I Seek Answers For Questions For A Router I Now Need.


  1. Posts : 145
    Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1 & Windows 8 & 8.1 Pro x64
       #1

    I Seek Answers For Questions For A Router I Now Need.


    Hello.

    I have a question to ask you all. I need your honest factual answers to my questions that follow.

    I need to know what kind of router I need to buy and use for the setup I am about to describe.


    Currently, I have a cable modem (the commonly used SB5101 Surfboard Cable Modem) whereby my cable modem speed is currently 3 Mpbs (I currently have the slowest speed of my high speed cable Internet service.). I randomly use a (#1) Internet Radio (the Aluratek AIRMM01F clock radio), a (#2) laptop computer (Toshiba Satellite C855-S5236 Intel Dual Core 2.3GHZ 6GB 640GB Windows 7 15.6" HD), and an (#3) older custom made desktop computer by Asus. So far I have been swapping out a single Ethernet cable from my modem to the various Internet hardware listed above when I need to get online. So far, for obvious reasons, I have had no issues with my Internet connection based on only one piece of hardware connected to the Internet at any one time and the simplicity of the connection between the modem and the hardware. Yes, everything is hardwired so no wireless in my setup, but I wouldn't mind trying out a wireless connection soon-like.



    Now, I want to add (#4) VIOP landline service to this whole setup. Obviously by adding VIOP, I will need to *constant* connection to the Internet to receive phone calls. This definitely means I *need* a router now. The VOIP hardware is a VIOP box that connects to your modem or router with one Ethernet connection and the traditional phone line jack on the other connection. I just do not know *what kind* of router I need, let alone the recommended brand. I have been doing some online shopping on the specs or technical terms like their features and functions for home network routers like wireless standards, frequency range, antennas, security, and connectivity/ports. I have performed much research and the more I read the more I get smarter and overwhelmed at the same time. I have focused on router capabilities/features I found I need answers to in order to get the best signal transmission *running all 4 items at the same time*.



    My questions for you:



    1. With the setup I would have with VOIP added to my network hardware (see above *running all 4 items at the same time*), would I need a Gigabit Ethernet capable router or not (the 10/100 Ethernet would be enough)? (What worries me is the *constant* Internet radio signal here. I do not want to experience any routine random transmission freezes.)



    2. The Wi-Fi Quality of Service software (QoS) standard feature help me here? If so, where would I put the emphasis on hardware making the most efficient use of Ethernet connections by prioritizing multimedia traffic (from highest priority to least priority)?



    3. The speed for the Wi-Fi portion I find is rated theoretically at 300 Mpbs or a 150 Mpbs I typically find presently. Based on my hardware network setup *running all 4 items at the same time*, would I need to consider a Wi-Fi 300 Mpbs based router or just a Wi-Fi 150 Mpbs based (cheaper) router suffice? (*NOTE: Obviously, the older custom desktop computer will be hardwired to the prospective router and of course the VIOP landline box as well leaving my other two hardware network items needing wireless transmission.)



    4. Is there any comments or suggestions you can recommend regarding a router I should consider? Please provide me those comments and suggestions.



    I do not want to get too carried away with an expensive or overly feature excessive router that I do not need. Security features and easy user access to significant settings and configurations are a must!



    Thank you!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,298
    Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 ; Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard
       #2

    1. With the setup I would have with VOIP added to my network hardware (see above *running all 4 items at the same time*), would I need a Gigabit Ethernet capable router or not (the 10/100 Ethernet would be enough)? (What worries me is the *constant* Internet radio signal here. I do not want to experience any routine random transmission freezes.)
    100Mbps should do. A standard VoIP call should not take any more than 128Kpbs. Your biggest concern should be your internet bandwidth. With 3Mbps to play with you may struggle with performance while streaming your internet radio.

    2. The Wi-Fi Quality of Service software (QoS) standard feature help me here? If so, where would I put the emphasis on hardware making the most efficient use of Ethernet connections by prioritizing multimedia traffic (from highest priority to least priority)?
    The QoS should help with the internet radio however the impact on other devices would be unknown. It may be worth considering implementing QoS for UDP traffic however most standard routers won't support that. You might want to prioritise your VoIP traffic as well so if you can try and get a router with this feature.

    3. The speed for the Wi-Fi portion I find is rated theoretically at 300 Mpbs or a 150 Mpbs I typically find presently. Based on my hardware network setup *running all 4 items at the same time*, would I need to consider a Wi-Fi 300 Mpbs based router or just a Wi-Fi 150 Mpbs based (cheaper) router suffice? (*NOTE: Obviously, the older custom desktop computer will be hardwired to the prospective router and of course the VIOP landline box as well leaving my other two hardware network items needing wireless transmission.)
    With only the devices that you have listed I think 150Mbps is suffice. Remember this is the local bandwidth! Every device that communicates on the internet will be forced through the 3Mpbs bottleneck at your ISP.

    4. Is there any comments or suggestions you can recommend regarding a router I should consider? Please provide me those comments and suggestions.
    With regards to security, A router with good port forwarding and access control is a given. Netgear have always had the nicest interface in terms of configuring security however that is just my opinion. Also, consider what the wireless range will be like and judge based on your physical building since you may have to get a repeater for full coverage.

    I take it the VoIP box is independent and doesn't need a call manager? If not then you may need to look into more advanced enterprise routers however those are normally configured at a command line with no GUI as well as being costly.

    Josh
      My Computer


 

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