Best wireless router choice for FibreX ?

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buzzy

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#214199 1-May-2017 19:48

I see @Bartender had a thread about this, but it's kinda old :)

I'm on the 200/20 FibreX (ie cable-not-really-fibre-at-all) in Wellington, and the supplied HG659 isn't exactly blowing my socks off. During the install, the VFNZ tech said that any router had to be able to use VLAN10 on the WAN port. Sounded kinda strange to me, but that wouldn't be the weirdest thing they've done, so...

Does anyone have recommendations for routers to use? Ideally a single combined WiFi/router, but separate router unit would be okay too - that'd be an excuse to buy some Ruckus or UniFi gear too.

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#1773785 1-May-2017 19:53

Can you be a bit more specific about your issues with the HG659?

If it's just wifi performance, you will get far better results keeping the HG659 and spending your money adding one or more ceiling mounted wireless access points.

If it's some other kind of feature you're after, the usual suspects are Mikrotiks and EdgeRouters (power users only seems to be the consensus) or something that will run custom firmware like AdvancedTomato. Depends on what features you're after though.

Jase2985

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#1773812 1-May-2017 20:08

"Sounded kinda strange to me, but that wouldn't be the weirdest thing they've done"

why is that strange? it allows a guaranteed connection speed on that portion of the connection for things like Voip or even IPTV so your downloading doesnt affect it.

if you just want better wifi just get an Access point.

buzzy

217 posts

Master Geek

#1773815 1-May-2017 20:17

The VLAN10 thing is only strange because we've had Cable at this address for 10 years, and until the latest change, setting a VLAN on the WAN port was never required :)

Jase2985

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#1773816 1-May-2017 20:17

different systems :)

mdf

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#1773818 1-May-2017 20:18

buzzy:

The VLAN10 thing is only strange because we've had Cable at this address for 10 years, and until the latest change, setting a VLAN on the WAN port was never required :)

Change in tech. You lose your static IP too (cough, have to pay for it if you want to keep it...). I understand the point. With the shift to fibre (also using the VLAN tag on the WAN port) they have one router solution for all their different connections and CRMs.

buzzy

217 posts

Master Geek

#1773820 1-May-2017 20:19

mdf:

Can you be a bit more specific about your issues with the HG659?

If it's just wifi performance, you will get far better results keeping the HG659 and spending your money adding one or more ceiling mounted wireless access points.

If it's some other kind of feature you're after, the usual suspects are Mikrotiks and EdgeRouters (power users only seems to be the consensus) or something that will run custom firmware like AdvancedTomato. Depends on what features you're after though.

Thx. WiFi performance and stability is the main thing. It's already ceiling mounted but even physically close devices have trouble communicating now and then. Might be time to turn its WiFi off and get a dedicated box for that then :)

buzzy

217 posts

Master Geek

#1773821 1-May-2017 20:20

mdf:

Change in tech. You lose your static IP too (cough, have to pay for it if you want to keep it...). I understand the point. With the shift to fibre (also using the VLAN tag on the WAN port) they have one router solution for all their different connections and CRMs.

Good points :)

On a tangential note, I wonder whether they charge for static IPv6 allocations as well as IPv4?

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mdf

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#1773831 1-May-2017 20:33

FWIW, I had a Netgear Nighthawk R7000 running AdvancedTomato. Was working well but it had an almighty strop last week and it is no longer a happy camper. A couple of other electronic devices seem to have also tossed their toys out of the crib so I'm picking EMP/solar flare/lightning strike or, more prosaically, power surge (though other devices attached to the same multibox are fine).

I've substituted back in the HG659 while I try and either rehabilitate the Nighthawk or figure out a replacement.

But for both systems the wifi is being handled by a few Cambium E400s WAPs hanging off a POE switch. Work really well with both systems, and had the added bonus of just switching one cable and everything worked seamlessly. At least, as far as the family is concerned (surprisingly, they seemed unconcerned that the DCHP pool had changed!).

buzzy

217 posts

Master Geek

#1774130 2-May-2017 11:27

mdf: FWIW, I had a Netgear Nighthawk R7000 running AdvancedTomato.

So this handled the "VLAN 10 on WAN port" no problem? (possibly a dumb question; my last router was an Asus RT-N16 which is old these days and didn't support VLANs on the WAN port, at least with the stock firmware)

mdf

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#1774478 2-May-2017 17:53

Yep, like a champ.

Unless you need the custom firmware goodness though, I'd still spend my money on a ceiling mounted WAP first.

Gowifi seems to be having a promotional launch for a new range of Grandstream products at the moment. No idea what they're like. If you ask him nicely, you might be able to convince @michaelmurfy (aka Gowifi's #1 customer) to review a shiny new wireless networking product.

michaelmurfy

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#1774487 2-May-2017 18:20

@mdf They're pretty cheap too.

To be honest the HG659 is a good router for your average home user. If I was going to recommend anything it'll be the Ubiquiti USG-3 + a UniFi AC-LR access point (and a cheap Gigabit switch thrown in for good measure) if you're wanting something simple to manage else the Ubiquiti Edgerouter Lite + the UniFi AC-LR is another good choice. Depends on how much you want to spend really...

For the "all in one" range have you considered something like the Ubiquiti Amplifi?

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gzcwnk

23 posts

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#1774749 3-May-2017 08:54

mdf:

buzzy:

The VLAN10 thing is only strange because we've had Cable at this address for 10 years, and until the latest change, setting a VLAN on the WAN port was never required :)

Change in tech. You lose your static IP too (cough, have to pay for it if you want to keep it...). I understand the point. With the shift to fibre (also using the VLAN tag on the WAN port) they have one router solution for all their different connections and CRMs.

I noticed that there seems to be no option of, or a charge for a static IP, great........not, go to love gouging.

sbiddle

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#1774762 3-May-2017 09:26

gzcwnk:

mdf:

buzzy:

The VLAN10 thing is only strange because we've had Cable at this address for 10 years, and until the latest change, setting a VLAN on the WAN port was never required :)

Change in tech. You lose your static IP too (cough, have to pay for it if you want to keep it...). I understand the point. With the shift to fibre (also using the VLAN tag on the WAN port) they have one router solution for all their different connections and CRMs.

I noticed that there seems to be no option of, or a charge for a static IP, great........not, go to love gouging.

Fibre X offers a static IP. There have been a number of posts about it on here.

Edit: First link on a search - http://help.vodafone.co.nz/app/answers/detail/a_id/14591/~/static-ip-addresses-from-vodafone

buzzy

217 posts

Master Geek

#1774803 3-May-2017 10:29

sbiddle:

Fibre X offers a static IP. There have been a number of posts about it on here. Edit: First link on a search - http://help.vodafone.co.nz/app/answers/detail/a_id/14591/~/static-ip-addresses-from-vodafone

For IPv4 that makes sense. I wonder if they statically assign v6 ranges or whether those are dynamic too.

gzcwnk

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Geek

#1775505 4-May-2017 12:37

Yep and pay $4.99 a month for it, now if they charged me $4.99 as a one off, no issue.....

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