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[CMO]

I have narrowed my search for a replacement router down to 2 models, the DIR-645 and a competitor's model.

I am leaning towards the D-Link, and its in my shopping cart online.  I decided to have a quick read through the manual before I bought it, and I'm kinda glad I did.

- Does the browser-based administration really require Java to be installed?  This is a deal-breaker for me if this is the case.   



Thanks for your reply 

[FurryNutz]

Just curious why is having Java installed a deal breaker?

[CMO]

Just curious why is having Java installed a deal breaker?

I guess that answers my question.  Ugh ... back to scouring 100's of reviews   

Thanks for the reply.

[FurryNutz]

If you could give some more detail then maybe we could help you in some suggestions in routers. Were here to help each other out and gain a good experience with routers.

[Gamification]

I manage my router from an iPad... Don't think that there is Java on this device...

[FurryNutz]

I can manage my routers from my iphone 2g and 4s

[CMO]

Device Management
Internet Explorer v7 or later; Mozilla Firefox v3.0 or Later; or other Java-enabled Browsers

This may be a Windows requirement for web-based management.  I'm not interested in installing Java.  If someone else can confirm they can manage the device through their web browser on Windows (ie. FireFox) and he/she is sure they don't have Java runtimes installed, then its settled and I have my router 

If you could give some more detail then maybe we could help you in some suggestions in routers. Were here to help each other out and gain a good experience with routers.

Fair enough.

Until recently I haven't had much need for WiFi.  When I dusted off my old laptop last week, I also dusted off my old WGT624 to give me a little mobility.  I decided pretty quickly that I needed to upgrade my WiFi setup.  My router drops connection any time I try to upload files over a few MB to my off-network server.  This doesn't happen on my wired machines.  Network transfers with the current WiFi to/from wired are horribly slow (~2500kb/s).  Wired to wired transfers, however, are pretty darn quick.

I have on order an Intel 4965AGN adapter for my laptop (upgrade from Intel 3945ABG).  I know this isn't a great adapter, but neither is my laptop - will be replacing with a Win8 tablet near the end of the year assuming something decent is available for a reasonable price.  I also realize that my laptop's HDD is pretty slow and will be part of the bottleneck.  Its only a SATA 1.5 connection in the laptop, but I ordered a small SSD for it - not sure what else to do to speed the hard drive reads/writes along.

As mentioned above, the "bandaids" (WiFi card and SSD) are a temporary appeasement until a new tablet finds its way into my hands late this year.  The router I end up with, however, is a little more "permanent".

My biggest concern for a WiFi router (or access point) besides consistent reliability is device-to-device transfer speed and range in a 2-story 4400 sq. ft. house.  If it makes a difference, I reach the dismal max offering my small town ISP offers with my current (ancient) router, so that side isn't a big concern (12MB/1MB).  I'm stuck here for at least another 5 years ...


What I currently have:

Cable Modem (100Mb lan)
..... WGT624 (100Mb wan/lan)
..... ..... Laptop (wifi)
..... ..... Cell Phone (wifi)
..... ..... TrendNet TEG-S50G Switch
..... ..... ..... Workstation (GigE)
..... ..... ..... Test/Render Server (GigE)
..... ..... ..... Backup Server (GigE)
..... ..... ..... Everyday Rig (GigE)


I would like:
- GigE lan connections
- 300+Mbps WiFi - I don't expect full speed all over the house or poolside, but "some" connection would be nice
- When my brother and his aweful awesome! kids come to visit a few times a year, "guest access" would be nice


I wrote a novel (sorry).  Did I leave anything out?

[FurryNutz]

I would recommend upgrading to a Motorola SB 6 series modem, 6121 for starters. If your looking for Gb connects and network, then Start with the modem first then the router next, Most all DLink routers support Gb WAN and LAN interfaces going back to 2005yr with the DGL-4500 and others. Upgrade ALL LAN cableing to Cat6 minimum. CAT6 is cheap now days. I did a small upgrade with patch cables for less than $30. I recommend running the shortest cable between modem and router. I use a 1ft between my Modem and router.

If you have wired PCs along with some wireless, I hightly recommend getting a external Gb network switch to connect ALL wired devices too. I use a 24port on the back of my router. Any thing needing more priority with the router can be directly connected, i.e. xbox for me. This helps eliminate any unnecessary router management between wired devices.

When and if you get a router, set the wireless modes for only the modes that you need. Most routers broadcast all ABG and N modes. This is ok, however why broadcast modes that you don't use?    Will also help strengthen the range too.

Placement and building materials can effect wireless, not so much on 2.4Ghz as 5Ghz. 4400sq ft 2story house is fairly big. I might test the router out first and see how the connections and xfers go, then try to determine if you need additional AP for coverage.