Wifi Router --> Access Point, Wired Router

[imported_Septimus]

Hiya Anandtech,

I have an RT-AC68U in an upstairs closet that is the router and access point for our home network, most of which is wired via CAT6 directly to the closet. (It's behind an AT&T gigabit broadband modem, though that's not relevant here) We use the basic features on the AC68U - NAT and port forwarding, DHCP, a USB hard drive served to our local network. That's about it.

There are two problems I'm looking to solve:

1) We're maxed out on the 4 LAN ports coming in from switches in different rooms of the house. I realize I could just put another switch or two right in the closet, which I would do but for
2) It's an upstairs closet and the Wireless signal is mediocre. I'd like to have the access point out in the house elsewhere and just be an access point.

It seems like I have two choices:

a) Do as I mentioned in #1 above -- add switches to the closet to make up for the shortage of LAN ports. Turn off the Wifi radio on the RT-AC68U and buy something else to be an access point. Advantages: cheap & easy. Disadvantages: clutter in the closet.

b) Move the RT-AC68U out and buy a new (8+ port) wired router to handle DHCP/NAT/etc. The RT-AC68U becomes the access point.

B seems cleaner to me but the number of 8+ port wired routers seems on the low side. I don't mind spending a little money here.

Any recommendations on which path to take, and if it's B, a good 8+ port router to pick up?

 

[sdifox]

So add a wifi router in ap mode to one of the end points closer to the middle of the house and use the extra gigabit ports on the new router?

Or add a four port wired router and move the wifi router out to one of the end point near middle of house and run as ap?

Several options, but it all depends on layout.

 

[JackMDS]

.Or just take the AC68U out of the Closet.