Sanity check on using Cisco 891F as residentual UFB router?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Sanity check on using Cisco 891F as residentual UFB router?

kiwibum

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#269966 17-Apr-2020 13:54

Situation: Fibre 100Mpbs residential Internet connection with one Huawei HG659b as the router AP and a Linksys WRT54G as second AP.

I would like to put in a non-wifi router and use the HG659B as just an AP. At the moment I have 20m of CAT5 cable to/from ONT to the HG695b, plus similar lengths from the HG695b to printer, WRT54G etc, and I'm finding the HG659b needs a regular reboot to keep it stable.

I have some Cisco routers (3x 891F, 2x 1811) from an upgrade I helped with. I understand the 891F would do the job but I haven't configured a Cisco router before, I've only logged in and followed the directions of the tech support company I did the box change for.

Question: Is it worth my sanity to use the free Cisco router I have and try to configure it, free is good right? Or sell, trade, give away these Ciscos and get a more simple to configure router to suit my needs? My original thought was, I have them, they are free, and I have backup if I get one to work as I have two more the same!

The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to find a simple solution, I don't have the time or inclination to learn Cisco IOS.

Anyone interested in trading some Cisco routers for a more basic router that will do the job?

Thanks.

Steve

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#2464170 17-Apr-2020 13:56

If you aren't interested in learning IOS, you are going to have a bad time haha...

If you want something extremely capable, with a GUI, grab a Mikrotik RB750Gr3 for like $100 - will route around 800-900Mbps over PPPoE.

cyril7

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#2464173 17-Apr-2020 14:01

Hi, agree with Sam, dont waste your time, these are pretty capable routers, however the learning curve for iOS will do your head in. At work we are a Cisco shop, but if I have a choice I always select something else. The RB750G3 is definitely the go.

Edit: also the wrt is pretty dated, spend the money and get some decent wireless

Cyril

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#2464180 17-Apr-2020 14:10

I would put the 891F up on Trademe if you aren't interested in learning IOS. Then as long as you get a good price you could buy a Microtik or Ubiquiti Edge Router that are more than capable and has a pretty GUI to help you get it configured.

SteveC

stevec
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#2464340 17-Apr-2020 17:32

My view - coming from many years experience with Cisco gear and only about ten years with Mikrotik:
* Both have a learning curve. Mikrotik is faster if the initial quick mode does what you need. Plenty of Geekzone support for Mikrotik
* I'm pretty sure that a Cisco 891 will have a browser-based GUI. If the device is configured to enable that, it might be easier than Mikrotik. If the http server is not enabled, then yes, steep learning curve.
Steve

kiwibum

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#2465106 18-Apr-2020 22:33

Thanks for all your replies, and the sanity check that going the Cisco route isn't the wisest decision. The MikroTik RB750 looks like it will be a good solution. I've also spent way too much time reading about IPfire and might try some hardware with that. Years ago I was using IPcop for our DSL connection and hadn't thought of an open source router as a solution this time.

I'll put the Cisco's up on the "Offers and Wanted" forum to start with and see if I can move them out.

SteveC- Unfortunately the Cisco 891 doesn't have a browser-based GUI, for configuration anyway. Cisco does have a Windows based program, but from what I read it's not that simple to setup and I don't have Windows OS to run it anyway.

Cyril- Yes, wireless AP upgrade is on my wish list too.

Thanks again for your help, and have a lovely weekend.

SteveC

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#2465112 18-Apr-2020 22:53

My favourite software router is pfSense, if you have a suitable PC with gigabit cards. I had a 2000-ish vintage Dell compact desktop. After it was decommissioned at work I used it as a router at home with pfSense for about ten years! Only upgraded to the Mikrotik 750Gr3 when we went to Fibre-X (all those years ago), and needed network cards faster than 100mbs!
Interesting that Cisco doesn't have a half-decent GUI. Never can tell what motivate Cisco (other than making money and trying to regain dominance they once had).
:-)

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nztim

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#2465350 19-Apr-2020 11:41

Cisco 891F is a very capable router, if you are interested in setting this up, I would be happy to help bear in mind it will be no good for max/max fibre if you ever upgrade as it will tap out slightly above 200/200

Otherwise Mikrotiks are good too

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kiwibum

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#2465754 19-Apr-2020 22:32

SteveC: My favourite software router is pfSense, if you have a suitable PC with gigabit cards. I had a 2000-ish vintage Dell compact desktop. After it was decommissioned at work I used it as a router at home with pfSense for about ten years! Only upgraded to the Mikrotik 750Gr3 when we went to Fibre-X (all those years ago), and needed network cards faster than 100mbs!
Interesting that Cisco doesn't have a half-decent GUI. Never can tell what motivate Cisco (other than making money and trying to regain dominance they once had).
:-)

Have been reading about pfSense too, mostly considering IPfire because I'm more familiar with Linux.

Do I really need more than 100mbs? Just realised I didn't get round to upgrading, we are still on a 30/10 connection, which has been fine for me, I don't do games and only recently started looking at the odd Netflix movie.

Apparently Cisco had GUI called "Security Device Manager" (SDM) but it only worked on some of their routers and they don't appear to be promoting it now. Not available for the 891 router although I discovered I had a 871 router that would work with the SDM but I don't have a power supply for this unit.

kiwibum

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#2465758 19-Apr-2020 22:46

nztim:
Cisco 891F is a very capable router, if you are interested in setting this up, I would be happy to help bear in mind it will be no good for max/max fibre if you ever upgrade as it will tap out slightly above 200/200

Otherwise Mikrotiks are good too

Thank you for your kind offer, I've advertised the routers for sale, I will get back to you on this if no one is interested and the option is to use them. I have found some config information for them that doesn't seem too onerous, however I know the devil is in the details in these things and that can take up a lot of time.

I think a Mikrotik will do the trick if I get $ for the Ciscos. I see it's possible to run a demo version of their RouterOS on a PC so that gives me an option of making backup hardware if the RouterBOARD failed and I needed something to keep me online!

I would use IPfire or pfSense if I had the right hardware for it, however I only have old desktops and I worked out Mikrotik router would probably pay for itself in power savings after two years!

SteveC

stevec
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#2465770 19-Apr-2020 23:21

Sounds like an excellent plan! All the best.
Steve

chevrolux

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#2465811 20-Apr-2020 08:18

I would say there is no point in pfSense unless you are wanting to do something specific like caching, HA or IPS.
Most people just configure it as a normal old router, in which case you will get significantly more performance from a $100 Mikrotik.

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kiwibum

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#2472462 27-Apr-2020 23:10

chevrolux: I would say there is no point in pfSense unless you are wanting to do something specific like caching, HA or IPS.
Most people just configure it as a normal old router, in which case you will get significantly more performance from a $100 Mikrotik.

Thanks again for everyones input, Cisco's all sold and paid for a nice shiny new Mikrotik 750Gr3. Gave up on the idea of pfSense from your message above and worked out the Mikrotik would easily pay for itself in power savings! Now to sort out the wireless side of things. I'll post a separate topic for that.

toejam316

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#2472463 27-Apr-2020 23:13

If you want to stick with Mikrotik and use CAPSMAN, RbcAPGi-5acD2nD.

Another good option is the Grandstream GWN7600, or you could look at Ubiquiti UniFi AP AC.

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kiwibum

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#2472468 28-Apr-2020 00:36

toejam316:
If you want to stick with Mikrotik and use CAPSMAN, RbcAPGi-5acD2nD.

Another good option is the Grandstream GWN7600, or you could look at Ubiquiti UniFi AP AC.

Have spent the evening reading Access Point recommendations on Geekzone. The Ubiquiti UniFi AP AC seems to be the most common one to come up. I've looked at the Grandstream GWN7600 too, $30 cheaper but doesn't come with PoE injector which makes me think the Ubiquiti UniFi AP AC Lite is the better deal.

This is the first time I've seen Mikrotik wifi mentioned actually. I don't care about sticking with Mikrotik, I want something reliable, I don't need fast speed. There was a Mikrotik Cap Lite on Trademe, I was put off that by some of the reviews on Amazon having stability problems.

The Huawei HG659b we have continually drops our connections, the WRT54G works great with my laptop but has started playing up for my wifes Mac. If anyone can confirm the Ubiquiti AP's are more stable/reliable than the Mikrotik's I'd be willing to spring the extra on a Ubiquiti UniFi AP AC Lite.

michaelmurfy

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#2472470 28-Apr-2020 00:47

I've got a thread in my signature. I personally use UniFi access points here and they're excellent. I would never mix and match access points however so my second point:

If you're running multiple access points for coverage then consider also the AmpliFi Instant as another solution (Here) as it is easy to set up and manage (and looks good). If you've got multiple devices connected via Ethernet also then you'll need a Gigabit switch (these are only ~$30ish).

If you're going to be using Ubiquiti access points I would recommend replacing the HG659 with something a little beefier too and this is why I recommended the AmpliFi Instant as an option to just get things working (and well).

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