Router for office

[Concentric]

We have been experiencing a lot of problems with our internet connectivity. There are around 30-40 devices connected to the internet via a switch and around 20 devices on the wifi. Could it be that the router is not powerful enough to handle all the traffic? Should we upgrade to a more powerful one?
Currently a basic tp link router.
Thanks

 

[Slootvreter]

Yes. Definitely.

Get a proper switch (example) and a proper wifi AP.

 

[Concentric]

we have a proper switch connected to the router.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

You're using a consumer grade router for a workload it wasn't intended for.

I'd recommend going with some Ubiquiti products, they make really affordable products for small business needs.

A router: https://scoop.co.za/ubiquiti-edgerouterx-4-port-gigabit-router.html

Wireless AP (this should be fine for now): https://scoop.co.za/ubiquiti-unifi-dual-band-ac-lite-ap.html

or if you want to have room to grow your wireless users then maybe rather go for the Pro model: https://scoop.co.za/ubiquiti-unifi-dual-band-ac-pro-ap.html

 

[Concentric]

so ignoring the wifi for now...the rouyer should definately be upgraded?

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

so ignoring the wifi for now...the rouyer should definately be upgraded?

Yes. What internet connection do you have?

You really should have a router that is capable of doing proper prioritization so you can manage your bandwidth between all your users better.

 

[Concentric]

neotel fiber 50mbps

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

neotel fiber 50mbps

You don't give any details on what issues you're having with your internet but I'd recommend you get a more suitable router regardless as consumer routers just aren't meant to be used with so many users so it is quite possible that could be causing problems.

Issues with wifi are also very common with cheaper routers and can go down frequently as well as cause the router to just stop passing traffic entirely, that's why I would really recommend using a separate wifi AP like the one I linked in my previous comment.

 

[Concentric]

thanks for the advice. appreciate it

 

[Concentric]

All set up and working like a bomb! The router is quite hot....is this normal?
Cpu and ram is normal.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

All set up and working like a bomb! The router is quite hot....is this normal?
Cpu and ram is normal.

You get the Edge router?

Heat is normal (within reason of course) and you feel it more on devices with metal enclosures. Always a good idea to have sufficient ventilation though.

 

[Concentric]

yup and the ap. all much better now. its in the network cage so fans are ventilating.

 

[leonb]

How difficult are these EdgeRouters to set up? Does it have a web interface?

I'm no expert, but can work my way around e.g. OpenWRT/DD-WRT.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

How difficult are these EdgeRouters to set up? Does it have a web interface?

I'm no expert, but can work my way around e.g. OpenWRT/DD-WRT.

Yes, there is a web gui:

[video=youtube;d2Uj8JrjTUE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Uj8JrjTUE[/video]