I've had an old linksys wrt110 for years now, and it has served me well. I bought a newer linksys that worked for the past year but now stops responding 3-4 times a day, have to reboot it to get it back operational.

 

I bought a Cisco M20 Valet the other day, and it has probably the oddest issue I've seen. It works great, then all of a sudden it will drop internet connection to the WiFi users. By this I mean wired devices still have internet access and access to local network, wireless devices have access to the local network but not the internet. It will stay like this for 10-15 minutes, then the internet connection will work again. It does this quite often.

 

So I think I'm going to wash my hands of Linksys/Cisco for a while, give another brand a try.

 

My question is, what brand would you suggest? I need reliable WiFi, doesn't have to be able to pick up a mile away, but decent distance, and I don't want to break the bank on a router(I know, you get what you pay for). Gigabit LAN ports are a must as well.

 

I should have done my research, seems the cisco routers are plagued by problems like mine!

I cannot recommend the Apple Airport Extreme enough.  BestBuy has refurbs for $130.  I own four of them now and I couldnt be happier. Three of them make up the WiFi networks in my house and I keep another one in my travel bag.

I cannot recommend the Apple Airport Extreme enough.  BestBuy has refurbs for $130.  I own four of them now and I couldnt be happier. Three of them make up the WiFi networks in my house and I keep another one in my travel bag.

 

I have been using Draytek Vigor routers for ten years.  I have never regretted it!

 

I was also a Draytek reseller for some years, when I was still in UK.

I've got an Asus RT-N16 which I've flashed the tomato firmware onto.  Its range isn't terrific, but it's alright, and it was about $100.  For a friend I installed 2 Asus RT-N66U routers (one in the basement, one on the 2nd floor, connected via ethernet) the 2.4GHz range on these are great, but the 5GHz range is a little anemic, hence the ethernet connection)  these also run tomato firmware and cost $175.  Both of these routers have gigabit ports.

 

I'd investigate tomato, dd-wrt, or openwrt to see if there is alternate firmware available for the routers you already own.  The firmware generally makes your router much more stable and robust than it was (although on newer routers some functionality may be lost, like usb ports, or dual band functionality)

 

Lost functionality may be restored as newer firmware is released.

+1 for a router that would run dd-wrt alternate firmwares.

 

I don't know where you are located, but for a set-up that is really plug and play and

a loadfull of functionality, I can recommend the AVM "fritzbox" models.

They are "standard" with all major broadband providers here in Germany and are also

available for other markets (at least for Europe I do know).

Have a look here: http://www.avm.de/en/index.php3

These will not run dd-wrt but there is freetz to extend the firmware.

Tried ddwrt, one router I have is ralink bases so no support, the other has trailed builds, but the problem is no better and perhaps worse with ddwrt installed.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, I've got some homework to do tonight!

Highly recommend the already-mentioned Asus RT-N66U.  Also very jealous that it's $100 cheaper over there in the USA!  ($270 in Australia 0_o)

Buffalo tech routers come with dd-wrt installed.

I've had an old linksys wrt110 for years now, and it has served me well. I bought a newer linksys that worked for the past year but now stops responding 3-4 times a day, have to reboot it to get it back operational.

 

I bought a Cisco M20 Valet the other day, and it has probably the oddest issue I've seen. It works great, then all of a sudden it will drop internet connection to the WiFi users. By this I mean wired devices still have internet access and access to local network, wireless devices have access to the local network but not the internet. It will stay like this for 10-15 minutes, then the internet connection will work again. It does this quite often.

 

So I think I'm going to wash my hands of Linksys/Cisco for a while, give another brand a try.

 

My question is, what brand would you suggest? I need reliable WiFi, doesn't have to be able to pick up a mile away, but decent distance, and I don't want to break the bank on a router(I know, you get what you pay for). Gigabit LAN ports are a must as well.

 

I should have done my research, seems the cisco routers are plagued by problems like mine!

 

The issues you experienced with your Linksys/Cisco routers are identical to my own. I had 3 Linksys/Cisco routers randomly lock up, drop packets, or just stop working. I stopped using their products a long time ago. Today these home routers have so much crap in them it is impossible to figure out if those features even work properly. I turn mostly everything off. Lately I've been using DLINK home routers. Been running a couple for about two years now and not once a lock up, or a freeze. Never an issue.

First and foremost, understand ddwrt (while cool and full of features) is often not actually faster than stock firmware.  For example, my stock linksys E4200 software is nearly 3x faster than a load with ddwrt.  5 gHz support is also somewhat lacking still.  Ddwrt seems to benefit quite a bit more on lower end lower horsepower platforms, vs beefier models (but that's just a personal generalization I've seen with quite a few instances).  If you are interested in ddwrt specifically, go check their forums for specific current models that are recommended.  The Asus was one I did continue to see over and over.

 

Also note, make sure you monitor the version number of hardware if applicable.  For example E4200 v1 is supported, while v2 is not (internal hardware change).

 

I would also recommend looking for a router that is dual band 2.4 and 5 gHz.  That will give you more options long term.

I'm a huge fan of dual band routers with TomatoUSB. I have a Belkin N300 with it, and it's been solid, as was my previous G-only Buffalo WHR54G.

I upgraded to pfsense router OS. It's rock solid and now I just use my old DIR655 as an access point. Pfsense can be installed on nearly any older PC you might have. You just need to get 2 NIC cards. I swore off Linksys/dlink for routers and prefer to use them only as AP's.

Highly recommend the already-mentioned Asus RT-N66U.  Also very jealous that it's $100 cheaper over there in the USA!  ($270 in Australia 0_o)

 

Seconded - Airport Extreme pales in comparison to this beast.

I use the Asus RT-N56U with custom firmware.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

Added link to RT-N56U custom fw:

http://code.google.com/p/rt-n56u/

I have used several models of Cisco Linksys routers at home over the years. I also have a Cisco certification & use Cisco regularly in my profession (the higher end Cisco routers for business). However something they did recently gave me some concerns about Linksys.

 

Here is a news article about them: http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/063012-linksys-firmware-upgrade-for-wi-fi-260598.html

 

Basically, certain models of routers (already purchased & working as the consumers wanted) were changed without the users permissions. This "upgrade" would allow users to manage their router remotely through a Cisco web page. The catch is that to use the web page (or to even manage the router from that point on) required you to agree to some shady terms when creating your account with Cisco. Terms such as Cisco could monitor the traffic on your router.

 

These terms upset lots of people & Cisco Linksys has now changed their terms to be less intrusive claiming it was a mistake. Updated story at http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/070212-cisco-changes-privacy-policy-for-260636.html

 

Internet providers already have the ability to monitor traffic. However, the less companies viewing my activities, the better.

First and foremost, understand ddwrt (while cool and full of features) is often not actually faster than stock firmware.  For example, my stock linksys E4200 software is nearly 3x faster than a load with ddwrt.  5 gHz support is also somewhat lacking still.  Ddwrt seems to benefit quite a bit more on lower end lower horsepower platforms, vs beefier models (but that's just a personal generalization I've seen with quite a few instances).  If you are interested in ddwrt specifically, go check their forums for specific current models that are recommended.  The Asus was one I did continue to see over and over.

 

Also note, make sure you monitor the version number of hardware if applicable.  For example E4200 v1 is supported, while v2 is not (internal hardware change).

 

I would also recommend looking for a router that is dual band 2.4 and 5 gHz.  That will give you more options long term.

 

This is why I like Buffalo routers. dd-wrt is the stock firmware.

Another vote for the Apple AirPort Extreme. Love this thing. Wouldn't buy anything else.

I have been using Draytek Vigor routers for ten years.  I have never regretted it!

 

I was also a Draytek reseller for some years, when I was still in UK.

 

I'd also vote for Draytek.  They're not the cheapest, but they're the most stable routers that I have ever come across (and I get through quite a few in consumer electronics compatibility testing as part of my day job).

I'll probably go for something in the $60-70 range because there are only two wireless clients that would benefit from the speed, the rest just need a reliable connection. I have just recently gotten rid of my old rigs, even had a couple old Dell Celeron PCs that I got rid of. Never even thought of using one as a router.

 

Mine and my wifes laptops need the fast connection, then there are the iPods, android phones. They just need a connection that doesn't drop out. I'm actually disappointed in the valet m20, the wrt110 I have has been rock solid for years, just started becoming unreliable in its old age.

Not sure if you can get these in the states but i have had this for a year or so and it just works ! can also load dd-wrt if needed and are not expensive. has about 4 wired and 4 wireless clients and never an issue

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-WR1043ND-Ultimate-Wireless-Gigabit/dp/B002YETVTQ/ref=sr_1_15?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1344496081&sr=1-15

Not sure if you can get these in the states but i have had this for a year or so and it just works ! can also load dd-wrt if needed and are not expensive. has about 4 wired and 4 wireless clients and never an issue

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-WR1043ND-Ultimate-Wireless-Gigabit/dp/B002YETVTQ/ref=sr_1_15?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1344496081&sr=1-15

 

I had that one, but after a firmware upgrade it wouldnt connect to my ISP's cable modem. I now have a Asus RT-N66U and am quit happy with it. All WiFi dead spots are gone now.

I've looked at the Asus, its one of the ones I've narrowed down to, honestly Id pay the little bit more for the aesthetic factor since my router isn't hidden away right now. I need to run a cable drop to the bedroom so I can relocate the modem and router.

 

The buffalo I was looking at looked good, and there is a good deal on it on newegg, but from reviews it has a short range, while I don't have a huge house and it probably wouldn't affect me now, I'd like to future proof a bit without needing a AP out of the gate.

I upgraded to pfsense router OS. It's rock solid and now I just use my old DIR655 as an access point. Pfsense can be installed on nearly any older PC you might have. You just need to get 2 NIC cards. I swore off Linksys/dlink for routers and prefer to use them only as AP's.

 

I love this setup as well.  pfSense can do anything and more than ddwrt and espcially more than any other store bought one.  its not hard to setup (not quite as easy as store bought, but if you can tweak your unraid, then this won't be any different).

 

Also, it runs great in vmware. so if you have your unraid virtualized, you can combine it with the router and put pfSense in a vm (just need a dedicated NIC for the internet connection).

 

Check out  http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/view

 

Lots of router and other network hardware reviews/test

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I upgraded to pfsense router OS. It's rock solid and now I just use my old DIR655 as an access point. Pfsense can be installed on nearly any older PC you might have. You just need to get 2 NIC cards. I swore off Linksys/dlink for routers and prefer to use them only as AP's.

 

Using an old PC as a router is terrific if you don't pay for your electricity, but if you do, a standalone router is generally much cheaper.