Consumer-grade Fibre modem/router recommendation

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OldGeek

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#309333 9-Oct-2023 14:53

I am moving to Quic - so in need of a modem/router. In recent years I have used ISP-supplied hardware (AR2140 from Sky) and looking for an equivalent with WIFI6 support and gig LAN ports. I know there are lots of choices so looking for comments on this one:

TP-Link AX3000 Dual Band Wireless Wi-Fi 6 Gigabit Router - Noel Leeming

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nztim

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#3144599 9-Oct-2023 15:02

Shame Sky make you return their device as this would have been fine.

I don't deal have any consumer grade products at home but that looks like it will "do the job"

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Linux

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#3144674 9-Oct-2023 18:14

Mikrotik HAP3 AX

nztim

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#3144675 9-Oct-2023 18:26

Linux: Mikrotik HAP3 AX

Problem is the term "consumer grade" was mentioned, a poorly configured Mikrotik leaves your internet open to hackers.

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DjShadow

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#3144680 9-Oct-2023 18:53

I splashed out and got the TP-Link Deco XE75 (non pro ver), pretty happy with it. It's nice having the whole 6ghz band to myself as my laptop supports it, get speedtests now and then up to the 900 mark.

Wombat1

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#3144690 9-Oct-2023 20:37

Fritzbox. They really easy and secure and will work with most isps.

noroad

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#3144807 10-Oct-2023 08:55

DjShadow:

I splashed out and got the TP-Link Deco XE75 (non pro ver), pretty happy with it. It's nice having the whole 6ghz band to myself as my laptop supports it, get speedtests now and then up to the 900 mark.

Good choice

OldGeek

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#3145609 12-Oct-2023 10:49

Thanks for all the responses. I have looked at the devices recommended but there is no compelling differences so I will go with the TP-LINK (under $200 with Supergold discount).

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OldGeek

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#3158964 13-Nov-2023 12:02

I am experiencing significant performance issues with Quic using the TP-LINK router over the first day of use download speeds started at 275 Mbps and sank to 60 Mbps. The initial response from Quic pointed to CPU speed as being a factor slowing the data transfer rate. Note that the measurement is via a Samknows whitebox 'instant test', connected to the TP-LINK through an ethernet cable. On Sky, whitebox testing through the Sky-provided router was consistently above 300 Mbs. I have substituted the Sky Router for the TP-LINK router and speeds up to 275 Mbs. Upload speeds are also affected but omitted for brevity (same trends).

I am interested in the validity of CPU speed and data transfer rates. If Quic are correct, this router is not fit-for-purpose on UFB 300/100 plans.

Please note that my interest is in the fit-for-purpose angle, not the service provided by Quic (remedial actions are ongoing).

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michaelmurfy

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#3159065 13-Nov-2023 13:30

It should be OK for 300Mbit. Very soon however Quic will be activating DHCP (so you can use this instead of PPPoE) which may help. Lots of work going on currently and I think some of the problems that people are having are related.

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Gwilson

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#3159156 13-Nov-2023 17:39

I got the Mikrotik Hap AX^3 - it's extremely capable, a bit of a leaning curve but well worth the effort.

It's also available at a sensible price from Go Wireless - I look at the cost of some of the consumer mesh setups stretching into the thousands and cannot see why people buy them.

I downgraded from a 1Gb connection to 300Mpbs/100Mbps with Quic and the Mikrotik doesn't break a sweat - CPU is 4 core and averages 2% utilisation. I do have a reasonable complex setup with multiple networks and inter-network firewall and NAT rules.

Quic seem to be having a few issues with their setups currently (work in progress) but I haven't had any reliability or performance issues - more cosmetic and reporting related than anything else.

RunningMan

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#3159158 13-Nov-2023 17:44

Gwilson: I got the Mikrotik Hap AX^3 - it's extremely capable, a bit of a leaning curve but well worth the effort.

Unfortunately as @nztim has said, hardly consumer grade though in terms of setup.

Gwilson: I look at the cost of some of the consumer mesh setups stretching into the thousands and cannot see why people buy them.

1) Marketing
2) Topography - there's many sites where a single AP just isn't a good solution and it's also difficult to get a cable run to the AP location(s) needed.

nztim

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#3159167 13-Nov-2023 19:03

Make sure the Mikrotik is secure this includes

* Restricting WAN access via IP
* Disabling MAC Winbox, MAC Discovery, MAC telnet on WAN/DMZ interfaces

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nzkc

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#3159176 13-Nov-2023 19:14

nztim:

Linux: Mikrotik HAP3 AX

Problem is the term "consumer grade" was mentioned, a poorly configured Mikrotik leaves your internet open to hackers.

Whilst I agree, its worth noting that their default firewall config these days is good.

Still I wouldnt recommend a Mikrotik to someone asking for consumer grade either.

Gwilson

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#3159244 13-Nov-2023 20:27

You guys are right, of course. A bit dangerous if you do not know, or learn what you are doing.

However, we are on Geekzone, not Consumerzone...