Wired/Wireless Router Suggestions

[ducttape45]

Good evening fellow Freepers. It's time for me to ask another in the long line of IT related questions, this time about suggestions for a new router for my home network.

Currently I have a Netgear WNR3500Lv2 router. It's a combo wired and wireless router. It is hooked up to a DLink Modem, Model DCM-301.

However, last month lightning struck right behind my place and it killed one of the ethernet ports on the router. Thank God the entire thing wasn't fried. But now I need to replace it, and I'd like to find something of a similar build in that I require four (4) wired ports, the ability to utilize wireless, AND to also have the ability to plug a USB storage device to it. Heck, if I can find something I can install an internal SSD into that would be even better.

I liked Netgear early on but I feel their products are becoming too complicated to use. I'm almost 62 and would like to keep things simple. I like the DLink modem so if I can find a DLink router to hook up to it, that would be ideal. I preferred separate units in the past that way if one went on the blink, I could replace it without being hit with a huge cost, but I'm willing to explore a combo unit now.

All that being said, if someone can point me in the right direction I'd be most appreciative.

Thank you all for your time and efforts to help me.

[ducttape45]

I went over the suggestions everyone made. I broke down the list in the following manner:

No USB
Price Too High
Amplifi Alien - $800.00, USB - No
EERO - $300.00, USB - No
Linksys WRT-32X - $277.00, USB - No

No USB
Possible Link to Chinese
TP Link N300 - $29.00, USB - No
TP Link 450 - $24.00, USB - No
TP Link AX1800 - $89.00, USB - Yes
TP Link AC-1750 - $59.00, USB - Yes

Price Too High
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 - $349.00, USB - Yes
Motorola MG8702 Modem + Router - $299.00, USB - Yes
Linksys WRT1900AC - $283.00, USB - Yes

I like all of these
ASUS AX3000 - $159.00, USB - Yes
ASUS AC-1300 - $159.00, USB - Yes
ASUS AC1900 - $129.00, USB - Yes
Netgear WNDR4500-100PAS N900 - $40.00, USB - Yes

So after all is said and done, these four will be the ones I will choose from. I like them all. I like ASUS brand items as they've always produced quality products. I want to get away from Netgear, but I gotta admit that one for $40 - $50 is tempting only from the standpoint that I'm tight on cash and I am familiar with them.

So we'll see what happens. I want to thank everyone for their input, and wish you all God speed. You're a great bunch of folks and I will not soon forget the help you've provided.

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

duct, there is a reason that Netgear is so cheap. ;-)

My now deceased M-I-L used to say, “It costs only a little bit more to go first class.” She was talking about commercial flying but it holds true for just about anything one wants to buy. ;-)

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/about

It is enhanced ASUS firmware. It starts with the base and adds features, optimizations and enhancements. Installing is easy and removing is easy as well. Unlike many routers ASUS even has a failsafe mode which the router goes into if a flash goes wrong due to a power failure which allows you to reflash.

I do recomend you watch this though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dnic-DU-GE

The IQRouter is another option you should consider. This is a review of an older model. There are tests you can run which will tell you if you can benefit from it and it is comparable to the ASUS 1900.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Y8TQ5C6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07Y8TQ5C6&linkCode=as2&tag=bufferbloat-20&linkId=9082eb419d557a684b9a42146fbc9a8d

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA0asPf_EFM

Here is a review of their current router.

[ducttape45]

I will add this to my selections. I checked out the Amazon page and this is something I will definitely put near the top of the list. I like what I read.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

It runs on a custom version of openwrt. The company has made it “idiot proof” You really do need to know a lot about networking to set up openwrt, but with this it is all automatic, and then it automatically sets up Quality Of Service (QOS) for you using the cake algorithm. The hardware is chinese but the firmware and software is done here in the US. I don’t know if it supports WPA3, but since openwrt does it very likely does. I have seen their customer support is top notch, so call them and ask. Also, run the test on their site (dslreports reskinned) to see how much bufferbloat you currently have. The ASUS stuff with Merlin firmware has descent QOS, but again you have to know what you are doing. This is set it and forget it and it works.

So your next project is a pihole advertisements/malware blocker for your network. ;-) https://pi-hole.net/

[ducttape45]

I'm getting to the age where more things need to be "idiot" proof, so this looks to be right down my alley. It also has a USB port on the back and that selling point puts it at the top of the list. Again, I appreciate your help.

Now, what's this about a pi-hole??? LOL

[minnesota_bound]

Yeah, pretty much anything chines communist made is spying on you. Beware TP-Link and communist coffee makers... : )

Researcher: ‘Evidence Indicates’ Chinese Company Is Spying on Americans Via Coffee Machines
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4071795/posts

[ducttape45]

I don’t drink coffee so I think I’m good! LOL

[Hermes37]

If you keep what you have the risk of choosing the $40-50 Netgear WNDR4500-100PAS N900 is minimal. 450+450 is an upgrade from your 300+0 but is not bleeding edge expensive.

Not that you ‘should’ but, you could install DD-WRT (beta) on that model. Someone likes it enough to make 3rd party firmware available for it.

FYI I spent way less than you indicated for my routers(less than $100 refurbished from Amazon) and they both have at _least_ one USB 3.0 port. Not suggesting they are suitable for your calendar/application/budget they are old.

I also have a TP-Link AC1900 Smart Wireless Router(less than $100 NEW) that is _NOT_DD-WRT_friendly_ but is/was a good value IMneverHO.

I don’t advocate for China manufacturers but I rarely automatically eliminate them. I don’t trust anyone!!!

I have tried many known exploits on the TP-Link products and think they are just as risky as the next one. Many of their products are also DD-WRT friendly just not the model I mentioned in this post.

They are almost all manufactured in China and ‘they’ have compromised many major well respected manufacturers products during final assembly and testing. It is one reason among many that people install 3rd party firmware(that might also have a buried exploit).

It sounds to me like you are well on your way to being satisfied with whatever you choose.

[ducttape45]

I ordered the IQrouter – IQRV3 Self-Optimizing Router. I needed something that will provide greater bandwidth than my present router, and hopefully be idiot proof. LOL

While I was able to use my present Netgear router efficiently enough, I needed something newer. My present router is over 10 years old. It also has USB and SD card ports on the back. While I won't put highly sensitive on either, it will make for a good central depository to share files on the network.

For me, dollars mean a lot because I don't have much to spend. So I hope and pray that the new router is worth the $135 I spent.

[Hermes37]

I had a look at the manufacturers webpage.
It seems like a capable router. It runs Linux and I am a Linux zealot (Slackware since 1990’s) but.....

I’m not trying to rain on your parade or call your baby ugly but that product is a poor fit for my LAN and my requirements.

If that is what suits you I fully support your decision!
We each tolerate different compromises, it’s a feature! :-)

According to a positive Amazon review it runs a ‘modified’ version of OpenWRT (a popular 3rd party firmware). See below for one of the ‘modifications’. I did not find it listed as DD-WRT friendly, my personal bias LOL.

The following observations are FYI just in case you intended otherwise.

The Techspecs page
https://evenroute.com/iqrv3#techspecs
says the following.
“1 USB 2.0 Port (local storage only, no print or file-sharing)”
That ‘appears to me’ to NOT HAVE one of the features you seek.
Apparently the USB is only for the use of the LinuxOS that runs the router.<<—I’m guessing

One of the reasons I went with refurb routers was to get USB 3.0 for fast file sharing under US$100.

It also states 300+867 for 2.4/5GHz WiFi speed. If your device is only 2.4GHz WiFi it will be the same speed as your old 300+0 router. Many 2.4 devices ALSO do not go over 300Mbps just pointing it out. It may be a moot point. It seems odd that I had to go to the manufacturers page to find that detail as it is not on the Amazon listing.

Of the 5(total) reviews on Amazon the one negative review objects to the EULA and they did NOT agree to let the manufacturer collect detailed information on the local network devices or the traffic on the LAN.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2QWZ12X46S3IG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewpnt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07Y8TQ5C6#R2QWZ12X46S3IG

I would never agree to allowing(inviting) the manufacturer to exfiltrate details from my LAN. (so they can $ELLf-optimize me)

“including but not limited to information about your computer and/or mobile device, operating system, peripherals, applications, connected devices, network traffic, and data use”

One reason I use a seperate modem and router is so I can sniff the traffic between the 2 and see what is exiting my LAN. I rarely do it but I did it often when I was a new DD-WRT user. I do not even have anything sensitive in my computers either it just interests me. I never even allow software to ‘look’ for newer versions when possible and would never consider automated upgrading. Thanks to micro$haft for that education! I even give my ‘smart’ TV incorrect WiFi credentials to keep it off of my network. I just use it for a monitor not a TV. Some folks are the exact opposite.

I repeat,
If that is what suits you I fully support your decision!
We each tolerate different compromises, it’s a feature! :-)

---

P.S.
You mentioned a MoBo SNAFU. Is the CPU fan spinning at power on? What happens if you turn it on with no RAM installed? no CPU? no monitor? subdivide and conquor :-)

[ducttape45]

Good morning. That's a lot of information, and I appreciate all of it.

My old router would only give me 145. The tech specs say 300+, but at the end of the day 145 was its max. I tried manually setting it to 300, but it gave me a message saying something about it would not be able to achieve that. I can't remember its exact wording.

I didn't see that item about the USB. There's also a SD slot but it doesn't mention what it's for. And I certainly didn't see the review about the EULA. I certainly won't allow that and if there's no way around I may end up returning it as well, darn it all.

I didn't mention before but I also purchased the Netgear WNDR4500-100PAS N900 router as a backup. If things don't work out with the IQrouter I can still use that one as I am familiar with Netgear products. Plus it has two USB ports, not just one, and that was a big reason why I was looking it for purchase.

I also utilize a separate modem and router configuration. I prefer separate units for much the same reason as you, plus I'm old school and I don't like combo units like that. If one goes down, I don't want to have to replace both just because they're combined.

As for what happened with my motherboard, I bought the wrong type of memory. The m/b gets power, the cpu and power fans come on, but it gives me five long beeps, turns off, turns back on and does the same thing over and over. Even without the memory it does the same thing. When I did a bit more research I discovered the memory that I purchased was "server" memory, not desktop memory. The biggest clue was the memory wasn't non-ECC. When I visited the Crucial and Kingston websites, I discovered my error. Now I got $80 worth of memory I can't use, and I had to spend more money to get what I needed.

Again, I appreciate all your advise. I will certainly put it to good use.

[ducttape45]

Looks like now I need a USB 3.0 wireless device for one of my towers. I thought I had a working wireless USB adapter but it doesn't work, which is just as well, I probably needed a new one anyway since it was a USB 2.0 device.

Any suggestions anyone?

[ducttape45]

I know it's been a while since I started this posting, but I am going to purchase the router that you suggested, the ASUS AC-1300.

Though I like the Netgear router I purchased last year, I am discovering that it won't allow my Linux devices to browse the Windows Network. I'm hoping this ASUS corrects that shortcoming. Thanks for the suggestion.

[TheCipher]

After you get it up and running and everything seems to work ok, be sure to do a firmware update. I would wait a few days to do this to make sure your internet connectivity is stable. You don’t want to lose your internet connection while doing a firmware update. It will tell you if you need an update in the upper right hand corner of the web interface to the modem.

[ducttape45]

Thanks for the advice. I was thinking of trying to find an ASUS cable modem as well but I haven’t researched that yet. Since the new standard is DOCSIS 3.1, my older modem is obsolete and I hate the way the Netgear router I got interfaces with routers. If you have any suggestions I’m all ears. Thanks again.

[TheCipher]

What is your current modem? Is it dsl,fiber,or cable ?is it provided by your internet provider or is it your own?

[TheCipher]

If your current modem is a cable modem, Asus has the CMAX 6000.it is a combo modem/ router. It is expensive, but you would not have to purchase an additional router. The drawback is it doesn’t have a USB port if you wanted to hook up a USB device

[ducttape45]

I have my own router, it is a Netgear CM1100.