How to know if a router will work with my (Spark) UFB?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › How to know if a router will work with my (Spark) UFB?

Batman

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#185457 23-Nov-2015 18:59

Hi very sorry if it's already been asked, the first page of the forum didn't reveal any.

1. So my understanding is the "Modem" for UFB is the ONT itself - correct/wrong?

2. If I wanted a router that does wireless N600 and AC1200+, how will I know whether it will work with the UFB?

3. Will a third party router need any "setting up" or is it plug and play or close to it?

chevrolux

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#1433483 23-Nov-2015 19:32

As long as the router supports VLAN tagging on the interface that's all you want. Anything that doesn't isn't worth buying.

I think the general favourite on here are those Asus AC routers for an all-in-one router/wifi device.

Don't buy anything Linksys, they are just glorified door stops these days.

Don't go by 'N600' or 'AC1200' as these are generally just marketing devices.. Look at the number of antenna/radios that are in them. As a general rule you just want a minimum of 2x2 for the 2.4GHz radio and 3x3 for the 5GHz radio.

At the end of the day too, a 3x3 5GHz AP can only be fully utitilised if the client radio has multiple antenna too.

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#1433484 23-Nov-2015 19:34

There is no such thing as modem in a UFB connection. There's an ONT, and a router.

Jase2985

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#1433490 23-Nov-2015 19:57

https://www.spark.co.nz/help/internet-email/getstarted/broadband-settings-for-third-party-modems/

all the info to set it up here.

you need a device that supports VID (or VLAN) tagging, most do this, though some dont so you really do need to check.

have a look at the many many other threads asking what router to buy, all pretty much say the same thing and nearly all will fit your requirements.

tdgeek

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#1433492 23-Nov-2015 19:59

joker97: Hi very sorry if it's already been asked, the first page of the forum didn't reveal any.

1. So my understanding is the "Modem" for UFB is the ONT itself - correct/wrong?

2. If I wanted a router that does wireless N600 and AC1200+, how will I know whether it will work with the UFB?

3. Will a third party router need any "setting up" or is it plug and play or close to it?

Turn the Spark router, should now be the 659b (AC, GB LAN and WAN, 2.4 and 5Ghz) wifi off. Turn the third party router into Bridge Mode and your good to go

I have the 659b with an Airport Extreme, as I have some Apple gear and Apple's super great eco system includes super great non 100% Wifi Alliance compliance. You might find the 659b works well for your needs as an all in one.

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#1434650 25-Nov-2015 17:15

chevrolux: As long as the router supports VLAN tagging on the interface that's all you want. Anything that doesn't isn't worth buying.

I think the general favourite on here are those Asus AC routers for an all-in-one router/wifi device.

Don't buy anything Linksys, they are just glorified door stops these days.

Don't go by 'N600' or 'AC1200' as these are generally just marketing devices.. Look at the number of antenna/radios that are in them. As a general rule you just want a minimum of 2x2 for the 2.4GHz radio and 3x3 for the 5GHz radio.

At the end of the day too, a 3x3 5GHz AP can only be fully utitilised if the client radio has multiple antenna too.

Thank you very much. After some investigating it turns out my laptop has 2x2 AC wifi card.

I am guessing the standard Huawei HG659B also has 2x2 AC wifi - so I'm good then.

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#1434691 25-Nov-2015 18:14

yes, but the HG659B has 3x3 wifi AC so your device is the bottleneck

1x1 wifi N max speed is 150mbps
2x2 wifi N max speed is 300mbps
3x3 wifi N max speed is 450mbps

1x1 wifi AC max speed is 433mbps
2x2 wifi AC max speed is 867mbps
3x3 wifi AC max speed is 1.3gbps

that assumes you have the channel widths set at 40Mhz (for wifi N) and 80Mhz (for wifi AC)

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Jase2985

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#1434694 25-Nov-2015 18:18

there it more to it than that

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#1434720 25-Nov-2015 19:05

Ah that explains why my max wifi speed is 860 Mbps .... cheers

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#1436890 28-Nov-2015 14:45

Another stupid question.

Can I plug two routers into the Chorus ONT? It's got 4 "LAN" ports.

Jase2985

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#1436943 28-Nov-2015 16:17

you can but only one will work as only one port on the ONT will be provisioned

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#1436945 28-Nov-2015 16:21

ok good to know. just that the 4 LANs look tempting LOL

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#1436965 28-Nov-2015 17:20

That's for you to sign up to 4 different ISPs. One for yourself, one for your boarder, one dedicated for streaming TV, one for telemedicine. Well that's the theory anyway, we don't have these providers yet.