I want an inexpensive router that can connect to the Internet by either a wired connection direct to my ISP (FIOS) modem or its wireless router, or by a WiFi connection from that router. It doesn't need to be able to connect to both sources at once, but it must be able to connect to either. I need this because I don't have a wired connection now, but will in the future.
What do you call such a router?
In the past I have used a Vonets VAP11G wireless repeater/bridge to connect the available WiFi to the input port of a wired/wireless router. If I have to do something like that I will, but maybe there is a router that can connect to the ISP by both?
But the cable integral to the Vonets device has worn out, and no longer makes good connections.
My router, a Netgear AC750 (Model R6020) WiFi Router is flakey. Specifically, it often disconnects from my ISP, and fails to reconnect automatically. Frequent disconnections are a part of using are local FIOS, because it often goes down for a few minutes or more at a time. But my prior router, a Dlink Dir 628 (which died in a power glitch, despite surge protection, which is why I bought Netgear next), would always reconnect automatically. This one often doesn't.
BTW, is that problem a characteristic of all Netgear Routers, or my unit just defective.
I need reliable automatic reconnection, because I use a MagicJack as my phone landline (which I do not love, because it is noisy and drops the first few seconds of every conversation, but I bought it and many years of service long ago.), and sometimes I use google hangouts (Google voice is much better, but occasionally insists on connecting to another phone line) as another phone line.
Other factors in my choice.
1. I need the router to have multiple wired Ethernet ports, and to support many WiFi connections for various devices. But I only vie 1 video stream at a time, the only thing that needs speed, so the router doesn't need to be fast. I do have a D-Link DES-1105 switch that can multiplex an Ethernet port to connect to the devices that don't need to be secure, but it doesn't isolate Ethernet streams from each other. I'm paranoid, so a firewall should apply to all connections.
2. All my stuff is in the same room, so it doesn't need extended range, though I admit the FIOS wireless router, controlled by my landlord, is fairly far away and doesn't have all that strong a signal.
3. As discussed in another thread,
www.snbforums.com/threads/separate-encryption-does-local-device-isolation-work.64626/#post-592400 I want to isolate local devices from each other for security. Though I sometimes need to let one of the devices connect to the PC, but I want to turn that on explicitly when needed. Everything I can wire, including my printer (on USB), I already do.
4. I do not need or want (hopefully it can be turned off) remote configuration - again, for security.
5. I might want to try DD-WRT or OpenWRT - but not if it costs too much to get such a modem.
On another topic, are the ends of some Ethernet cables more durable than others? I always buy Cat 5 or Cat 6, but the cables often wear out at the ends, after only a few connect-disconnect cycles, and need to be replaced. Typically, the lever breaks off or becomes soft.
What do you call such a router?
In the past I have used a Vonets VAP11G wireless repeater/bridge to connect the available WiFi to the input port of a wired/wireless router. If I have to do something like that I will, but maybe there is a router that can connect to the ISP by both?
But the cable integral to the Vonets device has worn out, and no longer makes good connections.
My router, a Netgear AC750 (Model R6020) WiFi Router is flakey. Specifically, it often disconnects from my ISP, and fails to reconnect automatically. Frequent disconnections are a part of using are local FIOS, because it often goes down for a few minutes or more at a time. But my prior router, a Dlink Dir 628 (which died in a power glitch, despite surge protection, which is why I bought Netgear next), would always reconnect automatically. This one often doesn't.
BTW, is that problem a characteristic of all Netgear Routers, or my unit just defective.
I need reliable automatic reconnection, because I use a MagicJack as my phone landline (which I do not love, because it is noisy and drops the first few seconds of every conversation, but I bought it and many years of service long ago.), and sometimes I use google hangouts (Google voice is much better, but occasionally insists on connecting to another phone line) as another phone line.
Other factors in my choice.
1. I need the router to have multiple wired Ethernet ports, and to support many WiFi connections for various devices. But I only vie 1 video stream at a time, the only thing that needs speed, so the router doesn't need to be fast. I do have a D-Link DES-1105 switch that can multiplex an Ethernet port to connect to the devices that don't need to be secure, but it doesn't isolate Ethernet streams from each other. I'm paranoid, so a firewall should apply to all connections.
2. All my stuff is in the same room, so it doesn't need extended range, though I admit the FIOS wireless router, controlled by my landlord, is fairly far away and doesn't have all that strong a signal.
3. As discussed in another thread,
www.snbforums.com/threads/separate-encryption-does-local-device-isolation-work.64626/#post-592400 I want to isolate local devices from each other for security. Though I sometimes need to let one of the devices connect to the PC, but I want to turn that on explicitly when needed. Everything I can wire, including my printer (on USB), I already do.
4. I do not need or want (hopefully it can be turned off) remote configuration - again, for security.
5. I might want to try DD-WRT or OpenWRT - but not if it costs too much to get such a modem.
On another topic, are the ends of some Ethernet cables more durable than others? I always buy Cat 5 or Cat 6, but the cables often wear out at the ends, after only a few connect-disconnect cycles, and need to be replaced. Typically, the lever breaks off or becomes soft.