Routers with Multiple 2.5Gb Ports?

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jzsliam

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#315071 11-Jun-2024 12:19

Hi everyone,

I've recently upgraded to a 2.5Gbps Hyperfibre connection with 2Degrees and I'm looking for advice on choosing a router that has multiple 2.5Gb Ethernet ports.

Initially, I was considering the UniFi Gateway Max to handle the WAN connection from the ONT and linking that to the Orbi router provided by 2Degrees to just act as an AP. However, I'm now having second thoughts about committing to the UniFi ecosystem.

Could anyone suggest alternative brands or models that offer multiple 2.5Gb Ethernet ports? Any personal experiences or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Liam

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#3247426 11-Jun-2024 12:29

Consumer router or enthusiast router? What's your use case? I'd say a RB5009, or a RB4011 with a good SFP+/2.5Gbe switch, or a DIY x86 Router is the default go-to.

If you're not after something so complex, something simpler like this might be the easier pick, especially with expandability in mind.

Buy the TP-Link Deco BE65 (BE11000) Tri-Band WiFi 7 Whole Home Mesh System - 1... ( Deco BE65(1-pack) ) online - PBTech.co.nz

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noroad

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#3247430 11-Jun-2024 12:48

Yes, the Mikrotik or TPLINK router then add a cheap 2.5G switch https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005823244914.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.6eebBJMIBJMIdE&algo_pvid=2f563a37-6c53-4dea-bb8b-ca3ee82cafd4&algo_exp_id=2f563a37-6c53-4dea-bb8b-ca3ee82cafd4-0&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21NZD%21145.70%2184.50%21%21%2187.21%2150.58%21%402101ef6817180668344802916e9125%2112000034479133386%21sea%21NZ%211853087687%21&curPageLogUid=308RKMr5CD5C&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

jzsliam

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#3247439 11-Jun-2024 13:10

toejam316:

Consumer router or enthusiast router? What's your use case? I'd say a RB5009, or a RB4011 with a good SFP+/2.5Gbe switch, or a DIY x86 Router is the default go-to.

If you're not after something so complex, something simpler like this might be the easier pick, especially with expandability in mind.

Buy the TP-Link Deco BE65 (BE11000) Tri-Band WiFi 7 Whole Home Mesh System - 1... ( Deco BE65(1-pack) ) online - PBTech.co.nz

Thanks for the reply, ideally i'm looking at enthusiast router, i have a number of proxmox servers with 2.5gb nics that i would like to make use of.

additionally, i've got 2 SG300's with SFP that i could make use of but not really wanting to purchase 10g SPF modules.

The more 2.5GB Ports on the router the better

Thanks!

michaelmurfy

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#3247440 11-Jun-2024 13:16

Why not just use a 2.5Gbit switch? You don't need a router to have this.

Otherwise, Dream Machine Pro or UniFi Gateway Max along with a suitable 2.5Gbit switch, access points etc. It's going to cost.

Don't go consumer grade.

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jzsliam

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#3247446 11-Jun-2024 13:28

michaelmurfy:

Why not just use a 2.5Gbit switch? You don't need a router to have this.

Otherwise, Dream Machine Pro or UniFi Gateway Max along with a suitable 2.5Gbit switch, access points etc. It's going to cost.

Don't go consumer grade.

Thanks for the reply mate,

The reason i need a router is because the router that 2D provide (RBR860) only has 10gb WAN in and the rest are only 1gb, defeats the purpose of providing multigig fiber if the router they provide can only do 1gb wired...

Thanks

shrub

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#3247466 11-Jun-2024 13:37

Thats just crazy.

Look at the DIY x86 OpnSense routers. Plenty of solid options on Ali look for the topton official store.

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nztim

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#3247470 11-Jun-2024 13:58

Be careful with any DIY or Mikrotiks that they are properly and sufficiently secured, last thing you want is to be exposed to the internet

Lucky 2G is CG-Nat but if you have a static you could be opening yourself up to Attacks

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noroad

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#3247473 11-Jun-2024 14:19

nztim:

Be careful with any DIY or Mikrotiks that they are properly and sufficiently secured, last thing you want is to be exposed to the internet

With the MIkrotik if people use the Quick setup wizard then an appropriate set of firewall rules are applied. Then do minor modifications as needed. The problem comes when people who don't understand how things work start with a blank config and think they can guess their way through.

ANglEAUT

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#3247476 11-Jun-2024 14:37

noroad: With the MIkrotik ... start with a blank config and think they can guess their way through.

Tell me about it. Was doing some testing. Less than 10min & they had locked the admin out & disabled the terminal, did a whole bunch of API configs, etc. Nothing to do but full factory reset to defaults. Even a quick reset wasn't enough. 😎

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

Zeon

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#3247694 11-Jun-2024 22:38

A quick comment - 10gbps SFP+ fibre modules are very cheap these days, as are PCI-E NICs that support them. Check 2nd hand on Ebay. E.g. you can get a dual port PCI-E NIC (HP NC523SFP) for <$40NZD including free shipping and 10G SFP+ multimode fibre for <$10NZD each!

Speedtest 2019-10-14

richms

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#3247695 11-Jun-2024 23:00

You can get deals on cards and optics or cards and DAC cables on aliexpress, and there are dual 10g copper cards for under $30 free shipping as well. Shame that the 10G switch is so costly.

Not sure if the cards will do 2.5G or not however.

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#3248710 14-Jun-2024 09:52

I'm upgrading my SOHO LAN to 2.5Gbit. Internet connection will remain Gigabit fibre.

I already have 2.5Gbit switches, and 2.5Gbit ports on some my PCs and NAS units.

I've ordered a Firewalla Gold SE from the USA (not yet available in NZ). It's expensive. 🙄

This has 2 x 1.0Gbit ports and 2 x 2.5Gbit ports.

It can be used in router or bridge mode.

I'll post an update when it arrives.

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jzsliam

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#3248713 14-Jun-2024 10:00

Thanks mate, very interested in your thoughts on this.

berend

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#3249295 15-Jun-2024 10:51

I would get a pfSense box: https://shop.netgate.com/products/netgate-4200-base-pfsense-security-gateway?_gl=1%2A14evtkk%2A_gcl_au%2AMjE0MzA2ODc5Mi4xNzE4NDA0OTg5%2A_ga%2AMTA2OTUxNTIyLjE3MTg0MDQ5ODk.%2A_ga_TM99KBGXCB%2AMTcxODQwNDk4OS4xLjEuMTcxODQwNDk5Ni41My4wLjA.

maxeon

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#3249296 15-Jun-2024 10:58

A fan less pc from aliexpress would do the same job cheaper? I am thinking of ordering the n100 or i5 8gb ram one from this link.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006839029430.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.17.3333293eCb9r6T&algo_pvid=9e8fdf66-546e-494e-ab93-73974484e7fc&algo_exp_id=9e8fdf66-546e-494e-ab93-73974484e7fc-8&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21NZD%21466.36%21289.14%21%21%21284.00%21176.08%21%402103205217176685125555056ed945%2112000038471502325%21sea%21NZ%21121757726%21&curPageLogUid=1TfYvUKikn0W&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

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