Using a different router for Fibre

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Salami

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#265625 1-Feb-2020 15:02

I'm currently renting downstairs and while the modem is upstairs the flatmates agreed for a new router for better performance and speed.

My TPLink wifi extender keeps disconnecting every 2 days

The currently existing Vodafone Router has a signal strength between 40%-60%

Am I correct to think that I can get any router overseas with a WAN port is ok/compatible?

I'm thinking of getting this https://www.tp-link.com/sg/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-ax1800/

The currently router from Vodafone is useless.

Thanks

nztim

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#2411177 1-Feb-2020 15:50

Just hardwire in with ethernet

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sqishy

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#2411190 1-Feb-2020 16:38

If you are on fibre - so as long as it supports VLAN ID then your all good, most modern routers do.

Jase2985

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#2411196 1-Feb-2020 17:25

why do you think you need a router like that?

if you cant hard wire maybe look at a mesh kit

Salami

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#2411225 1-Feb-2020 18:06

Can't hardware as upstairs is completely blocked from downstairs . The only way would be a long extension possibly 30m outside from the top to the bottom by going outside the house which isn't ideal.

The router is only around $150NZ in hong kong and possibly later next year when I move again quite possibly it'll be of some use I thought.

RunningMan

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#2411247 1-Feb-2020 19:05

Remember that different countries have different frequencies available for WiFi - make sure you don't break any RSM rules here.

richms

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#2411263 1-Feb-2020 20:12

Vodafone sell supported extenders that they call boosters, will work with the supplied ultrahub and from what I have been told work as well as any other mesh system.

Putting a more powerful router upstairs will only help you see a higher signal strength downstairs, it will not help your phone send back.

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freitasm

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#2411274 1-Feb-2020 21:14

If you buy an imported router the above comment about different channel usage will be in play - if the router is in auto mode and use a US channel, for example, a New Zealand laptop may not be able to connect or have problems.

The best option would be to use a mesh system instead. And no, not repeaters but an actual mesh system as repeaters impact overall performance.

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Salami

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#2411305 1-Feb-2020 23:39

How is a mesh different to a wifi extender?
I've read about mesh devices but they are very expensive and I know they sort of work differently to wifi extenders?

michaelmurfy

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#2411318 2-Feb-2020 04:05

Salami:

How is a mesh different to a wifi extender?
I've read about mesh devices but they are very expensive and I know they sort of work differently to wifi extenders?

You answered your question in the opening post. Want reliable WiFi? Then you'll need to pay some money for it. Mesh systems are excellent in cases like yours where you can't run Ethernet as Mesh often uses dedicated wireless backhaul back to the main router - it is also seamless when it comes to roaming between access points.

Using a WiFi Repeater will halve your wireless speed - I never recommend them, they cause more problems than they're worth.

Vodafone do sell an extender that works with the Ultrahub: https://www.vodafone.co.nz/broadband/wifi-booster/ - the Ultrahub is really not a bad router, I think you'll be downgrading by shoving a cheap consumer grade router in.

You've also got to consider if the other people have phone service through the Ultrahub - if they do, just leave it alone.

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SteveC

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#2411387 2-Feb-2020 10:25

Have a read of this review: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=22194

You can purchase it from here: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/wireless/pl-r195wana-rw.html

There are some newer models in that range. I have no personal experience with these models, but do trust Cambium and GoWireless: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/wireless/c000000l040a.html & https://www.gowifi.co.nz/wireless/c000000l043a.html

We had two consumer-grade wifi routers. They were the same model - HG659 - one each from Vodafone and Spark, with wired Ethernet between them, and another wired connection to our Mikrotik router. https://www.gowifi.co.nz/routers/rb750gr3.html

We replaced them with one commercial-grade Cambium cnPilot device. Coverage is much better than it used to be with the two consumer routers.

We replaced our Vodafone router because it needed to be rebooted every week or two. (Mikrotik gets rebooted every year or two.)

I agree with @michaelmurfy that if the Vodafone Ultrahub is working well, easiest to leave it along, if not, ask Vodafone to fix it! Probably best to disable the wifi, and use an Ethernet port to connect to a Cambium or similar quality device, without using a firewall on that device.

Our wireless AP is an older model very like this one: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/wireless/pl-e410x00a-rw.html

Steve

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sbiddle

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#2411392 2-Feb-2020 10:37

I'm not sure why you'd buy a router in Hong Kong. It's be highly unlikely you'd find pricing any better than here.

A new router also won't necessarily be a fix any WiFi issues you have - yes WiFi performance does vary between different devices but you have to remember most routers offer omnidirectional antennas that send a signal out in a donut style pattern. They are not designed to send a signal upwards or downwards.

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#2411398 2-Feb-2020 10:48

sbiddle: A new router also won't necessarily be a fix any WiFi issues you have ...

Yep! Anything less than a cabled connection is a compromise. (Very worthwhile compromise, or only option, in some circumstances.) :-)

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gareth41

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#2411868 3-Feb-2020 11:49

You could also look at using Ethernet over Powerline adapters, then install a plain AP in bridge mode at the other end

nztim

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#2411873 3-Feb-2020 12:27

gareth41:
You could also look at using Ethernet over Powerline adapters, then install a plain AP in bridge mode at the other end

These are only useful if the downstairs flat is on the same phase but agree its worth a go

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nitro

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#2411880 3-Feb-2020 12:49

sbiddle:

A new router also won't necessarily be a fix any WiFi issues you have - yes WiFi performance does vary between different devices but you have to remember most routers offer omnidirectional antennas that send a signal out in a donut style pattern. They are not designed to send a signal upwards or downwards.

This.

I'd go so far as to say it definitely won't be a solution to your current problem, if you will be putting the new router in the same location as the current one.