Home Network Setup

I have one computer (laptop) working off of a wireless router and vonage. Connection is now broadband to vonage modem to wireless router.

My wireless router is two years old and has been started to need more frequent resets as it drops the signal fairly often. I am putting this trouble to the netgear router because I can be on the phone and not lose connection so the signal is getting from a to b but not b to c.

Thats the background. What I am thinking about doing is updating my router to a TRENDNet Wireless N Gigabit Router. The next step as my hard drive is full is adding a 500gb external hard drive. I don't want to have to have the external drive attached by usb to my computer so I wanted to know if there were any suggestions on the best way to set this up. I do have if needed the ability to set up a desktop as a "server" if necessary.

My main uses are internet surfing but I do download music and pictures when are taking up the space on my hard drive. Any suggestions as to sites with info on this type of setup or any suggestions are welcome.

 

Here's one suggestion.
Get a NAS device and plug into your router with ethernet cable.
Examples - http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=124&name=NAS-Storage
Hope this helps.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822154165

This is actually the device I was thinking of using. We have a Lacie TB station at work that has been very good for its purpose which was to warehouse photos that were filling up the network servers.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Trendset router versus any other products out there? Most of the reviews I have found seem to be positive on this model.

 

I've never used any of the Lacie products but if you've had good luck with the brand then go for it.
Have you tried updating the firmware on your existing router?
The manufacturer could possibly have fixed that bug.