I'm having a bad technology week. I think my Shaw modem/wifi router is overheating and/or overloading it's internal memory due to a large amount of traffic. I want to buy a decent wifi router to put behind the modem and then put the modem in bridged-only mode.
I really have no idea what to buy that can handle a lot of traffic (10+ wireless devices, 6+ wired devices) without major fidgeting (I'm not too keen on having to do firmware updates or installing special firmware unless it's really worth it and really reliable - I've been burned). I would really love something that has a guest network so that I can hand out a wifi password without giving access to all the files on the local network; this is not a must-have, though.
I realize decent hardware costs money, I probably won't blink at prices up to $200ish.
So, any suggestions?
If you want to do your own research I suggest http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-charts/view
Other wise my current personal recommendation would be an ASUS router..
I have an RT-N16 and the stock firmware is great, and yes includes guest mode.. The RT-N16 is a bit old now so I would recommend looking at the ASUS RT-N66U.
The stock firmware performs all of the advanced functions that I used to use Tomato or DD-WRT for and several features I just done use.. It can be used as a Print server for USB printers and you can use it as a poor mans NAS with a USB hard-drive attached.
Signal strength and performance have been very solid with the current firmware.
ASUS routers also tend to get high ratings, though usability I cannot attest to.
Hmm, $160 for the RT-N66U, $100 for the RT-N16. Apparently you can turn up the power on the antennas on the RT-N66U via the web interface to get better coverage.
I think I might be sold on that one.
This might require rewiring some of my entertainment unit, though, as right now I have an Xbox, Wii U, and Roku plugged in to the cable modem / wifi router and I'm out of power plugs to put anything else in there. This'll take some thinking, as I might be able to get rid of a device.
Has anyone else here had Shaw switch their cable modem to bridged-only mode? If so, was it hard to get them to do it right?
I ordered mine in bridged mode so I don't know. For ether the SMC or Cisco I believe it is just a config push.
Small DLINK gigabit switches are rather affordable if you are short ports.
Also you can get the Xbox wifi dongle fairly chap now if you want to run it wireless.
I wanna keep as much wired as possible, we usually have 10+ devices connected to the wireless already (iPods, phones, Kobos, laptops, tablets). I'm actually running out of _power_ plugins, not ports. If I want to put a router where the cable modem sits now, I think I need to remove a power-using device from my entertainment unit. Have to check the plug count, though.
It'll be a bit before I get both the money and the will to do this, though, there's so much crap in the way :(
Asus has the best specs, but tend to get really really hot which leads to high failure rates (according to my research and the guys at memory express). Would go with netgear still myself.
I have a RT-N66U and think it can handle all you can throw at it. I love it! I would recommend it to anyone. Doesn't seem to have the heat issue that Mag was talking about. But Mine does run in my basement and it is pretty cold most of the time.
Don't get a Dlink what ever you do. :o That said I know people who swear by them. Also its been years since I last had one, soooo, take that with a grain of salt.
I have a rather expensive setup, but I haven't had a single problem with it at all. Separate AP and Router combo. Soekris 6501-50 for the firewall/router, and a Unifi AP Pro for the AP. has 400ft range, and PoE \o/ came with a mounting kit for the ceiling/wall too.
I do not recommend you get the same setup, if only for the price of it :-x (if you were to slap pfSense on the soekris, it'd be a kick ass set and forget router).
I have a DIR-655, the thing with that is it's not amazing but I've never had any issues with it, it just... works
The GUI is dead simple and at least for my needs the wireless networking does the job (steaming 1080p not a good idea). I can be pulling down 1.5 mbps from Steam while streaming a presentation over Lync without too much hassle, that's pretty much the most work it ever has to do.
Quote from: Mr. Analog on July 18, 2013, 08:21:45 AM
I have a DIR-655, the thing with that is it's not amazing but I've never had any issues with it, it just... works
The GUI is dead simple and at least for my needs the wireless networking does the job (steaming 1080p not a good idea). I can be pulling down 1.5 mbps from Steam while streaming a presentation over Lync without too much hassle, that's pretty much the most work it ever has to do.
Every single Dlink router I've ever had the pleasure of using for any period of time (mine, my dads, etc), has locked up under medium/heavy load, and then eventually died. ymmv I suppose.
Shame what cisco did to linksys. There's a study in what not to do when you buy a company.
For reliable use your router should be on a UPS and in a well ventilated cool area if possible. This goes for any brand.
Quote from: Lazybones on July 18, 2013, 08:53:11 AM
For reliable use your router should be on a UPS and in a well ventilated cool area if possible. This goes for any brand.
Yep, I have found this to be probably the most important part.
I had 11 months uptime with my router before the last severe thunderstorm (I powered down all my gear just to be on the safe side).
I'm not saying I pull a lot of content down or push up a lot but generally I can handle up to 2 mbps down and ~1 up without feeling it at all.
I have had a lot of bad luck with routers ever since my WRT54G, I tried NETGEAR, I tried Linksys and before going to the D-Link and I had major issues with overheating (netgear) and crappy memory/locking up (Linksys).
Obviously YMMV, I don't have 5+ users all downloading stuff at home.
I basically just paid to make the problems go away ;D sick and tired of @%&#ty SOHO routers.
This is what I ended up getting after a recommendation from a sysadmin at ENTS.
http://soekris.com/products/net6501/net6501-50-board-case.html
This is not an atypical situation in my house:
uTorrent running on one computer with 10+ torrents downloading, frequently pulling down 3+Mbps between all the torrents.
Plex Media Server streaming to Roku.
Laptop open with Skype video call running.
Laptop downloading games from Steam.
Three separate phones streaming audio through Music Paradise.
Two FaceTime video calls.
One laptop copying files from the Drobo to local.
One laptop downloading large customer databases, connecting to TFS, browsing the web.
All at the same time, possibly with one or two sessions of Minecraft running as well. Obviously there's some multitasking - yes, the fella on Skype video to his girlfriend will have music going on his phone, so they can listen to it together. How cute. I hate to see how much data it eats up, but I haven't been bumped into higher data plans yet.
Frankly, I'm surprised the Shaw modem/router can even handle this amount of traffic, leave be do it without major slowdowns. I honestly thought three video calls plus streaming video and audio plus torrenting would cause it to seize up and require a reset every day, as my cheap old dlink did (well, the dlink could only handle _one_ video call and torrents at a time). That was a cheap old dlink, though.
It depends on the shaw modem/router. Some of them are absolute @%&# (many of the SMC units for instance), and some are not. Apparently the brand new motorola modems they are switching to, are really slick and can handle just about anything you want to throw at them. I heard a rumor they might support 802.11ac as well, but if not, they still will do dual band 802.11g/n.
With the new modems I think shaw is doing what I did, paying to make the support headaches go away.
We used to have the Motorola (second from the left), but they took it and gave us the Cisco (all the way on the left) when we switched back from Telus:
(https://community.shaw.ca/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/2654/683-249/pastedImage_0.png)
I've never had the SMC modem/router, although I did once own an SMC router. It was twenty bucks, and it froze every time I downloaded a big file. And I've never owned an SMC since, mostly due to my experience with the help files and support to try and figure out why it was freezing (the help files and support were useless).
The Cisco gets plenty hot, though, and we did have a couple of outages in the last week. Of course, since having to get Shaw to remove it from their network and add it back in I've had only one instance of it dropping connection, and its wifi signal has been way stronger than it used to be. So I dunno what's going on. Still, at some point I'll put in a separate router.
So advice from here: Get an Asus / don't get an Asus they overheat, get a Netgear / don't get a Dlink / Dlink is fine although basic interface / put router on UPS in basement (means getting a UPS) / business-level Soekris router is cool but expensive.
I will probably eventually get an Asus RT-N66U. It will probably not go on a UPS and it will probably sit on the main floor rather than in the basement. I will probably have to re-route network cables, power cords, and possibly mount things on the wall. And the guy at the store will tell me it's all plug and play and I'll roll my eyes, knowing full well it'll take me 4+ hours to re-arrange everything, reroute cables and cords, and to set up the router the way I want it (MAC filtered for common devices, guest network for visitors).
Thanks for all your suggestions.
I still have the Motorola, they can pry it from my cold dead hands lol
Quote from: Thorin on July 18, 2013, 10:44:27 AM
We used to have the Motorola (second from the left), but they took it and gave us the Cisco (all the way on the left) when we switched back from Telus:
(https://community.shaw.ca/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/2654/683-249/pastedImage_0.png)
I've never had the SMC modem/router, although I did once own an SMC router. It was twenty bucks, and it froze every time I downloaded a big file. And I've never owned an SMC since, mostly due to my experience with the help files and support to try and figure out why it was freezing (the help files and support were useless).
I have the last one in that picture. I've never used it as a router for more than a day or two. It's been in bridge mode for most of the time I've had it. I used to have one of the motorola's but it was the DocSIS 1 model, and wouldn't work with the 50mbps or higher plans, so they gave me the smc.
Quote from: Thorin on July 18, 2013, 10:44:27 AM
The Cisco gets plenty hot, though, and we did have a couple of outages in the last week. Of course, since having to get Shaw to remove it from their network and add it back in I've had only one instance of it dropping connection, and its wifi signal has been way stronger than it used to be. So I dunno what's going on. Still, at some point I'll put in a separate router.
Probably got reprovisioned, and a new firmware flash. Who knows what could have been wrong with the version it had.
Quote from: Thorin on July 18, 2013, 10:44:27 AM
So advice from here: Get an Asus / don't get an Asus they overheat, get a Netgear / don't get a Dlink / Dlink is fine although basic interface / put router on UPS in basement (means getting a UPS) / business-level Soekris router is cool but expensive.
The soekris wasn't a serious suggestion for you, as you clearly didn't want to spend that much, though the 6501-30 is cheaper, its still more than the asus. probably by about $100.
Quote from: Thorin on July 18, 2013, 10:44:27 AM
I will probably eventually get an Asus RT-N66U. It will probably not go on a UPS and it will probably sit on the main floor rather than in the basement. I will probably have to re-route network cables, power cords, and possibly mount things on the wall. And the guy at the store will tell me it's all plug and play and I'll roll my eyes, knowing full well it'll take me 4+ hours to re-arrange everything, reroute cables and cords, and to set up the router the way I want it (MAC filtered for common devices, guest network for visitors).
Thanks for all your suggestions.
Good luck!
I know I have some work to do on my network, and it won't be fun.
I recently picked this switch (http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=55240&vpn=GS724T-300NAS&manufacture=Netgear) for $70 off. And in order to make the most of it, I'll need to run new/more cable to the front and back rooms. Probably run 4 into the front room here, rather than the one I currently have.
Once its done it'll be cool though. it supports some basic QoS and port trunking/bonding. both my server and my nas have dual GbE ports, so I'll trunk em both. And I wont have any risk of running out of ports any time soon. currently running out in the living room, but once I do the re-org, that'll be fixed (new lines, and moving one or more things to the back room to free up ports).
Quote from: Mr. Analog on July 18, 2013, 10:58:50 AM
I still have the Motorola, they can pry it from my cold dead hands lol
Keep enjoying those old school docsis 3 speeds, I believe it tops out at 25mbit. You have to upgrade for the 50mbit plus plans. I have at least 2 of those old suckers if you want spares.
The Cisco is far better then the SMC and runs much better in bridged mode. I suspect it will not be as hot with wifi disabled and in bridged mode.
I'm seriously considering buying an Asus RT-AC66U, but I haven't been able to figure one thing out: can you enable MAC filtering on the main wireless network while disabling it on the guest networks?
What I want is a main wireless network that only authorized devices can access (still has a password, though) and that they can access all other devices on the LAN, then a separate guest network that any device can access if they have the password, but that cannot access other devices on the LAN. One would think I could do this with just passwords, but it turns out my kids give out my wifi password without me knowing and I don't want people I'm not familiar with having access to my Drobo.
If I can't turn on MAC filtering for the main network while turning off MAC filtering for the guest network, then I'd probably have to do this with two routers and completely disconnected networks. Luckily Shaw does give us two IP addresses.
Yes this is possible for the RT-AC66U, there is an option to enable / disable MAC filtering on the guest network
THAT SAID for some firmware versions this feature is broken
Well I know what I'm doing tonight. Hopefully it won't be too hard to get Shaw to switch my modem over to bridged mode.
Quote from: Thorin on August 12, 2015, 02:54:57 PM
Well I know what I'm doing tonight. Hopefully it won't be too hard to get Shaw to switch my modem over to bridged mode.
Is this not something you can do yourself?
https://community.shaw.ca/docs/DOC-1033
They tend to hide a LOT of settings. Bridge mode is typically one of them. Maybe the newer modems let you, but I doubt it. My SMC never had it available. In the past you had to call shaw to switch it for you, they claim its a separate firmware in some cases.
I think it depends on the modem you have more than anything else
Quote from: Mr. Analog on August 12, 2015, 03:19:05 PM
I think it depends on the modem you have more than anything else
I think it depends on the mood shaw is in when it orders them. Many modems they have had in the past had bridge mode built into the firmware, with it displayed by default, but shaw would intentionally hide it.
Quote from: Tom on August 12, 2015, 03:21:13 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on August 12, 2015, 03:19:05 PM
I think it depends on the modem you have more than anything else
I think it depends on the mood shaw is in when it orders them. Many modems they have had in the past had bridge mode built into the firmware, with it displayed by default, but shaw would intentionally hide it.
Like, did you even follow the link I posted? They have instructions for non-technical people floating around depending on the modem you have. Some of them actually have the login information as part of the tag that's on the modem itself. The only reason I knew to look at all is I called them about it and got to talking with one of the techs, if you have a crusty old Motorola like I do they have to connect to it, if you have a router modem combo you may not have to involve Shaw at all.
Quote from: Mr. Analog on August 12, 2015, 03:45:39 PM
Quote from: Tom on August 12, 2015, 03:21:13 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on August 12, 2015, 03:19:05 PM
I think it depends on the modem you have more than anything else
I think it depends on the mood shaw is in when it orders them. Many modems they have had in the past had bridge mode built into the firmware, with it displayed by default, but shaw would intentionally hide it.
Like, did you even follow the link I posted? They have instructions for non-technical people floating around depending on the modem you have. Some of them actually have the login information as part of the tag that's on the modem itself. The only reason I knew to look at all is I called them about it and got to talking with one of the techs, if you have a crusty old Motorola like I do they have to connect to it, if you have a router modem combo you may not have to involve Shaw at all.
Yes I did follow the link. Just because it tells you how to log in doesn't mean the option is available. I've looked up how to do it on the past 2 or 3 modems I had. Including this (newish) SMC unit they gave me when i got my business account. The suppliers docs say these models have a visible option, but they did not. Shaw specifically disabled them.
Whoop, my bad I had another article that had the instructions!!
It's been one of those days
Quote from: Mr. Analog on August 12, 2015, 02:59:19 PM
Quote from: Thorin on August 12, 2015, 02:54:57 PM
Well I know what I'm doing tonight. Hopefully it won't be too hard to get Shaw to switch my modem over to bridged mode.
Is this not something you can do yourself?
https://community.shaw.ca/docs/DOC-1033
Nope, there's no setting for bridge mode vs router mode. Also, I went onto Live Chat with Shaw Support today and asked. It's a modem config that the modem downloads from Shaw servers when it reboots. Thus they change the config file for my modem, then have me reboot the modem, then it'll be in bridged mode.
As a developer, I'd say it's probably a setting stored in a database table that is then read by some service that puts together the config file upon request and sends it as a filestream, rather than an actual config file they have sitting on a server.
Anyway, I can contact Live Chat and they can change it for me so I don't even have to call in. And they say it only takes a few moments.
But first, I have to get the new router.
Quote from: Thorin on August 12, 2015, 04:43:53 PM
As a developer, I'd say it's probably a setting stored in a database table that is then read by some service that puts together the config file upon request and sends it as a filestream, rather than an actual config file they have sitting on a server.
You'd think wouldn't you but most router/modem/switch configs are usually pulled down through a PXE/TFTP service of some type when its a distributed system. Even the Thin Client's I have at NAIT use DHCP tags for FTP server locations where XML files live that tells them how to boot and what system configs to use. Even our Teleconference Brightlink Classrooms still utilize a FTP system for their configs. Most of the infrastructure stuff is still very older school of thought for config management, at least that is what I find in my daily travels in that realm of IT.
Hell almost all Cisco based equipment still basically reads a top down flat config file on boot that as a human you still have to write to screen, copy to editor and search for changes... I watch the network guys do it all the time. To me that seems very old school, but it might be very fast in terms of performance.
Quote from: Melbosa on August 12, 2015, 05:14:08 PM
Hell almost all Cisco based equipment still basically reads a top down flat config file on boot that as a human you still have to write to screen, copy to editor and search for changes... I watch the network guys do it all the time. To me that seems very old school, but it might be very fast in terms of performance.
It is efficient in the minds of Cisco techs that have been indoctrinated into that way of thinking. I much prefer the structured / xml config systems of Juniper / PaloAlto that also include syntax validation, config diffs and rollback on box..
I imagine they generate the new config when a change is noticed in the system. Then likely just TFTPed down when the modem reprovisions.
Got myself an RT-AC66U. Then spent an hour crawling around trying to route power cords and network cables. Then spent fifteen minutes talking to Shaw Support Live Chat, who changed a setting and rebooted my modem, and bam! bridged mode. I've now spent a couple of hours poking around in the router's web ui trying to set it up the way I like it.
One thing I did was name both the 2.4 and 5.0 networks the same, that way phones and tablets and laptops just automatically pick the right one.
I tried enabling the MAC filtering, but I wasn't really sure how it governs people connecting to the main network or the guest network. I'll do it tomorrow during the day and tell people that if their phones aren't connecting then to tell me their MAC address. And if that doesn't work, they can always connect to the guest network. Meanwhile, any client connected to the guest network just can't get through to my personal files on my drobo.
edit: I'm being told that the connectivity isn't any better, that is, it's still dropping to two bars on the far side of the house (40 feet diagonal through multiple walls). I think I need to think about running wires along the ceiling and putting the router in the middle of the house. That would require a lot of re-running wires and a lot of moving furniture, though. I wish this house had been pre-wired for networks.
Quote from: Thorin on August 12, 2015, 11:30:37 PM
Got myself an RT-AC66U. Then spent an hour crawling around trying to route power cords and network cables. Then spent fifteen minutes talking to Shaw Support Live Chat, who changed a setting and rebooted my modem, and bam! bridged mode. I've now spent a couple of hours poking around in the router's web ui trying to set it up the way I like it.
Nice :)
Quote from: Thorin on August 12, 2015, 11:30:37 PM
One thing I did was name both the 2.4 and 5.0 networks the same, that way phones and tablets and laptops just automatically pick the right one.
I tried that too. It turns out that many devices just really suck at picking the right network. Many/most of mine would auto pick the strongest signal, not the best speed. So I'd always be on 2.4G.
Quote from: Thorin on August 12, 2015, 11:30:37 PM
I tried enabling the MAC filtering, but I wasn't really sure how it governs people connecting to the main network or the guest network. I'll do it tomorrow during the day and tell people that if their phones aren't connecting then to tell me their MAC address. And if that doesn't work, they can always connect to the guest network. Meanwhile, any client connected to the guest network just can't get through to my personal files on my drobo.
:D
Could just get a wireless extender rather than re-wire everything.
Yeah, I guess.
But dreaming about completely rewiring the house is much more interesting, wouldn't you say?
Interesting yes... pain in the arse Yes.
Please don't do wireless range extending unless you just need to do browsing.. It adds tremendous latency to the extended connections, and throughput is bad.
However, setting up a second device as an AP is a great idea..
I use the following up stairs http://www.ncix.com/detail/netgear-ac750-dual-band-wifi-be-100924-1760.htm not the most powerful but enough to give a clean signal upstairs for me.. I use it in AP mode, it has a single gigabit port on it and will do over 100Mbit in 5Ghz throughput..
Current prices arn't great on it, I got mine on sale for $69 if my memory is correct. which is not bad for an AC device.
Well it'll be another two years before I do something about my current idea, I'm sure. Took me two years to buy a new router, so...
But ultimately, I'd love to run new wiring everywhere so that I could put the router in the middle of the house and the modem in the basement instead of both of them right next to my tv. I'm sure the tv is causing some interference with signals, the house isn't all that big (no point is more than 20 feet from the center of the house).
Hm, just saw that page has this: "BONUS! Get 85 NCIX Rewards if you buy before
soon" hah.
Quote from: Thorin on August 13, 2015, 12:52:13 PM
Well it'll be another two years before I do something about my current idea, I'm sure. Took me two years to buy a new router, so...
But ultimately, I'd love to run new wiring everywhere so that I could put the router in the middle of the house and the modem in the basement instead of both of them right next to my tv. I'm sure the tv is causing some interference with signals, the house isn't all that big (no point is more than 20 feet from the center of the house).
The fewer obstructions between the most common places the network is used from, the better. That's why I put my AP in the hall. Has a direct line of sight to the couch, and only a door and a bit of a wall to my bed. A central location is usually the best, unless there is a crap load of stuff between that location and the locations the network is most used from. In that case, you just want to get more than one AP. Put the best one in the location that sees the most use, and cheaper stuff elsewhere.
Yup, all that I know. It just so happens that the Shaw cable and modem and entertainment system and computers are all concentrated on one side of the house, so reception is not as good on the other side of the house. It's still strong enough to support multiple video streams, though, so I'm not worried.
Just, I've got a touch of OCD and I would really like it to be a perfect install instead of a jumble of cords and wires up against a single wall.
Quote from: Thorin on August 13, 2015, 01:43:55 PM
Yup, all that I know. It just so happens that the Shaw cable and modem and entertainment system and computers are all concentrated on one side of the house, so reception is not as good on the other side of the house. It's still strong enough to support multiple video streams, though, so I'm not worried.
Just, I've got a touch of OCD and I would really like it to be a perfect install instead of a jumble of cords and wires up against a single wall.
Heh. Me too. But then I end up with a little network shelf with my firewall, and modem by where the coax enters the house, and ethernet cables running back out. It's still just a jumble of wires up against a single wall. :D
Also orientation of the AP / antennas can make a big difference.
I have an old DIR-655 sitting here that I think can be set up as an AP
If you want it I can find out and config it?
No worries, the router covers my whole house just not at full power, and the big reason I got it was to segment my home network so visitors can't get to confidential documents on my drobo. And "not at full power" just means not full bars on the wireless devices; like I said, I can still stream content anywhere in the house.
Ok, just wondering 'cause it's sitting here gathering dust, if you need an AP let me know
There's a new firmware out for the RT-N66U and RT-AC66U (which I bought a while back). The version is 3.0.0.4.378.9313. Apparently it's added support for this Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.asus.aihome. I think I might try that app out tomorrow on my phone, if it's free.
Well, my RT-AC66U lasted a little over three years. It started randomly rebooting five or six weeks ago, although not very often. In the last week, it's been doing it more often, leading to three reboots in one hour while I was trying to have a work call. Research suggested these spontaneous reboots were likely due to a power supply going bad, so rather than fight with it (since it was affecting my work), I went out and bought an RT-AC86U last night. It was $229.99 on sale, $241.49 after tax, at MemEx.
It took me a while to get it set up, I upgraded the firmware to the latest ASUS provides and suddenly wireless wasn't available, so I flashed over to the latest Merlin. Then wireless came back, but none of my wireless devices could get internet access. I ended up factory resetting and starting over. Took me an hour to go to the store and buy it, then a half hour to physically install it (lots of cables in the way), then two and a half hours to get it set up the way I want it, with a proper MAC filter whitelist and separate guest networks. Haven't seen a spontaneous reboot since.
Oh, I learned that when installing a new router while using a bridged Shaw Hitron modem, you should turn the modem off, then start up the router and wait for all the lights to come on and stay on (the AC86U has a red light to show there's no WAN connection, this makes sense because the modem is off), then turn the modem off. Otherwise the router doesn't seem to get an IP assigned from Shaw's DHCP. I don't know whether this was due to MAC locking or due to the Aggressive Mode setting the ASUS router uses, but man, that was a pain to figure out.
Here's what it looks like.
The Shaw router at least has to be rebooted when a different device is connected in bridge mode.
Not sure if they lock it to one device or if it just cleans up their arp table..
Quote from: Lazybones on November 01, 2018, 10:34:15 AM
The Shaw router at least has to be rebooted when a different device is connected in bridge mode.
My experience was that I had to turn the Shaw modem off, then turn the ASUS router off and back on, then let the ASUS router settle in, then turn the Shaw modem on.
I tried just rebooting the Shaw modem, that did not fix my problem. I tried rebooting the Shaw modem, then rebooting the ASUS router, that didn't fix my problem, either. I tried turning off the Shaw modem, then rebooting the ASUS router, then turning the Shaw modem back on immediately, again no go. I finally learned about the Aggressive Mode setting in the WAN DHCP section after all that and disabled it. When I factory reset, Aggressive Mode came back but didn't seem to interfere with getting a WAN IP...
Gotta love troubleshooting, right?
Have you tried turning it off and on yet?
Of course I have..... Wait.... Hold on a min.. Never mind...
I have been very happy with my Ubiquiti EdgeRouter + AP-AC-PRO access points.
I just bought a Netgate pfSense box myself to replace my R8500 which I now just use in AP mode. I wanted it to better manage and understand my traffic usages, as well as take advantage of some new features around hardware encryption layers. So far I am extremely happy with it which cost me $280.
Cova was wondering about the Ubiquiti EdgeRouter the other day, and I hadn't had experience with them, but assumed they'd be nice. I'll let him know that you own one if he has any questions.
Man I have been running this hardware since 2016!
http://forums.righteouswrath.com/index.php/topic,11102.msg90792.html#msg90792
Not as flexible as a pfsense box but also not very fidgety which I like.
I guess I lucked out with my RT-AC56U so far I've had no problems with it. Granted it takes far less of a beating than probably anyone else here.
...what's a router?
I just feel a bit overwhelmed by all of you techies with your TLAs and ETLAs while I have the simplest setup possible at home with just the basic modem/router that Shaw placed in my apartment about 23 months ago. :)
Quote from: Darren Dirt on November 01, 2018, 04:20:50 PM
I just feel a bit overwhelmed by all of you techies with your TLAs and ETLAs while I have the simplest setup possible at home with just the basic modem/router that Shaw placed in my apartment about 23 months ago. :)
OK, so you do know what a router is then :P
Quote from: Melbosa on November 01, 2018, 04:29:30 PM
Quote from: Darren Dirt on November 01, 2018, 04:20:50 PM
I just feel a bit overwhelmed by all of you techies with your TLAs and ETLAs while I have the simplest setup possible at home with just the basic modem/router that Shaw placed in my apartment about 23 months ago. :)
OK, so you do know what a router is then [emoji14]
Duh it's a woodworking tool! [emoji1787]
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Ive been using pfsense on a pcengines apu2c4 for a while now, since my older soekris net6501 died from that famous intel atom cpu problem that they dumped on their customers. I believe it led to soekris essentially going out of the network appliance business.
Im mostly happy with it but pfsense is sometimes not as flexible as if like and i have to get into the advanced configs of some packages and add raw config for certian things. The apu2c4 is also not quite as grunty as id like sometimes. But for the most part its good.
For wifi i have a ubiquity unifi ap ac pro. Works great. So few problems crop up. The amount of times i had to reboot and fiddle with consumer routers was infuriating compared to this setup. Of course i also dont drive it as hard as i used to. I havent downloaded a torrent in many moons.
Okay, I've had the new router hooked up for two days now and not a single spontaneous reboot. That's a good thing. I'm also now able to stay on the 5GHz network even on the other side of the house, while maintaining 3 out of 4 bars. So this router definitely has better range and a stronger signal.
One of my teammates had a problem with the Shaw modem/router combo not reaching the far side of his house. He bought the same AC86U router yesterday and set it up today, he now has full 5GHz on the far side of his house, too, when he used to have to use a wifi extender just to connect to the 2.4GHz network.
Oh, and I definitely drive my routers hard. It's not unusual to be maxing out the download with torrents, sending out three streams to remote Plex users, watching two or three more Plex streams locally, and have a video call going all at the same time.
Glad it is such an improvement.
5GHz coverage is always smaller than 2.4Ghz. The size / layout of your house and what it is made of limits coverage.
In my house I could not get 5GHz to cover my bedroom at all until I put an AP on the same floor. So I currently run an AP in the basement and one in the upstairs.
I generally liked my Asus router with Merlin quite a lot but it wasn?t enough for my current homes layout.
I am also sold on having a separate router and AP configuration now but that is probably because my professional specialty is in networking and maintaining and configuring it isn?t a big deal to me.
Glad you got things sorted.
Newer APs will have fancy features like MMIO, MU-MIMO, and beam forming. They all help with signal strength and whatnot.
So if you have issues with signal with newer wireless devices and have an older router, deffinitely think about an AP upgrade.
I still have that asus router i got and it worked rather well but i still prefer the unifi i can mount on my ceiling and power via ethernet.
Ive been thinking about just switching to ubuiquity's ecosystem. That way i have a single interface to manage all network devices. Im already familiar with it, so its been a serious consideration. I think the only reason i didnt get the ubnt firewall device was the similar price option to the pcengines i got was just a little anemic. Next time i look into it i may go all in. We shall see.