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Couple of questions on RT-AC68U and VPN

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TexasDave

Occasional Visitor
Happy Holidays to all and best wishes for 2019....

I have had my trusty RT-AC68U running Merlin for several years now. Love it! :)

My use case is nothing too weird. I run an unRAID server at home. I run Plex and and do some downloading. I do not stream things like Netflix or Hula. I do let some friends use my Plex (so I stream outside I guess). My kids do play games on PC and Xbox. I am in the UK...

So my questions:

1) Do I keep running my RT-AC68U or is there a new router out there, Merlin friendly that would be worth getting? Just curious as I have had the RT-AC68U since it came out. My gut says keep running....

2) Is there a "Merlin Friendly" VPN out there that folks like? I am considering ExpressVPN (expensive), CyberGhost, PrivateInternetAccess or NordVPN. I will be pointing to the UK for the most part (just for privacy). Or any other candidates?

Many thanks and happy 2019!

Dave Z
 
Happy Holidays to all and best wishes for 2019....

I have had my trusty RT-AC68U running Merlin for several years now. Love it! :)

My use case is nothing too weird. I run an unRAID server at home. I run Plex and and do some downloading. I do not stream things like Netflix or Hula. I do let some friends use my Plex (so I stream outside I guess). My kids do play games on PC and Xbox. I am in the UK...

So my questions:

1) Do I keep running my RT-AC68U or is there a new router out there, Merlin friendly that would be worth getting? Just curious as I have had the RT-AC68U since it came out. My gut says keep running....

2) Is there a "Merlin Friendly" VPN out there that folks like? I am considering ExpressVPN (expensive), CyberGhost, PrivateInternetAccess or NordVPN. I will be pointing to the UK for the most part (just for privacy). Or any other candidates?

Many thanks and happy 2019!

Dave Z

I'll venture a non-Merlin user reply...

The RT-AC86U would be the likely near-term mainstream upgrade path and it is built for VPN. But if you can hold where you are, you could monitor the unfolding introduction of ax wireless routers and upgrade to one of those in the next 12-24 months or so.

OE
 
@OzarkEdge - many thanks! It is funny as in starting to look, the RT-AC86U looks to be interesting.

Now I am getting tempted to get that and use my trusty RT-AC68U as an access point. As we live in the UK, in an older house, I need a repeater / AP in the loft and my current one is not that great.

My issue is I like to "mess with things" and am tempted to jump in. Thanks!
 
@OzarkEdge - many thanks! It is funny as in starting to look, the RT-AC86U looks to be interesting.

Now I am getting tempted to get that and use my trusty RT-AC68U as an access point. As we live in the UK, in an older house, I need a repeater / AP in the loft and my current one is not that great.

My issue is I like to "mess with things" and am tempted to jump in. Thanks!

That works!

Old-School would connect the 68U as a wired AP, or else wireless repeater; and would likely use separate SSIDs.

New-School would connect the 68U as a wired or else wireless AiMesh node; and would likely still use separate SSIDs because the AC1900/AC68/AC66 B1 do not yet support Smart Connect node band steering. Otherwise, you can use a single SSID with AiMesh with Roaming Assistant node steering and Smart Connect node band steering... seems to work, although ultimately the wireless clients choose their connection.

You could add the ax wireless router later on, move fully into AiMesh, and then retire the 68U.

Just don't buy another AC1900/AC68/AC66 B1... like I did. :)

OE
 
I will likely go "old school" and the wired AP route. Merlin will not be supporting AIMesh...which I get. I am a big Merlin fan... ;)

Pulled the trigger as your comments confirmed my own research. Many thanks!
 
I will likely go "old school" and the wired AP route. Merlin will not be supporting AIMesh...which I get. I am a big Merlin fan... ;)

Pulled the trigger as your comments confirmed my own research. Many thanks!

Ah, I overlooked the Merlin constraint... good point. And good luck!

OE
 

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