Question Looking for a new router

[Kneedragger]

Right now I have a Tplink C9 which doesn't receive security updates anymore. I'd like a new router that might have been just released so I get more updates out of it. I do a lot of internet streaming and view HD content locally with 2 nvidia shield tv. Everything is wired except for mobile devices and I'm running access points so wifi features in a router are not a concern.

I'm running two Unifi Nano AP's with the controller software running on my media server.

I have noticed some routers now are using 3 and 4 core socs and curious if these are worth going for future proofing?

Any info would be appreciated

 

[Makaveli]

What is your budget?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Right now I have a Tplink C9 which doesn't receive security updates anymore.

That's (unfortunately) one of the short-comings when buying TP-Link networking gear like SOHO routers. Their support window is rather small, for things like firmware updates (that I've seen), compared to some other vendors like Asus. Of course, that may also be due to an FTC decree with Asus, about their router security or prior issues with thereof, and them having to provide security updates to their routers for something like ten years (I think?).

This issue, largely, is one reason why I've stuck to using 3rd-party firmware for my routers for years, because it's more-or-less constantly updated. Consider that. Not that 3rd-party firmware is flawless, not by any means, but it has less chance of being abandoned, too. (Remember to donate!)

 

[Kneedragger]

That's (unfortunately) one of the short-comings when buying TP-Link networking gear like SOHO routers. Their support window is rather small, for things like firmware updates (that I've seen), compared to some other vendors like Asus. Of course, that may also be due to an FTC decree with Asus, about their router security or prior issues with thereof, and them having to provide security updates to their routers for something like ten years (I think?).

This issue, largely, is one reason why I've stuck to using 3rd-party firmware for my routers for years, because it's more-or-less constantly updated. Consider that. Not that 3rd-party firmware is flawless, not by any means, but it has less chance of being abandoned, too. (Remember to donate!)

I'm open to 3rd party firmware. It would need to be stable though I tinker with enough stuff in my house and dont need my wife and kids mad at me for the internet down🤣.

 

[Kneedragger]

What is your budget?

Well I'm thinking under $200.00 but as the price goes up all I see are wifi features.

 

[Makaveli]

Well I'm thinking under $200.00 but as the price goes up all I see are wifi features.

https://www.asus.com/ca-en/Networking/RT-AX58U/

Is a good choice

And has support for 3rd Party Merlin firmware.

If you go over $200

The AX88U is a good choice - This is what i'm using now and its excellent.

 

[Kneedragger]

https://www.asus.com/ca-en/Networking/RT-AX58U/

Is a good choice

And has support for 3rd Party Merlin firmware.

If you go over $200

The AX88U is a good choice - This is what i'm using now and its excellent.

I'll read up on those two. Thanks for the recommendations.

 

[boomerang]

Why not go with a Unifi product? If you have a switch you could go with a USG but it may be important to know the speed you're getting from your ISP if you wanted to enable all the bells and whistles. The bells and whistles you don't have right now with what you have so it's doubtful you'd be unhappy not being able to use them.

You could go with an EdgeRouter X and be good up to 1gig. The X would give you 4 switch ports if that's all you have now/need. The EdgeRouter 4 has more HP but fewer ports and it's questionable whether you would need the extra horsepower but it does slide in right under your budget. Be aware that only the USG will interface with the Unifi Controller software.

I have built many systems over the years with Asus motherboards but their routers, based on my experiences, are good for 12 gauge target shooting. I want something I don't have to reboot multiple times per week.

 

[Kneedragger]

Why not go with a Unifi product? If you have a switch you could go with a USG but it may be important to know the speed you're getting from your ISP if you wanted to enable all the bells and whistles. The bells and whistles you don't have right now with what you have so it's doubtful you'd be unhappy not being able to use them.

You could go with an EdgeRouter X and be good up to 1gig. The X would give you 4 switch ports if that's all you have now/need. The EdgeRouter 4 has more HP but fewer ports and it's questionable whether you would need the extra horsepower but it does slide in right under your budget. Be aware that only the USG will interface with the Unifi Controller software.

I have built many systems over the years with Asus motherboards but their routers, based on my experiences, are good for 12 gauge target shooting. I want something I don't have to reboot multiple times per week.

The way Ubiquit has their hardware I get confused really easily and have no idea what Im looking at except for switches and AP's. I was considering the Gateway but read its old and needs a refresh so I pulled away from that device.

 

[boomerang]

The way Ubiquit has their hardware I get confuded really easily and have no idea what Im looking at except for switches and AP's. I was considering the Gateway but read its old and needs a refresh so I pulled away from that device.

It's important to stay within your comfort zone. I get that.

I took an EdgeRouter X out of the mix and replaced it with a USG about 4 months ago here to feed my hardware habit and to experience a fully populated controller. The USG is pretty easy to set up.

USG Setup

The Edgerouter X is easier if you follow a few very simple steps initially. It will then walk you through the basic setup using a built in Wizard and then you are good to go. No further setup is required.

One thing to keep in mind is that you have a recommendation for a router along with running third party firmware on it. Merlin is great for people that like to learn new things while fiddling with them. That's not your scope of interest by your own admission.

I'm not going to belabor the point any further, I just wanted to point a few things out. Pick what's best for you.

 

[Makaveli]

I have built many systems over the years with Asus motherboards but their routers, based on my experiences, are good for 12 gauge target shooting. I want something I don't have to reboot multiple times per week.

I've easily had 150+ days uptime on my Asus router running merlin firmware.

And the only reason it wasn't longer was because of a firmware update.

 

[boomerang]

I've easily had 150+ days uptime on my Asus router running merlin firmware.

And the only reason it wasn't longer was because of a firmware update.

I'm glad for you. My experience was totally different. Two different Asus models. Both of which experienced the same issue. The SSID's were being broadcast, a device could connect but there was no Internet access. Only a reboot would correct the problem. I shelved the N router and replaced it with an EdgeRouter X but pursued a warranty replacement on the AC because I always like to have a spare on hand. I put the warranty replacement into service to test it out and it behaved the exact same way as what it replaced. I had tried stock firmware, DD-WRT and Merlin on all of them. If there was Tomato available for it, I did not look and obviously did not try it. I was more than disappointed. I was and still am a fan of Asus motherboards but their routers, no.

The following is somewhat related. I have a friend that purchased a Netgear router within the past 30 days. The SSID's were fading in an out but Internet access would continue unbroken. The SSID's appear and then disappear in no pattern that can be detected. He contacted Netgear and they confirmed that the behavior was not normal. They sent him a warranty replacement. It is behaving the exact same way.

I have given up on purchasing and recommending routers that are brands widely heard of by the public at large. The EdgeRouter X that I replaced with the USG was working without a single hiccup for nearly three years. I was lucky to go 3 days with the Asus.

 

[Makaveli]

I'm glad for you. My experience was totally different. Two different Asus models. Both of which experienced the same issue. The SSID's were being broadcast, a device could connect but there was no Internet access. Only a reboot would correct the problem. I shelved the N router and replaced it with an EdgeRouter X but pursued a warranty replacement on the AC because I always like to have a spare on hand. I put the warranty replacement into service to test it out and it behaved the exact same way as what it replaced. I had tried stock firmware, DD-WRT and Merlin on all of them. If there was Tomato available for it, I did not look and obviously did not try it. I was more than disappointed. I was and still am a fan of Asus motherboards but their routers, no.

This was pretty much what I was expecting your experience is with old hardware.

The model i'm using is a Wifi 6 one with current Merlin code.

And as for the friend and his netgear i'm not surprised I find their firmwares to be below the quality of asus and merlin's code. While taking longer to push out firmware updates.