Searching for a modern mesh router offering advanced capabilities.
Searching for a modern mesh router offering advanced capabilities.
Hey there! I’ve got two Linksys routers—WRT3200ACM as the main AP and WRT1200AC as an access point. They’ve worked great for about seven years now. Lately, I’ve noticed some devices dropping out or getting locked down more often on the 3200, so it’s time to look for a fresh setup. I’m aiming to keep things under $150 total and am open to a mesh design as long as I can connect them via Ethernet.
When it comes to advanced features, I’m super particular about my IP addresses and have reserved MAC addresses in specific ranges: all devices from *.*.*.50 to *.*.*.99 for hardwired gear and 100-149 for Wi-Fi. I want to maintain this setup and ideally support at least three VLANs, with the option to separate them for better security—like isolating smart devices and guest traffic.
I’d like it, though my partner mentioned he prefers something reliable without needing constant adjustments.
Choosing solid hardware offers comparable reliability to any consumer router. For custom configurations, you can operate it in its default mode and replicate the same setup as a standard router. It provides greater flexibility and additional features if you wish to explore further. I previously favored Ubiquiti gear, which offered strong performance and support for years. I used the ER4 before switching to an HP T740 with Pfsense.
It seems the budget might be insufficient for the router, HP, and features you needed. Most of the mesh networks I’ve explored have been disappointing, especially regarding functionality and support. Customer service has been poor, and many devices froze or dropped connections. I’ve used Google mesh 2x3 packs and Linksys towers, but both had significant issues with stability and performance. The only reliable option for me is the Asus RT-AX92U, which works exceptionally well in my setup—especially since it supports VLANs. If your situation matches what you described, good luck finding a better solution!
It seems like you're suggesting someone else might be looking for a partner as well.
pfsense performs exceptionally well, especially when you gradually adjust the speed. I initially configured it when I was younger and less informed, which caused me to disconnect from the internet. After a while, I reverted to default settings and later added advanced features like VLANs, UniFi AP with IoT support, WireGuard, and pfblocker. It has remained very reliable. Just avoid making changes too quickly.