Need a router!

Barman58 · 07 Dec 2017

I think that what this thread shows above all else is that the whole market is a very vibrant affair, some of this is due at least in part from the quality of the devices supplied by ISPs, (can only talk of the UK in this). ISP supplied routers and general infrastructure devices are built (modified) down to a price and not up to quality. A lot of these run specially written "dumbed down" software so as not to Confuse customers (or perhaps it's the ISP helpdesk staff

)

If you are looking at any of the main names in the business you can be sure that you will see a dramatic improvement over the devices supplied with the service by the ISP. Over the years I've used a lot of different Network devices, Am currently using a TP-Link set-up based around an Archer C7 ( I can sit in the car around 200 - 300 feet from router, and the phone connects and works perfectly on Both bands), and a couple of Switches but go to any of the well known manufacturers as others do here, and you should be good for a few years it's a very volatile market with competing technical specs. get the best you can afford, not sure if waiting till after the Holiday period will improve Pricing where you are, but I often see a huge drop in price as new devices are released so "last year's model" could be good value.

There are these days numerous smartphone apps for setting up the network , check local band usage and select a quiet area in the spectrum can improve things no end (Remember to check both bands on a dual band set-up), and can also highlight bad reception areas and suggest where repeaters ( or ethernet or PowerPlugs) are needed.

RoasterMen · 07 Dec 2017

I use a router that has WDS, connected my router to the ONU wirelessly and then place the router to a location where every room will have a decent wifi signal.

anaron · 07 Dec 2017

Lots of good ideas as usual! Researching them all but it is daunting when I get into reviews of equipment on which no one seems to agree! On top of that, my network printer is no longer recognized by the network. Works perfectly off usb but not the router!

bro67 · 08 Dec 2017

anaron said:

Lots of good ideas as usual! Researching them all but it is daunting when I get into reviews of equipment on which no one seems to agree! On top of that, my network printer is no longer recognized by the network. Works perfectly off usb but not the router!

Most likely you need to look at the config for the printer to see why the Ethernet port is not active.

Again, you do not need a router, you need multiple Access Points or a Mesh network, which consist of one Router and two or more Access Point pucks. Otherwise, go with a Wired Gateway, a good switch like the Netgear GS series and a POE based set of Access Points like the Engenius EAP-1750h.

anaron · 08 Dec 2017

Again, you do not need a router, you need multiple Access Points or a Mesh network

bro67, could you explain why? My current 5 year old system has had no issues until now. There are no dead spots or signal degradation in my 3000 sq ft house. Most days, I can still get a good signal in my barn that is 90 feet from the house. Will I get less range with the newer routers? I would think it would be a lot less issues and aggravation to deal with on piece of equipment instead of 2 or 3 pieces of equipment to do the same thing.

NavyLCDR · 08 Dec 2017

anaron said:

bro67, could you explain why? My current 5 year old system has had no issues until now. There are no dead spots or signal degradation in my 3000 sq ft house. Most days, I can still get a good signal in my barn that is 90 feet from the house. Will I get less range with the newer routers? I would think it would be a lot less issues and aggravation to deal with on piece of equipment instead of 2 or 3 pieces of equipment to do the same thing.

I personally wouldn't see the need to redo your entire network either if you already have the infrastructure in place already to do what you need to do and it's only the router that needs replaced/upgraded. For example, my router/WiFi access point is in my basement and it covers my outside deck and first floor with WiFi signal. I have two cable runs in the basement that run to switches in an office and in my living room. I have wired devices in those locations connected to the switches. On the second floor I have a WiFi extender/bridge that connects to my main router in the basement via both WiFi bands, extends the WiFi signal to my second floor, and has a couple of wired devices connected to it.

If my main router went bad in the basement, I would just replace it and don't see any need to install "a Mesh Network like Google's or Engenius." If I had just a cable running to the office and I needed to connect a computer, printer, and smart TV or DVD player, then I would just add a $20 gigabit switch to the end of that cable.

Now, when purchase a house where my new job is in Albany, OR - if it doesn't have the infrastructure I have here and I am looking at having to build the network again from scratch, then I'll consider more options.

anaron · 08 Dec 2017

Kinda what I thought but was not sure if I was missing something. As I stated, my networking knowledge is very weak.

alexk207 · 08 Dec 2017

anaron said:

Need to replace my router but know nothing about them!

3000 sq ft single level home
Grandsons do a lot of gaming
Wife binge watches Netflix
Multiple devices will be in use at same time
Currently have a Buffalo AC 1300 4 port with a Netgear 5 port switch so need as many ports as I can get
And anything else ya'll might think of

Ron

Try looking through this webpage.

Masterchiefxx17 · 08 Dec 2017

Cannot say enough nice things about eero!

Elegant Networking - An eero Home WiFi System Review - Qwerty Articles

NavyLCDR · 09 Dec 2017

Masterchiefxx17 said:

Cannot say enough nice things about eero!

Elegant Networking - An eero Home WiFi System Review - Qwerty Articles

Too bad it isn't what the OP needs. Did you even read the OP?

anaron said:

Currently have a Buffalo AC 1300 4 port with a Netgear 5 port switch so need as many ports as I can get
And anything else ya'll might think of

Ron

How many Ethernet ports does the EERO have? Answer: one. The OP has a fully functioning network already. All he needs and wants to do is replace the router that it is all already connected to. He does not need, or want, a new mesh type WiFi network. I'm sitting at my desk right now looking at 8 devices connected to the wired Ethernet portion of my network. If my router dies, I need a new router, not a WiFi mesh network system. In fact, about 2 weeks ago an obsolete router that was "dumbed down" to act as a network switch died and I didn't go out and buy a WiFi mesh network system in a box - I bought a $20 switch to connect my wired desktop computer, NAS, and Sprint AIRAVE box to.