Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Which Router are you using?
- Thread starter Ipadlover29
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Can you tell me more about these? I'm looking to upgrade from my AE to whatever can get me the best range. Was thinking Enterprise is the way to go, but fat know anything about them. Thanks
Ubiquity sells several versions. Some are targeted for home use (Edgeroutet lite) and others for business (Edgeroutet Pro). They are remarkably affordable and very configurable. Based on a Linux distribution, they can even be customized if you want to get to that level. They have a good support forum as well.
These products are wired routers so you need to add a wireless AP. I use the Apple Airports for these.
They have a lot of features and configurability. I have specifically used multiple WAN ports, load balancing, VPN, NAT, QoS, multiple NAT. There are many more.
Learning curve is steeper than using an AE and some features are only available through a command line interface.
Thanks. I did a little research also and I'm thinking before going this route I should try the best consumer grade first. Anyone have a recommendation? LINKSYS WRT1900ACS? Something better?
Today I would recommend the NETGEAR R7000 Nighthawk or the ASUS RT-AC68U routers. You can't beat the performance to dollar ratio on either of these routers. If USB 3.0 speed is a factor get the NETGEAR, otherwise just pick up which ever one has the better deal going on.
What if I'm not looking for best value, just best. I need the range, I'm willing to spend more on anything that's worthwhile without going overboard of course.
I should say also, the range needed to to operate iPads. So they aren't going to have the ability t add matching wireless cards for anything.
Last edited:
USB 3.0 interfere with AC wireless routers! So most USB 3.0 ports go to USB 2 speeds when AC is on!
If you need the range, forget about looking for a single router with exceptional range. Pick up a couple ASUS RT-AC68Us, load them up with AsusWRT-Merlin and run the additional unit as an access point. This will give you the best range without going overboard.
USB 3.0 interferes with the 2.4 GHz band. 802.11ac operates on the 5GHz band. Nevertheless, manufacturers have remedied said issue with proper shielding and why I recommended the NETGEAR R7000 if USB 3.0 speed is a deciding factor.
When you say access point are you talking about wiring it up? Or using it like a repeater? If I have a newest model AirPort Extreme, should I then just get another one or an Express?
Also, while playing around a little, I'm getting good speed where I need it, but only in tests. The ipad just opens pages so slowly. Maybe this is an ipad thing? I only have a 10Mbps connection, I ran a speed test the farthest away I'd really care about it, and I got 10.5Mbps. But, if I'm any distance from my router pages open slowly, apps seem slow if they are using data, etc
I live in the middle of nowhere, there's no other wifi networks within range, no cordless phones, baby monitors, nothing else I can think of that would interfere except maybe this old home with its wood slat/plaster walls. But, even with that the speed tests show I'm getting the full 10Mbps
pfSense / ZOTAC ZBOX C Series CI323 (custom build 8G / 64GB SSD )
Absolutely
About a year ( I'm a noob )
Cisco DOCSIS 3.0 Modem(bridged) -> pfSense Router/Firewall -> Apple Airport Extreme( bridged / used as access point )
I agree so much with this.
I'm currently running @ home an EdgeRouter POE5 and EdgeSwitch Lite but just ordered the UniFi Security Gateway and UnifiSwitch8 and a CloudKey, already have 2 UniFi AC Longe Range AP's and just wanting a simple centralized front for all devices on the network.
This one:
I get a direct connection to trunks in a fraction of a second.
I get a direct connection to trunks in a fraction of a second.
I run the ERX SFP, cuz it has POE ports. Yes, way overkill, and not consumer friendly (intimidating to the average home user I am sure), and lacking some features such as QOS except via command line. But, on the positive side: small, low power, rock solid, and fast.
[doublepost=1465260040][/doublepost]
This one:
I get a direct connection to trunks in a fraction of a second.
This is one router that is so fast it can take your finger clean off.
The problem I have always had with Netgear / Asus / Linksys / Buffalo gear, is after a year or two they just become unstable and require babysitting e.g. Firmware resets, updates, rebooting etc. etc. I've got a 1st gen Time Capsule still running perfectly with a 500gb disk thats still running, hasn't failed.
The Ubiquiti EdgeRouter is one of those, it's a mentalist to configure, when you've got it down it's just leave it and forget, it's a brilliant piece of kit for the money.
The Ubiquiti EdgeRouter is one of those, it's a mentalist to configure, when you've got it down it's just leave it and forget, it's a brilliant piece of kit for the money.
Currently I use a Netgear R7000 Nighthawk in front of a cable modem.
The performance ist not bad but like UKgaryb posted I really dislike the Firmware update process. I do the update process only via ethernet cable but it wrecks the firmware nearly every time I upload the file.
Thinking about changing to a Airport Time Capsule with 3 TB of storage in a couple of months. :/
The performance ist not bad but like UKgaryb posted I really dislike the Firmware update process. I do the update process only via ethernet cable but it wrecks the firmware nearly every time I upload the file.
Thinking about changing to a Airport Time Capsule with 3 TB of storage in a couple of months. :/
Currently I use a Netgear R7000 Nighthawk in front of a cable modem.
The performance ist not bad but like UKgaryb posted I really dislike the Firmware update process. I do the update process only via ethernet cable but it wrecks the firmware nearly every time I upload the file.
Thinking about changing to a Airport Time Capsule with 3 TB of storage in a couple of months. :/
I would load AusWRT Merlin via XVORTEX custom CFE on that router if a simple GUI is important to you. DD-WRT or TomatoUSB if you're after more even more control but the GUI and learning curve can be bit daunting. Any of these methods makes a world of difference with these class of routers and unlocks their true potential. I wouldn't consider running the R7000 stock.
R7000> AirPort. Every single time.
[doublepost=1466415793][/doublepost]
Using it as a repeater will certainly get the job done, but hardwiring it will give you the best performance / experience.
Thanks, I just got a 50ft Ethernet cable just for this. I'm interested in these other firmwares you mentioned. Do you get better performance? Or just more features? I'll do some searching, but any info you can point me to would be great.
Thanks
Apparently there's no longer a need for a custom CFE to load AsusWRT-Merlin on the R7000. This in itself makes the upgrade painless. There are instructions and lots of good information at this site. I think that's a good first stop for those entering the realm of alternative firmware for the R7000 because it's intuitive and just plain works and there's really no learning curve. Once you have it up and running you'll wonder why something like it wasn't shipped with the router to begin with.
I personally use DD-WRT. It's not as seamless as AsusWRT Merlin and requires a bit of research to get it up and running properly but once you learn it, the capabilities and level of control are astonishing.
To answer your question, I don't have the R7000 but my EA6900 is leaps and bounds ahead of the stock firmware in performance by running alternative firmware.
I want to leave this by saying that do not flash the router before reading, reading, and more reading. Any problems that you will have, already have been had and will be listed at the relevant forums. The only way to be sure you will avoid them will be by yup you guessed it, reading. Enjoy your new router.
Apparently there's no longer a need for a custom CFE to load AsusWRT-Merlin on the R7000. This in itself makes the upgrade painless. There are instructions and lots of good information at this site. I think that's a good first stop for those entering the realm of alternative firmware for the R7000 because it's intuitive and just plain works and there's really no learning curve. Once you have it up and running you'll wonder why something like it wasn't shipped with the router to begin with.
I personally use DD-WRT. It's not as seamless as AsusWRT Merlin and requires a bit of research to get it up and running properly but once you learn it, the capabilities and level of control are astonishing.
To answer your question, I don't have the R7000 but my EA6900 is leaps and bounds ahead of the stock firmware in performance by running alternative firmware.
I want to leave this by saying that do not flash the router before reading, reading, and more reading. Any problems that you will have, already have been had and will be listed at the relevant forums. The only way to be sure you will avoid them will be by yup you guessed it, reading. Enjoy your new router.
Thanks, I'm pretty good with computers so I may just go with the DD-WRT.m I'll do some reading up on it. Anything to improve speed/range
So I ran an Ethernet cable and hooked my AE to the Netgear. How do/can I setup the AE to extend the same network and have my iPad or whatever device automatically connect to the fastest/strongest signal? Right now because I get service on both it doesn't switch to the AE when I'm closer to it, it just always stays connected to the Netgear. And vise versa if I manually connect to the AE.
In Airport a Utility when I select Extend a Network, then try to choose a network none show up.
In Airport a Utility when I select Extend a Network, then try to choose a network none show up.
Last edited:
Linksys AC1900 MU-Mimo Gigabit Router here. It's pretty new and replaces an older model I had that up and died on me. Has good range and connectivity isn't an issue. Easy to use and set up. Never a hiccup with any of our Apple products.