Wireless router recommendations

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,656
687
126
So, I've been redoing much of my home network recently and have obtained a Motorola SB6121 cable modem to replace the cable modem/wireless router Bright House supplied me. I didn't use their wireless functionality; I only used the firewall functionality. However, I think this would be a good time to retire my current wireless gear (mainly my DIR-655) and use it as my external firewall while a Sophos UTM unit serves as the internal firewall. A DMZ will exist between them.

Anyway, I've got a hodgepodge of devices right now and I am wondering if a single AC access point, placed either at or southwest of the yellow point on the map below (about the same distance from yellow that yellow is from green) would cover the entire house and patio. I'm not concerned about covering the garage, as if I ever need to do that, I'll just throw an old AP out there. The majority of my clients are N clients operating on 2.4 Ghz, but most also support the 5 Ghz band as well.

Also, I should mention that the outside walls of the house are all brick, with the exception of the bar area on the first floor -- I'd consider placing the AC AP in our bar area, which has two sliding glass doors framed with cedar which open out to the patio.



EDIT: DAP-1522 is in an upstairs window overlooking the patio.

I guess I don't really have a budget in mind at this point, but I'd like to hear some recommendations. Since this will likely only be used as a main access point, I suppose I really don't want to pay extra for a lot of bells and whistles on the firewall side. I know the Netgear R7000 and the Asus AC68U are considered the top AC routers, but they're expensive and I think most of their cost probably comes from features I probably won't need/use. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't care if it has things like included OpenVPN servers and stuff like that, as my Sophos UTM box does all that.

I've heard (correct me if I am wrong) that most AC routers will increase the range of N clients due to the increased signal strength.
 
Last edited:

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,656
687
126
The RT-N66U was something I was definitely looking at, but I'm wondering if it makes more sense to deploy AC now instead since this device will probably last me 5+years. My DIR-655 is from 2006 and is still going strong. I've looked at the smallnetbuilder.com reviews and was just wondering if it is worth the money to go with a Netgear R7000 or the AC68U when I won't use many of their advanced features. I can't really wait at this stage either, or I'd wait to see how far the AC68U drops once the AC87U is released. Maybe I should just buy an el cheapo N router, disable the wireless, and use that as my hardware firewall for now and revisit AC in a few months.
 

ch33zw1z

Lifer
Nov 4, 2004
37,995
18,344
146
I promised myself when my E3000 kicks the bucket, I'd go with a Unifi Edgerouter Lite and a AP
 

slayernine

Senior member
Jul 23, 2007
895
0
71
slayernine.com
The RT-N66U was something I was definitely looking at, but I'm wondering if it makes more sense to deploy AC now instead since this device will probably last me 5+years. My DIR-655 is from 2006 and is still going strong. I've looked at the smallnetbuilder.com reviews and was just wondering if it is worth the money to go with a Netgear R7000 or the AC68U when I won't use many of their advanced features. I can't really wait at this stage either, or I'd wait to see how far the AC68U drops once the AC87U is released. Maybe I should just buy an el cheapo N router, disable the wireless, and use that as my hardware firewall for now and revisit AC in a few months.

I got a RT-AC66U last Christmas, it is hands down the best router I've ever used. Great signal propagation, fast speed, doesn't crash, zero disconnects. Upgraded my laptop to wireless AC this week and now I haven't been bothering with plugging it into gigabit.

Formerly I've had a total of 3 Dlink DIR-655 in a row, it used to be a great router but it feels underwelming after using the Asus RT-AC66U. I can also comment that I recommended this model to my co-worker and he got the step up model, the AC68U and he is also very impressed with it.

I would mention there is a TP-Link router that uses the same processor as the AC68U that is almost half the price. I read a few reviews like this one before making my decision:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...-band-wireless-ac1750-gigabit-router-reviewed

Not sure if it's cool posting links to other review sites but these guys kinda have a niche doing router and nas reviews.
 

ch33zw1z

Lifer
Nov 4, 2004
37,995
18,344
146
That's the one, I haven't had the ability to actually touch it yet. I've just been eyeing it and reading reviews. But, reviews are not always the best because you don't know the reviewers skill level.

I'm gonna do it, and get a $60 Unifi 2.4Ghz WAP to go with it. I live in the sticks, so interferance from my neighors won't be an issue. My current router, Linksys E3000 running Tomato, just won't quit. So...can't convince myself to do it yet.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,656
687
126
I've been wanting a newer AP in the hopes it will increase my range and I could eliminate all extra equipment, so that's why I'm leaning towards buying a new AP and just using my old DIR-655 as the internet-facing router. But again, I could just buy a really cheap wireless router to use as a firewall and keep my DIR-655 as the wireless AP for a little longer.

Thoughts on the difference between the AC66U and AC68U? I'm honestly leaning towards the AC66U because I can't see the AC68U being worth $50 more.
 
Last edited:

slayernine

Senior member
Jul 23, 2007
895
0
71
slayernine.com
I've been wanting a newer AP in the hopes it will increase my range and I could eliminate all extra equipment, so that's why I'm leaning towards buying a new AP and just using my old DIR-655 as the internet-facing router. But again, I could just buy a really cheap wireless router to use as a firewall and keep my DIR-655 as the wireless AP for a little longer.

Thoughts on the difference between the AC66U and AC68U? I'm honestly leaning towards the AC66U because I can't see the AC68U being worth $50 more.

The AC68U is dual core, generally faster but the question is wether you will notice that difference.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,656
687
126
The AC68U is dual core, generally faster but the question is wether you will notice that difference.

Looks like the Netgear Nighthawk is in between the AC66U and AC68U in price and IIRC, it has dual core too. I generally have not been a fan of Netgear, but it seems that it might have DD-WRT support.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,656
687
126
Thanks. Bought the AC68U from Amazon. I elected to move up to the AC68U because I could see potentially using some of the features at some point. Right now, I'm just more concerned with speed and range. I'm thinking (hoping) the AC66U drops to the $120 range once the AC87U comes on the scene and maybe I'll buy one to bridge my entertainment center.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,656
687
126
UPDATE: Got my AC68U this afternoon and have run some preliminary tests. The sucker is much, much faster than my DIR-655, even with N clients. It also appears to cover my entire house, so I anticipate eliminating my repeater downstairs and replacing it with my DAP-1522 in bridge mode.
 
sale-70-410-exam    | Exam-200-125-pdf    | we-sale-70-410-exam    | hot-sale-70-410-exam    | Latest-exam-700-603-Dumps    | Dumps-98-363-exams-date    | Certs-200-125-date    | Dumps-300-075-exams-date    | hot-sale-book-C8010-726-book    | Hot-Sale-200-310-Exam    | Exam-Description-200-310-dumps?    | hot-sale-book-200-125-book    | Latest-Updated-300-209-Exam    | Dumps-210-260-exams-date    | Download-200-125-Exam-PDF    | Exam-Description-300-101-dumps    | Certs-300-101-date    | Hot-Sale-300-075-Exam    | Latest-exam-200-125-Dumps    | Exam-Description-200-125-dumps    | Latest-Updated-300-075-Exam    | hot-sale-book-210-260-book    | Dumps-200-901-exams-date    | Certs-200-901-date    | Latest-exam-1Z0-062-Dumps    | Hot-Sale-1Z0-062-Exam    | Certs-CSSLP-date    | 100%-Pass-70-383-Exams    | Latest-JN0-360-real-exam-questions    | 100%-Pass-4A0-100-Real-Exam-Questions    | Dumps-300-135-exams-date    | Passed-200-105-Tech-Exams    | Latest-Updated-200-310-Exam    | Download-300-070-Exam-PDF    | Hot-Sale-JN0-360-Exam    | 100%-Pass-JN0-360-Exams    | 100%-Pass-JN0-360-Real-Exam-Questions    | Dumps-JN0-360-exams-date    | Exam-Description-1Z0-876-dumps    | Latest-exam-1Z0-876-Dumps    | Dumps-HPE0-Y53-exams-date    | 2017-Latest-HPE0-Y53-Exam    | 100%-Pass-HPE0-Y53-Real-Exam-Questions    | Pass-4A0-100-Exam    | Latest-4A0-100-Questions    | Dumps-98-365-exams-date    | 2017-Latest-98-365-Exam    | 100%-Pass-VCS-254-Exams    | 2017-Latest-VCS-273-Exam    | Dumps-200-355-exams-date    | 2017-Latest-300-320-Exam    | Pass-300-101-Exam    | 100%-Pass-300-115-Exams    |
http://www.portvapes.co.uk/    | http://www.portvapes.co.uk/    |