Switch and router choices

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Switch and router choices

lackie

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#205290 7-Nov-2016 16:40

Some great advice in here. I'm now at the point of getting equipment for my fairly small home set up. We just renovated during which I've had 10 CAT6 cables run through the house to RJ45 jackpoints, allowing for a couple extras in the two TV zones.

We can access VDSL now, and fibre in a couple of years time. My old old modem was ADSL2+ so I'm after both a switch and a new router. My questions are:

1) For the router, are VDSL and gigabit capability all I will need to be ready for fibre?

2) I presume it's worth getting the new wireless .ac standard for the wifi access? Most of our things are N.

3) For the switch, there were quite a few gigabit speed, 8-port options available for around $50 (like this: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHDLK1008A/D-Link-DGS-1008A-8-Port-Gigabit-Switch-Plastic-Hou ) but it seems like quite a jump in price (and unnecessary features) to get 16 ports. Would it work to run 8 of my ten cables direct to the switch, and 2 direct to the router? I presume it will have 4 LAN ports, 1 would feed the switch and 3 left available?

Edit: Just a note that all the cables originate centrally in our office cupboard, where the internet connection will come into the house.

Any other buying tips appreciated! Thanks.

darylblake

1162 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1665214 7-Nov-2016 17:03

For the router:

The ones that come out from spark/voda HG659 is not bad, its got a dual core CPU which is pretty powerful and can do fibre. It has VDSL/ADSL2+. The Wifi on it is average.... range is a bit weak.

If you want to step it up a notch or you are an enthusiast or know a bit about networking I would look at an Edgerouter lite or even better an Edgerouter PoE, that way if you decide to install security cameras or PoE phones or some Unifi AP's or something you can and the setup would be mint. You would have to combo the router with a Zyxel VDSL modem or a Dreytek DV130.

For Wifi, you could look at Unifi gear or even better an xclaim XI-3.

For the switch:

8 ports is probably enough. Bare in mind that if you get a router, a lot of them have 4 port switches in them. But yeh better to have some free ports if you think you will have more IoT devices in the future.

Depends if you want to go cheap or not.. Or you could just buy one router with decent wifi if you don't have a large area to cover, I hear the ASUS ones are not bad.

lackie

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1666082 8-Nov-2016 22:19

Great thanks for the tips. I think all in one might be best for my level of expertise.

Might see if Vodafone will supply the Hg659 when I reconnect, and get a range extender downstairs if needed (small house but 2 levels). Or, on the best routers thread, the Asus AC68U or Synology RT1900ac options sound best for range. Any idea which is better for range?