New wifi router - upgrade?

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sarahfoxnz

148 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#171931 6-May-2015 02:11

Hello. I currently have a Netgear DGND3700v2 wifi router.

I'm currently connected via regular phone line. my TV/Tivo & main PC are hard-wired into the router, but I have other systems / devices connected via wifi.

Now, I saw a TV recording of FAIR GO, where they had 1 person setting up a wifi zone at a local cafe & can see "EVERYTHING" a person was doing when they used the false wifi service. (this was just a demo, & the people involved knew what the fake service was for)..

NOW, I dont "need" to upgrade, but I am thinking of upgrading my router.

Is there any routers available in NZ (either through Spark or Dick Smith Electronics) that will enable me to monitor the wifi users ?

I dont want to hack anyone or spy on exactly what the devices are doing on the wifi network as shown in the Fair Go story.

I want to:

- see how many devices are currently connected

- the upload / download speeds in KBs (or MBs?) each device is using (the NETT total and for each device)

- regulate how much of the bandwidth each device is using. IE, if someone uses Skype, I can allocate 80% of bandwidth to them, leaving 20% for me etc...

- also a record of the nett bandwidth each hour / day / month (even if "my" PC is turned off, it will still record & i can get the data when i get back online.)

The current NETGEAR wifi router has only basic levels of logging & it usually has 000Mb one hour, but next time I check, it has data.. but then another time, its back to 000MB - so its not reliable.

Currently I can use QoS Priority Rule list, & give priority to devices - but that does not give an ability to "reserve" bandwidth for people to use. Sometimes things get slow for some devices...

Is there a current PERSONAL USE wifi router that can do these ? (not a corporate / business router at exaggerated prices.)

Thank you

PeterReader

6028 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 461

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Lifetime subscriber

#1298740 6-May-2015 02:11

Hello... Our robot found some keywords in your post, so here is an automated reply with some important things to note regarding broadband speeds.

If you are posting regarding DSL speeds please check that

- you have reset your modem and router

- your PC (or other PCs in your LAN) is not downloading large files when you are testing

- you are not being throttled by your ISP due to going over the monthly cap

- your tests are always done on an ethernet connection to the router - do not use wireless for testing

- you read this topic and follow the instructions there.

Make sure you provide information for other users to help you. If you have not already done it, please EDIT your post and add this now:

- Your ISP and plan

- Type of connection (ADSL, ADSL2, VDSL)

- Your modem DSL stats (do not worry about posting Speedtest, we need sync rate, attenuation and noise margin)

- Your general location (or street)

- If you are rural or urban

- If you know your connection is to an exchange, cabinet or conklin

- If your connection is to a ULL or wholesale service

- If you have done an isolation test as per the link above

Most of the problems with speed are likely to be related to internal wiring issues. Read this discussion to find out more about this. Your ISP is not intentionally slowing you down today (unless you are on a managed plan). Also if this is the school holidays it's likely you will notice slower than usual speed due to more users online.

A master splitter is required for VDSL2 and in most cases will improve speeds on DSL connections. Regular disconnections can be a monitored alarm or a set top box trying to connect. If there's an alarm connected to your line even if you don't have an alarm contract it may still try to connect so it's worth checking.

I recommend you read these two blog posts:

- Is your premises phone wiring impacting your broadband performance? (very technical)

- Are you receiving a substandard ULL ADSL2+ connection from your ISP?

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

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quebec

851 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 35

#1298931 6-May-2015 11:28

I am selling a router that can do mostly what you require and can also have a custom firmware. Netgear R7000 Nighthawk. Check it out

quebec

851 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 35

#1298932 6-May-2015 11:29

I am not trying to sell you mine but it is a very powerful and cool router, even has an iPhone APP and you can connect to it from anywhere in the world.

DarkShadow

1647 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 656

#1298938 6-May-2015 11:38

Please don't limit yourself to Spark or Dick Smith Electronics. At least go to a real computer store such as PBTech.

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1184

#1298946 6-May-2015 12:04

sarahfoxnz:

Is there any routers available in NZ (either through Spark or Dick Smith Electronics) that will enable me to monitor the wifi users ?

You will need to go to a proper technology retailer for a router with much in the way of enhanced/advanced features. As suggested, try PBTech, or places like ComputerLounge, Playtech, Ascent etc.

There are a numbers of routers which can implement these features, but the big ask is going to be doing it in a simple-to-use way. The Asus DSL-AC and RT-AC series support it, for example, but you need to define your QoS rulesfor the traffic management, rather than a 'click and play' type UI.