VDSL/Fiber Router choice – assistance required please

[BruceRee]

Hi guys,

Looking for some advice on a VDSL/Fiber router choices please. I have read through all the various router posts on this forum and this has guided me a lot to get to a point where I am now. Currently on a 20mb ADSL line and my router packed up. Looking to upgrade to a 20/40mb fiber line in a few months as soon as the infrastructure is in place. So looking for a decent all round router that will last me a few years and not bust the bank. I think I have narrowed it down to either an ASUS N17U or a TP-Link VR400. The TP-Link costs a few hundred more (+-R1600) and to me seems the better choice due the additional features and they have good reviews… The router needs to support ADSL/VDSL and fibre connections have gig nic ports and most of all be reliable especially on an ADSL\VDSL line. I tried a cheaper Tenda router recently and had endless issues with the wifi dropping and it just seem to struggle on the 20mb line so I sent it back to the supplier.

Appreciate some guidance here and hopefully someone of this forum has had experience with both these brands and routers.


Thank-you kindly.

 

[Mariuspay]

Try buying the TP Link direct from Uniterm Direct. Ask for Mybroadband discount.

 

[Pienats]

I can't speak for the TP link, but I have the Asus N17U. Currently using it on a 10M (syncing at 12M) line and very happy with it.

Some "issues" that I have:
* The interface is slightly convoluted at times, but I reckon that is simply due to the features it expose.
* I do occasionally (maybe once every 2 weeks) have to reboot the router due to receive CRC errors, but I blame that on the line rather than the router (it's keeping a stable 12M on a line that can do 14/15M max for 99.9% of the time). After the reboot all is good again.

Despite the above, I can highly recommend the router. I don't have the biggest house, but the wifi is strong enough to cover everywhere, and a fair bit outside the house (the study is fairly central). Never had issues on the wifi either.

It also still gets firmware updates. I had another one last week, so it's still being improved.

 

[Pienats]

Looking at the TP-link VR400, one comment I can make is that the Asus has a dedicated WAN port. Seems like the TP-link uses one of the LAN ports for that. Not really a big issue though. Presumably you'll be using an additional switch anyway

 

[$m@Rt@$$]

I can't speak for the TP link, but I have the Asus N17U. Currently using it on a 10M (syncing at 12M) line and very happy with it.

Some "issues" that I have:
* The interface is slightly convoluted at times, but I reckon that is simply due to the features it expose.
* I do occasionally (maybe once every 2 weeks) have to reboot the router due to receive CRC errors, but I blame that on the line rather than the router (it's keeping a stable 12M on a line that can do 14/15M max for 99.9% of the time). After the reboot all is good again.

Despite the above, I can highly recommend the router. I don't have the biggest house, but the wifi is strong enough to cover everywhere, and a fair bit outside the house (the study is fairly central). Never had issues on the wifi either.

It also still gets firmware updates. I had another one last week, so it's still being improved.

+1 for a N17U here. Awesome connectivity and really good wireless coverage too.

Using mine for a 40meg VDSL line, syncing at a stable 44mbps.

 

[BruceRee]

+1 for a N17U here. Awesome connectivity and really good wireless coverage too.

Using mine for a 40meg VDSL line, syncing at a stable 44mbps.

Thanks Chaps - feedback and advice much appreciated. I am going to drop my cash on the ASUS N17U.