Re: Netgear WGR614

On 12/26/07, rob@xxxxxxxxx <rob@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Netgear WGR614.

Consumer hardware, so don't expect reliable operation. The device
seems rather old, it doesn't support WPA2, but it supports WPA1, which
is "good enough" for a home system. Make sure to never use WEP - it's
been proven insecure - luckily, even all consumer hardware being sold
today and in the past few years now supports at least WPA1 (with the
sole exception being the Nintendo DS).

It also an 802.11g device. That's enough for internet surfing, but it
might make sense to buy an 802.11n device now if you plan to expand
your wireless network in the next few months.

Both laptops have wireless. Desktop I plan on wiring into the back of the
Netgear. Very close proximity to where current hardware is.
House is old (by Midwestern American standards) farmhouse located with no
neighbor within a half a dozen bow shots. Two story with walk in attic
(that my wife wants to finish off into 3rd floor). Router will be on
first floor.

I've built quite a few wireless networks, but none of them in american
homes, as such i have no idea what your house is built from.

My experience in Switzerland is as follows: for older buildings that
aren't too big: one AP per floor might be sufficient, if not much
performance is required. For modern buildungs, built using reinforced
concrete or similar materials, one AP per room is required.

I know a few people that live in very old buildings, built entirely
from wood. In such cases, a single AP might be able to cover multiple
floors with a stable and performant signal.

I will be using VPN into work.

According to
http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/GWirelessRouters/WGR614.aspx?detail=Specifications
The device supports several forms of VPN Passthrough. Check with your
networking folks what VPN technology you're using exactly. Most modern
VPN solutions support a NAT traversal mechanism, with the exclusion of
PPTP.