I’m in the market for a new home Router. The one Verizon gives out is just junk. I’m done trying to get it to do what I want. Anyone have any suggestions for a home router?
What I need
Large Wifi Coverage.
Be able to hook up two XBox Ones at the same time.
Primary LAN-to-WAN
Cat5 from ONT to user router. LAN port on user router to WAN port on Actiontec per FAQ here: »Verizon Online FiOS FAQ »Replacing the Actiontec (part 3): WAN-to-LAN keeps Guide and VOD (easier)
PRO:
Easy. FSC can switch WAN connection from coax to cat5 remotely.
NAT limited by primary router, not Actiontec.
VOD, guide data and widgets supported.
CON:
Configuration not supported by VZ. May have to reconnect Actiontec to ONT (via cat5) as primary router for support.
Does not support media sharing on PCs connected to primary router.
Does not support remote access to DVR, on-screen caller id or VZ’s CPE management interface (see note #3 above).
I don’t know that you need the higher Netgear. Either of the first two should work fine. However, I typically use upnp to manage my consoles, so I don’t have issue with NAT with multiple consoles online.
Personally, I recommend the ASUS mainly because it has better parental controls and monitoring of the network to find issues.
I have an asus and the thing has been great. Regular firmware updates with new features and good support. Been real solid. I have heard really good things about the nighthawk series routers.
Kinda sucks if you still have to use the actiontech in front. That kinda kills a lot of the features of a router.
The Nighthawk is pretty good as well. My only complaint is that the firmware is lacking in features, and the troubleshooting aspects aren’t near as good as the ASUS - which isn’t surprising, because the ASUS has an offshoot of DD-WRT for it’s stock firmware. You can load DD-WRT on the Netgear, but I’ve had some issues there as well.
No, I can put the actiontec behind the Asus in that configuration. I go from Verizon handoff (ONT) to the Asus. Then take a LAN port from the Asus to the Actiontec’s WAN port.
@Al_Greazy, I’m a Cisco Network Engineer as well (working on an ASA right now). So I speak nerd. Port Forwarding isn’t the issue. Neither is a $300 router. That one had a feature that really caught my eye. The USB Hard Drive port. I think that would be really cool.
The reason I need a new router is the one Verizon sends is pure crap. The NAT table is so small and the wifi coverage is even worse. 15 feet away and I lost 2 bars. Worst part is, I have to use it. The Set Top boxes get the TV schedules and Video on Demand from it.
So, I’m just asking because I want to know what has a large broadcast range. (seriously, the actiontec is awful). Also wanted to know what one got updates. I’m probably picking up the 200 buck ASUS.
Broke down and got the Asus RT-AC87R. Went big. My frustration with the PoS Actiontec router pushed me to it. Hooked it up tonight and everything is running smooth. Actually got the NAT open on both XBoxs. Something I could never do (DMZ, Port Forwarding and Port triggering). My wifi coverage is so much better. I actually get full signal throughout the house. I should of switched out a long time ago.
I just bought a new router yesterday. Bought the linksys ac3200 tri band w/ 2.4ghz and (2) 5ghz bands.
My son and i now each have our own 5g band plus the nat came open automatically so i didnt have to do port forwarding this time. I got it on sale at staples for $250
And from looking at the router u got they appear to be similar it just doesnt have the second 5g band and a slightly slower processor (probably unnoticeable)
I just figured id go all out for mine since i went all out for my isp speed. Bought the 120mbps up 12mbps down package from abb
Port Forwarding isn’t the issue. Neither is a $300 router. That one had a feature that really caught my eye. The USB Hard Drive port. I think that would be really cool.