Home Network config

[JamiePryer]

Hi All,
Need some help, so sorry for the dumb questions!
I'm a IT guy, but rubbish with networking and need some help/advise about setting up my home network.

I hope the pic helps to illustrate my current setup, which I need some advise on please.

Basically, I find that the DG834GT is rubbish - since the latest update v1.04.13, loads of devices (both wirless and hard) dont connect any more, which seems to be a common problem: Sky Help Forum - Sky supplied netgear dg834gt wireless router error... - Help & Support from the Official Sky Forum

Ontop of that, the wirless signal in my flat is terrible, mainly because the walls are so thick! So in my room, i only get 2 bars of signal on the iphone/ipad

Questions:
1) Can anyone recommend a better router to upgrade too? Ive been looking at others, but i think i need to get a modem or something too? High Performance Wireless Routers From NETGEAR®

2) Should I backport the router softwarre to the one found on the netgear site? v1.03.23

3) Maybe if i got a switch in the bedroom that was also wirless, this might help boost signal in there? If so, recommendations of a good switch

4) i need a better/bigger switch in the living room, as current only allows 5 connections, but now need 7+, recommendations?

[Isitme]

I think the Billion 7800n is the highest recommended router on the forum. It is capable of connecting using Sky's MER which none of the Netgears can do and it does not look like they ever will. It can also be used with Sky Fibre if you ever upgrade. As for a switch, this one gets very good reviews and is cheap - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003V4A5Z...SIN=B003V4A5ZC

In the meantime if you are considering flashing the GT I would advise using DGTeam firmware rather than the standard Netgear. It is far better than the Netgear standard and streets ahead of the Sky versions, http://www.siteguru.co.uk/be/netgear/

[JamiePryer]

I think the Billion 7800n is the highest recommended router on the forum. It is capable of connecting using Sky's MER which none of the Netgears can do and it does not look like they ever will. It can also be used with Sky Fibre if you ever upgrade. As for a switch, this one gets very good reviews and is cheap - TP-LINK 8-port Gigabit Unmanaged Desktop Switch (TL-SG1008D), Plastic Case: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

In the meantime if you are considering flashing the GT I would advise using DGTeam firmware rather than the standard Netgear. It is far better than the Netgear standard and streets ahead of the Sky versions, http://www.siteguru.co.uk/be/netgear/

thanks for the quick reply and info!

i tried to install this: but got the error: DG834GT_V1.03.23_DGTeam_1012_eng_adsldrv023o.img
also for:
DG834GT_V1.03.22_DGTeam_1018_eng_adsldrv022c
DG834GT_V1.03.22_DGTeam_1018_eng_adsldrv022o
DG834GT_V1.03.22_DGTeam_1018_eng_adsldrv022

Upgrade file is not the correct type or version for this device.Upgrade failed.
Please obtain the correct file and try again.

steps:
1) log into netear router
2) click "router upgrade"
3) select file

[Isitme]

Upgrading from Sky firmware requires the use of the Recovery Utility. You will find instructions here -
http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/extra...-password.html

With further advice here, should you require it.
http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/askin...gt-router.html

The Recovery utility was written for 2000/XP and can be difficult to work with Vista/7. With these you must run in XP compatibility mode and run the EXEs as Administrator. Some find that having 2 or more network adapters helps. The MS Loopback driver does the job.

Make sure you are using the firmware for the ADSL driver installed on your router, the 'adsldrv022c' bit. You will see it on the Status page of the router.

[JamiePryer]

thanks! sounds like to much hard work and things to go wrong!
an upgrade sounds like the best choice - is the "Billion 7800n" the best choice then?

[Isitme]

Its fairly easy to do really, but unless you have a second router ready to replace it, it not worth taking the chance.

The Billions are the most recommended routers on the forum, but bear in mind that if your line switches to MER or you transfer to Sky Fibre, you will have to upgrade the firmware. This is very straight forward compared to the Sky Netgear.

[timc]

thanks! sounds like to much hard work and things to go wrong!
an upgrade sounds like the best choice - is the "Billion 7800n" the best choice then?

I've been running the Billion for over 9 months now & it's proved 100% reliable.

I've run it under PPPoA & MER without issue.

The support from Billion I think is very good and they are very responsive to any issues and are continually upgrading the firmware as in the case of Skys' MER connectivity and fibre.

Also the gigabit ethernet ports are very handy, meant I could disconnect my gigabit switch.

[JamiePryer]

I've been running the Billion for over 9 months now & it's proved 100% reliable.

I've run it under PPPoA & MER without issue.

The support from Billion I think is very good and they are very responsive to any issues and are continually upgrading the firmware as in the case of Skys' MER connectivity and fibre.

Also the gigabit ethernet ports are very handy, meant I could disconnect my gigabit switch.

thanks
ive complained to sky and they have issued me their latest router
will give that a go first and go from there

- - - Updated - - -

I've been running the Billion for over 9 months now & it's proved 100% reliable.

I've run it under PPPoA & MER without issue.

The support from Billion I think is very good and they are very responsive to any issues and are continually upgrading the firmware as in the case of Skys' MER connectivity and fibre.

Also the gigabit ethernet ports are very handy, meant I could disconnect my gigabit switch.

thanks
ive complained to sky and they have issued me their latest router
will give that a go first and go from there