Linksys Wireless-N Gigabit Gaming Router (WRT330N)

[Sir Hacksalot]

Hi There Guys and Gals,
Anyone own one of these? Is it any good, or just looks cool?

[Kyllinge]

Not I. I won't use a wireless network. My sister's boyfriend comes up here with his laptop with wireless network card and connects to someone else's network. I have no idea who's, but they apparently don't know how to set it up right.
So, if you go wireless (or keep it) make sure to really tweak it's security.

[Zutan]

i like the software that came with my wireless router. it tells me when someone not authorized connects to my network.

i had thought i turned the wireless off on my router. then one day my software pops up saying "chris's laptop" has connected to your network. wish i had more skills as i would have liked to execute a virus on his computer teach him a lesson for trying to steal my access. but oh well. i just went in and turned off my wireless and poof he dissapeared off my network.

incidentlymy router is a Dlink wbr-2310

[Khatib]

wish i had more skills as i would have liked to execute a virus on his computer teach him a lesson for trying to steal my access.

For hopping on your wireless?

Maybe he was a guy visiting a friend and had his laptop and wanted to peek at his email but his friend didn't have wireless up. Big whoop. If you leave your network open, it's your fault when people use it. Just turn on encryption, it's not that hard to lock up a wireless network.

As far as wireless overall though, I'm still skeptical about getting a perfectly lag free, or as close to it as possible, connection out of wireless for gaming. I always stick to wires for my gaming.

[Zutan]

actualy it had been turned off. the power went out the night before. which reset the router and default is ON for the wireless.

and if the power goes out with encription set up. and the power comes back on. its back to wide open wireless.

[drgnmstr44]

I don't have wireless in my house and I'd definately recommend against it if you're getting it for on-line gaming. I don't care what the router/company claims there are many things that can interfer with your connection through wireless, thus causing drops in your connection. It's also not as fast and reliable as a hard line. Plus Hard lines are much more secure. If you know a lot about networking and you still want to use wireless, my warning is to make sure your stuff is encrypted well. You'd be surprised at what people will do on an open hotspot from a neighbor's wireless.

For security on the wireless, set up a security key, i think WEP is the strongest but don't quote me on it, and also turn on MAC Address filtering. the latter allows you to only allow certain MAC addresses access to your wireless network for added security. Other things to do is definately change the IP address range from the default. Leaving it at default can make it easier for people to figure out your settings.

For the response earlier, I totally agree with slamming someone for jumping on your network but you should encrypt it too. Some unknown computer on your open access point can cause a lot of trouble for your personal computers and network. If they are busy downloading tons of files, there goes all your bandwidth.

[Lithale]

WPA and it's derivatives (WPA2) are much more secure than WEP. WEP can typically be hacked in a few minutes. WPA will take much much longer. And when your connection is hacked or open, the concern isn't people getting on your network as much as it is people reading any and all transmissions you are sending through the air. This is especially important for internet hot spots.

As for interference, cordless phones and microwaves are the biggest problem. If you have a 2.4 Ghz phone, then get a 5 Ghz wireless router or vice versa. Also, the newer routers tend to work well without dropping connections.

Running on a wired connection is best, but wireless has come a loooooong way in terms of stability.

PS Never used that router. I use another gigabit linksys w/ wireless N without any issue. It actually made my Wii connection more stable than the old wireless router I was using.