Gigabit Wireless Router and 8 Port Switch recommendations

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craft1

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#95947 17-Jan-2012 11:55

I know this has been asked in the past, most recently http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=39&topicid=88390 but the thread was closed last August so im assuming that recommendations will have changed since then.

Basically I am wanting to replace my existing Telecom supplied Thompson router with a Gigabit router (Wireless-N is not a requirement but would be happy to have), and I need an 8 port Gigabit switch to provide additional wired network points that I am going to connect up to a new room.

Im not after the best gear in the world, just something thats cost effective, stable and works well with my ADSL2+ Telecom broadband.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

cyril7

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#569855 17-Jan-2012 12:04

Hi, why do you need a Gigabit router, surely a standard fast ethernet one in tandem with a GigE switch is adequate, even VDSL2 does not do Gigabit and ADSL2+ is 20Mb/s at best. I would just go with a TP-Link 8969 which has a dual chain N Wireless and a TP-Link GigE switch both linked below. That will give you 7 gigE ports and 3 fast ethernet ports for more basic devices like printers and non GigE things.

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

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=375927

Cyril

craft1

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Master Geek

#569858 17-Jan-2012 12:17

I was assuming I needed a Gigabit router as the 8 port switch would be plugged into it, but I guess the home network would be benefitting from the Gigabit speed and only a few ports on the router would be still restricted to 100Mbit.

Thanks for the links. I'll check them out more thoroughly tonight.

Has anyone had any experience with that router on a Telecom connection? Ive used a D-Link and the Thompson one so far and they seem to be pretty solid for connections but have read some posts here about some routers not being as compatible as others.

cyril7

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#569864 17-Jan-2012 12:34

The TP-Links (except the TD8840T) use the Broadcom chipset which is the most compatible and stable chipset with Telecoms ISAMs, I have installed more than I care to remember.

Cyril

theEd

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#570122 17-Jan-2012 20:17

cyril7: The TP-Links (except the TD8840T) use the Broadcom chipset which is the most compatible and stable chipset with Telecoms ISAMs, I have installed more than I care to remember.

Keep in mind that the new cabinetised Telecom gear which does both ADSL and VDSL isn't Broadcom-based, so the traditional wisdom that Broadcom-based modems is better isn't always valid any longer (unless you're outside of the main centres and still on the old gear).

That being said, the TP-Link gear seems pretty solid on most connections, I've got a cheap one on my grandparents' connection and am impressed.

Ragnor

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#570129 17-Jan-2012 20:29

theEd:

Keep in mind that the new cabinetised Telecom gear which does both ADSL and VDSL isn't Broadcom-based, so the traditional wisdom that Broadcom-based modems is better isn't always valid any longer

Broadcom chipset based devices have still proven to still the best option on the newer IKANOS line cards.

Alot of the other chipsets, particularly in older devices have actually had significant problems on the new line cards.

theEd

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#570133 17-Jan-2012 20:51

Ragnor: Alot of the other chipsets, particularly in older devices have actually had significant problems on the new line cards.

Oh, you don't have to tell me that!

We actually sent Vigor120s to a few of the more cooperative ISPs for them to test on their new line cards and provide us with feedback, because we anticipated issues. Luckily it worked splendidly.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the ancient Vigor2700e/Ge, of which there still seem to be a lot out there...

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

lucky015

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#570177 17-Jan-2012 22:08

cyril7: Hi, why do you need a Gigabit router, surely a standard fast ethernet one in tandem with a GigE switch is adequate, even VDSL2 does not do Gigabit and ADSL2+ is 20Mb/s at best. I would just go with a TP-Link 8969 which has a dual chain N Wireless and a TP-Link GigE switch both linked below. That will give you 7 gigE ports and 3 fast ethernet ports for more basic devices like printers and non GigE things.

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

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=375927

Cyril

Probably the best combination of products to setup a decent network for those requirements however while those products are good, and ascent seems to have decent product descriptions I would suggest shopping around on PriceSpy for better prices, Could save you around $40 in total to get elsewhere.

craft1

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Master Geek

#570190 17-Jan-2012 22:27

www.playtech.co.nz consistently seem to be cheaper than acsent. Just checked them out and ill save about $20 so i think i will order those both tonight.

Thanks for all the help on this. Always good to check with the experts. :)

lucky015

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#570203 17-Jan-2012 22:57

PlayTech are usually fairly decently priced and reliable, One of my favorites.

Good luck.

craft1

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#571042 19-Jan-2012 22:02

The router and switch turned up this morning and they were a breeze to setup.

Im looking forward to being able to plug more than 4 things up to my network. :)

lucky015

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#571070 20-Jan-2012 02:42

Congratz and enjoy, I'm intending on upgrading to a decent gigabit setup myself in the future, Probably will be getting the the same or at least a similar setup then myself.