Anyone know about routers?

[michael31986]

I currently have a Verizon router that I bought from them as it was cheaper then renting it.

I want to invest in a better router for my house with better distance and coverage.

any recommendations on routers that would work with Verizon fios and tutorials on how to go about doing this?

Much appreciated

 

[velocityg4]

Rather than trying to get some mega range router. As they never really pan out at a distance. Especially through walls, furniture, floors, &c.

The better option is to run an Ethernet line from your router to the weak area of the house. Then plug in an Access Point with the same WiFi settings. The same may be done with a second Router configured to act as an Access Point. Which is what I normally do. As Access Points are overpriced compared to equivalent routers.

TP-Link makes good routers.

 

[michael31986]

Rather than trying to get some mega range router. As they never really pan out at a distance. Especially through walls, furniture, floors, &c.

The better option is to run an Ethernet line from your router to the weak area of the house. Then plug in an Access Point with the same WiFi settings. The same may be done with a second Router configured to act as an Access Point. Which is what I normally do. As Access Points are overpriced compared to equivalent routers.

TP-Link makes good routers.

An access point. Hmmm interesting.

I hope tp link works with verZion and although I get a mega range one won’t be the amazing it willl def be better than the one given by the company. Those are cheap.

 

[velocityg4]

An access point. Hmmm interesting.

I hope tp link works with verZion and although I get a mega range one won’t be the amazing it willl def be better than the one given by the company. Those are cheap.

As long as it's plugged into Ethernet. It should work. I've never not been able to mix and match multiple routers. With one acting as a router and the rest acting as Access Points.

Right now. I've got my AT&T modem/router. Then I've got my TP-Link router plugged into it. Still in router mode as it runs my network and the AT&T is just for a modem and their TV boxes. Anyways, from the TP-Link I've got a Linksys and Time Capsule hooked up and each configured to act as Access Points. The odd mix is because I get routers for free and just use the second and third best I've got for Access Points.

I've mixed and matched all sorts of routers with the ISP stuff. It isn't an issue. You just don't want to do something like use a range extender. As those are outdated and have always been horrible.

You can also use mesh WiFi. To act as your network and just use the ISP router as a modem. Although hardwired with access points is better and usually much cheaper. Mesh is easier to setup. You just need to strategically deploy them so they get a strong signal yet provide coverage where needed.

Another option is powerline networking with access points or as a mesh backhaul. But it has speed issues where getting over 150 mbps is difficult on longer runs. Despite what the packaging says.

 

[dukebound85]

get a mesh system

 

[michael31986]

get a mesh system

Any specific brand?

also with any of these options can I get rid of my food router?

 

[Clix Pix]

I have Cox cable rather than Verizon and I have owned my modem for years rather than paying Cox "rent" for theirs..... Recently they made some changes in their system and I was notified that I would need to update my modem, which I dutifully did, and while I was thinking about everything it seemed like a good idea to go ahead and update my router as well. I had been using an Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station for several years and it was working just fine, but I figured that since I had to make the other change anyway, why not check out what was currently available in routers.....

Bought a AmpliFi Alien 6 router, which uses the current WiFi 6 and which indeed seems to offer more speed and greater reach than my previous router. I love it! This router can work as part of a mesh system throughout a larger sized home than my own is, and that is a definite plus. It's also been designed by a former Apple engineer so it definitely has some Apple-y features and functions. Ethernet cable plugs into the modem and we're done.

I don't know enough about the FIOS setup to know how one would connect one of these to a FIOS modem, possibly it it involves a "bridge" setup, but I would guess that it IS possible, since a friend has an AEBS connected to her FIOS modem rather than using the router capability that is also built into the setup they provided her a few years ago.

 

[michael31986]

I only have fios internet so I just realized I don’t need the coax cable that goes into the router I have. I use to have tv so I use to need the cable.

since I only need to use the Ethernet I definitely need a router that’s better than the quantum one that Verizon has had for at least 5 years or more.

range is most important.

 

[ian87w]

Seconded on the Mesh network solution.

Ethernet is the best route, but if your home is not wired for it, it will be a hassle trying to put the cables across rooms.

I'd just consider a mesh network vs a single router. I currently use TP-Link Deco m5. I previously used Tenda Nova MW6, but apparently it doesn't support certain bands of Wifi5. They works alright for my home considering I'm on a budget.

Since you're in the US, you can consider Google Nest Wifi. Seems like many tech sites have good comments on those. Linksys Velop is another popular one (but it's outside my budget).

 

[profcutter]

I use gigabit fios in my house. Most of the house is covered by an ASUS AX11000 router, but the addition is a bit far, and on the other side of a brick wall. I ran an Ethernet cable to my old ac 1900 router, and I run ASUS AI Mesh. Works exceptionally well, the only time I have to reset is for firmware updates, and occasionally when my lousy homemade Ethernet cable gets bumped. If I connect via Ethernet to the ac1900, I get 850-900 Mbps reliably. The whole house is covered by these two routers, and they get hammered pretty hard. 2 professors teaching, I work with my students’ big video files, and two kids online learning.

 

[michael31986]

only the nest wifi can replace my router. The google wifi can only be added to my existing router?

I want to completely get rid of my Verizon router if possible.

The thing is I have two devices that I need to connect via Ethernet to a router and seems their is only one port on the nest Wi-Fi or google Wi-Fi. The nest access points don’t have Ethernet.

any suggestions? or am I wrong in my understanding

 

[profcutter]

That’s what the router is for, not an access point. In my system, the verizon equipment stops with the ONT, the box attached to the outside of the house. From there, it’s ethernet directly into my Asus router. I have no verizon router. I think the problem may be that the nest router can’t support ethernet connections. If you have devices that need ethernet, you’re going to need to get a more traditional router.

Looks like there is a way to hardwire lan ports into a nest wifi system, but you’ll need a switch:

Add Ethernet ports to Nest Wifi Pro, Nest Wifi, or Google Wifi - Google Nest Help

You can add LAN ports to your Nest Wifi Pro router, Nest Wifi router, or Google Wifi point by connecting them to a switch. If you use a switch, we recommend using an unmanaged switch or configuring a

support.google.com

 

[Airforcekid]

I am a big fan of EERO's new wifi 6 routers you could get a 3 pack and from mesh points you would have two ethernet connections and one from the main router. You could also attach a cheap switch to them and have in theory 200+ ethernet connections if needed.

 

[Banglazed]

A mesh system would work great if you don’t want to run wires. I have 3 nodes of Arris AX11000. While it is pretty expensive, it is stable with consistent speed. I’ve tested Velop and Orbi mesh systems but they aren’t reliable such as slow and inconsistent speed and frequent drop connections.

There are many mesh systems from Asus, Arris, TP-link, Google, Eero, Linksys, Netgear, Samsung and Trendnet. To future proof, get the Wi-Fi 6 routers if you can.

Mesh system use either wired or wireless for backhaul. It would be great to use wired backhaul if you can but if not then find a mesh that is tri-band (2x band, 2.4 & 5 ghz band, for devices and 1x band for backhaul). I would suggest test a few and find which one suits you better and more reliable.

 

[michael31986]

A mesh system would work great if you don’t want to run wires. I have 3 nodes of Arris AX11000. While it is pretty expensive, it is stable with consistent speed. I’ve tested Velop and Orbi mesh systems but they aren’t reliable such as slow and inconsistent speed and frequent drop connections.

There are many mesh systems from Asus, Arris, TP-link, Google, Eero, Linksys, Netgear, Samsung and Trendnet. To future proof, get the Wi-Fi 6 routers if you can.

Mesh system use either wired or wireless for backhaul. It would be great to use wired backhaul if you can but if not then find a mesh that is tri-band (2x band, 2.4 & 5 ghz band, for devices and 1x band for backhaul). I would suggest test a few and find which one suits you better and more reliable.

I took a look at Wi-Fi 6 but none of my devices support it and I’m not planning on getting a new labtop for another 5 years plus.

any other reason for Wi-Fi 6?

right now I’m leaning toward nest Wi-Fi hub and then using google Wi-Fi extenders since they have Ethernet plugs in them and the nest Wi-Fi extenders do not.

I didn’t realize they were backward compatible

 

[profcutter]

if you’re not planning on upgrading your devices, there’s not really any advantage to getting a wifi6 router. That said, people do set up the most advanced network at the time in the hopes of promoting longevity. I opted for a wifi 6 router, but now the wifi6e routers are coming out. Oh well, maybe when wifi 8 is out I’ll upgrade.

 

[velocityg4]

if you’re not planning on upgrading your devices, there’s not really any advantage to getting a wifi6 router. That said, people do set up the most advanced network at the time in the hopes of promoting longevity. I opted for a wifi 6 router, but now the wifi6e routers are coming out. Oh well, maybe when wifi 8 is out I’ll upgrade.

People typically keep networking equipment a lot longer than other devices. It makes sense to go with the latest standards when you replace equipment. As that'll just maximize the useful life.

Heck for most uses. If you have a an 802.11n network with good coverage. It's still good for modern web usage. I've got a router and two access points. The router and one access point are 802.11ac. The third is an 802.11n Time Capsule. I can't tell the difference on my Macbook or iPhone.

Downloads of large files may be slower. But it'll handle web surfing and streaming on multiple devices fine.

 

[jzuena]

My FiOS ONT plugs via wired Ethernet into a pfSense firewall which is also my router. One port on the firewall goes to an Amplifi mesh system (mentioned above) which is the wireless access point for my computers and the other port on the firewall goes to my old AirPort Extreme which is the wireless access point for all of my IoT devices (TVs, HomePods, Nest, smart plugs, etc.). The WiFi 6 Amplifi (ALIEN) is roughly the same size and shape as the Verizon router and you can add additional ones to form a mesh.

 

[profcutter]

People typically keep networking equipment a lot longer than other devices. It makes sense to go with the latest standards when you replace equipment. As that'll just maximize the useful life.

Heck for most uses. If you have a an 802.11n network with good coverage. It's still good for modern web usage. I've got a router and two access points. The router and one access point are 802.11ac. The third is an 802.11n Time Capsule. I can't tell the difference on my Macbook or iPhone.

Downloads of large files may be slower. But it'll handle web surfing and streaming on multiple devices fine.

Yeah, that’s true, that was my strategy.

 

[Thirio2]

I have a Unifi Dream Machine and added my Airport Extreme in bridge mode for time machine. I don’t have any weak spots in my coverage, but if I did I would get a longer cable for the APE and put it in the low signal area. My routers are in the center of the basement of my ~2500 sqft per floor Home. Doorbell and garage doors have no signal problems.

 

[Clix Pix]

I would be a wee bit concerned about privacy given that the Eero line has been purchased by and and now is marketed by Amazon..... Just saying....

 

[clueless88]

Is the FIOs system different than other internet services? I would think that the feed from the street would need a modem--if I am incorrect then disregard the rest of this post.

The OP said that he wanted to get rid of the Verizon router. The device is most likely not just a router, but is a combination ethernet/wifi router and modem, also known as a gateway.

In order to remove the Verizon device, the OP would need to purchase either a new gateway (MESH capable) that is compatible with Verizon Fios (along with a MESH capable router that can pair with that gateway) or a modem that is compatible with Fios (not sure how many of those are on the market). If the OP went the modem route, the OP could be able to purchase a pair of Mesh routers. Although they look unobtrusive and cool, one does not need to buy the cute node devices.

An easier route would be to put the Verizon device in bridge mode (essentially turning off the wifi) and attach a Mesh capable router via ethernet to the Verizon device and then have a compatible mesh router placed in a different location in the house. This would be the easiest and cheapest way to try the MESH coverage.

I am currently using two second hand ASUS AC1900/RT-AC68U routers that have been set up as mesh routers (ASUS makes it really easy setting up MESH network).

If the OP is able to put the Verizon device in bridge mode then he could attach any brand Mesh routers to the existing Verizon gateway.

 

[profcutter]

FIOS is not cable, there’s no modem. What you get is an ONT, an optical terminal, with optical, coax, and ethernet ports. That’s the box on the outside of your house. You simply take an ethernet cable, plug it into the ethernet out, and connect that to your router. The router that FIOS offers is simply that: a router. In many cases that router uses MoCA to connect to the ONT, but you don’t have to use MoCA (buying your own MoCA device is sometimes cost prohibitive).

Please be correct when you’re offering advice. FIOS offers an ethernet connection at no charge. There’s no modem, no gateway. The OP needs nothing other than a router and an ethernet cable.

When I wired my folks’ apartment, FIOS wanted to rig up a multi-router system using MoCA or coax, that would have cost my folks a bundle every month. I found the ONT, connected an ethernet cable, and ran ethernet and a router throughout the apartment. Works a peach.

 

[clueless88]

FIOS is not cable, there’s no modem. What you get is an ONT, an optical terminal, with optical, coax, and ethernet ports. That’s the box on the outside of your house. You simply take an ethernet cable, plug it into the ethernet out, and connect that to your router. The router that FIOS offers is simply that: a router. In many cases that router uses MoCA to connect to the ONT, but you don’t have to use MoCA (buying your own MoCA device is sometimes cost prohibitive).

Please be correct when you’re offering advice. FIOS offers an ethernet connection at no charge. There’s no modem, no gateway. The OP needs nothing other than a router and an ethernet cable.

When I wired my folks’ apartment, FIOS wanted to rig up a multi-router system using MoCA or coax, that would have cost my folks a bundle every month. I found the ONT, connected an ethernet cable, and ran ethernet and a router throughout the apartment. Works a peach.

Thank you for the information, we don't have FIOS out here near the Left Coast State Capital. FIOS is a different animal indeed. I thought my disclaimer in the second sentence of my post covered the concern in your second paragraph.

 

[profcutter]

No worries, I just don’t want to give incorrect information. And by Left Coast capital, you mean Seattle or Vancouver? ?