wireless router to NAS performance

[dieter]

Hello, I'm new to SmallNetBuilder but want to first of all thank Tim Higgins for an outstanding job in doing the reviews.

I'm trying to figure out which wireless router to NAS configuration will give me excellent performance. From the performance charts, i have sort of settled on either the WRT600N or the DIR855.

But I still have some questions re Jumbo Frame capabilities. Unless i missed something, I'm unclear whether the WRT600n and the DIR-855 support Jumbo Frames? Could someone pls clarify this for me.

And if someone has a better wireless router recommendation for a LAN to NAS application, pls let me know. Or should i be looking for a router with a USB to get the best LAN - NAS performance?

Thanks, Dieter

 

[thiggins]

I don't understand what you mean by "LAN to NAS" and "wireless router to NAS" performance.

What are you trying to do? And why do you want a dual-band draft 11n router?

I would not recommend either of your choices. The 600N has been discontinued and may be hard to find. the DIR-855 is way overpriced and has had a troubled history.

The DIR-855 supports up to 9k jumbo frames. The WRT600N does not support jumbo frames.

 

[dieter]

The current network in my house consists of 2 PC desktops and a PC laptop connected to a WRT54G. I would like to upgrade to an N/gigabit router, and attach a NAS to this router. My highest priority is to get the max thruput to and from the NAS from the hardwired desktops, but would also like much improved thruput to and from the NAS to my laptop.

For the NAS, i have pretty much settled on the Synology 209+.

I have studied your wireless and wired performance charts, and have not found one router which would be a clear winner for my configuration. I would obviously go with the latest technology, a simultaneous dual band router.

I have read your comments re the DIR-855 vs 825. I have also looked at the DIR-655 and the WRT-610. But all of these have some issue i did not like.

Maybe i still need to wait a few months and look at the next generation of routers.

If you have a recommendation, pls let me know.

 

[valentin]

The current network in my house consists of 2 PC desktops and a PC laptop connected to a WRT54G. I would like to upgrade to an N/gigabit router, and attach a NAS to this router. My highest priority is to get the max thruput to and from the NAS from the hardwired desktops, but would also like much improved thruput to and from the NAS to my laptop.

You will achieve this goal if you buy a gigabit switch, connect the routr to the switch, and then connect all the other devices to the switch instead of directly to the router. Thus they will talk to each other on gigabit speeds, and run through the router only for the internet connection.
________
Roll blunts

 

[dieter]

gigabit port speed on wireless routers

Why would i need a seperate gigabit switch, since the N routers mostly have 4 gigabit ports? Do these router ports (like on the WRT 610N) not allow for gigabit operation?

I had heard that on some gigabit wireless routers, that ALL 4 gigabit ports run at the speed of speed of the slowest device. So if you have one 10 megabit device plugged into a gigabit port, all ports will run at 10mbits. So maybe you are right in having to get a separate switch.

Also, on Tim H. router charts, the fasted router performance i have seen was around 300mhz for the fastest gigabit wireless router models.

 

[thiggins]

What Valentin is trying to tell you is that for LAN performance, the speed of a router doesn't matter, only the switch that it contains.

Your current router is fine. For faster LAN performance all you need is to connect a gigabit switch.

If you prefer, you can purchase a router (draft 11n or otherwise) with gigabit LAN ports. But it's the router's switch that will provide the faster LAN speed that you desire, not the router CPU.

 

[dieter]

Thanks, i understand that. Do you have a recommendation on a cheap gigabit switch?

But since i also want the fastest performance from my wireless laptop to the NAS, i'm still also looking for a recommendation on an N router with gigabit ports.

 

[dieter]

I have seen some 8-port gigabit switches for under $50. Do they have really faster thruput than the gigabit ports on a wireless N router?

 

[thiggins]

It wasn't clear that your laptop was connected via wireless. You would need a draft 11n adapter for it, too.

There is no difference in performance among unmanaged 10/100 or gigabit switches, integrated into a router or standalone. You can buy on price, warranty and brand preference.

My recommendation would be a D-Link DIR-655.

 

[dieter]

Thanks all, and have a great Xmas and New Year!
Dieter

 

[dieter]

DIR-655 vs DIR-825

Tim, one more thought.
You recommended the 655. It seems that the 825 has much better router performance. Any reason as to why you would prefer the 655?

 

[thiggins]

If you must have dual-band, the 825 would be a reasonable choice. But unless you have a 300 Mbps Internet connection, the higher routing speed doesn't provide any advantage.