technical myself, this solution wasn't. Anybody could do it.

 

[TonyH]

I would refrain from using an extender/repeater if at all possible. Running ethernet cable doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. I bought 50' of pre-terminated Cat6 cable on Amazon for $12. I drilled two inconspicuous holes in the ceiling, one in my office and one in the central living room where my main router is. It probably took me 30 minutes total to hook up and even though I am technical myself, this solution wasn't. Anybody could do it.

Doesn't repeater lose speed by half? If there is a will, there is a way. You can run cable thru attic, walls, even route it outside of building and come back in. I always admire how cable guys run it overcoming difficulties.

 

[htismaqe]

It doesn't HAVE to reduce speed by half. For example, you could use two dual-band APs and use the 2.4Ghz as the repeater, allowing clients to only connect to the 5Ghz. However, then you're limiting your coverage options.

Like I said, running ethernet cable doesn't have to complicated or expensive. $12 and 30 minutes is all it took me. It isn't professional-looking or super clean but it is fully functional.