I've got mine set to 142, just strong enough to overcome the other 10 wireless networks around here. I'm using WPA so I'm not to concerned with anyone stealing my wireless, especially not in my neighborhood. I know even WPA can be cracked, but I'm sure if someone was interested, they would go after the WEP networks around me.

WPA can be cracked, but only if the network uses the TKIP algorithm. WPA-AES, as well as any flavor of WPA2, are still bulletproof.

WEP… you may as put the key on a billboard in front of your house. As long as there'* sufficient traffic, WEP can be cracked in 20-120 seconds.

MAC filtering keeps out the casual snoopers. However, MAC filters run on Layer 2, while anyone on the network is on Layer 1. Thus, all one has to do is drop to promiscuous mode, capture some packets, and spoof a whitelisted MAC address. For the average user, it'* plenty secure. However, it'* a pain if your friends come over. As much of a nerd as I am, I'd rather be opening a beer than messing with router configurations.

ymmot04 gave a good description of IPv4 subnet masks, so that solves your addressing issues.

As far as your wired topology goes, get rid of as many routers as you can; in your setup, it adds unneeded complexity with no payoff. If you can't/won't go wireless, run some cables. (Or, run them through the walls and put Ethernet jacks next to all of your outlets, if you're feeling adventurous.)

EDIT: You can only raise your transmit power to about 80-90 mW. Any higher on the stock antennas, and you just introduce noise into the spectrum. Only go higher if you have high-gain antennas and preferably, some sort of extra cooling. (Mine runs at 75 mW, stock cooling, without issue.)

$0.02 from a freelance network engineer. See? I do more than break, fix, and further break my Bonnie.

hehe, thanks zeta. I messed around with some 128-bit WEP for a while, took about 10 minutes to collect enough traffic but that was from a pretty good distance and had to make traffic. Never had the time to learn the process for WPA.

BTW, just switched my TKIP to AES. :P

It'* not a perfect attack. Last I checked, it only worked some of the time. But, like I said, AES is solid.

oh yea big time. I only paid $20 for my router though, so I didn't expect high quality.

No other networks around here, I just noticed when I went into my garage with my iPhone I'd lose signal. I had to fix that. I also changed my router'* channel so it'* not on the highly saturated stock wireless channel.

I bought mine for $60 back in 06. My tech school buddy flashed it, installed the cooling fan, and put on high gain antennas. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh yeah!