Get some tips for improving your home network setup.
Get some tips for improving your home network setup.
I’m sure your ISP modem/router will work fine during the transition. I’ve been using a Netgear X6 R8000 for more than six years now, and I’m moving houses. I’m curious about whether it still supports VLANs for certain devices—since it’s my dad’s setup. I’m also learning about networking and want some suggestions on upgrading or replacing it if needed. Thanks!
I also thought about building a PFSense router from an old laptop I own. Then I might set up a different network with Netgear acting more like an AP than a router or DHCP server, depending on whether it’s worth the effort. It all comes down to whether the X6 still performs well.
It hinges on your goals for the network setup, which you can clarify by organizing a layout of your devices as needed. Nonetheless, do you still use an R7000 from 2013 or 2014 with Advanced Tomato firmware? Upgrading to an R8000 and applying Fresh Tomato or another OpenWRT version would make it a solid choice.
Relies heavily on various conditions. It was a solid router for its era. Most people agreed there were alternatives offering better performance at lower prices (like Asus RT-AC68U), but the NightHawk with its Tri-Band setup performed better for wireless speed and preventing slower devices from slowing others down. Its main drawbacks today are the 1GHz processor, which may struggle with Gbps fiber connections, and its inability to support WiFi 6 and newer standards, restricting it to the AC3200 chipset. However, if you're still using 50-500Mbps broadband and don't require WiFi6 speeds, it should work fine. If it's still functional, this might not be a good choice. I'm unfamiliar with pfSense, though I've spent three decades in enterprise networking. Adding a second Network Interface Card to a laptop and expecting it to run continuously 24/7/365 seems like a recipe for trouble. Instead, switch your ISP modem to bridged mode for better management. For more advanced routing options, consider OpenWRT or alternative firmware on the NightHawk, or explore used SFF or desktop models for pfSense.
I have an extra desktop that could easily run pfSense. If that’s true, using pfSense with the X6 as an AP and switch might be better than updating the firmware. I’m considering a UniFi setup, but most UniFi products aren’t available in Australia, and internet service isn’t reliable there either. I’m just comparing my options.
Troublesome to update firmware on routers, especially since I haven't done it before.
Exploring pfSense or custom firmware involves complex paths. If you're curious about routing, it can be worthwhile but expect some mistakes that might disrupt your internet connection—this could inconvenience others in the house. While some may suggest suitable hardware for pfSense, a basic setup with two Intel NICs would suffice. For those needing more control, MicroTik offers routing and firewall features with a gentler learning curve and lower cost compared to UniFi. UniFi is powerful but works best when paired with dedicated switches and APs. I’m currently using an Asus RT-AC66U on Tomato FW as my router, supported by a 68U as a secondary access point. My LAN has intricate needs, and after years of experience with routing, IPtables, and other firewalls, I found it manageable. You might start by configuring a separate segment in pfSense for testing before upgrading the main firewall or switching to a new system. It’s wiser to experiment in a development setting first rather than risking stability in production—after all, a broken network can quickly become a real headache at home!