WRT54gx4 owners...new firmware

[YeOldeStonecat]

Just an FYI for owners of this recent MIMO router, a new firmware was recently released, some of the main fixes are with XBox compatibility, VoIP issues, and web interface compatibility with some browsers.

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Download_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1115417109974&packedargs=sku%3D1130279435381&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

[bettysue]

What are the advantages of this Linksys over the regular G and G with speedbooster? The regular wireless G model was slower than my Linksys b standard, we had also tried to set up a friends internet connection with the speed booster model and ended up having to return it for another brand.

Is this one noticably faster and maintain reliable speeds? Does it need the matching network card to reach optimum speeds, or just if you need a wireless card?

thank you,

Betty

[YeOldeStonecat]

The new Pre-N/MIMO routers have a huge increase in range over prior G and B technologies...you'll notice MIMO routers usually have 2 ..and more commonly 3..antenna. They take a "shotgun" effect...to getting that signal broadcast. MIMO = Multiple Input Multiple Output. It really cuts back in the cases where people will say "My wireless...can't reach into this room, or my signal gets weak if I walk down the hall, or what do I need to get my wireless signal upstairs, ..."

If you have matching MIMO NICs...you will benefit from the increase in speed as well as the distance....the current 3rd generation of Airgos True MIMO chipsets are testing out at actually getting 100 - 110 megs of transfer.

Routers based on the Airgo True-MIMO chipset constantly dominate the comparison articles of current routers...and are more compatible than those prior technologies such as "speedboosters" or "Turbo" mode routers.

This particular model router also has a very fast throughput speed...this one could handle 80 megs of throughput on the WAN connection.

[bettysue]

By matching Mimo NICs, are you referring to the network cards? Should all computers that use this router have the cards, even the one with the gigabit controller?

betty

<Added>
I am doing some quick research on the Linksys model in this thread. In the review I am currently reading ( http://usatoday.jiwire.com/linksys-srx400-wireless-router-WRT54GX4-product-review-1.htm ) , it states that when the new 802.11n standard comes out that this router may not be compliant and therefore won''t be capable of the 802.11 speeds. It then says that the 802.11g routers will be compliant with the 802.11n standard.

Is this anything that needs to be considered in a router purchase?
</Added>

[mnosteele52]

By matching Mimo NICs, are you referring to the network cards? Should all computers that use this router have the cards, even the one with the gigabit controller?

betty

<Added>
I am doing some quick research on the Linksys model in this thread. In the review I am currently reading ( http://usatoday.jiwire.com/linksys-srx400-wireless-router-WRT54GX4-product-review-1.htm ) , it states that when the new 802.11n standard comes out that this router may not be compliant and therefore won''t be capable of the 802.11 speeds. It then says that the 802.11g routers will be compliant with the 802.11n standard.

Is this anything that needs to be considered in a router purchase?
</Added>

He is referring to wireless cards, if you have a MIMO router then it's best to have a MIMO wireless card as well for the best performance.

:)

[YeOldeStonecat]

it states that when the new 802.11n standard comes out that this router may not be compliant and therefore won''t be capable of the 802.11 speeds. It then says that the 802.11g routers will be compliant with the 802.11n standard.

Is this anything that needs to be considered in a router purchase?
</Added>

True...existing Pre-N/MIMO routers (hence the "pre" in the "Pre-N") will not be the same exact chipset as the real "N" when it's officially ratified. And most of them will most not likely be able to be flashed to the real official "N" either. (Maybe the latest ones...if the official N standards are based off of a similar chipset by the time it's actually ratified).

But that shouldn't be the issue..current ones will perform just as they do now..it's not like they are going drop support for them soon as "N" comes out...they're sure to continue support for a while.

Plus..look at how often people upgrade wireless gear...every couple of years. By the time official "N" gear hits the store shelves...they release a few firmwares to iron out the early bugs...it'll be a while from now.