Recommendations for wireless router brand/model?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Recommendations for wireless router brand/model?

merknz

36 posts

Geek

#74098 26-Dec-2010 22:09

I'm having some strange issues with my existing router (Netcom 11n) mostly in regards to its NAT translation and its lack of uPnP. I am looking for a new device, I've had a lost of success with the Linksys WAG320n but it proved to be unresistant to a nearby lightning strike.

My requirements are fairly simple, Good Wireless signal, NAT, uPNP and be a wireless router (hate using gateways) with manual port forwarding ability.

Do I buy another one WAG320n? Is there anything out in the market now that stands out?

1 | 2

9061 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#421817 27-Dec-2010 10:41

Hi, as you would have noted elsewhere in the forum I am a keen fan of TPlink products, simply because they just do as they should, rarely had issues with them and also very important is that they use Broadcom DSL modem pumps which are best suited to Telecoms ISAM hardware.

I have not used the W8960N as most customers are happy with G radios, but have deployed its cheaper G sibbling quite extensively and they work very well, so I personally would give the W8960N a go.

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=384106

OH and a recommendation that applies to all products but I have found most important with TPLink, before using it upgrade its firmware, often they are shipped with earlier versions, and a lot of stress is removed if you upgrade them.

Cyril

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#422376 29-Dec-2010 13:53

What model is your Netcomm?

merknz

36 posts

Geek

#422383 29-Dec-2010 14:14

Generic 11n four port dual wireless router/modem. NB6PLUS4Wn
Firmware 3.104d

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#422385 29-Dec-2010 14:26

I thought you might say that. All my problems started when I flashed 3.104d. I can't find the stock firmware anywhere either :(

I ran mine for a year with 100% uptime on the original firmware but sometime after flashing, it locked up completely one day and I had to power cycle it. Then around 30 days later, it crashed again (both times taking the log file with it). I disabled UPnP and DHCP and kept my eye on it but before the 30 days was up, I had to reconfigure and the router got power-cycled again.

So I'm not going to know what is wrong until I can run this for a month interrupted, but I think if I was given the stock firmware, I'd consider rolling back to it.

Its an absolutlely stella piece of kit other than that. Just like having a 1025w with N support and a whole lot more. Hard to beat for the price.

Nokia2012

108 posts

Master Geek

#422411 29-Dec-2010 15:55

I think a Belkin or a cisco Router would be ideal

703

131 posts

Master Geek

#422533 29-Dec-2010 23:21

Run your router/modem through a UPS. It may save it from lightning, and you can also adjust under/over voltage so the battery kicks in when that happens. Helps with stability and uptime.

In addition, some of the power bricks are poor quality, if that is suspected (often you can tell by the "brick" putting out heat, an efficient transformer should be cool to touch), then replace it with a good quality one.

Sometimes, many endless soft fixes such as firmware upgrades etc are chasing the wrong tail.

nakedmolerat

4629 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#422545 30-Dec-2010 00:51

Netgear wndr3700, you will never regret it

Quic Broadband

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.

tdgeek

29755 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#422548 30-Dec-2010 01:10

nakedmolerat

Is a wireless router a better option than a modem/router? One positive perhaps is that if you have a stellar router you can always use that and change modems?

If you have a wireless modem/router such as Thomson Tg585 can these be attached to a router and use the attached router for routing and not the router/modem? the reason I ask is that Telecom does not issue single PC modems now

Cheers

salival

29 posts

Geek

#422600 30-Dec-2010 11:40

cyril7: Hi, as you would have noted elsewhere in the forum I am a keen fan of TPlink products, simply because they just do as they should, rarely had issues with them and also very important is that they use Broadcom DSL modem pumps which are best suited to Telecoms ISAM hardware.

I have not used the W8960N as most customers are happy with G radios, but have deployed its cheaper G sibbling quite extensively and they work very well, so I personally would give the W8960N a go.

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=384106

OH and a recommendation that applies to all products but I have found most important with TPLink, before using it upgrade its firmware, often they are shipped with earlier versions, and a lot of stress is removed if you upgrade them.

Cyril

Hi,

I have the W8960N, it's definitly a nice router. Wireless performance is solid.. BUT.. It does have a few "downfalls" Support is non existant unless you speak chinese/mandarin (Their australian/NZ number redirects to a foreign country) and the router routinely forgets my NAT settings.. Sometimes it has trouble gaining a connection.

BUT. I would recommend it to anyone. I've been using it ~7 months, Gained about 4mbit synch over the old Dlink modem we were using.

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

#424391 5-Jan-2011 19:39

cyril7: Hi, as you would have noted elsewhere in the forum I am a keen fan of TPlink products, simply because they just do as they should, rarely had issues with them and also very important is that they use Broadcom DSL modem pumps which are best suited to Telecoms ISAM hardware.

I have not used the W8960N as most customers are happy with G radios, but have deployed its cheaper G sibbling quite extensively and they work very well, so I personally would give the W8960N a go.

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=384106

OH and a recommendation that applies to all products but I have found most important with TPLink, before using it upgrade its firmware, often they are shipped with earlier versions, and a lot of stress is removed if you upgrade them.

Cyril

I'm jumping in late here - but I just want to check this out. If I buy this modem router I have the option of wireless and wired, so if there's an issue with one computer and wireless, I could still just use the wired Ethernet for that machine?

Thanks

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

#424394 5-Jan-2011 19:51

cyril7: Hi, as you would have noted elsewhere in the forum I am a keen fan of TPlink products, simply because they just do as they should, rarely had issues with them and also very important is that they use Broadcom DSL modem pumps which are best suited to Telecoms ISAM hardware.

I have not used the W8960N as most customers are happy with G radios, but have deployed its cheaper G sibbling quite extensively and they work very well, so I personally would give the W8960N a go.

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=384106

OH and a recommendation that applies to all products but I have found most important with TPLink, before using it upgrade its firmware, often they are shipped with earlier versions, and a lot of stress is removed if you upgrade them.

Cyril

I don't suppose you know whether this model works in Linux? I'm assuming it's okay seeing as it's external hardware.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

salival

29 posts

Geek

#424397 5-Jan-2011 20:06

silverbirch:
cyril7: Hi, as you would have noted elsewhere in the forum I am a keen fan of TPlink products, simply because they just do as they should, rarely had issues with them and also very important is that they use Broadcom DSL modem pumps which are best suited to Telecoms ISAM hardware.

I have not used the W8960N as most customers are happy with G radios, but have deployed its cheaper G sibbling quite extensively and they work very well, so I personally would give the W8960N a go.

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=384106

OH and a recommendation that applies to all products but I have found most important with TPLink, before using it upgrade its firmware, often they are shipped with earlier versions, and a lot of stress is removed if you upgrade them.

Cyril

I'm jumping in late here - but I just want to check this out. If I buy this modem router I have the option of wireless and wired, so if there's an issue with one computer and wireless, I could still just use the wired Ethernet for that machine?

I don't suppose you know whether this model works in Linux? I'm assuming it's okay seeing as it's external hardware.

This model will work in any o/s really. I dont recall an install cd, I did everything manually as usual but will definitly work in Linux.

It will also work wired or wireless or both together

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

#424398 5-Jan-2011 20:08

OK - great thanks! Appreciate the response

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

WolfmanNZ

139 posts

Master Geek

#425592 10-Jan-2011 01:03

salival:
silverbirch:
cyril7: Hi, as you would have noted elsewhere in the forum I am a keen fan of TPlink products, simply because they just do as they should, rarely had issues with them and also very important is that they use Broadcom DSL modem pumps which are best suited to Telecoms ISAM hardware.

I have not used the W8960N as most customers are happy with G radios, but have deployed its cheaper G sibbling quite extensively and they work very well, so I personally would give the W8960N a go.

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=384106

OH and a recommendation that applies to all products but I have found most important with TPLink, before using it upgrade its firmware, often they are shipped with earlier versions, and a lot of stress is removed if you upgrade them.

Cyril

I'm jumping in late here - but I just want to check this out. If I buy this modem router I have the option of wireless and wired, so if there's an issue with one computer and wireless, I could still just use the wired Ethernet for that machine?

I don't suppose you know whether this model works in Linux? I'm assuming it's okay seeing as it's external hardware.

This model will work in any o/s really. I dont recall an install cd, I did everything manually as usual but will definitly work in Linux.

It will also work wired or wireless or both together

I'll also recommend this router having got one finally just before New Year based largely on Cyrils glowing recommendation of them.

tdgeek

29755 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#425622 10-Jan-2011 08:01

If I have a modem/router such as Thomson TG585 can I use the TPlink wifi/ethernet router attached to the Thomson? I'd like to use the Thomson for DSL and the TPLink for routing

Cheers all

1 | 2