Choose a wired router for stable and fast internet performance.
Choose a wired router for stable and fast internet performance.
I’m searching for recommendations on a reliable wired router that can help you reach your paid 1 Gbps connection more effectively.
Current devices you own include a wired router, a Gigabit switch, and patch panels, but performance hasn’t matched your expectations.
You’re looking for something that bridges the gap between your existing setup and the higher speeds you’re paying for.
Confirming your need for gigabit Ethernet performance. Expecting 1gigabit over WiFi is a challenging expectation. The UniFi USG offers solid gigabit speeds unless IPS/IDS is enabled. The Edgerouter 4 provides extra capacity if you're looking to go further, though setup can be more involved. For a hands-on approach, pfSense is always an option.
I agree with the PFSense setup, particularly when employing QoS solutions. The Ubiquity equipment demands hardware offloading to maintain the 1Gbps speed, which would disable those capabilities.
Your router typically handles about 600mbps, and reviews confirm this. For wireless connections, aim for similar speeds. Expecting a gigabit will likely fall short since most devices can reach that with their chips. Unless your ISP offers QoS support, it doesn’t really matter. In this situation, choosing Ubiquiti would be the better option.
I meant higher speeds on my Ethernet links rather than Wi-Fi. When I connect my PC straight to the modem, I see between 500 and 700 Mbps. Through the router, it caps around 200 to 250 Mbps. I’m not planning an immediate router upgrade, but I’d like to explore possibilities and might think about it later. Honestly, I haven’t really looked into pfSense yet—I just assumed a ready-made solution would be better. Maybe building a small low-power device with pfSense could work someday. Thanks!
Consider building your own PC for flexibility and control, or repurpose an old server from eBay for a cost-effective solution. For reaching 10Gbps, you’d need high-speed components like a 10GbE NIC, advanced CPU with sufficient bandwidth, ample RAM, and a robust storage system.
For a basic PFsense box, consider a SFF sandy bridge i3 or i5 Dell. It offers good performance at a lower cost and uses less power than a full rack setup. Grab a PCIe NIC with 1-4 ports and enjoy the experience. It’s still more than what you’d need for everyday home use.
QoS remains useful for uploads. However, you're right—download won't significantly improve performance.