RobertB
That particular version has a built-in DSL modem. It won't work with a cable connection.
I don't think you want that. Since your service provider is Comcast, and you have the WNR2000, I am guessing you already have a cable modem.
The router only version is the WNDR4000(N750):
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=Netgear+Wndr4000&adid=22222222220206392820&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=s&wl2=c&wl3=26675312667&wl4=&veh=sem
I have installed 80-100 of these in the past few months, and they seem to be pretty robust units.
How many wireless devices do you have connected?
Most routers that I have seen will support a limited number of wireless devices, usually 6. If you have more than that, they will take turns bumping each other out.
The router will dismiss inactive devices to make room, and you may see what slartabartfast mentioned.
The WNR2000 is really a pretty basic unit, and the WNDR4000 will definitely outperform it.
As for extenders, think of them as a relay station to extend the range. A repeater, if you will.
If your wireless device is in range of both the base and the extender, it can actually cause more problems than it solves. I have had to remove several of these from home networks because they were not appropriate for the scenario.
 

Yeah, I don't need that then. Why do they make this so hard. They should put the simple questions in big writing on the page or box...
We have teo laptops, two iPhones, and iPad, and soon will add these same phones through some device provided by AT&T. When my daughter visits we will have another laptop. When my other daughter is here with the grandkids we add an iPhone or two, and possibly an iPad mini and an iPod touch. So 6 ain't enough. I forgot to mention I am also adding a wireless adapter to my A/V receiver and getting a BluRay player. Both will, I assume, use DLNA.
 
Maybe I will try the router Bubba has but I am more than open to input and ideas because I do NOT want to spend over 150 bucks and still have the problem. I can move the base phone upstairs and connect wired to the net work then move one of the satellite bases down to where it usually is.
 
Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. I just don't know what my options are.. and I want the best one I can afford. I'd like to stay under 250 bucks and I am pretty sure I can but I am not sure. You would think with people using mre and more wireless devices these days that the marketplace would respond. I'm sure there are families of six with six laptops, six iPhones, and some number of iPads, and possibly other stuff.
 
I had heard elsewhere that an extender could cause other problems, also that extended range usually means slower speeds.
 
Julien

UbiquitousBubba
Here I am, Bapu!
 
In Bubba's cave, there are (at any one time) five or six laptops/PCs, a printer, five smart phones, a couple of tablets, and a pair of blu-ray players all vying for network access.  I put in a Netgear R6300 http://www.netgear.com/R6300#.  Since then, I have very rarely had any drops.
 
No dropped devices means less yelling at Bubba.  Less yelling, means Bubba can go back to his nap.  More nap time means a less cranky Bubba.  A less cranky Bubba means less yelling at Bubba.  Less yelling, means Bubba can go back to his nap.
 
It's like the Circle of Life, but with Bubbas. 

 Thanks Bubba, I will take a look at that unit and others in its price range/feature set. I definately need to run more than 6 devices regularly. I wonder what they use at a place like a hotel or coffee shop where LOTS of devices may be in use at any time. I'm sure that they don't spend more than they have to. Maybe I should just go back to being a happy caveman.
 
FWIW, the Kindle was losing WIFI and not logging back in even when it saw the network and I re-entered the password. That was when we just had two laptops and the Kindle hitting the router. It is upstairs, according to Comcast, because that is where the hottest cable connection is. It is also where the (wired) printer and the desktop we almost never use anymore lives. I could have it moved downstairs and have Comcast move that cable outlet so that it hits somewhere down here. Eventually I am going to finish converting that room into a studio. I'll probably still record here and there but will use it for mixing and have my DAW there which will rarely connected. I suppose there is an some option for having the modem/router downstairs and a way to plug in the DAW upstairs. Maybe another router or another modem?
J

jbow
I wonder what they use at a place like a hotel or coffee shop where LOTS of devices may be in use at any time. I'm sure that they don't spend more than they have to.

Ooo...  Good idea!  I think I might ask a couple of the ever-so-popular coffee places around here.  I know I'll be running into this barrier (which I had never heard of before now).  By myself, I've got three PC's, a tablet and a phone (so far).  Add a couple of tenants and *boom* I'm over the limit.
 
@Bob - Due to some issues we had, we now have a new Dory cable modem and wireless network in one from Comcast.  However, unless I move it upstairs or, at least, more into the middle of this 3,300 sq. ft. house, the guy in the farthest bedroom doesn't get that much signal.  Should I consider getting my own cable modem and wireless network again?  Any recommendations?  TIA!

I recommend getting a coffee shop.  In addition to the obvious benefit of having good wifi coverage, there's coffee.  Another side benefit is the fact that your coffee can become a profit center.  One downside, of course, is the requirement that you play background music you'd rather forget or ignore.  Another danger is the possibility that you may become trendy by association.
 
On second thought, it may not be worth the risk.

RobertB
That particular version has a built-in DSL modem. It won't work with a cable connection.
I don't think you want that. Since your service provider is Comcast, and you have the WNR2000, I am guessing you already have a cable modem.
The router only version is the WNDR4000(N750):
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=Netgear+Wndr4000&adid=22222222220206392820&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=s&wl2=c&wl3=26675312667&wl4=&veh=sem
I have installed 80-100 of these in the past few months, and they seem to be pretty robust units.
How many wireless devices do you have connected?
Most routers that I have seen will support a limited number of wireless devices, usually 6. If you have more than that, they will take turns bumping each other out.
The router will dismiss inactive devices to make room, and you may see what slartabartfast mentioned.
The WNR2000 is really a pretty basic unit, and the WNDR4000 will definitely outperform it.
As for extenders, think of them as a relay station to extend the range. A repeater, if you will.
If your wireless device is in range of both the base and the extender, it can actually cause more problems than it solves. I have had to remove several of these from home networks because they were not appropriate for the scenario.
 

Er... um... Bob... your job is not done yet. You see I am smarter than some rocks, however there are crystals... but that is another story.
I don't want my router to just be better. I want it  to excell with three laptops, 4 iPhones, three or four iPad/Pods, and DNLA for the A/V. I am thinking I am going to need to move it downstairs. Can I have one modem and two routers? I notice that some routers cost multiple thousands of dollars, I am not talking about those. Under 300 bucks is good, under 200 is better but more or less is OK... I just want it to work... OH and remember we are switching the phones to AT&T wireless too, we just have to go pick up some sort of NSA device at the AT&T store.
 
Really, I appreciate your help and anyones help. I need to go check on my printer. I think I hear it spitting out page after page with not much on it. Sometimes it gets crazy and starts to print a short line of symbols at the top on sheet after sheet of paper. I think it happens when too many people from the NSA and FBI are trying to connect to my network...
 
Julien
 
 

DOH!!

jbow
DOH!!

I've been doing some research today because this question has piqued my interest.
Among other things, it appears that the 6 device limit is somewhat of a myth perpetrated from dealing with an older generation of routers.
Most current routers should have a theoretical limit of 255 devices, based on what I have found. Of course, actually connecting that many devices would slow the system down severely.
The more devices you have connected, the more chance there is of interference between the devices, so drop-offs may not indicate the router is overloaded.
In particular, if you have an older G device, it can force the router into G mode, and will slow everything else down and may cause a dropout when switching modes.
The dual band routers allow you to distribute your devices better.
I do believe the N750 would do what you need.
Netgear also has the R6100/R6200 models that support 802.11ac. It's a newer protocol, and is very fast.
I tend to favor Netgear. We use Netgear and Cisco routers, and the Ciscos are consistently slower on throughput, as well as having a relatively high failure rate.
One thing that seems odd is that your i-devices don't retain the password.
I'm not sure what's up with that.
As for the cable connection, now we are in my realm.
My day to day job is cleaning up cable signal.
You can relocate the modem to another room if:
The cable in your home is proper size(RG6). Many homes are wired with RG59 because the builders thought they could save a few bucks. RG59 is crap.
The connectors are good. Crimp connectors introduce a ton of noise. Even though you may have good levels, if there is enough noise, your cable internet connection will be compromised.
Reconfiguring splitters to get the proper level to any outlet in the house is easy.
Ideally, the line serving your modem should be a dedicated line directly from the primary splitter.
High demand devices, such as game consoles, or video streaming (think Netflix)are best with a physical connection.
A high, central location is best for wireless.
Sometimes you have to compromise. Bear in mind that interior walls on the first floor of an existing two story house are virtually impossible to access.
You'll probably want a tech to make sure the relocation is successful.
With luck, you'll get a good one.
If he asks questions about what you want, checks behind the wall plate, and uses a meter, you are probably in good hands.

RobertB
I've been doing some research today because this question has piqued my interest.
Among other things, it appears that the 6 device limit is somewhat of a myth perpetrated from dealing with an older generation of routers.
Most current routers should have a theoretical limit of 255 devices, based on what I have found. Of course, actually connecting that many devices would slow the system down severely.
The more devices you have connected, the more chance there is of interference between the devices, so drop-offs may not indicate the router is overloaded.
In particular, if you have an older G device, it can force the router into G mode, and will slow everything else down and may cause a dropout when switching modes.
The dual band routers allow you to distribute your devices better.
I do believe the N750 would do what you need.
Netgear also has the R6100/R6200 models that support 802.11ac. It's a newer protocol, and is very fast.
I tend to favor Netgear. We use Netgear and Cisco routers, and the Ciscos are consistently slower on throughput, as well as having a relatively high failure rate.
One thing that seems odd is that your i-devices don't retain the password.
I'm not sure what's up with that.
As for the cable connection, now we are in my realm.
My day to day job is cleaning up cable signal.
You can relocate the modem to another room if:
The cable in your home is proper size(RG6). Many homes are wired with RG59 because the builders thought they could save a few bucks. RG59 is crap.
The connectors are good. Crimp connectors introduce a ton of noise. Even though you may have good levels, if there is enough noise, your cable internet connection will be compromised.
Reconfiguring splitters to get the proper level to any outlet in the house is easy.
Ideally, the line serving your modem should be a dedicated line directly from the primary splitter.
High demand devices, such as game consoles, or video streaming (think Netflix)are best with a physical connection.
A high, central location is best for wireless.
Sometimes you have to compromise. Bear in mind that interior walls on the first floor of an existing two story house are virtually impossible to access.
You'll probably want a tech to make sure the relocation is successful.
With luck, you'll get a good one.
If he asks questions about what you want, checks behind the wall plate, and uses a meter, you are probably in good hands.

Thanks! I'll get a good Netgear, either a 750 or a 900 and get help from Comcast. You have been very helpful and I really appreciate it.
If that fails, I will get a Coffee House...
 
Julien

RobertB
I've been doing some research today because this question has piqued my interest.
Among other things, it appears that the 6 device limit is somewhat of a myth perpetrated from dealing with an older generation of routers.
Most current routers should have a theoretical limit of 255 devices, based on what I have found. Of course, actually connecting that many devices would slow the system down severely.
The more devices you have connected, the more chance there is of interference between the devices, so drop-offs may not indicate the router is overloaded.
In particular, if you have an older G device, it can force the router into G mode, and will slow everything else down and may cause a dropout when switching modes.
The dual band routers allow you to distribute your devices better.
I do believe the N750 would do what you need.
Netgear also has the R6100/R6200 models that support 802.11ac. It's a newer protocol, and is very fast.
I tend to favor Netgear. We use Netgear and Cisco routers, and the Ciscos are consistently slower on throughput, as well as having a relatively high failure rate.
One thing that seems odd is that your i-devices don't retain the password.
I'm not sure what's up with that.
As for the cable connection, now we are in my realm.
My day to day job is cleaning up cable signal.
You can relocate the modem to another room if:
The cable in your home is proper size(RG6). Many homes are wired with RG59 because the builders thought they could save a few bucks. RG59 is crap.
The connectors are good. Crimp connectors introduce a ton of noise. Even though you may have good levels, if there is enough noise, your cable internet connection will be compromised.
Reconfiguring splitters to get the proper level to any outlet in the house is easy.
Ideally, the line serving your modem should be a dedicated line directly from the primary splitter.
High demand devices, such as game consoles, or video streaming (think Netflix)are best with a physical connection.
A high, central location is best for wireless.
Sometimes you have to compromise. Bear in mind that interior walls on the first floor of an existing two story house are virtually impossible to access.
You'll probably want a tech to make sure the relocation is successful.
With luck, you'll get a good one.
If he asks questions about what you want, checks behind the wall plate, and uses a meter, you are probably in good hands.

One more question... for now. I think I have it narrowed down to either a Netgear N900 or N6300. I am leaning toward the N6300 and possibly setting up a bridge with two 6300s (I have been reading too). I hope you will tell me if I am missing something obvious. If one or both have a built in modem and I can just disconnect my current modem and use the Netgear and it will work, then OK. I am just tired of things not working and am ready to do whatever I need to do to stream video and music, run 3 or 4 laptops, 4 smartphones, an ipod touch, and maybe three iPads.. and a BluRay, Onkyo A/V receiver, and who knows what else. The 6300 says it will run up to 12 devices and bridged several, like thr BluRay, TV, and A/V will be hardwired... and I assume I will have mo betta wireless by having two routers bridged... but I know not this.
Of course I will try one first and if everything works well then I will stay with one.
 
Is my thinking flawed?? I appreciate the help and you are very helpful!
 
Julien