Part of the eBay 20% off tech deal
Arguably the best AC WiFi Router available right now, with the fastest processor! This is as close to historic low as possible, grab it while you can! The last one I dd-wrt'd, I could still get the signals while being 12-storeys below it! WARNING: Might cause cancer. Buyers beware!
Price in title is before Cashback Rewards.
For anyone looking to buy it just for DD-WRT, suggest you research it first, no manufacturer support, just a few people that have been porting it themselves… no manufacturer support… seems a little buggy still…
How is a 802.11 b/g/n/ac signal going to cause cancer? Stupid joke
He wasn't warning about the router, rather the bad jokes made by others to follow.
I think the joke was, the wifi signal is so powerful, that the engineers who designed it may have flouted safety guidelines, and as a result it may give you a deformity, such as cancer, owing to the powerful radiation.
Too many people misunderstand radiation. I've watch ACA and TT 'investigations' on home power EMR and wifi RF with the conclusion that both are unsafe.
Electronic noise guidelines would be broken well before safety guidelines were even a speck of dust on the horizon.
(I know you're just pointing out the joke. I'm just pointing out the concern of such a joke)
@This Guy: Always good to be safe, but TT and ACA aren't the best places to get your information from. Shock value over accuracy.
Serious question, would this work well as the secondary router for VPN configuration due to incoming metadata stuff? How is DD-WRT now, powerful / complex?
I'm planning to run a dual router system, one has hard VPN configured, other doesn't. Adjust gateway to whichever data I'm requiring (secure / non secure)
sorry, but it really doesn't sound like you know what your doing marchi!
The problem is that unless you only ever have one router physically one at once, ads and tracking content will connect your VPN to your IP address.
It doesn’t matter if you use a white or black list, a tracker will be missed.
Meta data collection already happens.
Most encrypted technologies have backdoors for one or more security agencies.
Personal VPN use is often statistically different to corporate VPN use. VPNs are still pretty rare. And they have a reputation as the safe way to access highly offensive material.
Hence currently using a personal VPN paints a target on your back.
Except for the 200,000 or so households that use a personal VPN to access overseas streaming services.
Those aren't the kind of VPNs you use if you care about metadata analysis.
I thought most geo-blocking services are a private DNS?
And the VPNs I've tried sucked at streaming (although I've only tried free ones to stream the Daily show, so a paid one might be better).
Just about any router will do that (read some guides on how to set up). You could save a fair bit if you don't need all the other bells & whistles.
It's easy enough to configure the DD-WRT router as an OpenVPN client (UDP is best) with your chosen provider, to bypass mandatory data retention. You do this by having two wireless networks in your home. One is called 'HOME' the other is called 'HOME VPN' - When you want to switch to the VPN (or visa versa) You just change wifi networks.
An example configuration can be found here:
https://support.hidemyass.com/hc/en-us/articles/202721086-Ma…
Just to add that this router isn't listed on the DD-WRT website (or at least it wasn't when I looked for it a month or so ago), but it is available in the forums. Look for Kong's build, it's what I'm using now.
That would be pretty straightforward to set up but would be a bit of a pain switching networks all the time.
My ideal setup would be one that automatically determines which domains pass through the VPN and which don't (based on a preconfigured list of domains). Using just the router and iptables, you can do this based on IP address but that's not ideal. If you have a second machine/router/device that could be used as a proxy, and this proxy used the VPN, you could get domain-based filtering working that way but I'm still trying to figure out how to do it with just one router.
I have a set up with an HP MicroServer running linux as my gateway. It is connected to a VPN, and I use the following to get it all working smoothly:
1) dnsmasq & ipset - as the DNS server, you can mark website addresses to go into an ipset. I have a few sites go into 'vpnset', so any resolved ips in this set will eventually get routed through the vpn
2) iptables - mangle any packets for vpnset with a fwmark (I chose 50 which is 0x32)
3) ip rule - anything with the fwmark above goes though an ip route set up for the vpn, rather than the main table that goes straight out to the internet
This adds a nice little flexibilty tweak. I have a web page set up so that I can switch between having the vpn on and off for each PC on the network, by clicking a link :)
If enough people want, I'll write up a tutorial.
NB: Theoretically this could work on DD-WRT, although I'd need to look at the implementation to see if things like ipset are available.
Great stuff! I already use dnsmasq but wasn't aware of the ipset feature. Exactly what I needed. Thanks mate.
Yes, please write it up!
Have tried (and failed) to do similar, but didn't have dnsmasq. Be interested in the web page to switch also.
I run a few VMs as VPN gateways, so really keen to do this (netflix regions anyone?!)
Worth a blog please!!
I've opened up PMs, so you can contact me there, but I'll update this thread too. I'll try to start writing up the guide tonight after work, but I have a fair bit on at the moment.
And yeah, Netflix regions ;) My ISP has unmetered Aus netflix, and at a click of a link I can change to US for anything not available in AU. The web page switch also allows me to change regions for the two chromecasts I have, so I'll add that in to the tutorial.
Why so paranoid?
Presumably with DD-WRT as long as you can run an ethernet port as the WAN port you're fine with that.
Then just set the ethernet port to DHCP/WAN and voila, it doesn't care about the double NAT and such. Just be aware that anything you put through double NAT makes port forwarding a lot tricker if you want to torrent or such through it.
Anyone got a recommendation for an ADSL modem to go with the router?
Just did some research yesterday. Ended up buying the TP-Link TD-8840T. Can pick it up about anywhere between 25 and 30 dollars.
Awesome, thanks!
TP-Link Archer D9 if you can afford it or Archer D7 if you want a cheaper version.
Surely that's an absolute overkill? I mean, I just want a modem…
Ah modem only, this is usually a winner TD-W8960N. It's a modem router, but you can use it just as a modem. Usually around $40, get the Version 5 of the router. Do a search for Whirlpool on that modem, you should see many people recommend it.
http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/cat-15_TD-W8960N.…
@onggie: How to know which version to buy? Does Futu_online sell OZ stock? But how to check the version of the router?
Generally it will say what version, if not you either will have to message them or just assume it will be the v5. v5 is the latest version of the modem.
@onggie: I did and it is not version 5. They did not tell me which version they are selling :(
Is it a big issue to have version 3 or 4?
@onggie: Confirmed from wireless1 that they were selling version 5.1. Bought from them for $42 with free shipping. Hope worth the 4 dollars extgra as Futu_Online are selling older version.
if you've already got a crappy model router from your ISP you should be able to just put that into bridge mode and do the PPPoE authentication with the R7000 (whirlpool have guides on these kinda things).
I did this with the crappy wireless modem router with the R7000 and it hasn't missed a beat. Best bit of consumer grade IT kit I've purchased since the Linksys WRT-54G.
*you're
Wow, specs look great! 1GHz dual-core Processor, 128 MB flash and 256 MB RAM.
Great find. Thanks OP
The best? R8000 is out… albeit more expensive.
Dont really think its worth the extra money. Unless you have multiple devices(10-20)
And of course there's AC3200 in Asus, Linksys etc. Agreed it is superseded.
AC3200 is really only 600+1300+1300, so as far as pure speed it is slower than the RT-AC87U (600+1734). But should give better multi wireless coverage…
@FarQ: I think i read somewhere that because AC3200 uses two AC transmitter (or at least the R8000) thus there isn't any one device that could possibly use it up. If you look it a device which can only receive from one transmitter at a time, you get a max speed of 1900 as opposed to ~2400 and as such, defeats the purpose of AC3200.
R8000 is just a device beyond our currently available consumer products IMO, no point in spending money on bells and whistles you won't be able to use.
@ProjectZero: AC3200 is just pure marketing…it has 1x 2.4Ghz and 2x 5Ghz bands. It has an advantage when there are a lot of devices on the 5Ghz band wanting to connect, eg: ASUS RT-AC3200. It is still limited to max 1300Mbps speed. The RT-AC87U has 1x 2.4Ghz & 1x 5Ghz bands. But its max on the 5Ghz is 1734Mbps. So unless you have a bucketload of 5Ghz devices, AC3200 is just pure fluff..get the RT-AC87U for better theoretical max 5Ghz speed :)
Running two as a wireless bridge may make use of max throughput. Smallnetbuilder reviews test for this.
I have an R8000.
I wouldn't buy it again, plus its a heap more expensive than this.
What was the cheapest this has been?
around this price
$151 OW price match has been the best in the past…..so with cash back we are at $156.01?
A Price match is not the best post-able deal.
FYI, DD-WRT runs well on this; OpenWRT doesn't work at all (on the AC bands) due to license incompatibility with Broadcomm's drivers.
Yeah with the standard firmware it's an average router, but with DD-WRT it's amazing. Well worth the money
I never really understood this, although I've never tried upgrading the firmware. Does it just expose more options etc, which might be useful for power users, or does it actually improve things you can already do with default firmware?
It exposes a lot of options not available in the stock firmware. But with this specific router, there is a loss of link speed and WAN to LAN throughput. So, unless you actually need the advanced feature set, I'd advise against flashing DDWRT on it.
DDWRT affects link speed. I ran it for a week and ran multiple speed tests and file transfers and it was considerably slower than the stock fw.
Do you mean wireless link speed?
@atlas: Yes. Over 5ghz I have 1gbps with stock and 800 mbps with DDWRT. Affects local streaming from nas
@stingymonkey: ah ok. Good thing i haven't tried! In fact it's been working so well that i have resisted updating the firmware as well lol
best modem router combo?
ASUS DSL-AC68U
Mines silent, that video was stupid
does this work with both ADSL and cable connections?
If you have an ADSL or Cable modem with a ethernet WAN input then it'll work with that.
Just moved to Telstra Cable and opted for the NetGear CG3100D-2BPAUS thinking that instead of spending more getting a Telstra Gateway Max, I might be able to buy a better wireless router with the price difference. Would this one do the job?
Yes.
Also probably a good idea to get the standard cable modem since people report slightly higher speeds than the Gateway Max.
Scotty, after extensive research I think this one is a great router for customisation and security:
http://www.amazon.com/Mikrotik-Routerboard-RB2011UiAS-2HnD--…
It's made by a company specialising in router using something called a routerboard (think of it as a modular router system). While it lacks Wireless AC, the mikrotik linked has great range and speed. Just search up the reviews. There are a few Aussie stores too. I don't know if Amazon ships to AU.
http://www.wisp.net.au/rb2011uias2hndin-2011-router-with-10x…
Have a look at Ubiquiti AP systems as well.
Impressive router indeed but as you said it lacks 802.11ac which is the main issue I have with NetGear CG3100D-2 (poor wireless performance). 10x ethernet port is definitely a plus. I'll need something that DD-WRT or something linux.
The mikrotik has it's own RouterOS which is pretty much ddwrt/tomato but a lot better in terms of features.
Yeah, it's a shame it's not 802.11ac. I have heard from many experts that wireless AC is kind of a gimmick in terms of speed. I do think it has range and signal strength benefits though.
Good to know. Waiting for the used prices of the Asus AC or Netgear AC to fall so I can upgrade by Asus N16 :-)
Used Gateway Max can go for sub $50 on Gumtree etc. Sure they're Telstra branded but its still a decent AC router from Netgear or Technicolor.
scotty I've the 3100D-2 and R7000. They work very well together and for the more distant devices in the home theatre and end bedrooms I added an EX6200. Haven't been able to fault the setup yet.
Best router ive owned…
I dont have a complex setup…
Default firmware with Telstra cable in a gateway configuration with Getflix set up.
I have rebooted the router once in the 18 months that ive owned it.
Im sure that DD-WRT would make it even better but the default firmware does everything i need it to.
Damn thats a good price. Got an Archer D7 now. Wonder it is worth buying this an selling Archer D7. Will just re-use some old modem for the ADSL connection.
I have an Archer C7 (1750) router at my second home and an Asus AC68U (1900) as a primary unit but both are very comparable in terms of speed. Sure the Asus looks much better but nothing more. The ASUS and the R7000 are seen to have very similar performance by smallnetbuilder so I doubt you would see any improvement bar a minor increase in range.
for NBN with a netcomm wireless n300 router ( part of package) - wifi signal poor back of house. Looking at wifi booster for it- any recommendations? Does it matter that its nbn not adsl?
I also had similar problem with iiNet budii lite modem and my friend was not happy with TPG modem. Looks like package modems are poor quality one. I found that cheap Netgear modem had better range than these package deal modems.
After lot of hassle and TIO compliant, iiNet sent me wifi extender which seems to resolve the problem. try wifi extender.
Can you say why?
If the Asus was cheaper then sure, but the two are so close in hardware and performance that it's hard to make a compelling case for the more expensive option.
Having had plenty of netgear routers before, hardware failures have been problematic and firmware has generally sucked, so i prefer Asus over Netgear any day. Plus the Merlin custom firmware for the Asus Routers (No DSL variants) is top notch. But that is just my opinion…
Fair call…if running Merlin is important then that rules out the R7000 anyway.
And I say it's a fair call because the stock firmware for both the Asus and the Netgear have had their fair share of complaints causing users to go to try open firmwares.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/322…
With only two AC1900 routers to show, the Router Ranker results are pretty uninteresting. But for the record, they show the NETGEAR R7000 Nighthawk in the #1 position and the ASUS RT-AC68U as number 2.
edit asus wins here
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-features/32…
Interestingly, the SNB lists the Asus is the overall recommended AC1900 router on the side bar.
I found noise complaints about the R7000 that haven't been addressed and a lot of people who think the ASUS RT-AC68U is a number 2 due to dropouts. I'm sticking with my WRT54GL for now. It may be prehistoric but it gets the job I need done for my non-wired clients, most of which are still G.
@syousef: I've had the AC68U for over 7 months now and it has been going strong with no reboots or dropouts since setup. Even weekly 800gb backups to the NAS via it go without any hiccups and pretty quick (55Mb/s)
When it came down to making the decision between netgear and asus, i went with the netgear r7000. My cable modem from optus is netgear, i wouldt think communications between the netgear cable modem and a netgear router would be more stable.
I know both the asus and netgear have broadcom chipsets which matters most when we are talking about communications between network devices/routers.
Netgear to Netgear would make absolutely no difference. There is no magical link because they are the same manufacturer. Your netgear CG3000 cable modem should be in bridge mode and acting as a dumb modem. Plus the Cisco and Netgear cable modem/routers that optus are peddling are absolute crap. That is why there is a market for 3rd party routers to replace the crap the ISPs give us.
My Optus CG3000 (cable modem router) only does a 54mbps connection (20 mbps on speed test) while hard wired it does 94 Mbps on speed test. In my room I get about 4-6 Mbps on speed test with a 24 MBPS connection at best(sometimes as low as 5.5 Mbps) . My laptop has a intel centrino wireless-n 1030 Wifi card.
1) If I buy this can I disable Optus/Netgear Router
2) Will this improve the connection to my N range devices (currently peaking at 20-26 MBPS depending on device) and by how much?
3) Will it improve the signal to my room (Range).
4) I have a history of cancer in my family. Will this make my chances go up?
Thanks
1) Need to put the CG3000 into Bridge Mode
2) Possibly, depends on the receiving hardware
3) Should do compared to CG3000
4) No Idea
1) yes, put the modem router into bridge mode and plug the new router to the lan port 1 on modem router.
2) yes, it did for me i get 45mbps consistently (off peak) now - roughly 5 meters from router down a 1 level. You have to check whether your wifi card has mimo capabilities - yours looks as old as mine lol 4-5 yr old qosmio
3) this router is alot more powerful than the cable modem router and it has external antennas. So yes, range will improve significantly with the n-band
4) if you breath in the air around the router you would be at higher risk of getting bad breath. Seriously though, just think what speeds 4g mobile phones are able to get and compare it to this router. If you are not worried about radiation from mobile coverage, then i cannot see how much worst this router would be in terms of cancer causing radiation
Thank you for that answer. I will lookup Bridge mode when I get home.
I was told by an Optus tech to get Apple Airport Extreme. He said off the record that most homes he went to were unhappy with their wifi. From his experience 80% of people happy with their wifi were using Apple Airport Extreme. Now I own an iPhone but everything else is Windows and Android so I am not sure how the Apple Airport Extreme will play with my devices. Would you recommend this one over the Apple Airport Extreme?
I know this is cheaper but we use the internet a lot and $100-150 more is not an issue.
yep top router