My Router Scenario - Sound Feasible?

[HuH]

I was wondering if someone could look this over and let me know what they think.

My internets speeds have recently doubled to 50/10, and my current router, a WRT54G-TM running Tomato firmware has turned out to be the bottleneck that prohibits me from achieving maximum internet speeds.

I have been researching routers and while I love the idea of the Asus RT-N66U, I don't love the price. I am also not sure I need it.

I am currently running a small home network with the following:

Three Desktops - Wired - Static IP
Two WDTV Live Pluses - Wired - Static IP
Four Laptops - WIFI, three running Wireless G, one running Wireless B. - Static IP

I am running a Gigabit switch behind the WRT54G-TM for LAN transfers.

I got the idea of finding a cheap wired only router, and using my current router as a wireless access point.

Does this sound a feasible plan with this wired router??
http://routerboard.com/RB750GL

Assuming this setup works, I should be fine until I decide to buy a wireless "N" laptop, which I don't really need.

I have read good things about MikroTik routers. Any reason to avoid or choose another wired router? The price is nice...

Any thoughts??

Thanks!

 

[stevech]

yes. I replaced my WRT54G years ago when my 15Mbps ISP overwhelmed it.

I would not use that brand of wired router.

Re-purposing your WRT54G as an AP is fine, so long as you don't demand a lot of speed with your WiFi client devices - and usually, 11g speeds for a portable device is OK.

I'd buy a good brand, ordinary $60 11n WiFi router, doesn't have to have gigabit ports since you use a gigE switch for inter-PC traffic. Put the 54G some ways distant to improve coverage, if that's useful. Else, like me, the 54G is in the might-use-it-someday bin in the garage.

 

[Fraoch]

I have read good things about MikroTik routers. Any reason to avoid or choose another wired router? The price is nice...

You're going beyond consumer-level with this so you have to be comfortable with some complexity. It will do almost anything you want but it won't be made easy for you. That could be a good or bad thing...

I was considering the RB951G-2HnD, which has a newer CPU than the RB750. But several things made me pause:

- stevech

- it's never in stock here

- I'd be paying for 2 things I didn't need - 5 ports and wireless

I sat on the fence until I saw this review:

Ubiquiti EdgeRouter Lite

Tim clearly didn't like it, but note that it's at the top of the router charts for simultaneous throughput:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/bar/76-total-simul

I liked that it only had 3 ports and didn't have wireless, meaning my dollars went towards performance. I also am somewhat familiar with Debian and the command line so that attracted me too.

The Ubiquiti website shows a third-party independent comparison of the ERL to a fairly high-end MicroTik RB1100AHx2 costing 4.5 times as much, where it compares quite favourably.

Long story short, it's been on my network for a week now.

Because it comes shipped in a blank state, configuring it may seem daunting at first, but there are configuration examples on Ubiquiti's forums that set everything up for you in about 2 minutes. It's unbelievably flexible.

It costs a bit more than the smaller MicroTik routers but if you want something you can configure to do anything you want and don't mind spending time or learning things, it's for you.

 

[HuH]

Thanks for the replies!

Now I am not sure what to do.

Normally I would like the challenge, but that Edgerouter looks positively scary.

I felt so proud and cutting edge when I loaded Tomato on my current router, but when I start think about all the command line stuff, and trying to figure out what firewall rules should be added, I break out in a cold sweat. Port forward?, there is a command line for that, yikes!

Decisions decisions.

Thank again for the input!!

 

[Cloud200]

If you love tomato, stick with it.

If i was in your shoes i would get an asus rt-n16 esp if the only reason you are not going with the rt-n66u is the price.

up to about 100mb/s it ought to be enough unless you have some heavy rules.