DSL Questions!

[gunug]

I have spent the better part of 8 hours talking to various levels of tech support within AT&T.  There was absolutely nothing wrong with any of these techs but only the final one (a Tier I tech from Las Vegas) had the real handle on my situation with my modem and gave me good clues as to how to get my Linksys WRT54G router into the mix.  The best solution came from him this morning when he hooked me up to a nice lady in the home office who is going to ship me a 2 Wire DSL modem and wired and wireless router (2wire 2701HG-B Wireless Router) which should solve "all of my problems."  The word "free" was mentioned but that might mean "free as in beer," or something else entirely.  I'll post when it gets here and I install it!  

http://www0.epinions.com/review/2Wire_Wire...nt_426742156932

My questions:

1) Has anyone used one of these things?  
2) Will it reach 25 feet and one story up?  
3) Can it compete with the wireless link that Lawrence Freenet put on the light pole outside my windows?

I don't expect an answer to #3 and probably not number #2.  They are doing wonderful things with "fractal" antenna systems in devices like this 2-Wire.  Anyway I can always hang it on my younger son's head and have him rotate to match the signal strength. Just wanted to know if someone was actually paying attention.

Somewhere in the "review" it says something serious about only Windows being invited to the pool party but I'm used to working with Windows software only and getting MAC's to work "just fine."  Let you all know how this excitement builds.  

Mr. Tier I just called me back to arrange a phone call and hook up session on Thursday when this new device is supposed to be here.  He's going to end up on my Christmas card list!

[Xairbusdriver]

1: Not me

2: Surely. Put it as high on the wall and as near to the center of the areas using its signal? These things have a maximum output wattage, near .5W(?) and I would think they are set for that by default.

3: Just read an article in the August Macworld entitled Wi-Fi Troubleshooting. It discusses the info available via the Airport Utility's Manual Setup->Advanced tab section. Signal to noise values for every channel, etc. Unfortunately, I doubt if that utility will 'talk' to your router. OTOH, it should have a web-based, browser interface that can hopefully give you similar info.

More importantly, a donation-ware app <iStumbler> was suggested for even more info. It not only knows what your router is doing/hearing, but it can detect and evaluate other signals and their channels. That should allow you to select a non-conflicting channel (and band), assuming the city has no plan to do that kind of adjusting for 'special people' like you!

"Good luck, Will Robinson!"

edit: Lawrence's "plane" has flown...

[gunug]

QUOTE

That should allow you to select a non-conflicting channel (and band), assuming the city has no plane to do that kind of adjusting for 'special people' like you!

Apparently one real advantage of this router is that you can adjust which channels are being broadcast just like the Powerbook card and the wireless card I have in my Powermac can be adjusted (this latter card is an "N" card so maybe it's adjustments won't be relevant in terms of a "G" router).  Thanks XABD for making allowances for my special conflicted status!    

I am thinking about looking into lining the wall of my bedroom with aluminum foil, where it is adjacent to the Lawrence Freenet router outside my window.  If the special paint that they have will block wifi signals I would think that aluminum foil would be better than "duct tape" at least.

[sew]

I've been using the 2wire 2701HG-B for years now. It works well with my iMac (wired) and my wife's and son's pc notebooks (wire less).

[krissel]

My folks 2-wire router is terrific (2WIRE 2701HG-S).  The signal can be received in every room of the house. Recently I was stuck in my car during a rainstorm in the driveway at the opposite end of where the router is located. I was able to surf on my iPod while waiting for the deluge to end.  

My Mom's iPad gets really great connections with it while my old D-Link at my house can't keep a connection for more than a few seconds. The pages really pop on her iPad with nary a wait. Recently added a WiFi Canon printer to the mix and it works just fine with the router.

http://www.2wire.com/index.php?p=106

[gunug]

Thanks Krissel - I didn't even think about the possibility of the thing having a USB port on it!  A brief glance through some specifications made it seem like a lot of that type of routers do have a USB port!  I've already got a bulky device that can take a network connection and turn it into the old parallel port I've got on my HP Laserjet printer!  This will let me hook up my HP All-In-One inkjet that only has a USB port on it!

After spend a accelerated course in problem shootin on the Linksys WRT54G I think that I'm in a little better shape to deal with a badly set up rounter.  I tried a three party software package but it was a little more difficult to use.  I'm looking forward to getting this 2Wire device on tomorrow evening.

[gunug]

Because they weren't specific about exactly what model modem/router they were shipping I'm left a little bit disappointed to been given a 2Wire 2701G-B.  It doesn't have a USB port but it worked right out of the box and only failed to work later when I was setting it up with the help of the Tier I technician.  This was a failure of the mechanism I'm sure because the technician was first rate!  This is what I got:

Infomation about a 2 Wire 2701HG-B Router

It works fine with all of my computers, although not automatically with the MAC's!  I guess I'll have to learn not to look too closely into the mouths of gift horses!  As I said the technician was on the phone, calling me back several times to check on details and provide more support.  So I'm moderately happy; kind of like Mona Lisa!