Do you purchase routers and what type are you interested in?
Do you purchase routers and what type are you interested in?
Are people still purchasing routers? You receive the promised speeds from your ISP and feel confident about them. Previously, you bought routers because your provider charged a monthly fee for their modem/router. Now they don’t charge at all, so what makes buying a router worthwhile? In the past, the cost savings helped justify it, but now the incentive has changed.
so you have no use for a router...... ok then , don't buy one. thread over? did you want us to invent a reason you need one or?
People often choose them because they’re bundled with a modem or router by default from every internet provider, and they’re free. Some may prefer their own devices for different reasons that aren’t obvious. They might value greater privacy from your ISP, enjoy better performance, or appreciate more flexibility in setup.
Absolutely, that setup sounds a bit confusing. It seems like they have a lot of computers but aren't using the modem pack as expected from their ISP.
For everyday tasks, a basic ISP modem/router package works well and delivers solid performance thanks to recent improvements. You can also set up VLANs, QoS configurations that function effectively, Transmission-BT downloads, and enhanced network monitoring with tools like AdvanceTomato on your Netgear R7000 router. If these details didn’t click, a simple modem/router combo is perfectly adequate, but for more advanced needs or personal interest, routers offer a superior experience.
ISPs gather data about you and your internet connection through various sources, including search results.
They tend to purchase the most affordable equipment, often expecting slower service from less profitable users.
Check the capabilities of ddwrt to understand its features.
The potato has been helpful lately, not so much before. You likely spent a lot of time setting up VLANs and QoS configurations. I understand what Transmission means, but not BT. Why would you want to watch your network? To detect those sneaky hackers and stop them from messing with your day? I can see my bandwidth stats through my ISP. I remember reading about ddwrt a long time ago, but I don’t recall much else. For some reasons, you might want to protect your privacy—especially if you use Windows, Android, or even iOS/Mac OS. Companies already know a lot about you. If you’re on Linux, maybe that explains why you’d prefer a good router for privacy. Yeah, I recall reading about ddwrt once, but it’s been many years since then. If I got a router, what would you suggest? Would it improve your home signal range?
Yes, grasping the OSI network layer design and setting up several VLANs can be time-consuming. Not everyone is interested in deep networking, but strong QoS management ensures smooth performance for demanding users like gamers, heavy Netflix viewers, and torrenters. Most ISPs fall short here. I track my overall bandwidth through my service provider, yet it lacks detailed insights—no clear picture of which devices consume the most data. For instance, you can't easily tell if someone is streaming 4K videos or downloading large game patches while others use bandwidth.
Advanced monitoring tools might not be necessary for you. Firmware like DD-WRT and OpenWRT offers Linux-based router capabilities similar to ISP hardware, but with enhanced features and even basic server functions via command line. While ISPs often avoid extensive features to prevent support issues, their equipment tends to be quite limited.
Some third-party routers outperform ISP models in coverage, while others lag behind. For example, an ISP might offer three modem options for free, but the lowest quality model is barely functional and should connect to any router. Even older devices can work better than weak wireless signals, which often lack 5GHz support.
Home builders sometimes provide subpar equipment, such as outdated modems that don’t support modern standards. In contrast, newer models from brands like XB6 offer solid performance for most households—unless your wiring setup is unusually complex. The premium tier uses high-quality hardware, but it’s still costly and may require professional installation by experts.
If your home layout is unusual, a specialist like Ubiquiti Networks might be needed. This involves more planning and effort, but it delivers better coverage and reliability than DIY setups. It’s worth the investment if you want consistent speeds and fewer interruptions for all your devices.