MX Linux Forum

Wondering what wireless routers you folks use and would recommend? I'm going to need a new one and would like to manage it via browser without having to depend upon Windows for management or firmware updates.

Edit: chose Netgear. Setup was mostly easy with one glitch. Was able to setup in the browser so no Windows needed.

I use:
- FritzBox 7490 - a fairly easy to use alrounder - safe and secure
- Ubiquiti UniFi AP - amazing powerfull, rather for experts

I'm happy with my Linksys E2500. I haven't been happy in the past with their firmware so I installed dd-wrt on it before I put it into service.

fehlix wrote: Fri Jul 06, 2018 11:02 am I use:
- FritzBox 7490 - a fairly easy to use alrounder - safe and secure
- Ubiquiti UniFi AP - amazing powerfull, rather for experts

Will check it out. Had not heard of that one.
I should add I have a single story dwelling and only need to cover about 800 square feet, so I do not need a "monster" size router. I've always used Linksys routers. An EA2700 died on me last night, so I'm using an old back up router right now.

timkb4cq wrote: Fri Jul 06, 2018 11:04 am I'm happy with my Linksys E2500. I haven't been happy in the past with their firmware so I installed dd-wrt on it before I put it into service.

I bet it runs better with the dd-wrt firmware. How hard was that to flash?
The E2500 looks nearly identical to my EA2700 that died yesterday. First the 5ghz band went out about a week ago, I thought there was an issue with my Roku, but then I started getting dial up speeds last night and reset didn't help :( I remember when I got it the thing was a pain to load updated firmware onto, and now Linksys wants you to set up an online account to manage your router--which seems another point of failure to me if they get hacked.

I've had the ASUS RT-AC68U for almost 2 years now. Love it for a host of reasons.

- Browser based set up and management (including firmware updates).
- Linux based so 3rd party firmware is available
- Asus firmware very stable and still receiving frequent updates.
- Not one but two USB ports. Great if you're into accessing movies or music from anywhere on the network.
- A number of options to extend functionality of router (VPN, client bridge, UPNP media server, etc.).
- Pretty good range on both bands.

EDIT - oh, and about 18 - 20 devices hooked up wired or wirelessly to this router doesn't seem to bother it at all. TV, printer, work networking, iPhones, iPads, Kindle fires, iPods, etc.

For my version 2 e2500 it wasn't too difficult, although the 30-30-30 resets involved are a pain, and for the features I wanted I had to then upgrade to a different build (you can't install it first).
Looks like the version 3 that you would probably find now is a bit harder.
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_E2500

To be fair, I bought that router because my local tiger direct store (now closed - they went online only) had it refurbished for $25 but it's been reliable.

whell wrote: Fri Jul 06, 2018 11:26 am I've had the ASUS RT-AC68U for almost 2 years now. Love it for a host of reasons.

- Browser based set up and management (including firmware updates).
- Linux based so 3rd party firmware is available
- Asus firmware very stable and still receiving frequent updates.
- Not one but two USB ports. Great if you're into accessing movies or music from anywhere on the network.
- A number of options to extend functionality of router (VPN, client bridge, UPNP media server, etc.).
- Pretty good range on both bands.

That sounds good. Will check it out. Thanks.

timkb4cq wrote: Fri Jul 06, 2018 11:29 am For my version 2 e2500 it wasn't too difficult, although the 30-30-30 resets involved are a pain, and for the features I wanted I had to then upgrade to a different build (you can't install it first).
Looks like the version 3 that you would probably find now is a bit harder.
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_E2500

To be fair, I bought that router because my local tiger direct store (now closed - they went online only) had it refurbished for $25 but it's been reliable.

That's a good price. Probably flashing the firmware made a big difference on dependability. Flashing the firmware might be a bit above my paygrade though :)

KBD wrote: Fri Jul 06, 2018 11:33 am

timkb4cq wrote: Fri Jul 06, 2018 11:29 am For my version 2 e2500 it wasn't too difficult, although the 30-30-30 resets involved are a pain, and for the features I wanted I had to then upgrade to a different build (you can't install it first).
Looks like the version 3 that you would probably find now is a bit harder.
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_E2500

To be fair, I bought that router because my local tiger direct store (now closed - they went online only) had it refurbished for $25 but it's been reliable.

That's a good price. Probably flashing the firmware made a big difference on dependability. Flashing the firmware might be a bit above my paygrade though :)

It really isn't. I'm by no means technically oriented but was able to figure out how to put DD-WRT on my older Linksys e4200. You do need to very closely follow the instructions, but they are laid out in step-by-step on the DD-WRT site. I still us that router as a bridge / extender when I'm going to be out in the yard and want music out there.

Netgear, hands down. I use a WNDR3400 myself, have a higher end Netgear in service at my workplace, and have recommended and installed Netgear in homes of people I support. Additionally, I have Netgear range extenders in both my home and workplace, and have had very good luck with them. I personally recommend going a step or two above the bottom end consumer models; you pay more, but stability and longevity make it worthwhile. JME. YMMV.

I suppose it also depends on where you're located and what's available. We have a Fritzbox 7490 with full access via CP. Features include 2 USB 3 ports, 4x Gigabit LAN, Wifi everything including AC, Speed throtteling if you're into that, Phone & hardware/FAX support, Separate guest accounts for other users, etc. etc. We love it, had it for the past 3 years now.
Before that we used a Netgear N600 Router, also very fast & nice, but not compatible with separate phone hardware.
We hard-wire everything for security reasons. I only use Wifi for client machines (temporarily of course).

Want to say thanks folks for your suggestions. I picked up a Netgear router. Overall not terrible to set up, had one glitch where it did not want to accept the default admin password, so it asked me two security questions I gave it during setup, thankfully I remembered my answers as I usually don't pay much attention to those, and of course it then gave me the same admin user and password it had rejected. But working fine now.
Thanks again for your help!

What model?

sdibaja wrote: Fri Jul 06, 2018 4:06 pmWhat model?

Netgear AC750
https://www.amazon.com/Netgear-Router-S ... gear+ac750

But it was about $20 less at my local Walmart. I figure if I didn't like it, or have trouble I have 15 days to return it. But so far so good :)