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

[Chris Hart]

I've seen a situation many times where signal strength appears fine but the quality of the signal is suffering and this performance does too. 

Many factors affect wireless performance and you should consider a site survey by at least one local professional and perhaps more than one. 

Chris Hart
     Computer Support & Technology Consulting
        for Connecticut and Western Massachusetts
            Tel: 860-291-9393
                http://www.MyMacTech.com

> On Oct 19, 2015, at 5:09 PM, Sara MacKay <smackay at literacyproject.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 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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