Looking for suggestions for a new router

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Looking for suggestions for a new router

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2806 posts

Uber Geek

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#579590 10-Feb-2012 10:01

CutCutCut: I put in a TP Link modem/router in for my in-laws and it has been really good, but they only have one apple device. I know a lot of people recomend the TP Link gear but I don't know how apple friendly it is, maybe other have more experience.

As I said in my OP, our router was working well prior to Christmas. But since then it has had its Wifi workload increased with an extra two iPod Touches, an Apple TV and two Android phones connecting. Its since then that reliability has taken a significant nosedive.

Skolink

1081 posts

Uber Geek

#579671 10-Feb-2012 11:57

keepitwarm: I have no issues with my linksys WAG320N

From my experience the wireless performance on these is aweful, same goes for the WAG160N. I would not recommend one, especially if it's an improvement in wireless performance that you are after.

theEd

341 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#579811 10-Feb-2012 15:16

Skolink:
keepitwarm: I have no issues with my linksys WAG320N

From my experience the wireless performance on these is aweful, same goes for the WAG160N. I would not recommend one, especially if it's an improvement in wireless performance that you are after.

Agreed, the WAG series are horrible for WiFi.

stuartjmz

228 posts

Master Geek

#580338 12-Feb-2012 00:17

I've had a WAG120N for 2 months, and just replaced it today, thinking it might have been faulty. Now I discover that it wasn't the particular specimen I had that was faulty, but the entire range. I'm going to have to bully Dick Smith for a refund rather than a replacement, but what should I spend the money on? I have a Belkin belkin f5d723-4 which I've not been using since I got the WAG120N, so I can go with just an ADSL modem. I can't spend more than the $120 I'll have to get Dick Smith to give me back for the WAG120N, so within that limit, what should I be looking at? TIA.

[edit]I see DSE has a Netgear DM111P modem for the same price I paid for the WAG120N - would this be any good?

Skolink

1081 posts

Uber Geek

#580355 12-Feb-2012 08:08

If you can get a full refund, I'd buy a TP-Link router, if not Netgear would be my pick of the three router brands (Netgear, D-Link and Linksys) DSE sells.

Edit: actually I see 3/4 Netgear models have an internal antenna which I would avoid. The only other one, the N300 someone claims the LAN ports fail but I would still try that one.

stuartjmz

228 posts

Master Geek

#580357 12-Feb-2012 08:21

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. Any particular model recommendations in the up to $150 range, also who to buy from? The TP-link website has a very small list of NZ resellers and lists no NZ retailers.

trig42

5816 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#580360 12-Feb-2012 08:36

I just replaced my DLink 2730B with a TPLink (the cheapest one) and so far it is much better.
The Dlink was giving me issues with WiFi to apple devices (it worked, but sometimes took ages to connect/send data) , the IPhone Remote app would not connect/stay connected and my Airport Express was not always seen by devices on the network (3 x iPhone4s and a 3rd geniPod Touch and my W7 PCs iTunes).

As soon as the new router was in the Airport Express was visible on all devices, Apple's remote App worked perfectly, and my broadband speed doubled. I had had to disable ADSL2+ modulation in the Dlink because when it was turned on it would not connect (we were only switched over to ADSL2 at the end of 2011).

So, I can recommend the TP-Link.

PB Tech has them at a good price by the way.

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

Skolink

1081 posts

Uber Geek

#580372 12-Feb-2012 09:01

stuartjmz: The TP-link website has a very small list of NZ resellers and lists no NZ retailers.

www.pricespy.co.nz is a good place to start, but be sure to read the reviews for a retailer if you intend to order online!
As suggested, PB Tech are good.

stuartjmz

228 posts

Master Geek

#580374 12-Feb-2012 09:06

Thank you both for your help. TP-link certainly looks good , especially at the prices I see at PB tech. Does anyone have any views on the Cisco small business range, like the RV110W? A friend who runs a small webhosting business has offered to cost some of Cisco's products for me.

DrStrangelove

368 posts

Ultimate Geek

#580550 12-Feb-2012 17:53

Skolink:
keepitwarm: I have no issues with my linksys WAG320N

From my experience the wireless performance on these is aweful, same goes for the WAG160N. I would not recommend one, especially if it's an improvement in wireless performance that you are after.

Hmmm not a big fan of the WAG series and would not touch a WAG160 with a very long stick with a rubber pointy hand attached.

If you do have a WAG160 and the WiFi is crap and even worse, peaks at ~2Mbps when you know you should get more, then check the fw version.

If you're running fw Ver.2.00.20 Annex A then downgrade to fw Ver 2.00.17 Annex A and if you have a 12Mbps broadband connection, then that's what you'll get via WiFi(tested within 5m of modem) and not some 'knobbled' ~2Mbps.

Why after all this time (release date 06/28/2010) Linksys have not fixed the fw is beyond me.

I have two ADSL2+ modems Thomson TG585v8 and Linksys WAG120... [Let the laughing commence..]

Been toying with the idea of the TP-Link TD-8840T modem as I'm a big fan of the separation of powers and don't need yet another WiFi modem.
Oh and the fact I already have a Linksys E4200 running Tomato fw.

Anybody tried the 'new' Linksys X2000 or X3000? Are they just repackaged, over priced WAG modems.

mortonman

271 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

#580707 13-Feb-2012 10:22

I am one of the WAG160N unfortunates as well. Would it work ok as a modem if i add on a wireless router to it or is the whole unit just rubbish?
I do notice it gets very hot and since i got an acer table last week it has highlighted how poor the wifi performance is.

stuartjmz

228 posts

Master Geek

#580912 13-Feb-2012 15:34

Thanks to everyone for their input. I'm 90% certain that I'm going to go with a CiscoRV110W now.

DrStrangelove

368 posts

Ultimate Geek

#580923 13-Feb-2012 15:50

mortonman: I am one of the WAG160N unfortunates as well. Would it work ok as a modem if i add on a wireless router to it or is the whole unit just rubbish?
I do notice it gets very hot and since i got an acer table last week it has highlighted how poor the wifi performance is.

Re: WiFi, you've checked the firmware version you're using? AND you can get over 2Mbps via WiFi when sitting right next to it? If you see that your DSL link sync's at speeds way above what you're getting to the Internet via WiFi using say speedtest.net, then maybe a bit further checking.

Linksys WAG160N DSL connection 'speed' Check what your existing broadband connection rate/sync is.

Linksys WAG160N status and firmware check Most features of the Linksys WAG160N can be viewed in this emulator.

Yes, it'll work fine as a ADSL2 modem and yes, you'll be able to connect it as an uplink to a dedicated ROUTER/WiFi.

Before I get shot down in a big ball of burning flames with the screaming and the sizzling, you can use NAT/PAT and Portforwarding, BUT there wont be any half-bridge connection.

Some people can not live with this limitation. Also another thing, if you have Apple devices on your network, maybe a bit of a test with a 'ROUTER' (friend/neighbour) to verify the required service will work and is stable before a major purchase.

The original post does have a subject saying 'Router', but guessing the OP really meant modem/router.

If I was to buy a router (sans ADSL), I'd buy one with a Broadcom chipset as it gives you access to a wider range of firmware updates.
You may not care about using third party firmware, but it's nice to have the option and does in most cases give you a better rounded routing device with things like VLANs and VPN servers, full access to OptWare and additional/better WiFi settings.

Besides only the top end modem/routers come with 1GB Ethernet interfaces. 1GB interfaces are required/preferred if you plan a small NAS or Ethernet connected disk storage solution in the future.

Lets face it, with just about every new 'device' now supporting Ethernet/802.11n and DLNA (A/V Receivers[streaming and DLNA sourced music], TV, media player, mobile phone, notebooks, tablets, desktop), the last thing you want to have is small isolated pockets of data storage throughout the house. A Gigabit Eth, 300/450Mbps 2.4GHz(optional 5GHz) router will support a home environment well.

Some routers that have been suggested in forums and commonly available are Linksys E4200v1 or ASUS RT-N16.
Maybe something like the ASUS RT-N66U with Tomato firmware will be all the rage in the future, but to early to tell.
I see USB 3G modem support listed in Tomato firmware for this device, so who knows.

The one smart phone, one notebook person using a bit of social media, web browsing and email would be fine with a modem/router.

But as soon as you go into home theatre/media players and multiple tablets/notebooks/smart phones/gaming, you really need a good home network and that means CAT5/6 Eth, Eth Powerline, NAS, a dedicated ADSL modem and a Gigabit router/WiFi.....but that could just be me....probably case I have all the above already.

dclegg

2806 posts

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#580931 13-Feb-2012 16:12

DrStrangelove:
The original post does have a subject saying 'Router', but guessing the OP really meant modem/router.

OP here :-)

While its currently a modem/router thats causing me grief, I'd possibly consider a dedicated router if my current modem/router could be set up to act only as a modem (its a Netgear DGN3500).

That being said, we have had a few instabilities with our ADSL connection staying up with this device, and its a bit of a PITA to re-establish this. With my previous modem/router, I'd tell my family to reboot it if there were any Internet connectivity issues, but with this one you also have to go into the config page afterwards and manually re-establish the connection, as this isn't automatically done after a reboot.

DrStrangelove

368 posts

Ultimate Geek

#581008 13-Feb-2012 19:14

dclegg:
DrStrangelove:
The original post does have a subject saying 'Router', but guessing the OP really meant modem/router.

OP here :-)

While its currently a modem/router thats causing me grief, I'd possibly consider a dedicated router if my current modem/router could be set up to act only as a modem (its a Netgear DGN3500).

That being said, we have had a few instabilities with our ADSL connection staying up with this device, and its a bit of a PITA to re-establish this. With my previous modem/router, I'd tell my family to reboot it if there were any Internet connectivity issues, but with this one you also have to go into the config page afterwards and manually re-establish the connection, as this isn't automatically done after a reboot.

One could use the DGN3500 as an ADSL modem only, but I suggest it's an over kill when a 10W ADSL modem would do the job.

What does the logging on your DGN3500 say?

Had a look at the DSL line stats? Even Ethernet line stats.
Seeing any CRC errors? i.e. more than say 50 a day.

No point in buying new kit if the underlay infrastructure is not tickety boo.

With an all in one modem/routing/switching/USB(if being used) solution resources could be close to exhausted.
What's the CPU/memory usage like?

Have you checked the interface usage stats while it's working and under load?

This is just me and probably nothing to do with your issue, but I NEVER configure a network using the default 192.168.1.0/24. This means devices out of the box wont work/route if using a static address and thus gives one a moment to configure the correct IP configuration if one is not using DHCP.

Private IP addressing

Class A 10.0.0.0/8 - Pick a network... any network...
Class B 172.16.0.0/12 - My favourite as it's generally not used much and thus no conflicts with say external VPNs and etc.
Class C 192.168.0.0/16 - Avoid if possible

If the CPU/Memory is exhausted processing/streaming some other 'traffic' it may not be able to service the DSL component and thus drop the link. Sounds pretty extreme, but at least something to cross off the list.

I'm just thinking out loud, as I like to know a bit about why something breaks before I go off and get something else.

To be honest, I would have thought the number of devices you have would work OK with the current DGN3500.

I know Netgear halted the release of one of their newer routers to re-release it with more memory and I'm not sure what an olde worlde DGN3500 has inside it. But really how much memory could a LAN and a ARP table need, considering interfaces have their own buffering/windowing resources.

Ha ha ha can't get to netgear.com as their sites' off line. Maybe they're using there own equipment.

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