Replacement for Draytek Vigor 2850

[MassiveJim]

Currently have this router and wifi is getting flaky,
using it in my business premises.
3 VLANS, vlan 1 and 2 it handles DHCP,
it also handles the wifi for the business.
all devices in the business are run through a HP 24 port managed switch


I have never used tagged Vlans so am using untagged, so if I needed to switch over there would be a learning curve for me there.
It also has an integrated VDSL modem, if I went with an option that did not have an internal modem I would need to source a seperate VDSL modem.
We don't have access to FTTP yet but will switch as soon as it comes available (no plans for our area yet)

The last thing I use it for is a VPN to my home.

I have been looking at solutions from Ubiquiti as I am familiar with their APs but it seems there will be quite a learning curve if I go for that option.
Am I just better off getting a 2862ac and being done with it ?

I have no need for wifi 6 right now, but I am sure it would be handy in future.

 

[kully1972]

I have a draytek 2862ac with an AP902. Couldn't be happier although AP903 supports mesh networking.
I did have a wifi 6 router, the Asus RT-AX88U whose WAN port failed for some bizarre reason.
You could combine 2 newer Asus routers which have come down in price via their mesh mode.
Wifi 6 does require all the clients to have wifi 6 capability so if you're not going to upgrade them its not worth it.
I'm getting fantastic coverage with draytek and AP.

 

[Avalon]

If it’s just the WiFi that is causing issues and you already know the benefits of Unifi acces points, why not add a Unifi AP? The 6-Lite is barely any more expensive than the AC-Lite and shipping reasonably quickly direct from the EU, it’ll save you replacing a router you otherwise seem happy with.

Failing that (and depending on the type of VPN and sped required) a USG-4-Pro is £250ish, but the standard USG will perform much the same on an FTTC line depending on profile speed (IDS etc. won’t do the full 80mbit, though it’s a slightly moot point). The UDM is slightly more than the 4-Pro, but includes AP functions and controller management. After that we get to things like pfsense. An initial learning curve is to be expected no matter what you choose.

 

[MassiveJim]

I have a draytek 2862ac with an AP902. Couldn't be happier although AP903 supports mesh networking.
I did have a wifi 6 router, the Asus RT-AX88U whose WAN port failed for some bizarre reason.
You could combine 2 newer Asus routers which have come down in price via their mesh mode.
Wifi 6 does require all the clients to have wifi 6 capability so if you're not going to upgrade them its not worth it.
I'm getting fantastic coverage with draytek and AP.

A single router with wifi capability will cover my entire premises easily, I won't need a seperate AP. Its 8.5m open space from one end of the building to the other.
However, that being said we will never reach a point where every single device will be wifi 6 capable, so I assume in that case a seperate wifi 6 capable AP would be required in future for those devices where we do require wifi 6.

If it’s just the WiFi that is causing issues and you already know the benefits of Unifi acces points, why not add a Unifi AP? The 6-Lite is barely any more expensive than the AC-Lite and shipping reasonably quickly direct from the EU, it’ll save you replacing a router you otherwise seem happy with.

Failing that (and depending on the type of VPN and sped required) a USG-4-Pro is £250ish, but the standard USG will perform much the same on an FTTC line depending on profile speed (IDS etc. won’t do the full 80mbit, though it’s a slightly moot point). The UDM is slightly more than the 4-Pro, but includes AP functions and controller management. After that we get to things like pfsense. An initial learning curve is to be expected no matter what you choose.

I see that as a temporary solution purely because the draytek is getting a little long in the tooth now. (although open to having my mind changed about this)
And given that is having wifi issues suggests to me that it might not be 100% healthy, I do get the occasional dropout of internet but haven't done any testing to determine if that is router or ISP (BT business) its happened a handful of times and lasts around 10 - 15 minutes when it does happen, but again could just be line / isp issues
I have an AP-AC-LR sat doing nothing so that would be the AP of choice if I opted to just use an AP instead of upgrading the router I guess.
I do have a seperate wifi on the guest network though, using the unifi AP would mean that untagged vlan wouldn't work right ?
But I could have a guest network still it just wouldn't be connected to the wired guest network (that may cause problems on a one off occasion)

the VPN is a p2p connecting my home network to my business network.
allows me to access network files and printers etc from home and vice-versa

PFSense would definitely be a no go at present, I have limited time to spend learning it.

 

[Avalon]

Everything is a temporary solution, Draytek wifi has always been it's weakest link, presumably if pfsense is a no-go, then pretty much anything else is, it's no more or less complicated to do basic things with than any of the other options suggested, either way I wouldn't be doing anything till i'd identified the reason for the drop out.

 

[MassiveJim]

Everything is a temporary solution, Draytek wifi has always been it's weakest link, presumably if pfsense is a no-go, then pretty much anything else is, it's no more or less complicated to do basic things with than any of the other options suggested, either way I wouldn't be doing anything till i'd identified the reason for the drop out.

PF sense runs on PC hardware does it not ?
I would rather just buy a purpose built router and not have to worry about getting the right hardware etc.
Drop-outs are infrequent so I am leaning towards it being a line/ISP problem, certainly cannot diagnose them when they aren't happening.
and If I am upgrading the router it eliminates that as a possibility anyway.

 

[Armageus]

Wifi 6 does require all the clients to have wifi 6 capability so if you're not going to upgrade them its not worth it.

AP960c should be available soon which has AX (although it looks to be hobbled with a single gigabit connection)
https://www.draytek.com/products/vigorap-960c


I've got a 2862ac with an old AP800 (to be changed to a AP910c or AP912c as soon as I see one at a decent price), and never had any issues

PF sense runs on PC hardware does it not ?
I would rather just buy a purpose built router and not have to worry about getting the right hardware etc.

There is no "getting the right hardware", as it will run on 99% of PCs from the last 15 or so years