Kitz Forum
Broadband Related => Broadband Hardware => Topic started by: fred5 on August 22, 2018, 07:07:50 PM
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Hi guys
I recently moved into a new flat. The building is from reinforced concrete, hence good wifi is problematic, in addition to Plusnets Hub one´s inability to provide a stable wifi signal (at least with Apple products). Therefore I want to buy a new router with modem with VDSL (I am Plusnet Fibre customer). From this website, I found a few products that are of interest to me:
Asus DSL-AC55U or TP-Link Archer VR600
I would like to remain below the 90 quid mark of the 55u, because I am not sure what I am really getting for more money.
The router will be located next to the front door, in the hall way, connected to it will be my work PC via ethernet.
Furthermore, in order to increase the wifi range I plan to lay an ethernet cable through the flat into the living room to connect another router/AP/switch or what ever you want to call it =). This unit must have wifi, and some more LAN connectors (2-3 free ports) (TV will be connected here), and lastly, this AP should not bottleneck the wifi because it will be the main source for our Wifi.
For this I thought about a Belkin AC1800 DB , just because its cheap and AC1800.
About the usage: I´m not using any NAS or other home networking devices, not even a network printer. So there is not need to "share media files across the home network with lightening speed".
Oh wise signal wizards, please share your wisdom. Which one is better TP or Asus? Mediatek vs Broadcom? Or do you have better alternatives? And what product would best suit my needs for 2nd AP/router/switch?
Thanks for your help.
BW
Fred
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Hello Fred. Welcome to the Kitz forum. :)
With regards to the manufacturer of the chip-set, I will say "yes" to Broadcom and "no" to Mediatek. For the main modem/router/WAP, have you considered any of the ZyXEL VMGnnn-B10A devices?
Others will be along shortly and offer their suggestions, of that I'm sure. ;)
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First of all stay away from Asus modem/routers - majority use the horrible Mediatek dsl chipset which will totally mess up your fttc line.
If you can extend your budget by an extra £10 to £110, then the TP Link VR900 is an excellent router. Otherwise if you MUST buy a router under £100 then I would recommend the Netgear D6400 or Billion 8800NL. But the Tplink vr900 is the one to really buy if your budget is around 100 notes.
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Could you get away with a single device by running a good quality cable to the living room for the router phone line connection?
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Hi guys
thanks for you fast replies. yeah I heard mediatek isn´t particularly great.. Ok so we got a little bit closer.
In first glance I can´t see any big difference between the VR900 and VR600, exceot that the VR600 is AC1600 and VR900 is AC1300. So why the 900?
About Zyxel, and possibly Billion too, I know from my work that in terms of warranty, service, support etc. that you are better of with firms that are specialised towards private end-users, rather than business users.So if these brands don´t add anything particularly great i´m not sure I should go for those..
@jelv there already is an extension socket in the living room, but no, the plan has to remain as it is now =)
BW
Fred
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In first glance I can´t see any big difference between the VR900 and VR600, exceot that the VR600 is AC1600 and VR900 is AC1300. So why the 900?
The VR900 is AC1900 (up to 600 Mbps on 2.4ghz & 1300 Mbps on 5Ghz) and the VR600 is AC1600 (300 Mbps & 1300 Mbps). The VR600 isn't a bad router at all but if you can afford the extra 20 notes, then go for the VR900.
I would stay away from Zyxel routers if wifi coverage is important as the wifi on them isn't that great though they do have the excellent Broadcom DSL chipset.
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Hi
thanks for your reply. But what exactly do I get from the 20 quid extra for the VR900?
Also, for both VR600 and VR900 have a "V2" is that anything to consider?
BW
Fred
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Yes v1 and v2 are totally different units.
I believe the vr900 v1 has a Broadcom xDSL chipset and the v2 does not (Not sure on the chipset).
The same may also apply to the vr600. The v1 is Broadcom, the v2 likely isn't.
Happy for corrections on that.
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Hi
thanks for your reply. Ok that makes sense. Still, I´m asking myself what exactly do I get from the 20 quid extra for the VR900?
BW
Fred
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You get better Wi-Fi radios on the VR900 as it supports link rates of up to 600 mbps on the 2.4ghz band - the VR600 only supports upto 300 mbps on the 2.4ghz band.
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Thanks for that.
How about the 2nd AP I need for the living room. Again, I will lay an ethernet cable from the hall to the living room, and I need good wifi and more LAN connections there. Is something like the Belkin AC1800 DB ok (its just cheap). Or should I aim for similar AC1900 as the VR900 has? Do I need to consider anything in terms of compatibility between the two units? Should I chose the same brand?
BW
Fred
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If you really like the all-in-one solution, have you considered a Netgear D7000 ?
There are two models, D7000-100UKS with Broadcom chipset and D7000-200UKS with Lantiq chipset: you'll probably get a good deal on eBay...
As for the Archer VR900, I remember reading somewhere that both v1 and v2 have Broadcom chipset, but I don't remember where I found the info, I'll try to find it and in case I'll post the link. Also consider that TP-Link don't update their firmware quite often...
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Thanks for that, I will consider it.
But I´m interested in the 2nd unit I need:
How about the 2nd AP I need for the living room. Again, I will lay an ethernet cable from the hall to the living room, and I need good wifi and more LAN connections there. Is something like the Belkin AC1800 DB ok (its just cheap). Or should I aim for similar AC1900 as the VR900 has? Do I need to consider anything in terms of compatibility between the two units? Should I chose the same brand?
BW
Fred
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Does anyone have any devices that can do 600Mbps on 2.4GHz? Even 300Mbps is not generally used on the 2.4GHz band, because you don't normally take up 40MHz of the spectrum to avoid taking up most of the available channels. Probably the only reason it can theoretically do 600Mbps on 2.4GHz is so that it can be added together with the 11ac speed on 5GHz and advertised with a bigger number.
The Belkin AC1800 DB is listed as being capable of up to 300Mbps (2.4GHz) + 1.3Gbps (5GHz).
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Does anyone have any devices that can do 600Mbps on 2.4GHz?
Yes, my desktop PCI wifi adaptor card (Asus PCE-AC88) can easily hit 600 Mbps on the 2.4ghz wifi band - though I prefer using the 5Ghz band as it gives me link rates of close to 2 Gbps.
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Thanks for that, I will consider it.
But I´m interested in the 2nd unit I need:
How about the 2nd AP I need for the living room. Again, I will lay an ethernet cable from the hall to the living room, and I need good wifi and more LAN connections there. Is something like the Belkin AC1800 DB ok (its just cheap). Or should I aim for similar AC1900 as the VR900 has? Do I need to consider anything in terms of compatibility between the two units? Should I chose the same brand?
BW
Fred
So let's see if I understood: you need a DSL modem/router in the hallway (I presume is where the DSL cable comes inside your flat) + a router in the living room, is that correct ?
An option would be a D7000 + Extender EX7000: have a look at the Netgear website for the specs.
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Thanks for that, I will consider it.
But I´m interested in the 2nd unit I need:
How about the 2nd AP I need for the living room. Again, I will lay an ethernet cable from the hall to the living room, and I need good wifi and more LAN connections there. Is something like the Belkin AC1800 DB ok (its just cheap). Or should I aim for similar AC1900 as the VR900 has? Do I need to consider anything in terms of compatibility between the two units? Should I chose the same brand?
BW
Fred
Why not take things one step at a time and see how good the wifi coverage of the VR900 is in your whole flat before adding additional APs?
Alternatively, instead of faffing around with multiple access points (@increased cost), just buy an el-cheapo VDSL2 modem such as the HG612 or a Zyxel on ebay, then hook that up to the best router for wifi (Netgear R7800) by ethernet, placing the R7800 in a central location. You'll probably find the R7800 easily covers the whole of your flat.
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Hi Guys
I appreciate your help, but both of your options involve routers that are way in excess of the budget I had intended for this (as mentioned in my first post).
@hushcoden yes that is correct.
There are only solid walls in this building, all with reinforced concrete (that is steel in the walls), I hope you understand what that does to the wifi.. But ok, I might try one router first, but I´m very certain it won´t be enough, also, when I can buy a smaller AP for another 20 quid or so, to absolutely make sure I have wifi covered, why not do it. I need to lay the cable into the living room for the TV either way..
So just to make sure I have a model ready, could you help me finding an extension then please. A AP or switch or w/e. The Belkin F9K1118 is the cheapest I found for AC1800, would that be sufficient? Or should I rather look for a TP Link if I get the Archer? How is the item I am looking for called anyhow? Is it a switch, hub access point?!?
BW
Fred
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Fair enough. But you're probably throwing money down the drain by going for the Belkin F9K1118 as it gets very poor reviews - you get what you pay for and all that.
TP Link kit is normally very good value for money, probably worth going for a plug in range extender unit such as the RE305 or RE450 as they get very good reviews on Amazon. Yes, they will cost you at least 35 notes but I'm afraid you're gonna have to spend money in order to get something which actually does what its supposed to...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Extender-Broadband-Ethernet-RE305/dp/B01N4I3YOB
[Moderator edited to simplify the above link.]
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Hi
Ok, if the belkin is not good enough, does someone have an alternative? Or at least can you tell me how the item I´m looking for is actually called? It receives internet via ethernet cable from the router, it needs to extend wifi, and provide some more LAN ports. Is this an AP, a router a switch?
( I´m not going to use powerline range extenders or anything the like)
BW
Fred
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Okay, it seems you want/need an access point, i.e. a device connected via Ethernet cable to the modem (or modem/router) which adds wireless connectivity to your LAN.
There are many APs vendors such as Draytek, TP-Link or Linksys... Alternatively you can configure a router in AP mode: a colleague of mine bought a router Netgear R6400v2 from eBay for £40 using that as wireless access point and that covers all his flat...
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It receives internet via ethernet cable from the router, it needs to extend wifi, and provide some more LAN ports. Is this an AP, a router a switch?
In that case buy a standalone router and use it as an access point (AP). If you don't want to spend a huge amount but still want a quality router/AP then look for a second hand Netgear R6300 or Netgear R7000 on ebay - they can be had for around £20-£30.
I've also seen a refurbished R6300V2 on Amazon US for $39.99 which is a very good price for an excellent router (seller ships to Blighty but no idea on postage costs - EDIT: its Amazon who ships and they charge $17which includes shipping and pre-paid import charges)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSALERD/ref=dp_cr_wdg_tit_rfb
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Try looking at powerline networking adaptors that'll give you wired connectivity.
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+1 on not buying Asus or Belkin router
Personally I would also add TP-Link to that list, their gear is good value but usually has flakey firmware and they usually stop supporting after a short amount of time and before they iron out the bugs - but maybe I have been unlucky :)
also +1 on going second hand - lots of deals on ebay
:P