Router recommendations?

[MRC380]

Hey everyone I currently have the rogers modem which can be found here:

http://www.rogers.com/web/link/modems -it's the standard wifi modem on the list.

 

I have my router set up in my basement where my computers are, however I have a PS3 and it's two floors above in my room. The wireless signal from there is very weak and I cannot play multiplayer with my friends or use wifi on my phone because the signal is constantly dropping. 

 

So my question is, Do i need a stronger router? and if I do, can someone experienced recommend a good router under $50? 
i'm a teenager who works a minimum wage job and I can't afford something too pricey so I need something that works well that wont cost me a fortune. 

 

Thank you to all who contribute to this thread in advance.

 

[MRC380]

just get a wifi extender here is one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704187&cm_re=wifi_range_extender-_-33-704-187-_-Product

Sorry but i've never used these before. How exactly does this work? Will this really make my signal that much better to the point where I can play games on my PS3 without losing connection all the time?

 

EDIT: the router is in my basement...how would i get the Ethernet cable up to my room? I'm assuming the wifi extender would be in my room near the ps3...

[Krytopsy]

Don't forget PS3 use Wifi G 54 Mb/s maximum.

[Krytopsy]

Whats your router

[Krytopsy]

You never get the same speed on any computers or consoles that is coming from the router through wifi connection so expect a quite amount of losses.

[Guest]

How tech savy are you? Think you can configure a Ubiquiti UAP?

[Blade of Grass]

As another person on Rogers for internet, I feel your pain. The routers that they supply have horrific range (which was literally visual line of sight for my house). If you're willing to learn abit about computer networking, I would suggest (as @Windspeed36 said) you get a Ubiquiti AP.

The only thing is that it would be alittle bit over your budget. The Ubiquiti AP (if you purchase from http://ubnt.ca) costs about $80.

[MRC380]

Whats your router

linked in the post

 

How tech savy are you? Think you can configure a Ubiquiti UAP?

I'm somewhat tech savy but by no means an expert. I dont know anything about Ubiquiti but i'd be willing to try. $80 is a bit over my budget but if i save up my next pay I think i could make it work. It's not just for playing games, it's for better overall wifi in my house as well. Do you know any good guides?

[MRC380]

suggestions?

[Blade of Grass]

linked in the post

 

I'm somewhat tech savy but by no means an expert. I dont know anything about Ubiquiti but i'd be willing to try. $80 is a bit over my budget but if i save up my next pay I think i could make it work. It's not just for playing games, it's for better overall wifi in my house as well. Do you know any good guides?

Setting up the Ubiquiti AP's is pretty easy for the most part. All you need to do is download the controller software from Ubiquiti's website (or these direct download links from Ubiquiti, Windows Mac), be wired into the Roger's router, plug in the AP, then run the controller software. When you launch the controller software, a wizard will popup for you to configure the AP (network name, network pass, user and pass for the AP, and then you're basically done. After setting up the AP from the controller you do not have to keep the controller connected/running and the AP will function normally on it's own.

[kerberos]

I don't think you will find another router that is actually a modem at the same time, that's probably why Rogers provided it. a simple router alone cannot modulates and demodulates the signal, it just "routes" the packets and I mean "regular users routers", the other integrated ones are for professionals and it's too expensive... the reason why you're getting weak signal is probably the thickness / materials of the walls. even with an extender or another access point, can't 100% garantee it will work but for home users, it should do its job. You have to plug it midway, and configure it with the wep key.

 

Linus showed this one and it has a rebate on it, so for less than 50$ there you go.

 

you'd probably find better products, it was just a quick search and I only swear by Cisco so

[MRC380]

Setting up the Ubiquiti AP's is pretty easy for the most part. All you need to do is download the controller software from Ubiquiti's website (or these direct download links from Ubiquiti, Windows Mac), be wired into the Roger's router, plug in the AP, then run the controller software. When you launch the controller software, a wizard will popup for you to configure the AP (network name, network pass, user and pass for the AP, and then you're basically done. After setting up the AP from the controller you do not have to keep the controller connected/running and the AP will function normally on it's own.

Could you explain to me what an ubiquiti AP is? All this talk about this Ubiquiti yet I have no clue what it is. Also, why is this a better solution as opposed to buying a better router?

 

I don't think you will find another router that is actually a modem at the same time, that's probably why Rogers provided it. a simple router alone cannot modulates and demodulates the signal, it just "routes" the packets and I mean "regular users routers", the other integrated ones are for professionals and it's too expensive... the reason why you're getting weak signal is probably the thickness / materials of the walls. even with an extender or another access point, can't 100% garantee it will work but for home users, it should do its job. You have to plug it midway, and configure it with the wep key.

 

Linus showed this one and it has a rebate on it, so for less than 50$ there you go.

 

you'd probably find better products, it was just a quick search and I only swear by Cisco so

Yeah the walls in my basement where the router is located are pretty thick, plus its two entire floors below my room. Wifi signal in the basement is great, but in all other parts of my house its terrible. I have a feeling that a wifi extender wouldn't do much for me as there would be lots of interference (as you said, thick walls, two floors below, etc) Also I have very little faith in these extenders, plus who knows if they're even compatible with consoles or not So what would you say is my best bet, if i raised my budget to $70?

[kerberos]

it should be compatible anyway, what you look for in the specs are the technology it uses, like if it's backward compatible with the old ones : Standards: IEEE 802.3u, 802.11g (new), 802.11b (old), 802.11a (old), 802.11n (latest and fastest).

since PS3 use Wifi 802.11g it's fine.

Give it a try it's cheap anyway unless you want to route ethernet cable

[MRC380]

it should be compatible anyway, what you look for in the specs are the technology it uses, like if it's backward compatible with the old ones : Standards: IEEE 802.3u, 802.11g (new), 802.11b (old), 802.11a (old), 802.11n (latest and fastest).

since PS3 use Wifi 802.11g it's fine.

Give it a try it's cheap anyway unless you want to route ethernet cable

well the router is in my basment so routing a cable to my room would be hard

[MRC380]

is this a better alternative as opposed to buying a new router or a better modem? Is there a wireless router i could get for $70 that would be a big improvement?

[MRC380]

sorry guys i know this topic is a little old but I still haven't quite found the answer i'm looking for. Any router recommendations for $70 or some kind of wi fi extender that works really well?