WiFi - Access point or router?

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boland

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Topic # 201267 10-Aug-2016 20:38

As a follow up on my previous thread.

I've moved our Linksys router to the living room. It has improved WiFi speeds, but randomly it drops, especially when it's used heavily (like accessing NAS).

I think the router is just dying as it's >5 years old. I'm just sick of wasting time on technology :)

So, new hardware is now the idea. I will need a router, as there are 2 devices connected to LAN in the living room. I've read a lot of good reviews about the Netgear R7000, but $300 is quite a lot of money.

I've seen this thread, but there's no router in the category "Extend LAN + Wifi"; I don't need it for UFB/ADSL/Fibre.

Any tips would be appreciated!

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Go Hawks!
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Reply # 1609853 10-Aug-2016 21:36

I've had extremely positive experiences with the Apple Airport Express devices.

I'm not sure what Apple puts in them, but in the scenarios where I have them installed, any issues with devices not staying connected to the WiFi (or intend simply being able to connect to the WiFi in the first instance) has been eliminated with the introduction of an Apple Airport. I run one at home in conjunction with the Vodafone supplied modem, and find that the Airport doesn't misbehave.

I switched to the Apple after many stories from others about the Apple Router fixing their issues, and that seems to have so far being a "magic" bullet ;-)

boland

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Reply # 1609867 10-Aug-2016 22:31

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wazzageek:

I've had extremely positive experiences with the Apple Airport Express devices.

I'm not sure what Apple puts in them, but in the scenarios where I have them installed, any issues with devices not staying connected to the WiFi (or intend simply being able to connect to the WiFi in the first instance) has been eliminated with the introduction of an Apple Airport. I run one at home in conjunction with the Vodafone supplied modem, and find that the Airport doesn't misbehave.

I switched to the Apple after many stories from others about the Apple Router fixing their issues, and that seems to have so far being a "magic" bullet ;-)

Thanks, heard good stories a while ago as well. However I don't have any Apple device and not planning on getting one...

froob

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Reply # 1611105 13-Aug-2016 15:20

You could buy an all-in-one device that is a router + ethernet switch + wireless access point, or alternatively because you don't need the router function, you could buy a stand-alone wireless access point and a separate switch.

Depending on whether you have any appetite for tinkering, my first suggestion would be to check whether your current Linksys router can run third party firmware. If it does, that may well sort your wireless issues. I run an old Linksys e3000 purchased off TradeMe as my main router, with Tomato firmware installed ("Shibby" version), and have set up a few friends and family on similar hardware. What model do you have?

Otherwise, the only stand alone wireless access points I have any experience with are the Apple Airport models, and the Ubiquiti Unifi (which I have currently). There have been mixed reviews of the Unifi on Geekzone, but so far I've found it to be very stable. The signal from it is also very good, because I've mounted it to the ceiling in a central location. It does however require the use of management software, which wasn't completely straightforward to get up and running. The model I have is the AP AC Lite.

mdf

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Reply # 1611118 13-Aug-2016 16:23

Entered the giveaway? http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=48&topicid=199240

In terms of recommended routers, it really depends what you're trying to achieve. I've got the R7000 and think it's great value, but I use some of the more advanced features. On the other hand, if you only intend to set it up and then never touch it again, there are plenty of cheaper options. Some of the ISP supplied ones aren't necessarily great, but you can often get them at a particularly good price point.

sbiddle

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Reply # 1611125 13-Aug-2016 17:15

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For standalone AP's you can't beat Xclaim which is a low cost brand from Ruckus with it's own cloud controller. It's a million times better than a UniFi solution as it's not full of bugs and actually works.

darylblake

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Reply # 1611133 13-Aug-2016 17:39

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What router have you actually got? I skimmed through your previous thread and it looked like a HG630b, but you mentioned something about a linksys. So I assume your are on a 100mbit UFB connection or a 30mbit connection (not a 200mbit).

This is what I would do if I were you.

Firstly assume every device in your home is connected VIA ethernet. If this was the case and if they all get a good connection, then you wont need to replace your router. What I would do however is look at a kick ass WIFI access point. If not then I would look for a router that is dual core, 800Mhz or more so it doesnt get bogged down.

Probably an Xclaim XI-3. If this is too pricey then go for a Ubiquiti AP. (An AP Pro or if you want wireless AC then look at the new AC units). Also, if you have a router with a switch in it, it does get bogged down when you copy large amounts of data across the LAN.

E.g. I have a Mikrotik RB2011. Its an amazing router, probably fine for a 100/100 connection, will cope with a 200/200 but switching across it while its routing can cause problems. E.g. I was copying 800Mbps across the LAN, using the two gig switch ports on it, while trying to browse the web via another port and it went slow and affected my 65/25mbit VDSL connection. If it was just plugged into a switch, it would have performed amazingly, and the switch would have handled my copy.

Its great to have separate WIFI units, separate units for routing, separate units for switching and sometimes even separate modems. I have found these types of setups to be amazingly solid.

TLDR: get a high quality wireless access point, and put it in a good spot.

tdgeek

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Reply # 1611170 13-Aug-2016 18:58

boland:

wazzageek:

I've had extremely positive experiences with the Apple Airport Express devices.

I'm not sure what Apple puts in them, but in the scenarios where I have them installed, any issues with devices not staying connected to the WiFi (or intend simply being able to connect to the WiFi in the first instance) has been eliminated with the introduction of an Apple Airport. I run one at home in conjunction with the Vodafone supplied modem, and find that the Airport doesn't misbehave.

I switched to the Apple after many stories from others about the Apple Router fixing their issues, and that seems to have so far being a "magic" bullet ;-)

Thanks, heard good stories a while ago as well. However I don't have any Apple device and not planning on getting one...

They are Apple devices, but not just for Apple devices

boland

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Reply # 1611182 13-Aug-2016 20:11

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froob:

Depending on whether you have any appetite for tinkering, my first suggestion would be to check whether your current Linksys router can run third party firmware. If it does, that may well sort your wireless issues. I run an old Linksys e3000 purchased off TradeMe as my main router, with Tomato firmware installed ("Shibby" version), and have set up a few friends and family on similar hardware. What model do you have?

Sorry, typo, I got a TP Link TL WR1043N. I've tried DDWRT, but the latest supported version of DDWRT has... WiFi issues... Not an option.

darylblake:

What router have you actually got? I skimmed through your previous thread and it looked like a HG630b, but you mentioned something about a linksys. So I assume your are on a 100mbit UFB connection or a 30mbit connection (not a 200mbit).

This is what I would do if I were you.

Firstly assume every device in your home is connected VIA ethernet. If this was the case and if they all get a good connection, then you wont need to replace your router. What I would do however is look at a kick ass WIFI access point. If not then I would look for a router that is dual core, 800Mhz or more so it doesnt get bogged down.

Probably an Xclaim XI-3. If this is too pricey then go for a Ubiquiti AP. (An AP Pro or if you want wireless AC then look at the new AC units). Also, if you have a router with a switch in it, it does get bogged down when you copy large amounts of data across the LAN.

E.g. I have a Mikrotik RB2011. Its an amazing router, probably fine for a 100/100 connection, will cope with a 200/200 but switching across it while its routing can cause problems. E.g. I was copying 800Mbps across the LAN, using the two gig switch ports on it, while trying to browse the web via another port and it went slow and affected my 65/25mbit VDSL connection. If it was just plugged into a switch, it would have performed amazingly, and the switch would have handled my copy.

Its great to have separate WIFI units, separate units for routing, separate units for switching and sometimes even separate modems. I have found these types of setups to be amazingly solid.

TLDR: get a high quality wireless access point, and put it in a good spot.

Yeah, got HG630b router in the garage for ethernet to my NAS, and LAN to my TP Link router in the living room which serves as WiFi access point + LAN for 2 media centers.

TP Link router gives very good WiFi coverage, but is not reliable. I already had a look at the Ubiquiti Networks, which is nr 1 at PriceSpy: http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=3393879
$200 is still a lot of money for just an access point though, but I think the best option going forward. Thanks.

Sideface

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Reply # 1611185 13-Aug-2016 20:24

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boland:

<snip>

I already had a look at the Ubiquiti Networks, which is nr 1 at PriceSpy: http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=3393879
$200 is still a lot of money for just an access point though, but I think the best option going forward.

I use a single UniFi AP AC LR at home (in a centrally-located cupboard) with excellent results.

I think that the price is reasonable for the performance.

Sideface

boland

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Reply # 1611220 13-Aug-2016 22:11

Sideface:

boland:

<snip>

I already had a look at the Ubiquiti Networks, which is nr 1 at PriceSpy: http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=3393879
$200 is still a lot of money for just an access point though, but I think the best option going forward.

+1

I use a single UniFi AP AC LR at home (in a centrally-located cupboard) with excellent results.

I think that the price is reasonable for the performance.

What is your max download speed / speed between clients?
What's the difference with the Pro? I can't seem to find the AC LR on their website?

Thanks.

Sideface

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Reply # 1611247 13-Aug-2016 22:28

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boland:

Sideface:

I use a single UniFi AP AC LR at home (in a centrally-located cupboard) with excellent results.

I think that the price is reasonable for the performance.

What is your max download speed / speed between clients?
What's the difference with the Pro? I can't seem to find the AC LR on their website?

Thanks.

To compare models, look here.

The UniFi AP AC LR is available here.

On a 100/10 Mbps cable connection, I get full line speeds using wireless ac anywhere in our (single-storey) house.

Sideface

mdf

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Reply # 1611255 13-Aug-2016 22:52

Sorry, typo, I got a TP Link TL WR1043N. I've tried DDWRT, but the latest supported version of DDWRT has... WiFi issues... Not an option.

The latest version of DDWRT very often does not mean the best. If you haven't already tried it, it's often work doing a bit of digging and trying earlier builds. The DDWRT wiki and forums usually have some good advice. And if you're just using it as an AP, how does the stock firmware work?

boland

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Reply # 1611257 13-Aug-2016 23:05

Sideface:

boland:

Sideface:

I use a single UniFi AP AC LR at home (in a centrally-located cupboard) with excellent results.

I think that the price is reasonable for the performance.

What is your max download speed / speed between clients?
What's the difference with the Pro? I can't seem to find the AC LR on their website?

Thanks.

To compare models, look here.

The UniFi AP AC LR is available here.

On a 100/10 Mbps cable connection, I get full line speeds using wireless ac anywhere in our (single-storey) house.

On the UniFi website (first link) the AC-LR is not listed... Only the LR, which does not have 5GHz. Or am I missing something?

boland

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Reply # 1611258 13-Aug-2016 23:06

mdf:

Sorry, typo, I got a TP Link TL WR1043N. I've tried DDWRT, but the latest supported version of DDWRT has... WiFi issues... Not an option.

The latest version of DDWRT very often does not mean the best. If you haven't already tried it, it's often work doing a bit of digging and trying earlier builds. The DDWRT wiki and forums usually have some good advice. And if you're just using it as an AP, how does the stock firmware work?

The latest version specifically supported for my router has wifi issues listed on DDWRT site. Fixed in a later version, which is not supported by my router.

Stock firmware is OK, but under load my WiFi just randomly drops. One client is fine, but when 2-4 clients connect and use some data, it's going down very fast.

darylblake

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Reply # 1611259 13-Aug-2016 23:07

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Id buy a Xclaim if you can afford it.
Else uap-ac lite

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