[Cialug] Requesting Router Recommendations

[Matt]

Sorry, but I thought I should clarify one point:  Some Buffalo routers are advertised as being dd-wrt compatible, but not all are.  Finding one that is advertised as compatible, however, takes a lot of guesswork out of trying to determine comparability compared to other brands, which may have several revisions of the same model, where only some of those revisions are supported.  Buffalo also ships some models with dd-wrt installed for you.

-- Matt (N0BOX)

-----Original Message-----
From: Matt <matt at itwannabe.com>
To: Central Iowa Linux Users Group <cialug at cialug.org>
Sent: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 15:25
Subject: Re: [Cialug] Requesting Router Recommendations

I would suggest finding a list of routers that cover the speeds and (if you want WiFi included) the WiFi bands your devices support (2.4 vs 5.0GHz... 5GHz is less crowded, which might be important in an apartment complex, but only the newest devices seem to support it).  Once you have that list, drop any that have reviews that convince you that the hardware is defective.  After you've gotten to that point, see if anything that's left is supported by dd-wrt (a really nice "aftermarket" firmware that  runs solid and gives your router all the features you could ever want from a router).  If nothing that's left can run dd-wrt, then you have to go back to the reviews to get the best set of features vs. the least horrible user interface.

One thing to consider, though, is that having a lot of features might end up pushing you beyond your network knowledge comfort zone.  I have a D-Link DIR-825, on which I installed dd-wrt, and it has served me well for years, now.  Unfortunately, I doubt it is still in production.  If I was going to buy a new "AC" WiFi router, I would lean towards the Buffalo brand, since they actually support the dd-wrt firmware out of the box, and may even come with it pre-installed.

-- Matt (N0BOX)

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeffrey Ollie <jeff at ocjtech.us>
To: Central Iowa Linux Users Group <cialug at cialug.org>
Sent: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:13
Subject: Re: [Cialug] Requesting Router Recommendations

FWIW, The Wire Cutter has some great reviews:

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-cable-modem-is-the-motorola-sb6141/

On Thu, Dec 18, 2014 at 2:06 PM, c <cbpurcell at gmail.com> wrote:
> Looks like I might have to go with mediacom and I need to buy a router. I
> have no idea where to start looking other than seeing what has good
> customer reviews on newegg. I do some programming and I only have basic
> networking knowledge (took a course about 10 years ago, so please be newb
> friendly)
>
>
> I have a 650 sq. foot apartment in a building with 22 other apartments.
>
> Devices which will connect to the router:
>
> - Laptop running ubuntu
> - Desktop running ubuntu
> - 3DS
> - phone
> - whatever laptops or gaming machines my friends bring over
>
> Any suggestions and/or info would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
> Thanks,
> Purcell
> _______________________________________________
> Cialug mailing list
> Cialug at cialug.org
> http://cialug.org/mailman/listinfo/cialug



-- 
Jeff Ollie
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