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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 26, 2018 11:13:57 GMT -5
Along with the Credenza remodel I’m adding a shelf that will be the perfect centralized place to move our WiFi / Internet Router. While our AirPort Extreme AC is working well, Apple has dropped the AirPort line, and it seems like a good opportunity to get something new. While I’d like something with good antennas to maximize the WiFi range (without Mesh), my primary desire is to have good reporting. We have a limited amount of bandwidth available from our rural Internet provider and more and more devices using it to phone home. MacOS, iOS, WatchOS, Windows, Oppo, Sony, Nest, Dish, etc, etc ... are all competing with us to use the Internet connection. Sometimes too it seems our connection is oversubscribed and our provider has heard from me often when our speed drops below our contracted minimum. So I want to be informed about how much WAN bandwidth a given device is using, as well as our aggregate as a household. I’ve seen some routers advertise ‘family’ features so parents can see what their kids are doing, but that doesn’t interest me, I want to know traffic by device, MAC address is fine, if I can tag it with a friendly name even better. I also want to know in real time (not a daily, weekly, monthly summary), I want to know if one of my devices is causing a current slowdown, or if my ISP is to blame. My budget is flexible, and even though it will be in a very conspicuous place it can be ugly (we’ll make a cosmetic cover if needed). So do any of you have such a device, or follow the router market well enough to know one (or more) that might have reporting features like this? I welcome your suggestions! Edit: Thread restarted for 2019 with new requirements, here —> emotivalounge.proboards.com/post/997721/thread
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geebo
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"Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are driving taxicabs and cutting hair"
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Post by geebo on Jul 26, 2018 11:33:30 GMT -5
The Asus AC-3100 may do what you're looking for. I have one and it works great but don't use any of it's reporting features.
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Post by roadwar on Jul 26, 2018 14:53:36 GMT -5
I've had an ASUS RT-AC3200 in service for a month. It's working great and is capable of what you want to do. It does look like the throne from "Game of Thrones" so covering it up sounds like a good idea. Keep in mind it generates some heat.
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Post by pallpoul on Jul 26, 2018 18:22:26 GMT -5
Try the Ubiquiti router with multiple access points, very nice setup.
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Post by Gary Cook on Jul 26, 2018 19:54:36 GMT -5
Along with the Credenza remodel I’m adding a shelf that will be the perfect centralized place to move our WiFi / Internet Router. While our AirPort Extreme AC is working well, Apple has dropped the AirPort line, and it seems like a good opportunity to get something new. I've had similar thoughts, tried a few supposedly "superior" routers (to the AirPort Extreme 802.11ac) and haven't seen any worthwhile improvements so far using our range of iDevices. As a result I'm waiting for the 802.11ax routers to get a bit more reasonable in price before I even think about updating. Cheers Gary
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 26, 2018 20:15:28 GMT -5
The Asus AC-3100 may do what you're looking for. I have one and it works great but don't use any of it's reporting features. ASUS was one that gets good reviews and I’ve considered it, but don’t know much about the reporting. So you know it has reporting, but don’t use it? I've had an ASUS RT-AC3200 in service for a month. It's working great and is capable of what you want to do. It does look like the throne from "Game of Thrones" so covering it up sounds like a good idea. Keep in mind it generates some heat. Yeah, that’s exactly the “ugly” I spoke of, but willing to deal with it for performance and features (good to know about the heat). Have you looked at the reporting? That’s two votes for ASUS! Try the Ubiquiti router with multiple access points, very nice setup. One of the first I checked out, love the looks and gets good reviews for performance, but I called their support and they say it doesn’t do detailed device level reporting I want. Along with the Credenza remodel I’m adding a shelf that will be the perfect centralized place to move our WiFi / Internet Router. While our AirPort Extreme AC is working well, Apple has dropped the AirPort line, and it seems like a good opportunity to get something new. I've had similar thoughts, tried a few supposedly "superior" routers (to the AirPort Extreme 802.11ac) and haven't seen any worthwhile improvements so far using our range of iDevices. As a result I'm waiting for the 802.11ax routers to get a bit more reasonable in price before I even think about updating. Cheers Gary I agree, the WiFi range of the AE AC has been very good, but no reporting other than MAC addresses of who’s attached. Anyone else have a fave?
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Jul 26, 2018 20:21:32 GMT -5
I have the ASAS RT-AC3200 also. It has worked great with no issues since I got it (knock on wood). I have not ever bothered to use the reporting feature on it....never needed to. FYI, its signal reaches quite a distance from my house. I walked with a wireless device about 200' away in all directions and I was still getting strong signal.
Mark
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Post by LuisV on Jul 26, 2018 20:21:57 GMT -5
Try the Ubiquiti router with multiple access points, very nice setup. +1 Ubiquiti gets my vote... I'll never use consumer networking equipment ever again.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 26, 2018 20:45:52 GMT -5
Try the Ubiquiti router with multiple access points, very nice setup. +1 Ubiquiti gets my vote... I'll never use consumer networking equipment ever again. So then you’re not talking about Ubiquiti’s Amplifi HD 1750 www.amplifi.com/explore.htmlWhat model are you referring to, and why do you like it?
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Post by Gary Cook on Jul 26, 2018 20:55:12 GMT -5
I agree, the WiFi range of the AE AC has been very good, but no reporting other than MAC addresses of who’s attached. I have 2 x AE's to cover my house and extremities, so range has never been a consideration. It's only speed that I care about and I haven't found anything that is noticeably any faster. Sure some test a small amount faster, but not enough to actually notice it in normal use. Hence waiting for 802.11ax. Cheers Gary
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Post by LuisV on Jul 26, 2018 20:55:43 GMT -5
+1 Ubiquiti gets my vote... I'll never use consumer networking equipment ever again. So then you’re not talking about Ubiquiti’s Amplifi HD 1750 www.amplifi.com/explore.htmlWhat model are you referring to, and why do you like it? No sir, although their Amplifi mesh is top notch, I'm speaking about their UniFi line. Depending on your requirements, I would recommend a USG 3P, an 8 port switch with PoE and either one or multiple AP AC Lites or Pros. Depending on which APs and how many you go with, it's roughly the same cost of the mesh system, but will easily allow you to grow the network as / when needed. You could even use your existing router, download their free software and use one of their access points to handle your wireless network. It's rather simple to disable wireless within your exiting router and allow the UniFi AP to handle mobile clients. Most users see great benifits from this simple change.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 26, 2018 21:07:32 GMT -5
So then you’re not talking about Ubiquiti’s Amplifi HD 1750 www.amplifi.com/explore.htmlWhat model are you referring to, and why do you like it? No sir, although their Amplifi mesh is top notch, I'm speaking about their UniFi line. Depending on your requirements, I would recommend a USG 3P, an 8 port switch with PoE and either one or multiple AP AC Lites or Pros. Depending on which APs and how many you go with, it's roughly the same cost of the mesh system, but will easily allow you to grow the network as / when needed. You could even use your existing router, download their free software and use one of their access points to handle your wireless network. It's rather simple to disable wireless within your exiting router and allow the UniFi AP to handle mobile clients. Most users see great benifits from this simple change. So I don’t have a problem with coverage, range or speed, I have one router that covers the house, front and back yards, and one that covers a detached garage. I already have three switches and don’t need POE where this router will be situated. Besides the WAN port, I do want 3 or 4 LAN ports on the router to directly connect other switches. What I’m really interested in is reporting, has anyone used it to see how much WAN bandwidth a particular device is using, and where it’s going on the Internet?
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Post by Cogito on Jul 26, 2018 21:17:39 GMT -5
I would have to say my Apple Airport Express. Not because it's full of features or particularly fast, but because it supports Airplay.
For my heavy duty data usage, I use a Belkin AC1750DB with great results.
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Post by LuisV on Jul 26, 2018 21:20:13 GMT -5
Forgot to answer why I like UniFi... very simple and easy to use UI, greater control over network resources, insight into connected devices, adding or expanding the network is relatively easy and they typically have a steady stream of firmware upgrades with added features and functionality. Long gone are the typical reboots of the router to get things working again, lack luster signal strength or drop in performance / connection speed that again, is typically fixed with rebooting the router. Insight into network traffic with device level drill down capabilities: Here's what I'm currently running at home: I also use their survelance cameras.
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geebo
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"Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are driving taxicabs and cutting hair"
Posts: 24,204
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Post by geebo on Jul 26, 2018 21:26:17 GMT -5
The Asus AC-3100 may do what you're looking for. I have one and it works great but don't use any of it's reporting features. ASUS was one that gets good reviews and I’ve considered it, but don’t know much about the reporting. So you know it has reporting, but don’t use it? I've had an ASUS RT-AC3200 in service for a month. It's working great and is capable of what you want to do. It does look like the throne from "Game of Thrones" so covering it up sounds like a good idea. Keep in mind it generates some heat. Yeah, that’s exactly the “ugly” I spoke of, but willing to deal with it for performance and features (good to know about the heat). Have you looked at the reporting? That’s two votes for ASUS! Try the Ubiquiti router with multiple access points, very nice setup. One of the first I checked out, love the looks and gets good reviews for performance, but I called their support and they say it doesn’t do detailed device level reporting I want. I've had similar thoughts, tried a few supposedly "superior" routers (to the AirPort Extreme 802.11ac) and haven't seen any worthwhile improvements so far using our range of iDevices. As a result I'm waiting for the 802.11ax routers to get a bit more reasonable in price before I even think about updating. Cheers Gary I agree, the WiFi range of the AE AC has been very good, but no reporting other than MAC addresses of who’s attached. Anyone else have a fave? Here is a screen shot of the System Log screen. Not sure if this is what you're looking for or not. Notice the various tabs across the top.
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Post by LuisV on Jul 26, 2018 21:27:37 GMT -5
No sir, although their Amplifi mesh is top notch, I'm speaking about their UniFi line. Depending on your requirements, I would recommend a USG 3P, an 8 port switch with PoE and either one or multiple AP AC Lites or Pros. Depending on which APs and how many you go with, it's roughly the same cost of the mesh system, but will easily allow you to grow the network as / when needed. You could even use your existing router, download their free software and use one of their access points to handle your wireless network. It's rather simple to disable wireless within your exiting router and allow the UniFi AP to handle mobile clients. Most users see great benifits from this simple change. So I don’t have a problem with coverage, range or speed, I have one router that covers the house, front and back yards, and one that covers a detached garage. I already have three switches and don’t need POE where this router will be situated. Besides the WAN port, I do want 3 or 4 LAN ports on the router to directly connect other switches. What I’m really interested in is reporting, has anyone used it to see how much WAN bandwidth a particular device is using, and where it’s going on the Internet? Gotcha, I just posted a screen shot of some reporting capabilities, if you want more, let me know. My USG has 3 ports, WAN and two LAN. LAN 1 goes to my 24 port switch and it uses PoE to power my APs, Cameras as well as the two 8 port switches listed in that other post. Here's another reporting screenshot.
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Post by LuisV on Jul 26, 2018 21:30:16 GMT -5
Here's a quick network traffic recap of the Nvidia Shield in my HT room.
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Post by jamco on Jul 26, 2018 23:48:54 GMT -5
+1 Ubiquity
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 27, 2018 0:06:00 GMT -5
Here's a quick network traffic recap of the Nvidia Shield in my HT room. Ok, I’m liking all the reports! We’re headed in the right direction. Here’s one scenario I’d like to see if any router is capable of. I’m watching Netflix and it starts to stutter and lose resolution, I can tell my Internet bandwidth is dropping. I suspect one of my Mac mini’s has started downloading the new macOS update I just read about ... Deep Tahoe Blue! Or maybe my wife’s Windows 10 machine has started syncing its OneDrive, of course it could be my iPad heard about iOS 13.1.3.1.3.1.3 and wanted to keep up with the Padingtons. You get the idea, I want to be able to see who’s going out the WAN port, where they’re going, and how much bandwidth they’re using (so I can go shut them down and get back to my movie). Something like Wireshark might do, but slicker and easier, I don’t care about the payload and Acks and Nacks, just who’s going where and how often. Anybody able to do something like that? Edit: LuisV you got some traffic there! Don’t think my pipe could do that in a year.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 27, 2018 0:18:37 GMT -5
I would have to say my Apple Airport Express. Not because it's full of features or particularly fast, but because it supports Airplay. For my heavy duty data usage, I use a Belkin AC1750DB with great results. Yup, I keep an old AE around and set it up on the fly when I’m somewhere and need AirPlay, cool little device. I used to have a Belkin router that had a meter on it that told you how much bandwidth you were using, maybe 10 years ago, that was the beginning of what I’m going for.
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