Advice on new Wi-Fi

[sys-eng]

I used to participate here often but finally had to close my computer business when I got another corporate job. Just could not pay the bills in the local environment. This was/is my favorite site supporting professionals dealing primarily with home and small business computing. I enjoyed learning and helping others here but have been absent for about 4 years.

I am looking for advice on a good network solution for the environment described below. I have not kept up with small networking much but my experience is that routers are much like all-in-one printers where the manufacturers build many different models but very few good reliable ones.

My new wife has a new job teaching computing technology courses for an online public school. We live in an apartment with Time-Warner cable service. The modem/wireless router I rent from them does not provide good service even in a small 1200 sq. ft. apartment.

My wife’s online job depends 100% on Internet service. The modem/router is in a diferent room from her office but only about 30 ft away. I have a long Ethernet cable for backup if the Wi-Fi dies but still need to upgrade the Wi-Fi for better service. I want the new router to be able to cover a house of about 2,500 sq. ft.

Connections will include:

Wi-Fi

• Computer streaming video & audio for teaching
• Computer – general home use
• tablet
• 4 cell phones
• 2 Smart TV’s
• printer
• VPN

Ethernet

• 2 Computers – general home use
• NAS

 

[Mick]

If you were UK-based, I'd suggest you look at the Draytek range, but I don't know off-hand if they operate on your side of the pond.

 

[AML]

Have a look at TP Link AC1900 it's got good range and affordable

 

[sys-eng]

It looks like the AC1900 still needs a modem for cable service. Does this work with DD-WRT?? I used that firmware before with much success.

 

[AML]

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices#TP-Link

 

[mr m]

If you can run Cat5/6 you'll be much happier. I also prefer and use a separate DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem.

The four year old ASUS RT-AC68U Dual Band Wireless AC1900 is still hard to beat for about $150 but no modem. The ASUS CM-32 AC2600 has a modem built in, works with Time Warner and costs about $250.

The RT-AC68U works with DD-WRT but I don't know about the CM-32.

Whatever brand you choose, stick with the 802.11ac standard and upgrade all your wireless adapters to ac to maximize throughput. Also consider the latest MU-MIMO technology but those devices start at about $200.

 

[Markverhyden]

Ubiquiti ER Lite 3 for a router and a UniFi AC LR for an AP. Industrial strength performance at consumer price point.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Agree with Mark above.

If you have the budget...Amplifi
Made by Ubiquiti...which is my favorite brand of wireless network equipment (and becoming my favorite for switches and basic routers too)

granted..probably overkill...

For a single, affordable device..I run through various routers I get for free from this or that...currently I have an Asus RT-AC87U working very well in my 3,600 sq ft home. From a network rack in my bar in the man-cave in the basement. Get good signal up on the second floor even!

I'm very familiar with DD-WRT and played with tons of other 3rd party firmwares and my preferred 3rd party firmware back then was Tomato...but for Asus devices look up Merlin firmware...it's tweaked Asus firmware and retains a lot of good functionality on the Asus that you'd miss with DD.

This weekend I'm actually going to put a Linksys WRT1900ACS into my house...it's running Untangle for the OS on it and I got that a while ago..just haven't gotten around to using it yet.

 

[sys-eng]

If you can run Cat5/6 you'll be much happier. I also prefer and use a separate DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem.

The four year old ASUS RT-AC68U Dual Band Wireless AC1900 is still hard to beat for about $150 but no modem. The ASUS CM-32 AC2600 has a modem built in, works with Time Warner and costs about $250.

The RT-AC68U works with DD-WRT but I don't know about the CM-32.

Whatever brand you choose, stick with the 802.11ac standard and upgrade all your wireless adapters to ac to maximize throughput. Also consider the latest MU-MIMO technology but those devices start at about $200.

I agree about hard wire but not possible in the apartment.

 

[AML]

I agree about hard wire but not possible in the apartment.

Powerline Kit

 

[dougp23]

Have had very good luck with Eero units in similar setup. Cheap, reliable, good coverage.