Wireless router or a biz-like AP for advanced home use.

[fujifix]

I have a D-link dir-615 wireless router. I am only using this as an access point, so it's only connected to my router by a switch port. I am now replacing this because I have to restart it several times during a week (very unstable).

I have looked into different brands and models and found that Asus is a good choice nowadays. What I'm looking for is a real dual-band product that's not too expencive. Functionality like media sharing and god knows what does not interest me (I've got all that covered in other parts of my growing home network). I will be using it as I'm using my unstable D-link - as an AP.

The way I see it now, I have two choices.

1. To buy a wireless router like the Asus RT-N56U (or other recommended?)
http://www.asus.com/Networking/RTN56U/

2. Buy a biz-like access point like the ceiling mounted Zyxel NWA5120 Series (NWA5121-NI) http://www.zyxel.com/in/en/products_services/nwa5120_series.shtml?t=p


Choice 1 will just replace todays dlink, and will provide what I need, dual band in a stable device.

Choice 2 gives me the opportunity to have different VLANs, one for myself, and a seperate for guests (e.g. allowing only external http ). I'm already using VLANS for other purposes in my network. It also supports PoE.

I can find plenty of reviews and recommendations on the Asus RT-N56U, but can't find much on the Zyxel NWA5121. It is a bit pricier, but still not compared to the more premium routers for the consumer market.

I live in a 3 story house, so the AP needs to have good coverage.

If the Zyxel can offer about the same speeds and coverage as the Asus, I would go for the Zyxel.

Inputs are appreciated

 

[stevech]

Advanced home use... I'd get a SOHO class router.
Cradlepoint, ZyXel, maybe ASUS.

You'll probably need 1-2 access points in 3 story house. These can be just re-purposed consumer WiFi routers - since an AP does no more than packet forwarding (dumb). It does no router functions.

 

[fujifix]

Advanced home use... I'd get a SOHO class router.
Cradlepoint, ZyXel, maybe ASUS.

You'll probably need 1-2 access points in 3 story house. These can be just re-purposed consumer WiFi routers - since an AP does no more than packet forwarding (dumb). It does no router functions.

Sorry for the bad title. I guess it will only be advanced if I go for a real access point, and set it ut with multiple SSIDs on different VLANs

But as said, it will only be used it for switching packets. Routing is handled by my firewall which I have running in ESXi.

..can't find any reviews on the Zyxel. But I've read about other Zyxel products and they did not score much on 5GHz range.

 

[stevech]

ZyXel - just don't buy a product that is newly released. They like ASUS, tend to push the envelope. I've has some lemons from ZyXel. But they are a cut above consumer gear.

Cisco Aironet / SOHO - under $200 is probably good but I have not used these. Aironet APs, even a used one, is excellent, rock solid. Avoid Cisco AirEspace managed APs, of course. Maybe Rukus. Engenius is mostly good in SOHO world.

 

[fujifix]

Ended up buying a new Cisco 1142 AP from a known auction site. Paid 195 USD which is the same as the used ones. Got the LAP version, so had to convert it to standalone - but no big deal.

It's been running stable since day one. Very good coverage in all 3 floors (wooden house), and it's still lying on a table in the top floor

Also got a gigabit power injector from Ubiquiti, so I will be mounting the AP in the ceiling later.

 

[stevech]

Ended up buying a new Cisco 1142 AP from a known auction site. Paid 195 USD which is the same as the used ones. Got the LAP version, so had to convert it to standalone - but no big deal.

It's been running stable since day one. Very good coverage in all 3 floors (wooden house), and it's still lying on a table in the top floor

Also got a gigabit power injector from Ubiquiti, so I will be mounting the AP in the ceiling later.

Careful about the PoE injectors... there are 2+ IEEE standards and a myriad of things that call themselves PoE but are not per IEEE. Wrong choice and it's time to let out the blue smoke.