Looking for Wi-Fi Switch/Router (Modem Optional) with Ability to Act as NAS (Share Files from a USB Attached Hard Drive)

CascadeHush on 02/05/2024 - 15:30

Turns out that when my internet drops out, my modem/router stops working as a switch. This happens often enough that it's a problem and whilst the lost internet is annoying, having my work come to a standstill because I can't access my shared files is unforgivable. This just seems to be a known issue with some routers and ss far as I can see there is no way for me to fix this in the settings. I only started to use my old NAS again recently and discovered this issue.

So I need either a new modem/router or I could just keep the modem and get a wifi router/switch, whichever turns out to be the cheaper option

Must have

Wifi
At least 4 LAN ports
Continue to operate as a switch for local lan traffic regardless of internet connection
Cost less than $250
Actually be in stock somewhere. Most of the recommendations I find end up being dead ends because the model isn't available anymore.

Would like to have

USB port for sharing of files locally (i'd rather replace my old NAS)
Ability to run whatever 3rd party firmware/OS the kids are using these days
Cost less than $200
A built in modem if the price is not significantly higher

Speed is not particularly important, my old router which I've had since the beginning of the NBN is fast enough.

Computing Modem Router Network Switch Wireless Router

Comments

  • bargaino on 02/05/2024 - 15:45
    +1

    https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-modems-routers/telstra+modem/k0…

    Dirt cheap, including new / never used. The wifi is good, even on the ancient TG799vac .
    If you are lucky, you'll get a model with free LTE backup.

  • 7ekn00 on 02/05/2024 - 15:47
    +1

    Just get an ASUS AX4200 ($180):
    https://www.amazon.com.au/ASUS-Combinable-Tethering-Replacem…

    • CascadeHush on 02/05/2024 - 16:09

      Done deal. Don't know why they hide the NAS feature. I had to go looking through the specs to find it.

      • boomramada on 02/05/2024 - 16:15

        Pretty much most routers have it, it's just people don't use it much. Something to do with security perhaps, as anyone who has access to the router has access to the files.

        • CascadeHush on 02/05/2024 - 16:30

          Well that's what I have now with my old NAS. It does have private SMB shares but I can't connect to that so I can only use the public shared folder. It's not a permanent home for anything long term, more like a temporary (but important) working directory.

  • mantra on 02/05/2024 - 17:21
    +1

    worth considering synology router price features

    this synology router video more compressive cover features

    $220 MR2200AC i think supports SRM 1.3

    edit: RT1900ac same price or much cheaper second hand supports features up until SRM 1.2, video linked above is 1.3 but the file management stuff is similar

    review video of SRM 1.2 from same creator

  • Sal in SA on 02/05/2024 - 18:28
    +2

    Static IP's all the way around ?
    I mean I doubt the router would then be dropping all activity on the physical LAN ports when there is no net connection..

    • CascadeHush on 02/05/2024 - 19:45

      I lost my internet connection again (actually twice since, it's been a bad day, I think my ISP is mad at me) and the connection to the NAS did not drop out.

      Yes, in theory it should not matter but a web search revealed that some routers are known for this and that some even have a setting for it. They literally turn off their swtiching furnction when the internet drops out, as idiotic as that seems.

      Maybe I jumped the gun. I ended up having to reboot my netbook, router and NAS before it all worked properly again. Every time I do that I'm afraid the NAS will decide that it's going to go into hiding again and not show up on the network. Either way I think I'd rather separate (most of) the local LAN from the router, it will give me some spare network ports that I could use, should make my Wifi and wired LAN routing faster, replace a cranky old NAS with a relatively new USB drive…

      Thanks for your reply though :)

      • CascadeHush on 06/05/2024 - 15:58

        I can confirm not It most definetly is dropping the lan ports when the internet drops out. Without going into a big long story of how I know this, I know this is exactly what is happening. Not only that, but during the reconnection process, it acually re-enables and disables the LAN ports at least twice. This seems to be enough to make some things just give up and decide that there is no connection anymore.

        I just put this here for anybody who might have a similar problem. Yes some, crappy consumer modem/routers actually do do this.

  • rumblytangara on 02/05/2024 - 22:49
    +1

    Turns out that when my internet drops out, my modem/router stops working as a switch.

    Just get a generic D-Link or Netgear or TPLink $15 five port switch, whack it behind the router, and be done with it?

    What router is dropping LAN ports on WAN loss? I have never heard of this happening before.

    • geekcohen on 06/05/2024 - 16:00

      What router is dropping LAN ports on WAN loss? I have never heard of this happening before.

      A dying router.

      • rumblytangara on 06/05/2024 - 16:07

        Someone the other week was talking about some mesh system that dropped LAN ports if WAN was lost.

        (Just sounds like a super-shite design decision to me- consumer mesh often seems pretty bad)

        • CascadeHush on 07/05/2024 - 11:20

          Yes, terrible design. I suspect that rather than write a bit of code to reconnect to the internet, they are just doing some kind of soft reboot of the entire network stack. Basically makes the router useless as a switch for any serious applications.

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