Time to upgrade network Router. Help requested. (Page 1/3)
CoolBlue87GT JUN 10, 07:59 PM
Have an older Linksys WRT54G router that is over 10+ years old. It's time to replace it. I've been getting messages saying Wi-Fi network is not secure because it uses an older security standard.

I'd like to hear what routers you all suggest. My needs are simple, we have 3 computers, one hard wired, three printers, two tablets and a few cell phones using it - not at the same time. The current one works all the way into the external garage, I'm sure any of the new ones would have the same or better distance.

My price range is open, although if I don't need to spend high dollars then that would be great. We use Comcast, I'm not opposed to a Modem/ Router combo.

Thanks for any information.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 06-17-2021).]

mike-ohio JUN 10, 08:14 PM
I just bought a ASUS AC1900 WiFi Gaming Router (RT-AC68U).

It is not a cable Modem. My Cable modem is included as part of my service.

My old Belkin Wireless router would did not support the new 802.11 AC protocol and would not allow any wireless device to go over 50MB. I have Spectrum at 200MB and now I get 189MB over the WI FI.

The new router woks great and hopefully lasts a long time.

I could never get a WRT54G to last more than a year.

I’m sure others here will chime in but that’s the one I just upgraded to.
IMSA GT JUN 10, 08:34 PM
So my question is.....Comcast didn't give you a gateway with 4 hardwired ports and wifi? If so, what is the point in the router?

In other words, do you have either one of these?

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 06-10-2021).]

RWDPLZ JUN 10, 08:39 PM

quote
Originally posted by CoolBlue87GT:

Have an older Linksys WRT54G router that is over 10+ years old.



Good GAWD man, that was old 15 years ago! I remember when that came out, my computer had a 333Mhz Celeron processor and 128MB of RAM

Highly recommend a used Apple Airport Extreme 802.11AC, they're like $40 on eBay and super stable. I have one I've used since 2014, and bought one for my parents, they only have to turn it off and back on again maybe once every 6 months, and it's usually because the modem froze.
Hudini JUN 10, 08:59 PM

quote
Originally posted by mike-ohio:

I just bought a ASUS AC1900 WiFi Gaming Router (RT-AC68U).

It is not a cable Modem. My Cable modem is included as part of my service.

My old Belkin Wireless router would did not support the new 802.11 AC protocol and would not allow any wireless device to go over 50MB. I have Spectrum at 200MB and now I get 189MB over the WI FI.

The new router woks great and hopefully lasts a long time.

I could never get a WRT54G to last more than a year.

I’m sure others here will chime in but that’s the one I just upgraded to.



I use this one here in China because it supports asuswrt-merlin 3rd party software that allows my VPN to be integrated directly into the router. It’s a cool feature if you need a VPN for your selected devices.

https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/

CoolBlue87GT JUN 10, 09:02 PM

quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:
So my question is.....Comcast didn't give you a gateway with 4 hardwired ports and wifi? If so, what is the point in the router?

In other words, do you have either one of these?



No, to both. Modem is SURFboard SB6121
IMSA GT JUN 10, 09:35 PM

quote
Originally posted by CoolBlue87GT:


No, to both. Modem is SURFboard SB6121



If the price was close to a new router, you could purchase the Arris SURFboard SVG2482AC which is the actual comcast router I posted in the picture. Arris manufactures them for Comcast. It will give you 4 ports, 2.4 and 5.8 wireless, and allows 2 digital phone lines.....but it's up to you if you want an all-in-one or a remote router.
https://www.amazon.com/ARRI...=electronics&sr=1-25
Hudini JUN 11, 12:50 AM
Be careful of the ISP supplied routers. Some have a hidden public wifi feature where other Comcast customers can use your router without your knowledge.
TheDigitalAlchemist JUN 11, 08:33 AM
Just tossing this out there - if you have Cable, you may want to buy your own modem instead of renting one from the company. It's usually easy to do - you look up the model of the device, buy it online, then call your cable company and have them swap the MAC address in their system. Then ship them back their device, or drop it off at a local place. Takes about 2-3 hours total effort.

Lets say you pay 6 bucks a month for cable modem rental. the device costs 60 bucks. If you had cable for 10 years, its 60 bucks vs.720 bucks. I think mine cost like 54 bucks (Amazon had a coupon for it) . and I think the monthly rental price was more $.

Definitely worth it, imo.

xoxo
CoolBlue87GT JUN 11, 09:07 AM

quote
Originally posted by TheDigitalAlchemist:

Just tossing this out there - if you have Cable, you may want to buy your own modem instead of renting one from the company.

xoxo



Good points. I purchased my modem for those reasons.

Leaning on just going with a new router,

Hope resetting the various electronics using current router over to a new router will be fairly easy. The most important hookup will be the one hardwired computer, as it's user is an on-line teacher and I can not have it down long for a change over.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 06-11-2021).]