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[yuppicide]

Long story short.. I have only one device I connect via Wireless and 2 wired computers. The wireless device is about 25 feet away in the living room.. a Western Digital TV Live Hub. It has a D-LINK DWA-130 (which is listed on the compatibility chart for the WD just not this specific revision) and I have a Netgear WRN2000V3 router. I run Windows 7 64-Bit.

That WD is a media player with a 1TB hard drive built in. Also has a bunch of internet apps.

I've been having problems with the wireless ever since I got it. It seemed to randomly lose it's it's wireless connection. Sometimes pulling out the D-LINK USB and re-inserting it worked. Sometimes I needed to go into the WD and enter my network settings again and it would work. Lately, though I cannot connect at all. It's kind of alright that I can't copy movies over (unless I do it through my little flash drive which is only 4GB), but what does suck is that all my music is stored on that unit and I used to listen to it from there on my PC.

I'm thinking of getting the DIR-825. I read that it's virtually the same as the DIR-655 and it's on the compatibility list.

Now I know my first option should be to try an ethernet cable since I am only 25 feet or so away. I meant to do that.. and I really should do that for speed's sake. The WD only has one processor, so even though I am on Wireless N speeds are very slow because of that.. since it plays videos and transfers files, etc, all with that one processor. But in order to run ethernet it'll be 50 or 75 feet, because I have to not only run cable down the hall, but down the door, up the other side of the door, across the door, then around the wall and down to the router. I can get the cable cheap, but that's a lot of work.

I don't mind some slower transfer speed, I just want it to be reliably connected to my PC. It should show up as a drive letter always. Not say "disconnected" or whatever that message is when my PC starts up.

So on to my questions about the 825.

1 - My Netgear router isn't on the compatibility list. Should that really matter? I mean, the D-LINK DWA-130 is actually connected to the device and that talks to the router.

2 - Do different brands play nice together or do you think adding the router as D-LINK also will make them play together nicer?

3 - I see some QOS engine in the 655. I assume it's in the 825 also. My Girlfriend's Daughter has a laptop now and she wants on the internet. Will the 825 be able to control her bandwidth speed? I don't want her slowing me down. Plus, I figure slower speeds means she might not download any illegal stuff since it's so slow.

4 - Is there a feature I can allow internet access from the daughter's IP only at certain times?

5 - This one is probably a long shot, but is there a way to view what websites a specific IP visits? I don't want to spy on anyone, so don't think I am looking for something like that. I just worry that what if she did download something and the cable company said something to me because I'm the account holder. I'd just like to be able to see what it was and stop the activity from happening again.

Thanks in advance for the help. Sorry for the long story and all the questions. I just think $119.99 for a router is expensive when I really only want it for one device in my living room to work.

[yuppicide]

Two more questions:

- Think I have any need for DD-WRT?

- Is there a certain revision I should look for? I'm reading the specs on the DD-WRT website and I see this:

DIR-825 C1 550Mhz Processor, 128MB RAM, 16MB flash
DIR-825 B1/b2 680 Mhz Processor, 64MB RAM, 8MB flash

One has a faster processor, but less RAM.. one has more RAM but slower processor. I assume C1 is a later version if they go in order of ABC.

Should I go for one over the other or am I over thinking things?

I also see the C1 has SOC+Atheros AR9382 and the B1 Atheros AR9103 3x3 MIMO while the B2 Atheros.

[FurryNutz]

Main considerations is that do you have devices that support and use 5Ghz wifi? If so then the 825 would be a good router for you. I have the 825 Rev B and it works great with my Mac Book Pro and Xbox with a 5Ghz adapter. If you don't have a need for 5Ghz then you could still get the 825 and turn off the 5Ghz radio until such a time for when your future needs may come into play. Also these routers have IPv6 support. Still a new addressing scheme for most people and still not fully implemented into main stream use yet. IPv4 isn't going away either when IPv6 goes main stream either.

All Dlink routers have scheduling and filter tools to allow access at specified times.

If your only needed a router for one devices in a certain area, you may want to look, research and review DLink DAP model APs instead of a router. If your just needing Internet access with out any router management, you might want to consider using one of these instead. The DIR series of routers is designed to be the main host router for users to connect with between there devices and the ISP modem. Branching off from the router with APs is recommended to extend range and provide additional wireless where needed with AP devices like the DAP models.

Most different mfr branded devices work together and between each other. Wireless and wired standards are common and required for interoperability purposes. I have 2 DWA-160s and they work with my Apply Airport Extreme router.

You'll need to review the wrt forums for information on using 3rd party FW.

[yuppicide]

Nope nothing uses 5Ghz that I'm aware of. I only have one wireless device right now.

Can the scheduling and filter tools be tied to just one IP or MAC connected to the router? Obviously I wouldn't want to control my surfing or my Girlfriend.. just her Daughter.

[FurryNutz]

Yes it can be tied to one IP and MAC address.

[yuppicide]

Awesome thanks!

Well, I decided to give the DIR-825 a chance, because I picked it up for $63 brand new online!!!!! So excited!!!

Can't wait to get it and hope it clears up my problems and is useful to me.

Guess I'll be here soon enough when I need some help with it.

[FurryNutz]

Come back and visit if you need help.