I am trying to choose among the various current ASUS routers in order to add wireless capabilities to my network. I have narrowed my search to the ASUS devices based mostly on their general feature set and software. I would appreciate any advice anyone can offer based on the following:
I currently support all my devices on a hard-wired basis and only need Wi-Fi at this time in order to support an existing laptop (802.11 a/nb/g/n) and a yet to be purchased tablet of some kind. I will be replacing a Linksys / Vonage RTP-300 which I use behind a 10/100 Mbps switch. I will continue to use the switch and will add a Vonage V-23 as a replacement for the RTP-300. As I do now, I will continue to hard-wire devices wherever possible for performance and security reasons, although I am likely to add more wireless devices at some point in the future once I actually have the capability.
Overall, my Most Critical Issues are:
- Reliability: Most importantly, I want to set it up, turn it on, and leave it on for the next few years without having to worry about it.
- USB ports.
- Performance: Particularly range.
- External antenna: In case I have a need to add high gain antennas in the future.
- Disk support: So that I may use the router’s disk access as a way to feed content to my tablet. Note: I am assuming this will provide faster access to content than going either to the Internet or to another device on my LAN.
- Printer support: For a potential second printer other than the one currently connected through my LAN.
I am inclined to believe that the AC protocol is unlikely to be a significant issue for some time to come, however, I am still open to discussion on this topic. I know that none of the tablets I am currently considering use 802.11 AC, and I have not heard of any that do. With that in mind, I have been focusing on the routers "beneath" the RT-AC66U in the ASUS product line. Of course, cost is an issue, but it is not the determining factor for me.
In light of the above, I would appreciate any advice and recommendations anyone can offer in making a final choice for a router.
Thanks for the help,
I currently support all my devices on a hard-wired basis and only need Wi-Fi at this time in order to support an existing laptop (802.11 a/nb/g/n) and a yet to be purchased tablet of some kind. I will be replacing a Linksys / Vonage RTP-300 which I use behind a 10/100 Mbps switch. I will continue to use the switch and will add a Vonage V-23 as a replacement for the RTP-300. As I do now, I will continue to hard-wire devices wherever possible for performance and security reasons, although I am likely to add more wireless devices at some point in the future once I actually have the capability.
Overall, my Most Critical Issues are:
- Reliability: Most importantly, I want to set it up, turn it on, and leave it on for the next few years without having to worry about it.
- USB ports.
- Performance: Particularly range.
- External antenna: In case I have a need to add high gain antennas in the future.
- Disk support: So that I may use the router’s disk access as a way to feed content to my tablet. Note: I am assuming this will provide faster access to content than going either to the Internet or to another device on my LAN.
- Printer support: For a potential second printer other than the one currently connected through my LAN.
I am inclined to believe that the AC protocol is unlikely to be a significant issue for some time to come, however, I am still open to discussion on this topic. I know that none of the tablets I am currently considering use 802.11 AC, and I have not heard of any that do. With that in mind, I have been focusing on the routers "beneath" the RT-AC66U in the ASUS product line. Of course, cost is an issue, but it is not the determining factor for me.
In light of the above, I would appreciate any advice and recommendations anyone can offer in making a final choice for a router.
Thanks for the help,