ok so...

i have two routers. one netgear, my primary provider, and another... a d-link. both the best in my opinion.

netgear or D-Link. the ones to go for.

my primary, the netgear, has my main internet line going into it, and provides all my router functions. the second, i'll say about later.

i won't say what i do in the way of security. that's just not wise.

but the best you can do really is to use wpa2 and put letters, numbers and spaces into your password. spaces are critical. to crack wpa you need to use a dictionary file. and unless the word isn't in there, you can't crack it. bruteforce doesn't work properly. also, put mac address filtering on and lock it down to your network cards. that works best.

i only use wireless with my laptops (and when my friends come over) my other machines run off ethernet connections.

all wireless connections are done at 802.11G 108mbps.

in my laptops i use netgear cards as well. not brilliant with range, but they use the best chipset - atheros. i use the wg511T which is pretty cheap but also very good.

the best card in my view (if you want to go that far) is the Ubiquiti. They operate at a very high power rate and with the right setup you can pick up wireless signals from miles away. and i do mean multiples of miles. i've seen evidence of 5-6.

now... my 2nd router is actually a modified ADSL router, with all its functions turned off, other than the wireless. it is modified with the output completely changed on it. it has a BiQuad aerial attachment. it gives a 20+ decibel GAIN on the output signal. i can get an incredible signal from almost anywhere in my house, down the garden, all around.

the biquad is actually set up so i have a 54mbps connection between my friends house and mine. his house is almost a tenth of a mile away (checked with google earth) so we can transfer files and suchlike with no problems. pretty damn good lots of fun.

anyway... if you're askin about equipment or how or where or why, just say and i'll let you know what i know.