I contacted Verizon FiOS Internet and spoke with both their customer service and technical support departments. No one knows anything about a newer modem and router that features Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11 B/G/N Wi-Fi capabilities. As for my existing one, I have had no problems with it over the past several weeks, but it has occasionally dropped Wi-Fi signals for the desktop PC downstairs, my ASUS N61JV-X2 laptop, and my Toshiba NB205-N310/BN-G netbook. I am considering to replace it with a new one next week and it will not cost me anything to do so because I paid for it already.
The real problem with the existing Actiontech modem and router is that it can not penetrate the walls and the partition from the upper floor to the first floor of my home. As a CompTIA A+ and Network+ certified technician, I have equipment to test both wired and wireless devices. I am getting inconsistent data transfer speeds ranging between 11 MB/s and 23 MB/s when I switch to 802.11 B/G mixed mode and a range of about 37 - 42 feet from the precise location of the modem and router that emanates throughout my home. When I switch to 802.11 B mode, I get about 7 - 10 MB/s transfer speed, but my range is extended to up to 63 feet. When I switch to 802.11 G mode only, I get between 11 MB/s to 25 MB/s and a range of up to 31 feet. This is a single band modem and router with 85 mW of power output through the single antenna.
I want to cover more area on the first floor. I bought an inexpensive no name brand router with 802.11 B/G Wi-Fi which has 4 Ethernet Category 5e cables connected to 4 desktop PCs. One of them has a 802.11 B/G PCI Wi-Fi card, but it is getting an inconsistent signal lock.
My thinking is such that I should replace my existing Actiontech modem and router with a new one and see if it makes any difference at all through further tests. Then, I could purchase the Buffalo Technology router and hub later on. I would disable the firewall, networking, and Wi-Fi capabilities on the new Actiontech router and connect a patch cable to connect both devices together thereby configuring a network bridge on the Buffalo Technology router and hub. Then, I could configure the DD-WRT to establish the MAC and IP addresses of my trusted PCs within my trusted SSID and create a guest SSID for all other users. At least, that is the standard way that other Verizon FiOS customers have done it in their home network topologies based upon my ongoing research.
The problem with all of this is that I may not need the Buffalo Technology router and hub if I later discover that the replacement Actiontech modem and router works without dropping wireless connections randomly over the course of the next several weeks and months of usage. So, I will have to constantly test and record the network log and analyze it which requires more work on my part to monitor. I am already quite busy with my two courses and part-time job at NJIT along with doing my homework too.
This would be a hassle, but it is the best practice to see if I truly need to buy the Buffalo Technology router or not.
