What is a good wireless router?

Question

I have a voip phone and 3 computers hooked to my router and the router cuts off, and my calls sound horrible. My router is the Belkin 7230.

Answer 1

The problem with VOIP is that activity on other computers during the call will make the quality really bad. Especially P2P programs like Limewire, Kazaa etc.

The VOIP call only needs about 90K of bandwidth, but even browsing webpages with IE can momentairly spike well above that, and use all of your bandwidth- especially upstream, so people won't be able to hear you. If you're downloading music or something that maxes out your downstream bandwidth, you won't be able to make out other people are saying.

But sure, it's possible you router is just bad. Try a D-Link or Netgear, Linksys is a crapshoot. Some of their routers work great, some suck (of the exact same model)

Also, make sure the security is turned on for your wireless router! Otherwise, anybody in range (like neighbors) can connect to your router and use up your bandwidth, which would slow down everything and make your calls horrible.

Answer 2

My Linksys WRT54G is great & is dirt cheap now that the 802.11n stuff is on the market. I'd recommend getting a good directional antenna for the router too.

A company called Hawking Technology makes them for a reasonable price (if they are still in business). There are other antenna companies too. Make sure to get an antenna with a "reverse TNC connector" if you buy the Linksys.

A good antenna will boost the RF signal strength and this will boost your data bandwidth enormously in most cases.

Answer 3

maybe u should try for an Access POint instead of a router
seems like ur running a bit of traffic on the router...
an access point is designed for corporation use and i have one from proxim myself and is jsut beautiful
and has excellent security my down time is low and coverage and client support are both great
try the proxim AP700
a great product
hope this helps

Answer 4

I am happy with Belkin but if you are not try LINKSYS which has a good reputation. You might want to switch to another network that is on a different frequency if you are having interference problems.

Answer 5

Try the U.S. Robotics MaxG router. I use it at home and have several clients set up with it. They have not reported having an difficulties.

Answer 6

D-Link makes pretty good quality products for pretty low prices.

Answer 7

http://www.alphashield.com/router.htm

These guys make good firewalls and support is excellent.