[gui-talk] A router question:

[Steve Jacobson]

Albert,

I would not go out and buy a new router to get more speed.  I am sure that new ones probably have faster processors in them, but it seems that the speed of the 
networks is generally the limiting factor.  There might be other reasons to consider a new router, though.  New routers have built-in hardware firewalls now which can 
make your network a little safer.  Also, some DSL modems come with routers built into them that include wireless access points.  Some of these newer DSL modems 
do have additional capabilities that allow one to take advantage of faster DSL speeds.  However, this doesn't just happen by changing the modem.  You have to 
have a line that can handle the faster speeds and often your DSL provider will have to do something as well.  Still, you might call your DSL provider to see if there 
are any faster speeds available.  For example, a couple of years ago, my DSL provider changed the download speed from 640kbps to 1.5mbps with no change in 
monthly charges.  Some people had to get a new modem, though, although mine was new enough to handle it.  It also involved a change in equipment at their end 
so I was back to dialup for a day or two.  There is now a faster DSL that my provider has, but I am too far from the switching point to get it at this point.  Again, 
checking with your provider might be a good idea if nothing has changed for seven years.

Newer network cards support 10/100 MBPS networks.  If you have more than one computer connected and if they have cards that support 10/100, making sure 
your router supports that makes sense, too.  This wouldn't affect internet speed, but if you share data between computers or you share a printer, this would get 
faster.  

You could also look at any wireless connections you have.  There are several varieties of wireless, 802.11B, 802.11G, and there is a new one.  If all of your devices 
can use 802.11G, you can increase your speed by having your wireless access point only handle 802.11G.  Handling both is sometimes called mixed mode.

I hope something here helps.

On Fri, 16 May 2008 00:59:18 -0400, albert griffith wrote:

>Seven years ago I received a 2Wire router from SBC. Yahoo when I installed
>my first DSL connection.  My download speeds are as fast as advertised but
>I'm wondering if I'd get better performance with a newer router.  It seems
>they must have improved some in this amount of time but I could be wrong.
>Any thoughts will be appreciated.  also, if you think a newer router would
>make a difference, please tell me which you think would be most accessible.
>I know their software is different.  thanks
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