Spec a new router

rjhazeld · 20 Jul 2021 at 15:49

Currently have a TP-Link Archer VR900 which is showing signs of overheating and have poor quality connections with Alexa drop in and also Vonage VOIP - peak usage would be these two plus an IPlayer stream. ISP contract is Plusnet Fibre Extra giving 50mbs down and 11mbs up, at present.

An option seems to be a Draytek 130 with a Unifi Dream Machine rather than a combined vdsl unit so that when (likely to be some years) we get FTTP only the modem would be redundant.

Alternatives/better ideas?

Thanks.

TangoEchoAlpha · 21 Jul 2021 at 13:25

Maybe I am missing something here, but the Unifi Dream Machine seems like a very expensive option?

I would go for the Draytek modem (or a BT/Huawei HG612 off the bay if wanting to save cash) and an Edge Router X. Add an unmanaged switch of your choice to expand on that.

the-evaluator · 21 Jul 2021 at 13:37

UniFi Dream Machine is a very solid choice. I'd probably save a few quid and go for a 2nd hand Openreach branded Huawei HG612 from Ebay rather than a Draytek Vigor 130.

TangoEchoAlpha said:
Maybe I am missing something here, but the Unifi Dream Machine seems like a very expensive option?

I would go for the Draytek modem (or a BT/Huawei HG612 off the bay if wanting to save cash) and an Edge Router X. Add an unmanaged switch of your choice to expand on that.

Your suggestions are fine, but you're missing an access point.

inogen · 21 Jul 2021 at 13:52

I've recently (last few months) been enjoying 2 Huawei AX3s. One upstairs, one down. They're excellent for the money. You can buy two direct from them for £100.

Not sure about using them for VOIP though, but I have set up NAT port forwarding on it so I don't see why not?

the-evaluator · 21 Jul 2021 at 14:15

VoIP shouldn't be a problem and port forwarding is only needed in fairly edge cases.

TangoEchoAlpha · 21 Jul 2021 at 14:19

the-evaluator said:
Your suggestions are fine, but you're missing an access point.

I blame the heat

thewanted · 21 Jul 2021 at 15:07

inogen said:
I've recently (last few months) been enjoying 2 Huawei AX3s. One upstairs, one down. They're excellent for the money. You can buy two direct from them for £100.

Not sure about using them for VOIP though, but I have set up NAT port forwarding on it so I don't see why not?

Looks like a nice router at an affordable price. Does the software allow you to disable the Wi-Fi network?

inogen · 21 Jul 2021 at 16:18

thewanted said:
Looks like a nice router at an affordable price. Does the software allow you to disable the Wi-Fi network?

Yeah, there's a simple on/off in the control panel.

They use MESH too so 2 is a good option. 1 was pretty good, but 2 gives nice wifi speeds all over my house which I've never really managed even with repeaters. Gives a bit of manual failover option too.

rjhazeld · 21 Jul 2021 at 19:09

Thanks for the replies. I guess I should have given more information for context. My LAN has three unifi aps providing meshed wi-fi coverage through the three stories of the house. On the top floor is a Synology NAS with two cases of 5 discs total usable space 11.6tb currently. There are two wired IP cameras hooked up to the NAS (surveillance station) a further 9 cameras are linked to a remote DVR elsewhere on he property using the LAN for remotes access and a networked irrigation system. Overall about 30 IP addresses. Migrating some of the cameras to Unifi units would make a dream machine potentially more attractive.
Having bought a Huawei mobile phone and then had the impact of the US dislike of them not so keen on their kit.

thewanted · 21 Jul 2021 at 20:45

inogen said:
Yeah, there's a simple on/off in the control panel.

They use MESH too so 2 is a good option. 1 was pretty good, but 2 gives nice wifi speeds all over my house which I've never really managed even with repeaters. Gives a bit of manual failover option too.

Nice one, thanks. I’ve been looking for a new router for ages but don’t need nor want anything super expensive.

inogen · 21 Jul 2021 at 21:35

thewanted said:
Nice one, thanks. I’ve been looking for a new router for ages but don’t need nor want anything super expensive.

They're really good for the money.

I get not wanting Huawei stuff though. But this model is just dead simple cheap kit. I don't think it would have enough features for you OP.

TangoEchoAlpha · 21 Jul 2021 at 22:00

Personally I would avoid getting into the Unifi video cameras, from what I have read they seem to be overpriced and lacklustre compared to many others. I like cameras that support more open standards such as ONVIF and can then use them with a variety of DVRs (my current cameras are Amcrest connected to a Shinobi instance)