Recommend a wireless ADSL router for under R1500...

[DJ...]

Maybe R2k if it's worth it.

Requirements:

At least one USB port to handle a wireless printer. 2 would be a bonus for the hard drive as well.
Decent wireless throughput, so at least 300mbps N speeds, preferably more.
Decent wireless coverage
ADSL2+ capable
Decent management interface to allow me to manage bandwidth based on IP addresses/range and preferably a live view of traffic per IP address
Ability to run in WDS mode with WPA encryption
Gigabit LAN ports

I recently bought a TP-Link W8970 that matched the above criteria but it gave problems from day 1. Intermittent wireless and wired disconnection/freezing on the router which dropped all connections. I was warned about it, but went ahead in any case. I have a Netgear N300 and it's crap. I despise the thing. I also have a D-Link 2750u with a blown ADSL port that I use to extend the wireless range, which is great, but it doesn't cut it for a new router in terms of my requirements.

Some pointers and suggestions would be appreciated...

 

[biometrics]

Get a NUC.

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/nuc/overview.html

 

[DJ...]

Get a NUC.

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/nuc/overview.html

Not even sure how that works but I need at least 3 lan ports. Seems the nuc doesn't cut the mustard there...

 

[Dan C]

I thought you had the W8970 ? Most issues with that router were fixed with the latest firmware. Mine running rock solid now.

But if you indeed have another model, maybe check for updates or even load a custom firmware like dd-wrt if compatible.

 

[DJ...]

I thought you had the W8970 ? Most issues with that router were fixed with the latest firmware. Mine running rock solid now.

But if you indeed have another model, maybe check for updates or even load a custom firmware like dd-wrt if compatible.

That's the one. OK perhaps I'll try updating the firmware first. But in case, can you recommend a similar or better router for under R2k? I'll stretch the budget there...

 

[Dan C]

That's the one. OK perhaps I'll try updating the firmware first. But in case, can you recommend a similar or better router for under R2k? I'll stretch the budget there...

Have not looked at many higher end routers (gigabit ones) , I heard some good reviews on the ASUS.
http://www.asus.com/Networking/DSLN55U_Annex_B/

Oh as for the USB HDD sleeping.. gonna try it now on mine. Although my external is Samsung, she goes to sleep too when not getting much attention. Will report back if the router loses connection or not.

 

[DJ...]

Thanks. Would really appreciate that...

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

I refuse

http://bit.ly/1cmtRcZ

 

[HavocXphere]

For ambitious requirements like that I'd rather buy everything separate. i.e. One access point, one switch, one server etc. You can roll the dice and hope you get a router with all of it but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[Dan C]

OK quick feedback.. Think I need to wait quite a bit longer for the external to go to sleep.. did give it awhile tho'.

But what I can confirm is. I switched off the external hdd and back on. No interference with the router (so the router picked it up again and in quick time too) , and I could access it from anywhere on the network.

Will do the proper spin down thingy overnight ...

** Edit : First time I tried the USB mass storage on this router, I normally have the external HDD plugged straight into my HP microserver NAS running Win 2008.

 

[ichigo]

Maybe R2k if it's worth it.

Requirements:

At least one USB port to handle a wireless printer. 2 would be a bonus for the hard drive as well.
Decent wireless throughput, so at least 300mbps N speeds, preferably more.
Decent wireless coverage
ADSL2+ capable
Decent management interface to allow me to manage bandwidth based on IP addresses/range and preferably a live view of traffic per IP address
Ability to run in WDS mode with WPA encryption
Gigabit LAN ports

I recently bought a TP-Link N600 that matched the above criteria but it gave problems from day 1. Intermittent wireless and wired disconnection/freezing on the router which dropped all connections. I was warned about it, but went ahead in any case. I have a Netgear N300 and it's crap. I despise the thing. I also have a D-Link 2750u with a blown ADSL port that I use to extend the wireless range, which is great, but it doesn't cut it for a new router in terms of my requirements.

Some pointers and suggestions would be appreciated...

If your printers wireless why do you have to connect it by USB mine doesn't need to be connected to anything besides the router wireless.

 

[DJ...]

Managed to get this router working properly now. Seems the firmware update sorted it out. I've removed the hard drive from there and shared it from my HTPC instead. Solves a major headache. Thanks for the help, all.

The one thing about this TP-Link W8970 is that I am getting 35% faster sync speeds with my exchange than I did with the Telkom branded Netgear N300 router. It's quite an incredible difference. I connected the Netgear and I sync at 2308. Plugged in the TP Link and I sync at 3116. Tested this 3 times to be sure...

 

[Rickster]

Managed to get this router working properly now. Seems the firmware update sorted it out. I've removed the hard drive from there and shared it from my HTPC instead. Solves a major headache. Thanks for the help, all.

The one thing about this TP-Link W8970 is that I am getting 35% faster sync speeds with my exchange than I did with the Telkom branded Netgear N300 router. It's quite an incredible difference. I connected the Netgear and I sync at 2308. Plugged in the TP Link and I sync at 3116. Tested this 3 times to be sure...

Is that with only ADSL enabled? Not 2/2+

 

[Dan C]

Managed to get this router working properly now. Seems the firmware update sorted it out. I've removed the hard drive from there and shared it from my HTPC instead. Solves a major headache. Thanks for the help, all.

The one thing about this TP-Link W8970 is that I am getting 35% faster sync speeds with my exchange than I did with the Telkom branded Netgear N300 router. It's quite an incredible difference. I connected the Netgear and I sync at 2308. Plugged in the TP Link and I sync at 3116. Tested this 3 times to be sure...

Glad to hear the firmware update worked.

 

[DJ...]

Is that with only ADSL enabled? Not 2/2+

Yea. Disabled the Adsl2+ settings as I'm pretty sure my box isn't ADSL 2+ enabled in any case...

 

[Necuno]

I thought you had the W8970 ? Most issues with that router were fixed with the latest firmware. Mine running rock solid now.

But if you indeed have another model, maybe check for updates or even load a custom firmware like dd-wrt if compatible.

I've I got that one a weak ago... Running perfect

 

[DJ...]

I've I got that one a weak ago... Running perfect

This router is actually really awesome. Loving it. I doubt I use the advanced management tools others do, but here's what I love about it:

Works out of the box with my Netgear range extender with the click of a button
Assigning static IPs is so damn simple
It syncs with my exchang at +35% faster speeds than my old Netgear N300
The live bandwidth monitoring and management is awesome - been looking for this for ages.
Took 5 minutes to setup and connect a second router to use an extender (now that I know how to do it)
Printers connected to it just work - straight away. Connect them and they're available to all devices immediately.

This, after the firmware update, of course...

 

[Necuno]

How is the range for you?

 

[DJ...]

How is the range for you?

Not sure. Will test it out later today...

 

[Dan C]

... This, after the firmware update, of course...

Yes, I was distraught when I got mine first, because the darn thing did not have NAT loopback. One major drawback for me, so decided to google a bit and found that they released firmware to sort this out , including the WIFI and various other problems I never knew existed.

Hope others who purchase the same or similar models read this and do an update just in case.