[CrashGordon]

Well just got my Netgear WNDR3700 today. It's pretty sweet, I'll have to run some throughput tests. I have to wait on the N card to get here. So tests will be done probably this weekend.

Setup was easy (as easy as any of the Linksys products I've owned), didn't bother with the CD just login to it and config away.

I'm getting an Excellent (5 bar) signal on the HTPC about 30ft away through 2 walls and the ceiling/floor (about the same as the Linksys it averaged Very Good-Excellent)

[TL6MT]

Finally took the plunge CrashGordon? How's the configuration interface?

[shc-boomer]

Any available hacks for it?

[CrashGordon]

Was just waiting on the "extra" cash to come in.

It's not that bad, it's different than Linksys stock FW, but it's not that different. It's kinda separated into three panes, on the left is the various sections (sorta like a table of contents), the center part is where you make the changes, the right side is the info part with a good, clear description of what each setting does. Each pane scrolls (if needed).



I still need to check some of the options out, but really trying to wait until the N card gets here later this week, then worry about optimizing everything.

Status lights are easy to see from just about any angle. Although it's a dust/fingerprint magnet being gloss black.

I've only had it since about 10am EST but I'm pretty impressed with it so far. Haven't tried out the USB NAS yet, but it was just a bonus feature to me anyways. I'll also get some pics when the rest of my stuff gets here later this week (got parts coming from all three Newegg warehouses CA,NJ and TN)

Gigabit is smoking fast though, I didn't time the transfer but a 7.86GB file was done in a couple of minutes, getting about the same speeds on G (22-23Kbit/s) as I did with the Wrt54G v8, just waiting for the N card though.


Not yet boomer, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time though before ddwrt will work on it. It uses an Atheros chip, so it's likely.

This post has been edited by CrashGordon: 07 December 2009 - 10:03 PM

[shc-boomer]

May I ask how much you spend on it?

[chconline]

That's not a bad interface at all. Looks a lot cleaner than Linksys' (Which is slow).

[shift]

Am I the only one that hates that purple. Why can't the manufacturer just make something as simple as the Tomato firmware

This post has been edited by shift: 07 December 2009 - 10:24 PM

[CrashGordon]

Paid a little more than I really wanted to because it was out of stock just about everywhere online and found it at the local Best Buy for $180 w/tax which was right around $20 bucks more than online, plus I have it already. So guess it sorta evens things out.

I've never had a Netgear product that required any sort of config page, but it's laid out pretty well. It should be easy for those folks that have never had a router before to understand what the various settings do and to get it up and running.

The interface is fairly quick to apply the settings (without resetting your connection like ddwrt does). Automatic (if you choose) new firmware notice is a cool feature too, I'm sure it only applies to stock Netgear FW though.

[redeemed]

Yeah, I have the DG834Gv4 (ADSL2+ modem/4-port wireless router). Same interface as above; Netgears are renowned for their ease of setting up and straightforward GUI.

Enjoy, CrashGordon

[CrashGordon]

Hopefully I will enjoy it, I'll post a few updates when the other stuff gets here (along with some benchmarks/tests/pics), and after a week or two of usage.

I had to reboot my WRT54G v8 about every week-week and a half because it would quit forwarding ports and would either give me a blank page or a Check your connection page when I'd try to login to it. A quick unplug of the power to it, wait a few seconds, plug it back in and let it boot up would fix it, until about a week later.

[chconline]

Reliability information would also be appreciated. In the past I've never really had great experience with NETGEAR wireless products, hopefully they improved like it is in your case Interestingly, I have a GS-108 switch with zero issues and no reliability problems.

[Mindovermaster]

Hopkins and Wolken will thank you... I stick by Linux for the moment. I don't have a need for N wireless atm, none of my wireless computers use N, they are all G. I might upgrade in a few years.

I used to hate Netgear, but that was a looooong time ago, I believe back in 2005. I'm sure they are better now.

[CrashGordon]

Switches usually don't have many problems, they either work or they don't. Not nearly as complex as routers.

I'll certainly update this thread if any issues pop up, also after a month or two with a status report or something. The more first hand info just helps the next person that much more.

(thanks for splitting the thread chc)

I used to love Linksys until my issues with this WRT54G v8. The BESFR41 I had for 6-7 years was bulletproof, it ran 24/7 until it died last December. Had I had the time to do some research I would've gotten the GL version, but I really needed it that day and no stores close by had the GL version.

This post has been edited by CrashGordon: 08 December 2009 - 09:02 PM

[shc-boomer]

Agreed with chc here, I am all for Netgear switches. Routers have always been Linksys after my terrible run of 1 month with D-Link.

[Mindovermaster]

^oh, D-Link, don't even start.

@crashgordon - my WRT54GL has been fine for the last 3-4 years or so. But the new Netgears, from what I heard, are nice.

[shc-boomer]

Just wanted to ask, has anyone ever used a Buffalo Wireless router before? Or know how good they may be? I hear they are budget based and perform close to the Netgears. Goes for around $89USD, just wondering.

This post has been edited by shc-boomer: 08 December 2009 - 08:53 PM

[CrashGordon]

I've heard both good and bad about the Buffalo's (same as any other brand), but never had one or knew anyone that did.

The Nfiniti Wireless-N WZR-HP-G300NH got a pretty good review. It currently ranks second on the [Open Air] 2.4 GHz Downlink Maximum Throughput - 40 MHz B/W chart over at SmallNetBuilder.

This post has been edited by CrashGordon: 08 December 2009 - 09:31 PM

[Mindovermaster]

Do I hear a review? lol

[gummyz]

My experiences with routers:
D-Link: A friend has one here and she complained that it would drop her connection almost everyday and required a reboot. She gave up on it, but I was never a huge fan of D-Link anyways, they are okay at best
Linksys: 4-port wired router, bulletproof as CrashGordon pointed out. I don't think I've rebooted mine in years, although I haven't changed my config on it in years. Low end Wireless G Linksys has caused me headaches so I gave it away (needed a reboot almost once a week)
Netgear: Never needed to reboot this puppy at all. It's also the low end Wireless G version. Interface is as good as Linksys and easy to go through.
Buffalo: I believe that this router is good due to DD-WRT firmware you can put on it. I've just seen people mention this but I have no experience with this. I've also see Engenius routers which are dirt cheap here for Wireless N and it is also DD-WRT firmware compatible.

Thanks for this thread CrashGordon. I think I'm adding this to my shopping list =) I'd like to see more about the USB storage option, but I'll wait patiently and hope you have a chance to try this. I've always been a big fan of Netgear.

[CrashGordon]

I'll probably have time this weekend to play with it. From what I've read it doesn't support NTFS (yet), but does support Fat32 and Ext3/4 (can't remember for sure I'll have to try and find where I read that) so I'll have to load up my Mandriva VM and format one of my USB sticks.

I won't be able to test the 5GHz band, mainly due to the lack of dual band PCI cards. So that'll have to wait for a bit. I'm going to be using a Edimax EW-7728IN PCI 2.4GHz card.


I've only had it for about two days now, but no issues yet. It runs cool also, barely warm to the touch.

EDIT: The new FW does support NTFS now.

This post has been edited by CrashGordon: 09 December 2009 - 10:03 AM