Suggest a router that allows total control over everyone on the network?

FatRakoon

FatRakoon

FatRakoon

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Hiya guys.

Im torn here cos I have see na few routers that I like the sound of the specs, but I have not found any more specific info about them.

A While ago, I was using the ASUS DSL-N55U to replace my Sky Router, and I was mostly happy with it.
I then to Vodafone and they forced me to use their Modem and so I then bought the RT-N56U and used that alongside the Vodafone modem.

I just recently found out that Voda now allow other routers, and I have gone back to the N55U ( or will do cos I have not found the PSU for it yet )

The thing is, that while I like the N55U, its no spring chicken, plus, if I am honest, there was a few small niggles about it ( cant remember to be honest but it was a few years ago ).

So, I am looking for a better router that does what that does, but maybe with even mroe control?

I dont want to be spending silly money for a router that is not going to be any better for me, or even worse.

For example, I want to have limitations on my eldest son, who seems to be an adict on his XBOX and PS4 and so, I want to be able to cripple him at certain times and cut him off at others, but also allow him full speeds at times when the rest of us dont need it.
I want to have absolute 100% speeds when I am on the PC and I get all of this and more with the ASUS.

I have bought dozens of modems and routers but they have all pretty much been identical in their features, with some giving better this or better that, and yet the basics are not really that much different from one or the other in many cases.

I just dont wat to keep wasting money ona router that isnt going to be any better for me, so does anyone have any honest suggestions.

Thanks in advance.
 
If you really want total control and longevity then invest in a self built pfSense router and pair it with Ubiquiti access points. There’s nothing you won’t be able to control, but it is not for the faint hearted in terms of configuration, albeit lots of your tube videos available. You can use timers, bandwidth and policies in any combination for specific devices. It’ll probably set you back £300 to do it though unless you have an old PC lying around you can repurpose.
 
I'm in a similar position and I'm planning to have a go with a Zyxel managed switch and poe AP plus make a PFsense box out of an old Dell desktop that I have in the cupboard.
 
BigT said:
If you really want total control and longevity then invest in a self built pfSense router and pair it with Ubiquiti access points. There’s nothing you won’t be able to control, but it is not for the faint hearted in terms of configuration, albeit lots of your tube videos available. You can use timers, bandwidth and policies in any combination for specific devices. It’ll probably set you back £300 to do it though unless you have an old PC lying around you can repurpose.
Click to expand...

This, but the build costs are a lot less if you buy used. An older PC is cheap and if you choose something from the Sandy/Ivy era onwards, reasonably power efficient, you can easily get something decent for £35 upwards. An original UnifiAP is about the same upwards.
 
Vote for Asus here. You can limit devices to only be allowed on the net at certain times if at all. It’s a simple, easy to use interface. I’m probably already repeating what you already know given that you already have an Asus router! If it ain’t broke... I’d personally just buy a more up to date Asus router.

EDIT: I’d avoid pfsense unless you have some serious networking knowledge. It’s not for beginners.
 
Pfsense can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Getting it up and running takes minutes and bugger all technical knowledge.

I’d avoid ASUS unless you like faked FCC certification, a company that thinks it’s OK to sell products that are unfit for purpose (MediaTek VDSL chipset fiasco) or who ignore known security exploits for years and have to pay massive fines/agree to auditing for decades.
 
FWIW I’ve used Asus routers with Merlin firmware and never had any issues whatsoever. They’ve been very solid and reliable. More importantly they’ll also do the job required by the OP with the minimum of hassle. Pfsense will also do the job (and likely do it better) but that’s a project rather than plug ‘n’ play.
 
If you’re not 100% confident in your networking skills then I find Untangle to be just that bit easier than pfSense.
 
Hi Guys - I'm in the same situation, Can you recommend a model number of an asus router that will allow control of bandwidth by MAC address if that is still used.
I don't need any other special features and don't want to spend any more than I need to.
Many thanks
 
Avalon said:
Pfsense can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Getting it up and running takes minutes and bugger all technical knowledge.
Click to expand...

^^ +1 ...... if you have no technical knowledge the harder part might be setting up hardware but you'll have plenty of help here for any setup anyway, hardware or network related.
 
why don't you just setup rules for mac adresses and times on the router you have now? I limit the hours of which my daughter can use her devices after 9pm school nights she can't access the internet till 8am and on weekends its 10pm.
 
abcabcabc said:
Hi Guys - I'm in the same situation, Can you recommend a model number of an asus router that will allow control of bandwidth by MAC address if that is still used.
I don't need any other special features and don't want to spend any more than I need to.
Many thanks
Click to expand...

Early ASUS RT-AC88U routers would run Untangle as freeware but I believe ASUS have the new firmwares locked down.

Any particular reason why you want ASUS?
 
Hi - good questions, my isp router (talktalk) doesn't have this function on the router firmware. Which is odd as the first router I bought over 15 years ago could do this!
I can block by IP or MAC but that is the only option available.
I'm happy with any brand, Asus was just mentioned above.
I will do some searching in case other isp's do provide this feature as switching might be the simplest way to achieve this.
One other thing that i didn't mention is I also have a wired cat5e ethernet and I will need a connection switch for that on the router but this seems to be fairly standard.
The devices I am looking to restrict are wireless only (phones).
 
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