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Don't use Linksys routers

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Re: Don't use Linksys routers

#41

Post by username111 »

montecarl wrote: post #31
vacri wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you for the info - do you know if there's an ADSL modem that's good for DD-WRT these days? Last I looked (yeeeaaaars ago) there were only two models, long since out of production, and they didn't seem to be going in that direction anymore.

Why would you run linux on your modem? Unless its a hybrid modem/router.

I haven't seen a modem (from a telecom) that isn't a router in the past 5 years. Most ship wireless router/modems to their customers these days as standard.

Cable companies might still ship modems (they did the last time I had cable internet, but that was probably 8 years ago).

Re: Don't use Linksys routers

#42

Post by adamfeldman »

NelsonMinar wrote: post #9

The modern equivalent of a Linksys WRT54GL is the ASUS RT-N16. It runs OpenWrt, DD-WRT, and Tomato variants really well, does 802.11n (only one frequency) and has plenty of memory and flash storage for extra hacking. The ASUS RT-N66U is frequently advised if you want 5GHz 802.11n as well. The other router mentioned in this article, the Linksys EA2700, doesn't seem compatible with third party firmware. And apparently…

After running DD-WRT on a WRT54GL for years I tried the RT-N16 and got terrible network throughout over WiFi even within 5-15ft. Maybe the issue has been solved in the last few months but I was very disappointed.

Re: Don't use Linksys routers

#43

Post by ricardobeat »

montecarl wrote: post #29
NelsonMinar wrote: post #9

The modern equivalent of a Linksys WRT54GL is the ASUS RT-N16. It runs OpenWrt, DD-WRT, and Tomato variants really well, does 802.11n (only one frequency) and has plenty of memory and flash storage for extra hacking. The ASUS RT-N66U is frequently advised if you want 5GHz 802.11n as well. The other router mentioned in this article, the Linksys EA2700, doesn't seem compatible with third party firmware. And apparently…

I am the owner of an ASUS RT-N16. I purchased it when my Linksys WRT-54G died after 4 years. It really is a fantastic wifi router for the reasons you list. However, if you live in an apartment complex you might find the 2.4GHz spectrum very crowded. Especially if there are others with 2.4GHz 802.11n, which uses more channels than 802.11b/g. This might make it worthwhile to purchase a 5 Ghz 802.11n router.

The RT-N56U is one of the best routers I've ever used. Great transfer rates, strong signal in both bands, gigabit ports, and the management panel is pretty decent if you don't want to install Tomato.

Re: Don't use Linksys routers

#44

Post by montecarl »

username111 wrote: post #41
montecarl wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would you run linux on your modem? Unless its a hybrid modem/router.

I haven't seen a modem (from a telecom) that isn't a router in the past 5 years. Most ship wireless router/modems to their customers these days as standard. Cable companies might still ship modems (they did the last time I had cable internet, but that was probably 8 years ago).

Thats awful. It looks like you can purchase a standalone ADSL model for about $30: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16825165...

That coupled with a router/wireless ap running tomato or the like should work well from what I understand. I, however, never have used DSL so I'm not an expert.

Re: Don't use Linksys routers

#46

Post by jiggy2011 »

sctechie wrote: post #26

Let me just get this in before the cries of JUST INSTALL OPENWRT come raining down. Your mother / father / grandmother / etc are not installing openWRT on their routers. Installing one of these CISCO home routers is pretty much hacking yourself. And, just update the firmware is not gonna work. Try it one day, go up like 10 people and ask them what's a firmware. If the user isn't technical, you're going to get a 0/10…

Maybe they should just ship with the alternative firmware installed if the open source is doing a better job?

Re: Don't use Linksys routers

#47

Post by nmolo »

waffle_ss wrote: post #25
brooksbp wrote: post #15

I highly recommend Mikrotik to anyone fed up with traditional consumer wifi routers/APs. I dont know how they compare to other vendor hw eg Asus + OpenWRT, but this little guy has been rock solid and a joy to use: http://routerboard.com/RB2011UAS-2HnD-IN

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm absolutely fed up with my D-Link DIR-655 always needing to be restarted when the wireless decides to stop working, and was looking for something exactly like this. I was beginning to dread having to build something like a Smoothwall/pfSense box; I did that around 2005 with an old desktop computer and it didn't work that well. I've actually heard of Mikrotik before; about 10 years ag…

The smaller versions also work as well and are only $80! http://www.roc-noc.com/mikrotik/routerboard/RB951G-2HnD.html

Re: Don't use Linksys routers

#48

Post by ricardobeat »

brooksbp wrote: post #15

I highly recommend Mikrotik to anyone fed up with traditional consumer wifi routers/APs. I dont know how they compare to other vendor hw eg Asus + OpenWRT, but this little guy has been rock solid and a joy to use: http://routerboard.com/RB2011UAS-2HnD-IN

The Unifi line by Ubiquiti is also great, dirt cheap, good-looking and have wi-fi bridging as a bonus.

http://www.ubnt.com/unifi

Re: Don't use Linksys routers

#49

Post by nucleardog »

brooksbp wrote: post #15

I highly recommend Mikrotik to anyone fed up with traditional consumer wifi routers/APs. I dont know how they compare to other vendor hw eg Asus + OpenWRT, but this little guy has been rock solid and a joy to use: http://routerboard.com/RB2011UAS-2HnD-IN

Rather than the RB2011 series, if you can make do with fewer ports, you can look toward the RB751.

Fewer ports, but essentially the same wireless specs (1W DC 2.4GHzbgn). The routing capacities on both are way more than you'll ever run up against on a home connection. Same RouterOS. License level is one lower, but that essentially just restricts you to 200 VPN connections instead of 500.

The RB751 is ~$80 (5xgiga) or ~$60 (5xfast) versus the 2011's ~$130 (5xgiga+5xfast).

Re: Don't use Linksys routers

#50

Post by nucleardog »

sctechie wrote: post #28
brooksbp wrote: post #15

I highly recommend Mikrotik to anyone fed up with traditional consumer wifi routers/APs. I dont know how they compare to other vendor hw eg Asus + OpenWRT, but this little guy has been rock solid and a joy to use: http://routerboard.com/RB2011UAS-2HnD-IN

Look well-made. I've never seen that brand in any US stores unfortunately. There were a few US distributors listed but most were tiny shops.

We've ordered thousands of dollars worth of stuff from roc-noc.com over a couple of years. Chatted on the phone with them a bit too. I'd definitely vouch for them if you're looking to make an order.
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