Looking for networking solution for apartment network

Hey all,

Not too long ago, I moved into a new apartment complex... at first, I had no problems using the internet and playing games. However, since moving next door (I was only in the first one temporarily), things have been really slow and I can't even play games when others are on.

I have now checked into the setup and notice that all 5 users on this floor are connected into the DSL modem / router. 3 are directly connected and then 2 more are plugged into a hub connected to the DSL. I have also found out now that 1 neighbor isn't even using it.

Just to make sure it wasn't due to a line connection to my room, I did connect directly into the DSL router / modem but found that there still were lag issues.

I just checked the speed on the connection here and it is around a 1500 Kbps / 210 Kbps.

Now, when no one is on, there is no problem, of course. But, once the day gets going and people log on, it can fairly slow and, typically, any game is unplayable. However, I have noted that I can still download fine during this time. It's just that games can not be played.

So, I am thinking that the main problem is not the speed but mainly that the current setup can just not handle the amount of traffic that is going through it. This would explain for the lag when downloads are still possible.

I will note that there was a time for a month or so that, in the evenings, doing anything was horribly slow. I think that was due to a recent tenant that moved out. I'm guessing that he was an internet hog. rolleyes

Anyways, I am trying to avoid buying my own connection here since the telecom here would require me to buy a new line and a 1 year deal with the DSL. Since I don't plan on being here that long, I am trying to avoid going that way and paying the termination fee, etc.

It would be possible for me to ask the landlady to upgrade the speed to a 8M / 640K. I'd probably have to pay the extra to upgrade it, but it wouldn't be too much. Still, I am thinking again that this wouldn't resolve the issue unless a good router was in place to route traffic effectively.

Now, I was looking at the DLink DIR-655 but I noticed that, although it got good reviews from many, it doesn't have a way to limit bandwidth at all. I am thinking that I would most likely need a way to limit bandwidth to either each computer or to individual applications. Maybe if the DSL were to be upgraded this wouldn't be the case but, as is, I'm pretty sure that's the only way to be able to prevent one or two people from hogging all the bandwidth and preventing others from using it effectively.

My main thing is I want to be able to use the internet and, especially, to play games, whenever I feel like it. As is, I can only play games in the morning (everyone sleeps in here) when I don't really want to play anyways.

Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated. I'm fairly tech savvy and would have no issues getting this router setup and monitoring it. I'm just wanting to know others' experiences to know if this will have much of a difference or not.

Thanks.

P.S. The landlady has already given me permission to put in my own router. So, all's good except for knowing the best way to go about this.

 

Buying your own router wouldnt solve your problem. Youll still be using that single DSL connection with everyone else thats using it. You should get those people together to sign some kind of petition for your landlady to have her upgrade. It'll most likely cost everyone that uses the connection more a month, but like you said its better than buying your own if youre not staying there for long.

Only other option is to buy your own connection. Either that, if you can somehow work out a deal with your neighbors for an internet usage schedule.... good luck with that though.

 

Nah, given your needs, there is really no real solution besides getting your own service.

 

8 mbps down would be fine for 4 users. I think that is actually your cheapest way by asking the landlord cause going from 1.5 mbps to 8 mbps would probably cost an additional $20/month. Getting your own connection is going to cost you at least $40 or $50/month.