Networking

[ebscreen]

Give me the lowdown folks. We're currently at four computers and three printers and a Filemaker database
being shared over a low-endish router. We'll be adding two more computers on the shop floor and I'm wondering a few things:

1.) Okay to use wireless or access points for the shop computers? Otherwise it's a long draw of ethernet from the router...

2.) What router to get? I've gone through a ton of them in the past, Linksys that always ended up being garbage, etc.
Can't remember the name of the current one, but it's older than the Linksys's I binned, and never goes down.

3.) Any Windows 8 users out there? I can get the system builders for pretty cheap, but I'm wondering if it will
play nice with my 7 and XP computers and printers and scanners. I honestly wish I could just stick with XP forever. Or even 2000 pro.

Thanks in advance!

[sweetts]

Netgear love it worsted case add repeater for wifi but mine is fast reliable and no issues 4 LAN rj45's and wifi with great coverage. It's in my basement and we get coverage up the street!

[ScreenFoo]

I'd recommend Buffalo--I have an old G54 of theirs with DD-WRT on it, talk about a tank.  The HP suffix stands for high power, won't help receive, but if you're in a noisy area it may help.

Personally, I'd keep anything business wired--but as long as you stay away from unsecured (and WEP, for that matter,) you shouldn't have any problems.

I'm with you on 8--not a huge fan of 7 or Vista.

[mk162]

I love 7, it made a huge difference on out systems here...at least the newer ones.

[Zelko-4-EVA]

i have two wireless routers at home, the Linksys WRT54GL - never had a problem with it,  and an ASUS WL-520gU - never had a problem with it either.

both routers have DDWRT, hidden SSID and WPA2 encryption. 

and as ScreenFoo mentioned, i wouldnt use wireless for business unless the SSID was hidden and the encryption was WPA2. 

[ebscreen]

That was my inclination on the wireless. Hell, I don't even like my wireless mouse!

I'll look at the Buffalo, I heard good things elsewhere as well.