Network setup post-WRT54GL

[LokutusofBorg]

This isn't a typical "what router should I upgrade to from WRT54Gx" thread. I like the Dark Knight (Asus RT-N66U) and will be going with that. I'd like the dust to settle before I buy an AC router.

My question lies in network setup, specifically the "add-to, not replace" school of thought that smallnetbuilder pushes.

I have two WRT54GL v1.1 routers I've been using for years, running Tomato. I have one as my gateway router/firewall with wireless turned off, and one as an AP with wireless turned on. This has worked fine, but when we have a lot of people in the house (relatives staying for holidays, etc.) the wireless can really get bogged down and affect latency, throughput, and such. Even with just me and my wife, local network transfers are dog slow compared to taking my laptop downstairs and plugging an ethernet cable in. So the RT-N66U will be a big improvement, especially for local network transfers.

I just have a couple questions:

1. Should I
   • Leave my one WRT54GL as the wired-only gateway and attach the Asus RT-N66U as an AP?
   • Plug the Asus into my modem and use it as the gateway and the AP?
   • Buy a newer/cheapish router (recommendations?) to use as the gateway, using the RT-N66U as an AP?
2. Should I
   • Leave my second WRT54GL as an AP for our (and guests') phones?
   • Buy this nice little unit (Asus RT-N12) for $40 to use as the phone AP?
   • Not worry about it and just connect all devices to the RT-N66U?

I like the idea of being able to VPN into my home network, so I'm leaning toward 1b (unless I can use the RT-N66U for VPN when it's only set up as an AP [port forwarding?]). But that isn't a huge deal. I'd rather have a nicely configured/secure network than the extremely-occasional ability to VPN in. We have 20Mbps DSL and the WAN-to-LAN throughput of the WRT54GL is 54Mbps, I believe, so it should be sufficient in terms of raw routing.

I like the idea of using the new RT-N66U only for non-phone devices. So I'm leaning towards 2b, as our phones are N and I wouldn't mind the mild improvement the RT-N12 could bring (will it?).

Thanks for any feedback here.

 

[Fardringle]

Based on your description, I'd go with 1a and 2b. Set the Asus as the main gateway and wireless router. Leave the secondary WRT54GL as a B/G only access point for slower devices and guests.

Or just set up a guest network on the Asus in addition to the normal network, and turn off all of the old Linksys routers.