Cable router

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ir1141

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#144101 7-May-2014 15:29

Hi all

I am looking at getting a new router at home for my cable internet. Currently I have a D-Link DIR-655 which is reasonably new, but it's pretty bad. The last two nights just randomly the WiFi will stop working and it requires a power cycle (happens overall every now and then). Also I found that two rooms (~10-15m) away sometimes the connection on WiFi can be quite picky, and of very low signal. The wired connection seems fine though. (recently upgraded the firmware too)

I am looking for a mid-range router that is capable of supporting dd-wrt. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

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#1038455 7-May-2014 16:31

Wireless is a complementary solution to cabled internet and in many urban environments is now on the verge of being useless.

If wireless is poor the solution isn't always to replace equipment, but to install an additional wireless access point to provide coverage, either connected via cable or Ethernet over power adapters to your main router. You shouldn't always expect that a wireless AP can always cover a single house.

ir1141

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#1038470 7-May-2014 16:43

sbiddle: Wireless is a complementary solution to cabled internet and in many urban environments is now on the verge of being useless.

If wireless is poor the solution isn't always to replace equipment, but to install an additional wireless access point to provide coverage, either connected via cable or Ethernet over power adapters to your main router. You shouldn't always expect that a wireless AP can always cover a single house.

That's understandable, but it should not be completely killing the wireless so a power cycle is required. It goes completely dead, absolutely no signal (rather than the very limited signal.) Plus, I am also looking to take advantage of the dd-wrt firmware so I'm wanting to ditch the current router.

Cheers

JoshWright

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#1038473 7-May-2014 16:44

sbiddle: Wireless is a complementary solution to cabled internet and in many urban environments is now on the verge of being useless.

If wireless is poor the solution isn't always to replace equipment, but to install an additional wireless access point to provide coverage, either connected via cable or Ethernet over power adapters to your main router. You shouldn't always expect that a wireless AP can always cover a single house.

By cabled I think the OP is referring to the Vodafone IHC Network in Wellington/Christchurch, not Ethernet, which they stated they have.

ir1141

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#1038475 7-May-2014 16:47

JoshWright:
sbiddle: Wireless is a complementary solution to cabled internet and in many urban environments is now on the verge of being useless.

If wireless is poor the solution isn't always to replace equipment, but to install an additional wireless access point to provide coverage, either connected via cable or Ethernet over power adapters to your main router. You shouldn't always expect that a wireless AP can always cover a single house.

By cabled I think the OP is referring to the Vodafone IHC Network in Wellington/Christchurch, not Ethernet, which they stated they have.

Sorry yes by cable I was referring to the Vodafone network. Cheers

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#1038485 7-May-2014 17:23

ir1141:...
I am looking for a mid-range router that is capable of supporting dd-wrt. Does anyone have any suggestions?

The ASUS RT-N66U is a Dual Band N-Router (2.4GHz and 5GHz bands) with lots of RAM (256Mb) and FlashRAM (32Mb), so it is well equipped to run DD-WRT.
I run mine on VF 50/2Mbps cable with a (VF-supplied) Cisco DPC3008 modem.
Nice hardware, good user interface, excellent wireless performance.

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freitasm

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#1038501 7-May-2014 18:23

If you are planning on buying a new router, make sure you buy one with gigabit ports so that you can use the 130Mbps service later (if you aren't using already). And please, do not get DLink or Netgear.

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DeepBlueSky

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#1038574 7-May-2014 20:11

Hi,
I wrote this about a little while ago and thought it would be good to repost the detail;...

From my point of view a good internet router is a very important piece of kit these days as most new devices are wireless and a problematic router can be a real pain I know I bought a lemon and got burned thought the brand was reliable so the next time round I was more careful.

When shopping for a new Router I check the following now:
Work out what you need it for, browsing, networking / file transfer / streaming etc. plus think about the future are you replacing the TV will it come with WiFi / Smart TV etc.
Look for a newish review roundup for routers you will find a list of current models, once you have a short list start digging.
When I did my due diligence, I looked the reviews, I checked for communities using the router and what they said.
Very important to me check that the router uses Open WRT this will allow you to get firmware updates when the manufacturer stops updating the router.
Future proof yourself I have an AC router bought it last year didn't need AC then but now getting a tablet with it built in, also current better quality routers have USB3 you can connect external HDD's to them and turn them into a kind NAS on the cheap.
If you have the money get the better one nothing worse than a router that drops WiFI / has network issues these days they are the hub of the home network.
Get a multiband router, 2.4 and 5GHz better coverage for all you devices.
I like the idea of removable antennas, you can then get directional / larger omnidirectional units for greater range.
Last but not least, specifications better quality routers are now coming out with multiple core and faster processors and more memory to handle the increased loads be put on them.

Anyway, Good luck :) and for the record I have an Asus AC66U running Merlin firmware it's been rock solid just works.

blakamin

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#1038596 7-May-2014 20:39

I run a TP-Link TL-WR1043ND. Works fine.

jimbob79

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#1038605 7-May-2014 20:49

ir1141:...
The ASUS RT-N66U is a Dual Band N-Router (2.4GHz and 5GHz bands) with lots of RAM (256Mb) and FlashRAM (32Mb), so it is well equipped to run DD-WRT.

Is there any WAN to LAN performance lag using DD-WRT compared to the stock firmware? Also can it be wall-mounted?

matisyahu

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#1038620 7-May-2014 21:19

sbiddle: Wireless is a complementary solution to cabled internet and in many urban environments is now on the verge of being useless.

If wireless is poor the solution isn't always to replace equipment, but to install an additional wireless access point to provide coverage, either connected via cable or Ethernet over power adapters to your main router. You shouldn't always expect that a wireless AP can always cover a single house.

I second that - where I am there are 6 base stations with all of them overlapping each other - the only saving grace being that the 5Ghz channel is empty but that isn't always useful on a large house. I'd definitely give the thumbs up on the power line networking suggestion - use them for many years when I was living with my folks and they're very reliable, low latency and fast especially the new generation that can do up to 500mbps (500mbps shared between all the devices hooked up to the power line network).

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#1038661 7-May-2014 22:22

jimbob79: Is there any WAN to LAN performance lag using DD-WRT compared to the stock firmware? Also can it be wall-mounted?

I'm also using an RT-N66U. I just checked and can confirm it is wall mountable. Am also using CFW on it (Tomato RAF).
Supposedly it's good for ~200mb/s of WAN-LAN throughput on TomatoRAF, but I have never tested it. My internet isn't fast enough. :(

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MaxLV

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#1038678 7-May-2014 22:55

freitasm: If you are planning on buying a new router, make sure you buy one with gigabit ports so that you can use the 130Mbps service later (if you aren't using already). And please, do not get DLink or Netgear.

Wht's wrong with DLink routers? Been using them (currently a DIR-655) on my network. Runs a Qnap412 NAS, two custom built computers, Epson Multi function printer, Sony 32in TV, Sony multi channel AV receiver, and various wireless 'gadgets', ipod, Windows phone, Acer Tablet, Toshiba tablet... Has Level 1 Gigabit 8 port switch plugged in as well. Haven't had any problems with it at all.

freitasm

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#1038682 7-May-2014 23:00

Good for you. I personally don't like their devices and other reasons.

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stocksp

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#1038729 8-May-2014 07:14

I'm running a netgear r6300 and have been for about a year. Rock solid, runs AC which is supported by our 3 computers, and has over 20 devices attached to it. AC means that wireless gives you the full 130 mbs from Vodafone :). Huge difference over N.

The USB hard drive attachment seems to be a bit flakey though.

ir1141

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#1038733 8-May-2014 07:39

Thanks for all the responses. I might look into that ASUS.
Cheers

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