Smart router for your residence
Smart router for your residence
Hi! I'm starting to move to a new apartment and I need a new network set up. Currently I have there a 1Gbit internet and a cheap TP-Link ac WiFi router. Previously I had ASUS RT-AX88U hoping it will tick all my checkboxes and it kinda did, but it died after 2 months use with WiFi issues and I'm sending it back for refund. So my budget will be around 300-350 EUR/USD to replace it with different solution, but would love to get below that. My requirements: * I need 8x1Gbps LAN ports (4 of them can actually be slower) I am Raspberry Pi addict and I need 4 ports for them, 2 for TV and 2 for PC * I need a reasonable ac WiFi - 3 people can watch Netflix and Floatplane at 1080p. Current one is fine for now and I believe it can work in AP mode, but I have no experience with this and actually I have multiple questions regarding it. * I need port forwarding, possibility to define static IP for wired and wireless clients. * Can be bought on Amazon.de or locally in Latvia. My initial plan was to buy another AX or maybe AC WiFi router with 8 LAN ports, but looks like most of them have similar issues. I read too many reports regarding 2.4GHz or 5GHz issues on high end routers after few days to few months, no matter what brand. I will not buy ASUS anymore after what I have gone through to get real support from them directly. Thanks at least to Amazon for listening and helping. My current plan is to split my network device roles - WiFi AP and wired router. I have newer done this before so I have come questions. * An 8 port (or more) wired router. It is hard to find anything now because now everyone calls wireless router just routers. * I have some wireless devices that need static IP and port forwarding (3D printer, IP camera and so on). I believe it should be possible to configure them in wired router, when devices are connected to WiFi AP? I'm just asking before throwing out money. I already made a mistake with ASUS. Can anyone confirm that I should be able to assign static IP addresses to WiFi devices in Wired router? And what wired only router can you recommend? No ASUS please! While writing this post I came across Ubiquiti EdgeRouter 10x. UI demo page looks quite complicated compared to ddwrt or any consumer WiFi router UI. Thanks!
IP assignment is managed by the DHCP server. Static assignment can be applied on any device generally. Ensure you select addresses outside the DHCP server's range. In certain scenarios, you can reserve specific addresses for particular devices through your DHCP server. Good luck with this setup. The typical configuration uses four ports. Few routers support this capability. You may consider switching to an alternative solution.
Thanks! I agree on the DHCP server. For the router, I’ve already talked about the Ubiquiti EdgeRouter 10x. I’m really impressed with it and think it’s a great choice at that price.
Remember, certain features on Ubiquiti devices can't be accessed through the web interface. You'll likely need to connect via SSH and manage tasks directly from the command line. While they're powerful routers, their advanced capabilities often come with a steeper learning curve for setup.
Hi there! Thanks for your feedback. This has made me rethink my previous approach—turns out the project is more intricate than initially thought. I decided to streamline the design by eliminating the wired router entirely and using a wireless one as the main hub. I might add ddwrt if it’s available for my model, but I’ll keep an eye on that. For networking, I’ll use two simple switches, each with two ports to connect to different rooms. A network switch will be placed in each room, providing a TV, PC, and possibly Raspberry Pi projects later. The two finished Raspberry Pi setups will link directly to the two wireless router ports, which should reduce cable clutter—another reason I started planning this way. Appreciate your support and the chance for someone smart to challenge my ideas!
TP Link produces reliable devices. Consider their premium Archer routers featuring AC and Wi-Fi 5. Combine them with a switch when needed for a solid configuration. Ideally, position your access point or Wi-Fi router at the highest point in the house, near the center, to maximize coverage and signal reach.
It's not an easy task. DDWRT can be quite challenging to set up. I've worked with it before. It could also put extra strain on your router's hardware. At my time, I needed a laptop cooler to keep it running properly, or risk damaging something. If you still want to go that route, please read the Peacock thread on the DDWRT forums—it mainly covers installation steps. Read it several times, follow instructions carefully, and you'll be good.