I used to cringe when I first started hearing "gaming routers" with RGB more so coming from Asus. This gaming/RGB marketing crap really has become a cancer in the industry and you're right. They are nothing but toys. Expensive plastic toys.
Virgin Media Discussion Thread
- Thread starter macca40
- Start date
I used to cringe when I first started hearing "gaming routers" with RGB more so coming from Asus. This gaming/RGB marketing crap really has become a cancer in the industry and you're right. They are nothing but toys. Expensive plastic toys.
Soldato
I think you're just jealous of what we've got going on
This is a router:
That...
...Well, at least you have a hammer handy.
HahaThis is a router:
That...
...Well, at least you have a hammer handy.
What exactly does that do the ASUS cannot?
Haha. Well, could keep it simple, only mention things that would benefit a home user. Security features for example
Like why would one want to upgrade from the ASUS and what benefits would there be?
The fact one is as secure as the vendor will have it based on updates and the other isn't as the vendor are incompetent at releasing security updates?
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/posts/35036940/
On the previous page already covers this.
Caporegime
ASUS are horrific if you take networking seriously. You're right in the sense that the vast majority of home users don't care though, as long as their router has 6 antennas and the wireless signal is a bit stronger.
What routers would you guys recommend? Ideally something that is not meant fit in a rack.
@ChrisD. and @Ayahuasca What do you fellas use?
@ChrisD. and @Ayahuasca What do you fellas use?
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Not after any features in particular. Just curious as to what you guys are running and cost. Also would be good to understand for a home user why one would need the extra features.
Let’s just say one wanted basic parental stuff to block users on the network and generally speak good security. Budget £200.
Oh I do as well, I'm a sys admin but as its just me in a small house this works fine and didn't want any extra headaches I already deal with at work
All hail the BOFH.
Not one of the two you asked (
) but my 2p...My reply with the Juniper router was tongue in cheek to Disco_P, though it's still true. For a home user though, it comes down to what you need. Likely you don't need a 100Gb router with BGP and all that - like I said, I was taking the Mick. Much more likely you want a more simple gateway with, likely, just a couple of routes. Still a router, but not needing to be quite so over engineered or expensive.
It depends how 'properly' you want to set up the network. From my perspective, routing, firewall, parental control/content blocking and security are separate boxes. I'd have a locked down minimal router, either self-built (*sense, VyOS, IPFire, Linux, BSD) or one from a reputable vendor with known fast and reliable updates. Unfortunately though, that's hard to find in the consumer space.
I'd then separate off DNS to a different box (or in Docker) which would allow per-client customisation on what's allowed and what isn't. For example, I run AdGuard Home with all kids' devices tagged as 'child' in the config so all their traffic is subject to different rules to the wider LAN. They have safe-search enforced, adult services/sites are blocked, and they have other limits commensurate with their age. That's all just an adjunct though, as parental control comes from me over their shoulders actually supervising their access and good education, not a switch in a piece of software. You could just as easily run dnsmasq or unbound standalone and feed it what you need config wise.
Back in reality, most users won't care about any of this stuff, let alone want to set it up and run it. Much the same as most people don't know (or care) about which graphics card is which and they run on iGPU or think they've spent a small fortune when they get sequestered into paying £60 for an RX360. For the average home user, as ChrisD said above either use the ISP supplied guff and keep it updated (VM do this automatically for you), or buy something with good reviews (eg SmallNetBuilder) and keep it updated. If you already have something like the Asus box above, look at WRT and Merlin etc, for at least better/faster security updates and likely more features too.
If you're shopping for new, consider self-building or at least getting something with third party firmware available. What's fashionable isn't always what's best. If you don't know why you need a new router, or what features you need on it, then likely what your ISP gave you will 'do'. If you want to be sure (eg see the latest consumer router CVEs, including BT routers) then throw it into modem mode and put a *sense box behind it or even an EdgeRouter (ensuring it can handle your WAN linespeed with all its features enabled, as many can't).
HehAll hail the BOFH.
Not one of the two you asked (
My reply with the Juniper router was tongue in cheek to Disco_P, though it's still true. For a home user though, it comes down to what you need. Likely you don't need a 100Gb router with BGP and all that - like I said, I was taking the Mick. Much more likely you want a more simple gateway with, likely, just a couple of routes. Still a router, but not needing to be quite so over engineered or expensive.
It depends how 'properly' you want to set up the network. From my perspective, routing, firewall, parental control/content blocking and security are separate boxes. I'd have a locked down minimal router, either self-built (*sense, VyOS, IPFire, Linux, BSD) or one from a reputable vendor with known fast and reliable updates. Unfortunately though, that's hard to find in the consumer space.
I'd then separate off DNS to a different box (or in Docker) which would allow per-client customisation on what's allowed and what isn't. For example, I run AdGuard Home with all kids' devices tagged as 'child' in the config so all their traffic is subject to different rules to the wider LAN. They have safe-search enforced, adult services/sites are blocked, and they have other limits commensurate with their age. That's all just an adjunct though, as parental control comes from me over their shoulders actually supervising their access and good education, not a switch in a piece of software. You could just as easily run dnsmasq or unbound standalone and feed it what you need config wise.
Back in reality, most users won't care about any of this stuff, let alone want to set it up and run it. Much the same as most people don't know (or care) about which graphics card is which and they run on iGPU or think they've spent a small fortune when they get sequestered into paying £60 for an RX360. For the average home user, as ChrisD said above either use the ISP supplied guff and keep it updated (VM do this automatically for you), or buy something with good reviews (eg SmallNetBuilder) and keep it updated. If you already have something like the Asus box above, look at WRT and Merlin etc, for at least better/faster security updates and likely more features too.
If you're shopping for new, consider self-building or at least getting something with third party firmware available. What's fashionable isn't always what's best. If you don't know why you need a new router, or what features you need on it, then likely what your ISP gave you will 'do'. If you want to be sure (eg see the latest consumer router CVEs, including BT routers) then throw it into modem mode and put a *sense box behind it or even an EdgeRouter (ensuring it can handle your WAN linespeed with all its features enabled, as many can't).
Thanks for the details post. You really do like your networking gear don't you
A lot of people do get the ASUS router and just use Merlin or WRT as you mentioned. Is there a issue with this? I mean is the issue with the ASUS stuff the hardware also?
All hail the BOFH.
Heh
Thanks for the details post. You really do like your networking gear don't you
A lot of people do get the ASUS router and just use Merlin or WRT as you mentioned. Is there a issue with this? I mean is the issue with the ASUS stuff the hardware also?
I have a passing interest, yes... lol. Mostly my interests lie in Unix, BSD and Linux with some infosec and container/VM stuff on top, but networking grew to be a large part of that.
The primary issue is with Asus' woeful security and privacy track record. The hardware is feeble, but so is the hardware in every other device of that type (typically 500MHz to 1GHz MIPS with a few hundred MB of ROM). Running *WRT or Merlin would at least guarantee much speedier security patches, and if it works for you then that's a perfectly viable solution.
Well just got an email from Virgin that they want to combine my 2.4&5 networks as I have them split and using different ssid for wireless atm any problems saying yes or no to this ?
Thanks
Full email below
Your gadgets connect to your home WiFi using two networks, depending on how far away you are from a Hub or Booster. Your home WiFi seems to have been split across two networks (2.4GHz and 5GHz) which might be down to old issues that’ve since been fixed.
Get more from your home WiFi
To stop your home WiFi being held back, we’d like to merge your two split networks into one Intelligent WiFi network. This’ll allow our latest Intelligent WiFi technology to switch your devices between the two WiFi networks while you move around the house – so you can enjoy better WiFi signal.
Intelligent WiFi also spots when your devices are running into a traffic jam and automatically switches them to a better network.
Don’t worry – if any of your devices only support the 2.4GHz network (perhaps because they’re older), Intelligent WiFi will pick that up and stop the device from switching between the two networks, helping it to perform at its best.
Giving you an even better connection, when you need it
The 2.4GHz network typically has the longest range. Like a marathon runner, it covers longer distances, slower. The 5GHz network covers short distances, faster – like a sprinter. This makes it best for gadgets nearer your Hub or Booster. Our Intelligent WiFi helps to make sure your gadgets connect to the best network.
Thanks
Full email below
Your gadgets connect to your home WiFi using two networks, depending on how far away you are from a Hub or Booster. Your home WiFi seems to have been split across two networks (2.4GHz and 5GHz) which might be down to old issues that’ve since been fixed.
Get more from your home WiFi
To stop your home WiFi being held back, we’d like to merge your two split networks into one Intelligent WiFi network. This’ll allow our latest Intelligent WiFi technology to switch your devices between the two WiFi networks while you move around the house – so you can enjoy better WiFi signal.
Intelligent WiFi also spots when your devices are running into a traffic jam and automatically switches them to a better network.
Don’t worry – if any of your devices only support the 2.4GHz network (perhaps because they’re older), Intelligent WiFi will pick that up and stop the device from switching between the two networks, helping it to perform at its best.
Giving you an even better connection, when you need it
The 2.4GHz network typically has the longest range. Like a marathon runner, it covers longer distances, slower. The 5GHz network covers short distances, faster – like a sprinter. This makes it best for gadgets nearer your Hub or Booster. Our Intelligent WiFi helps to make sure your gadgets connect to the best network.
Caporegime
You don't need to reply to it or do anything really. If your WiFi devices are working just fine atm then leave it as it is.
They will automatically join them unless you tell them no
Can it do routing?