Recommended router for a home network

I've been reading the reviews but I would rather just ask the professionals on this board

We can run up to 7 devices on the network at any given time. This may be a issue with the available bandwidth, but the router is so old I think the problem is with the router.

Thoughts and recommendations?

Thanks

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MAC_Addy

I just recently bought an ASUS RT-N66U. It is awesome. Check out their website, it has a lot of information!

About7Narwhal

I'll just leave this here

AC Routers

Roguetadhg

I still have my 3 WRT routers. I just keep finding them in businesses. Like cockroaches!

SteveLord

I recently bought this.

Amazon.com: Medialink Wireless N Router - 802.11n - 150 Mbps - 2.4 Ghz - NEW Design w/ Internal Antenna: Computers & Accessories

I go for proven reliability. Not potential speeds or catchy buzzwords.

tpatt100

I have an Asus RT-N66U also and it's a great router. Does both 2.4 and 5ghz wireless, usb sharing, and a bunch of other stuff. It's a pricey router though.

DoubleNNs

The Linksys 160N routers used to be $26 on amazon. They sucked w/ stock firmware, but were easily upgraded to the dd-wrt firmware which made them reliable. I currently have 2 of them.

However, the price of them went up to $100 on amazon. Because they are an older model, and they aren't good until after firmware flashing, I don't think I could recommend them. At least not for that price. But for a quarter of that, I considered them a steal.

Claymoore

Whatever you get, be sure it supports both 2.4 and 5 GHz simultaneously. Several of the 'dual band' Routers and APs I looked at were really one or the other at any time, not both.

The Motorola router that the cable company gave me when I upgraded my internet was crap. Phones, tablets and laptops wouldn't stay connected even if they were in the same room. I picked up an Amped Wireless AP, turned off the radio in the Motorola and everything works great. I got the true AP, not just a wireless range extender, and the extra GB switch ports are handy, but I haven't tried the USB sharing yet. I haven't tried their router, but if the Motorola gives us any more trouble, I'm turning it into a bridge and adding an Amped router.

Newegg.com - Amped Wireless AP20000G High Power Wireless-N 600mW Gigabit Dual Band Access Point

mayhem87

You can try pfsense or untangle. I use pfsense on my esxi box and then just have a WAP for any wireless needs. I feel it gives me more flexibility because I wanted a way to vpn home anyways and instead of standing up a server for it I just use the pfsense openvpn package.

Mike-Mike

Here is my router:

Amazon.com: Cisco-Linksys E4200 Dual-Band Wireless-N Router: Computers & Accessories

it's pretty boss, and that price is WAY cheaper than I got mine for awhile back

cgrimaldo

MAC_Addy wrote: »

I just recently bought an ASUS RT-N66U. It is awesome. Check out their website, it has a lot of information!

I literally just installed mine on Friday night, haha.

EV42TMAN

if you have an extra computer with atleast 2 network ports i recommend clearOS i run it at home and its awesome.

Bokeh

Ill jump in on this. This is what I am running - Amazon.com: NETGEAR Wireless Router - N600 Dual Band Gigabit (WNDR3700): Electronics . I have had it for 3 yrs, and it has been rebooted only 3 times (other than a power outage last summer). The dang thing just works. I leave the laptops and phones on 2.4, and keep 5ghz for the Ipads. We usually have 5-6 devices going at any given time in the evening, and have plenty of bandwidth using DSL. I can sit outside on the deck, get coverage in all the bedrooms, basement, garage no problem.

MSPSHAY2003

Thanks for the info.

gunbunnysoulja

I'd suggest a refurb Cisco E3000, and throw (E3000 VPN) TomatoUSB on it. Mine is awesome. Amazing for $50 investment.

marco71

N2IT wrote: »

I've been reading the reviews but I would rather just ask the professionals on this board

We can run up to 7 devices on the network at any given time. This may be a issue with the available bandwidth, but the router is so old I think the problem is with the router.

Thoughts and recommendations?

Thanks

For 7 net-devices (or up to 10) and 10Mbps internet bandwidth, a good-old 486 PC with minimum 64MB RAM and linux (netfilter, iptables, tc/tcng) will do the NAT (and QoS - bandwidth mgmt) job ... maybe is not your router fault... same job can be done by an old Cisco 830 series router with 64MB RAM (40Mhz Motorola RISC processor); I personally tested both variants.
You can have only 2 net-devices/PCs and if one of them is flooding the network (because of some virus/troian infection), or eats the entire available bandwidth (file-sharing/torrents), you'll have same feeling.

What kind of internet connectivity do you have (max. BW) ? Sometimes counts also the upload/download ratio (ADSL vs. XDSL/fiberlink/cablelink, ...)

kriscamaro68

For something fun buy this: Newegg.com - OEM Production 2550L2D-MxPC Intel NM10 2 x 204Pin Intel GMA 3650 Black Mini / Booksize Barebone System - Mini / Booksize Barebone Systems then get a small 60gb ssd and 4gb of ram and run untangle or pfsense or one of the other 100's of *nix distros for a firewall/router.

I run pfsense on a nortel 1010 router. I upgraded the CPU from a 350mhz p3 to a 1000mhz p3 and up'd the ram to 256mb and bought a new flash card. It had a 64mb flash card and I bought a class 10 4gb card. It handles everything without issue.