Modem for in front of ASUS RT-AC68U Gigabit WiFi Router

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Modem for in front of ASUS RT-AC68U Gigabit WiFi Router

howduz1

83 posts

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#243920 9-Jan-2019 08:05

Happy New Year all,

So I've had a bit of an "online purchase cockup", I have an ASUS RT-AC68U router inbound on a courier but I've just realised it is only a router and I still need a modem box in front of it. Can anyone recommend the best modem for this purpose (for VDSL)?

How this all started is I wanted to improve the wifi around the house/out to garage etc. Currently have fritzbox 7390 so rang ISP (2degrees) and they can supply fritz 7490 (with 802.11AC) for 15 bucks and resign for 12 months. Cool. However my OCD research kicked in and I found the ASUS RT-AC68U Gigabit WiFi Router which promised all things good for my purpose (apart from the lack of modem).

A few more questions to help sort out my new year mess:

Can I bridge the fritz 7390? or would this bottleneck the Asus somehow?

Should I get the fritz 7490 and bridge (if possible) that one in front of the Asus?

Is there another better/more suitable VDSL modem to put in front of Asus?

Should I just get the 7490 and return Asus un opened?

Many thanks

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#2156749 9-Jan-2019 08:23

Hi, just get on Trademe and pick up a Huawei HG659 or even on older 630b and put it in bridge mode, should be able to pick one up for $20 or there abouts

Cyril

howduz1

83 posts

Master Geek

#2157149 9-Jan-2019 15:58

Thanks Cyril, I'll give that a shot.

wratterus

1687 posts

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#2157155 9-Jan-2019 16:11

Draytek DV130 is a good option too, but more expensive than a second hand HG659 (which does work well on VDSL in bridge mode).

SATTV

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#2157164 9-Jan-2019 16:42

Why not just use the new router as a wifi access point?

The HG659b and others dont do true bridge mode.

The best modem that does a tru bridge mode is the Draytek DV130

Someone on here had a bunch for about $50 each

John

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#2157169 9-Jan-2019 16:55

The ASUS RT-AC68U is a good router - it is not a "bad buy".

I vote for the Draytec DV130 modem (in bridge mode) to go with it.

Sideface

Jiriteach

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#2157175 9-Jan-2019 17:10

You can use a 7490 alongside your 7390. I had 3 - 7490's meshed for wireless. I've since sold one but I have two 7490's still for sale. I need to get around to posting it in the for sale section. Does AC wifi. PM me if you're keen.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

cyril7

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#2157177 9-Jan-2019 17:13

SATTV:

Why not just use the new router as a wifi access point?

The HG659b and others dont do true bridge mode.

The best modem that does a tru bridge mode is the Draytek DV130

Someone on here had a bunch for about $50 each

John

Hi, ummm not too sure what you mean, if you mean they act as a PPPoE pass through bridge, then yes they do work as a true bridge.

Cyril

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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.

howduz1

83 posts

Master Geek

#2157180 9-Jan-2019 17:20

SATTV:

Why not just use the new router as a wifi access point?

Sorry, not sure I understand that - I do intend to use the new asus as the wifi access point but I need a (vdsl) modem in front of it.

howduz1

83 posts

Master Geek

#2157183 9-Jan-2019 17:25

Jiriteach:

You can use a 7490 alongside your 7390. I had 3 - 7490's meshed for wireless. I've since sold one but I have two 7490's still for sale. I need to get around to posting it in the for sale section. Does AC wifi. PM me if you're keen.

Thanks mate, yes I was bit premature in my purchase (of the asus) probably should have just got the near free 7490 from 2degrees however, it's too much of an embuggerance to return the asus now with courier and restocking fee etc so I'll just keep that and make it work. By all accounts its a decent router/wifi setup, just want the best modem for in front. I'll have a look at that draytek model. cheers

shk292

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#2157189 9-Jan-2019 17:38

howduz1:

Sorry, not sure I understand that - I do intend to use the new asus as the wifi access point but I need a (vdsl) modem in front of it.

The usual way is to use the modem/router as exactly that, and use your Asus just as a WAP by disabling DHCP and connecting one of its LAN ports to a router LAN port. This leaves the ISP-supplied equipment in its default config and is simpler than using bridge mode

howduz1

83 posts

Master Geek

#2157198 9-Jan-2019 17:47

shk292:

howduz1:

Sorry, not sure I understand that - I do intend to use the new asus as the wifi access point but I need a (vdsl) modem in front of it.

The usual way is to use the modem/router as exactly that, and use your Asus just as a WAP by disabling DHCP and connecting one of its LAN ports to a router LAN port. This leaves the ISP-supplied equipment in its default config and is simpler than using bridge mode

So you're suggesting getting the ISP's fritzbox 7490 and connecting to asus RT-AC68U in the manner you suggested is the better option?

shk292

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#2157200 9-Jan-2019 17:55

howduz1:

So you're suggesting getting the ISP's fritzbox 7490 and connecting to asus RT-AC68U in the manner you suggested is the better option?

You already have the 7390 right? Why not continue to use that as the modem/router, but add your Asus for better wifi? Then, when you change to UFB, just bin the 7390. Seems the simplest solution

howduz1

83 posts

Master Geek

#2157202 9-Jan-2019 17:58

shk292:

howduz1:

So you're suggesting getting the ISP's fritzbox 7490 and connecting to asus RT-AC68U in the manner you suggested is the better option?

You already have the 7390 right? Why not continue to use that as the modem/router, but add your Asus for better wifi? Then, when you change to UFB, just bin the 7390. Seems the simplest solution

Yes, that was one of my initial thoughts/questions - I'm just not that clued up on modems to know if the 7390 can be easily "bridged" and if it is the best solution - I don't want to bottle neck my new flash asus router??

shk292

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#2157209 9-Jan-2019 18:36

howduz1:

Yes, that was one of my initial thoughts/questions - I'm just not that clued up on modems to know if the 7390 can be easily "bridged" and if it is the best solution - I don't want to bottle neck my new flash asus router??

If it's the ISP-supplied router, it is unlikely to be a bottleneck on a VDSL connection. You don't need to bridge - just google "how to use router as an access point", you hardly need to change the Fritz config at all

Jiriteach

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#2157211 9-Jan-2019 18:41

howduz1:

shk292:

howduz1:

So you're suggesting getting the ISP's fritzbox 7490 and connecting to asus RT-AC68U in the manner you suggested is the better option?

You already have the 7390 right? Why not continue to use that as the modem/router, but add your Asus for better wifi? Then, when you change to UFB, just bin the 7390. Seems the simplest solution

Yes, that was one of my initial thoughts/questions - I'm just not that clued up on modems to know if the 7390 can be easily "bridged" and if it is the best solution - I don't want to bottle neck my new flash asus router??

If you already have a FB7390 and this is handling your connection but you don't want to use it for wifi then its a pretty simple setup. No extra configuration is required on the FB side. Just turn off wireless on the FB.

On the Asus router - you need to change the config from router to AP/bridge mode (or whatever else Asus called it) and just use it for wifi. The FB does the heavy lifting. By following this approach - you do loose the majority of the features of the Asus though but thats always going to happen if you have another device in front being the router.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

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