network router

[HondaB18]

my network router doesn't seem strong enough to support our wifi devices. our house has 4 tablets, 6 laptops, 4 phones (sometimes we'll connect and sometimes we'll use our phone data). one day i took all the tablets and laptops in one room and disconnected all the wifi devices except for one. i got full reception for that one, until the fourth device that was connected did the reception start to go down.

what is a good router that has high power to support multiple devices? i want overkill but has to be something i can get easily. we have wireless n at the moment but wouldn't mind switching to ac

[Ralphie]

I have a newer Netgear wndr3700.

A buddy gave it to me...

I have two tablets, two laptops, a desktop, and two phones....

also a smart tv, ps3 and wii...

No problems over here as far as strength and connectivity.

[ChIoVnIdCa]

I have a newer Netgear wndr3700.

A buddy gave it to me...

I have two tablets, two laptops, a desktop, and two phones....

also a smart tv, ps3 and wii...

No problems over here as far as strength and connectivity.

I have the same one.. Right now I am using my mobile hotspot instead of my internet because I get ip/ name conflicts..

Not sure what I need to do to fix it

[GeoffM]

I have the same one.. Right now I am using my mobile hotspot instead of my internet because I get ip/ name conflicts..

Not sure what I need to do to fix it

Change the range your DHCP server serves in. Ie, The hotspot have a range from 192.168.1.10 - 192.168.1.50. Change the router to serve in 192.168.1.60 - 192.168.1.100.
Also check for IP address conflicts. That sounds more like what you have happening. The best way to solve this is only use one DHCP server. Make sure the router isn't conflicting either. I've had that happen a few times with netgear.

DHCP = What assigns your IP addresses.

[Raf99]

my network router doesn't seem strong enough to support our wifi devices. our house has 4 tablets, 6 laptops, 4 phones (sometimes we'll connect and sometimes we'll use our phone data). one day i took all the tablets and laptops in one room and disconnected all the wifi devices except for one. i got full reception for that one, until the fourth device that was connected did the reception start to go down.

what is a good router that has high power to support multiple devices? i want overkill but has to be something i can get easily. we have wireless n at the moment but wouldn't mind switching to ac

There are no wireless routers that put out "more power" for more devices. They all have a output power rating for wireless and device connection is almost limitless. Bandwidth plays a role in when connecting multiple devices to a wifi router. Your signal strength shouldn't drop simply because you have too many wireless devices as they are all on the same channel (frequency). Think of a university/hospital/school environment where you have hundreds connecting to a WAP.

There are routers that have more antennas than others which will give you a better signal for distance and throughput, but again the number of devices that connect to it does not affect the signal quality for each wireless device.

There are options for a wifi router setup like 20Mhz or 40Mhz. 40Mhz will just increase throughput(that is, if your card supports it). With 40Mhz, there is more room for transmission (instead of the smaller, 20Mhz). It will, however, NOT increase signal range, or anything of that factor. You also may want to check if you are running 802.11G or 802.11N. If all your devices support 802.11n you will get a better range and power strength than 802.11G; but seeing as you have cell phones connecting going to pure 802.11N probably is not an option. Also check that the output power of the wireless router is at 100%.

I would look into trying different channels to eliminate outside interference with your wireless network. This may be more of your issue.

[GeoffM]

There are no wireless routers that put out "more power" for more devices.

All of them do. Some don't allow you to change it. You'll see it more with Netgear routers vs others. I bought a WRT 54g when my WPN 824 died. I don't think it has an adjustable power setting, but the WPN definitely did.