New router options

bledd · 21 Aug 2015 at 14:07

I'm looking into getting a router that is packed with features, that would also be a learning experience.

Narrowed down to the following manufacturers.

Ubiquiti
MikroTik
Avm Fritzbox

I really like the look of the MikroTik 125-24G-1S-RM, as it could also replace my 24 port switch.

Anyone used all three? I guess they're all in much the same feature wise..

Basically it's for overkill home use

Doesn't need wifi

thenewoc · 21 Aug 2015 at 16:44

I quite like the look of the new MikroTik hEX (RB750Gr2) seems good value for the wired routing performance. Can't find any reviews on it at the moment though.

Steveocee · 21 Aug 2015 at 17:06

I currently use a Mikrotik rb2011Ui-HAS-2HnD as my main router (has wifi) and it's pretty damn decent, I also have a CRS125-24G-1S-RM ready to use in my office/shed when it's done.

Both use RouterOS and are incredibly good to use, they can literally do anything you want them to.

philip2009 · 22 Aug 2015 at 06:17

I've got a Ubiquiti EdgeRouter and a very cheap MikroTik. I suppose the USP of the EdgeRouter is the hardware offload/performance. You can try out VyOS which is very similar to Ubiquiti's EdgeOS. You can also try out RouterOS - http://www.mikrotik.com/software.

The Fritzbox seems a bit of an odd inclusion, AFAIK it doesn't have a command line configurable OS and is essentially aimed at non tech-savvy consumers.

Steveocee · 22 Aug 2015 at 09:13

I'll just add onto your original comment you wanted a learning experience. EdgeRouter has a relatively fancy GUI but its better controlled through CLI.

Mikrotik can be both CLI and controlled with Winbox, Winbox is great to use and I havent found anything yet I can't do in one that I can in the other.

KIA · 22 Aug 2015 at 12:43

pfSense?

mrkev · 24 Aug 2015 at 10:29

Nah. OPNsense (has better GUI) but I think the OP wanted an inbuilt switch as well. I run OPNsense on an old PC and use a separate switch.

bledd · 28 Oct 2015 at 10:22

Went for a Ubiquite Edgerouter Lite 3. Never using consumer grade hardware again!

It's a dream to use, websites are noticeably snappier than on my Asus DSL-N55U.

Waiting for my Unifi AC Pro to arrive to compliment it

philip2009 · 29 Oct 2015 at 05:53

bledd. said:
Went for a Ubiquite Edgerouter Lite 3. Never using consumer grade hardware again!

It's a dream to use, websites are noticeably snappier than on my Asus DSL-N55U.

Waiting for my Unifi AC Pro to arrive to compliment it

Get used to the CLI it's (IMHO) less confusing than the GUI. It basically boils down to - set/delete configuration value, commit - to move your changes to the running config, save - to save your config, if your changes worked. And of course you've got tab auto-complete to help you out.

bledd · 29 Oct 2015 at 13:12

Going to look into the VPN side of it when I get a chance, as in, to create a VPN tunnel in to my network.

Danny091 · 29 Oct 2015 at 17:29

@bledd all the tutorials for doing it on the edgerouter seemed out of date. I ended up using a spare raspberry pi as my openvpn server and just forward the port through the edgerouter. good luck tho if you manage to get openvpn working on it please let me know how

Sin_Chase · 29 Oct 2015 at 20:05

Danny091 said:
@bledd all the tutorials for doing it on the edgerouter seemed out of date. I ended up using a spare raspberry pi as my openvpn server and just forward the port through the edgerouter. good luck tho if you manage to get openvpn working on it please let me know how

Just use a VyattaOS OpenVPN guide. I've been running it for some time now, takes a while to configure but works flawlessly.

I used this one if I recall:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REhmhxWS2KI