Spec me a router!

uncle_rufus

uncle_rufus

uncle_rufus

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14 Mar 2011
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Hey all,

Have decided to buy a new router, as currently we're using the "Zyxel" router that was given to us by our ISP (seethelight)... Just a basic router but we've noticed it struggles to keep everything connected, particularly when a lot of devices are connecting via WiFi (for example when we have family visiting and they all bring their phones etc.) and also the signal doesn't reach the 3rd storey of our house very well (it's not an option to relocate it to the middle floor either!)

I should add that most of our "major" devices - Smart TVs, Consoles, 2 main PCs, Server, are all connected directly via wired connections and switches; so this is really for the benefit of wireless devices. Any advice? I've seen the ASUS RT-AC3200 for an okay price on a site where I happen to have some vouchers, but is it massive overkill or worth it? That's my dilemma really - if I'm going to buy something I figure it ought to be worthwhile but at the same time I don't want to waste money
 
If you've spent the time hard wiring many of your devices in already then the route most people suggest these days is adding hardwired access points rather than buying a router with more powerful WiFi.

In overly simplistic terms buying a more powerful WiFi router is like shouting louder in a club to make yourself heard.

WiFi "extenders" can be used but the problem is they use up half the bandwidth to talk back to the main router. An analogy to this might be having a friend halfway between you and another friend in a club relying the conversation.

Installing hard wired access points would be like you and your friend having inear radios, with noise cancellation, allowing clear communication with no delays.

If your problems are limited to the WiFi capabilities of your current network setup look at buying a pair of Ubiquiti UAP-AC-LITE (£85 each). You'll get full coverage in almost any household and your money will be spent in the right place.

If you can be flexible with your current router placement you might also get away with leaving the built in WiFi on and using just one AP to compliment it - again, leaving you open to upgrade/extend the setup in the future.

Of course, then you get in the never ending upgrade of network equipment to match that of your now stupidly superior WiFi solution... like me, I'm buying managed POE switches for no other reason than I can!
 
Hmm, the problem is although I do have some hardwired ethernet points around the house; they aren't giving the coverage I'd have liked (tl;dr it's a new-build and the builders wouldn't do exactly what I wanted) so I've got a proper single ethernet port in my lounge, master bedroom and office... So that's the modem (and router and server) + the office on the ground floor, lounge + master on 2nd floor, and nothing at all on the 3rd floor... I guess I could add an access point in the lounge but it feels like a lot of coverage overlap with the router for not a huge amount of extra range (is that the point though?)

I did previously consider having the router in the lounge (as the coverage for wi-fi would be better) but since it's only 1 wired connection that seems like a bad idea (i.e. I'd have a setup like

Code: 
modem -> hallway switch (with server) |---> lounge switch |--<> router
                                      |                   |--> console
                                      |                   |--> tv
                                      |
                                      |---> office switch |--> PC #1
                                      |                   |--> PC #2
                                      |
                                      |---> bedroom tv

Whereas at the moment I just use the current router's ports rather than a switch to have:

Code: 
modem -> router |--> server
                |--> lounge switch etc.
                |--> office switch etc.
                |--> bedroom tv

Am I right in thinking the way I have it currently is way more sensible?
 
I have a new build 4 bed, my access point is near to the edge of the house rather than central and I get booming wifi everywhere.
 
Yes, your current setup makes more sense. Your router actually serves a networking purpose and that's translating your internal network traffic to external internet traffic and vice versa.

It needs to sit between your modem and your internal network so your current setup is superior (required even!)

Again, it's part of the reason moving dual duties from your "router" makes sense. Being separated gives you greater flexibility between the physical network requirements that dictate where you can sensibly place your router and best location for wireless access points to provide best coverage.

It's a no brainer these days. For £170, and a bit of time to hardwire two AP's, gives you fantastic WiFi coverage and performance without compromise.
 
Hmm... so what exactly does an access point give me? Is it effectively just translating from a wireless signal to a wired one and sending it to the router? I could be tempted to buy one of those Ubiquiti ones and stick it in my lounge - is it likely to provide a much better connection with less dropouts etc. than the router can manage?
 
The Access Point provides a wifi signal to connect to from your wireless devices just like your router does now. It passes traffic down the Ethernet cable it's connected to back to the router to do the routing around the network and out onto the internet

The reason it's a good idea for you is that:

1. A dedicated AP will take wireless duties off the router giving it less to do and thus perform better at routing potentially
2. A dedicated AP tends to have better wireless performance and reliability
3. They're aesthetically designed in a way to be placed somewhere that will provide better coverage I.e. On a ceiling instead of on a desk like a router
4. It's cheaper and stands a better chance of improving your wifi experience than replacing the router.
 
Okay I may give it a go - any particular model best in the Ubiqiti range? Looking at a "Ubiquiti Networks UAP-AC-LITE WLAN Access Point" which according to reviews seems to be more than decent for a home application
 
The UAP-AC-LITE will likely serve you well.

Given that the only real alternative is the UAP-AC-PRO (the long range one I personally think is a bit of an oxymoron as many people mention that while you might be able to detect the signal from your AP itself, your device might not have the power to transmit back!) it's worth knowing the difference between then.

1) First of all, the AP's are both powered over ethernet. You get a adapter with both units that you plug into power, and your ethernet, then it lets you run a single ethernet cable to your AP wherever you put it. However, the LITE (and LR) use Passive POE while the PRO uses an industry standard.

This means that if you did want to use a POE switch (like I'm currently away to upgrade my network with) you either need to keep using the adapter with your LITE/LR APs OR get a Ubiquiti switch with POE that supports its entire range (which is a little more expensive).

Buying a PRO AP would mean that you could get away with any POE switch and save some money.

2) The PRO will be faster. How much faster? Meh, not much. Given that you'll likely use the 5Ghz band, to get maximum speed, it also means it drops off the quickest as you get further away or walls get in the way - so both tend to perform similarly, just the PRO one can cope with more clients (I THINK LITE is about 50, pro is over 100)

3) Consider the fact that for every PRO AP you buy, you could get two LITE AP's. Again, the more the merrier when it comes to AP's as it means instead of trying to shout across the room, they're just whispering in your phones ear :)

It worth remembering that we've not done actual diagnosis with your original problem. Doing all this you might find that your router is under performing at its tasks (routing your traffic out to the internet) effectively. However, building up a good wireless solution is still a good idea and by doing this right it means you can save money on any router you'd buy to replace your existing one as you don't need to focus on wireless capabilities, or even include them at all.

Saying that, if you're happy the with the current wired network performance then doing this would likely yield the best bang for your buck to address this specific problem.
 
Nice one that's perfect - thanks to all who replied!

I am happy with my wired performance I think - based on speed tests our network isn't introducing any slowdown (we have FTTP with seethelight and the speed returned by the wired devices is pretty much the full speed we are paying for)... Internal network traffic is also very fast between wired devices as you would expect.

So I think I'll go for a single LITE for now and see how it does being in a more optimal position in the house - if having one on the middle floor still isn't satisfactory I'll think about getting a second and putting one on the ground and one on the top floor instead (if I can get a wired connection up into the loft for it)
 
RoyMi6 said:
Given that the only real alternative is the UAP-AC-PRO (the long range one I personally think is a bit of an oxymoron as many people mention that while you might be able to detect the signal from your AP itself, your device might not have the power to transmit back!) it's worth knowing the difference between then.
.
Click to expand...

That's not how the AC LR works, only the older non AC LR was all about about transmit power. The AC LR has greatly improved receive sensitivity, this helps a lot with mobile phones, tablets etc. that have poor antennas.
 
uncle_rufus said:
Hey all,

Have decided to buy a new router, as currently we're using the "Zyxel" router that was given to us by our ISP (seethelight)... Just a basic router but we've noticed it struggles to keep everything connected, particularly when a lot of devices are connecting via WiFi (for example when we have family visiting and they all bring their phones etc.) and also the signal doesn't reach the 3rd storey of our house very well (it's not an option to relocate it to the middle floor either!)

I should add that most of our "major" devices - Smart TVs, Consoles, 2 main PCs, Server, are all connected directly via wired connections and switches; so this is really for the benefit of wireless devices. Any advice? I've seen the ASUS RT-AC3200 for an okay price on a site where I happen to have some vouchers, but is it massive overkill or worth it? That's my dilemma really - if I'm going to buy something I figure it ought to be worthwhile but at the same time I don't want to waste money
Click to expand...

I'm also with seethelight, the Zyxel router is old now and they no longer provide it to new customers. If you call them up they will provide you a new router, which is better than the Zyxel. I called customer services a few months back just to ask a few questions and as soon as they had seen I was still on the old Zyxel they offered to send a new router out. Maybe worth doing this and trying the new kit before spending any money.
 
volt9291 said:
I'm also with seethelight, the Zyxel router is old now and they no longer provide it to new customers. If you call them up they will provide you a new router, which is better than the Zyxel. I called customer services a few months back just to ask a few questions and as soon as they had seen I was still on the old Zyxel they offered to send a new router out. Maybe worth doing this and trying the new kit before spending any money.
Click to expand...

Interesting! I will probably do that despite having already gotten the above access-point, thanks for the tip!

I setup the point this morning - haven't really had much chance to judge how it performs yet but it works and wasn't too hard to get going... I expect there are various configuration options I can adjust to get the best out of it but will have to read up on it
 
Be warned.

Once you get one access point, you'll then have a hunger to buy a USG from Ubiquiti along with a switch.

Just to fill up all of the green icons in their pretty controller:D
 
Indeed - I have to say I'm impressed so far, seem to get pretty much full signal everywhere in the house, no dropouts or anything either (early days of course, but it's encouraging)

Tempting as the other kit is we already have a multi-switch setup... the router is one switch, connecting the modem to the 3 drops in the lounge, bedroom and office... one 5-way switch in the office connecting to the 2 PCs... and one 8-way switch in the lounge connecting all of the stuff in there and now the Access Point...
 
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