Upgrading to gigabit router and AP, looking for advice

[TBSN]

Hi,

I am looking to upgrade my router with a gigabit router. I think 10/100 is probably fine for my internet speed (100 down/ ~20 up) but I'd like to have more headroom for a NAS I'm planning to install and a steamlink. Wireless performance is not as important to me as I use ethernet, but my roommates rely on the wifi so I'll need that too. I would like to relegate the old linksys wrt400N router to access-point duty on one side of the apartment. Even with a very good WiFi router, the sheer amount of wifi RF in my area makes having two AP better than just upgrading a single radio, IMO.

I use DD-WRT on my current router, but I'd like to get something with stock firmware that is good enough for most basic setups. Is there any sense in getting a router like the Mikrotik hAP AC, or something from Ubiquity? I believe the mikrotik routers are CLI only, which isn't a deal breaker, but I would like something that doesn't take ages to set up.

I was also recommended the Ubiquiti Edgerouter Lite, which looks pretty good, but AFAIK doesn't have wireless. Would using one of those for the router and a cheap AP connected to that make any sense? It seems like that would be unnecessarily complicated when most consumer routers include wireless.

What about consumer router/APs? Are there any that are the most recommended for users with <10 users and relatively simple networking needs? Stability is important, I don't feel like messing with it much once I get it up and running.

Any help narrowing down the options would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[ylin0811]

You cannot go wrong with edgerouter. It is reliable and inexpensive, and can do 500mbps alone based on 64bytes (datasheet). Real test using iperf is somewhere around 700 mbps.

For the wireless, I would recommend the unifi ap pro. I have 3 unifi aps deployed at my single story concrete house that gives the house full coverage. Your coverage mileage will vary based on many factors that will affect the signal strength.

 

[PliotronX]

I'm all about the ubiquiti stuff now so ill second ylin's post. Everywhere we've deployed them, they only reboot when upgrading firmware or during power events. Their software has matured quite a bit and offer value that is untouchable.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I have an ER-X and UAP-AC-LR, great setup

I use the PoE adapter that came with the access point as the power input for the ER-X, and it can pass thru power on the last port to power the access point.

Setup is working very well. The ER-X has a couple templates in the setup wizard for basic home use.

Firmware upgrades are straight forward. for the ER-X I suggest using the CLI and this guide:

https://help.ubnt.com/hc/en-us/articles/205146110-EdgeMAX-Upgrading-EdgeOS-firmware

The GUI upgrades didn't go so well for me. Possible user error? Anyways, CLI was a breeze.

The AC-LR, firmware upgrades have been easy. The controller software used to run it does everything for you.

 

[TBSN]

So the router and AP together are about $150, which is the same or less than a lot of the Linksys and Asus, etc, routers go for. Is there any reason you would get one of the WiFi routers, like an Asus? Simpler setup?

 

[Puffnstuff]

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/ is a great resource to research findings on any unit that you might be considering. I've always used a single router unless the distance was too great for it and then I used a wireless Ethernet bridge on the other end so the clients could plug into it using Ethernet. There are pro's and cons to every setup so weight things out for yourself.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I went for performance and flexibility.

Replaced an e3000, much better wireless coverage and I can park it anywhere.

 

[TBSN]

Thanks for the advice guys, it helps me to narrow down the choices.