[Hidden-tech] help with enterprise grade router recommendation?

[Sara MacKay]

The signal shows on the router as being strong. The space is 3 rooms: 244 
sq. ft., 475 sq. ft. (middle)and  244 sq. ft. The bldg was renovated a few 
years back when we moved in so all the interior walls are new constructions 
and no insulation or anything. Networking is in the middle room. Mostly the 
laptops experiencing issues have been in the room right next to the network 
equipment.

That is why I was not thinking along the lines of access points to transmit 
the signal in the other rooms.   They so have wireless phones 2.5GHz about 6 
feet away from the wireless router. Like I said, small space.

Sara

-----Original Message----- 
From: Jan Werner
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2015 3:31 PM
To: Sara MacKay ; hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] help with enterprise grade router recommendation?

As Robert Heller pointed out, what you are looking for is a wireless
access point that can handle more connections than what you have.

A router is what assigns LAN addresses and routs traffic to them. An
access point is a radio transmitter that broadcasts those signals.

In most small networks, one device does both functions. That is what is
commonly referred to as a "router" and it is that is the word I use in
the following, but in a large enterprise, those functions are usually
handled by separate devices.  Unless you plan to learn a lot about
network management in a hurry, I would second Chris Hart's suggestion to
get a more powerful-off-the shelf router.

Routers are generally rated by their theoretical maximum throughput in
Mbps. The prefix N indicates a single band (2.4GHz) and AC indicates
dual band (2.4GHz+5GHz). Newer dual band routers are usually optimized
for handling multiple devices simultaneously. Anything rated AC1900 or
better should be more than enough for your situation.

I have at least 20 devices (PCs, printers, smartphones, tablets, stereo
receivers, TV) on my home WiFi network and had been experiencing similar
problems to what you described using 3-year old ASUS RT-N66U router
(rated N900). I replaced it recently with a newer ASUS RT-AC68U (rated
AC1900) and everything has been running smoothly since then.

Jan Werner
__________

Sara MacKay wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi Folks,
> Can anyone recommend an enterprise model router for a medium/small
> business?  I have a site that is connecting to their wireless fine
> (signal is strong) but randomly,  folks are getting dropped from the
> wireless.  Or if they are trying to connect more than 10 laptops
> sometimes not everyone can connect.  They have Comcast business cable so
> I don’t think bandwidth is the problem. Last spring when we upgraded to
> cable, all network equipment was upgraded to gigabyte units. Any wiring
> used is all cat5e.  There are still 2 desktops and 2 network printers in
> the mix as well.
> This is a learning center and when they do online testing, dropping in
> the middle of it is really problematic. They have over 30 laptops, not
> to mention other devices that the staff walk in with (phones, i-pads)
> and rarely are they all in use, but but it has happened. Or rather been
> attempted.
> I have the opportunity to put in for approx $1000 for this line item,
> though if there is no solution in that price range, I can make a case
> for more. Unfortunately the request has to go in in the next couple of
> days and I have no history purchasing one of these.
> Anyone have any recommendations on routers that can handle that, or
> which mftr would be reliable to look at?
> Sara
>
>
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