Looking to replace my 13yr old D-link wifi router, its reliability is getting bad. Any recommendations is appreciated. North America.
Uses (how im running now):
Connected to a 24port switch which has a about 8 IP cams, TV, Hubs, other things. Nothing is over 100Mb/s. 2.4GHz wifi to house about 30 to 70ft away. Probably don't need 5GHz. WAN connection comes from ViaSat internet.
Needs:
Needs to be able to accept external antennas via an SMA connector or something. The router is in a concrete shed so I run the antennas thru wall to outside so wifi can get to the house.
Not to expensive, <$100.
Decent user interface so I can easily set-up stuff (IP allocations, etc..)
Not an energy hog, place is off-grid
Reliability, no occasional lock-ups or reboots needed.
Look into something like the ASUS RT-AC68. I had one of these several years ago. Pretty rock solid. Removable antennas. Has a built-in VPN server. You can get them used on Amazon/eBay for well under $100.
Yeah AC68U is rock solid, check the Asuswrt-Merlin firmware. Only problem is it is near EOL for firmware feature updates. It will probably get security patches for a while though since it was by far one of the most popular models. I just upgraded from an AC56U to the relatively new AX68U and love it. The current favorite is the AX86U just due to more power for high capacity internet and VPNs (> 1 Gbps). The "AX" series are the Wifi6 models.
I believe all 3 of those have removable antennas. For sure have a good interface and VPN support. VPN is enhanced with the Merlin firmware (all 3 of those mentioned are supported). The AX models should get you by for another 10 years since they are much newer than the AC models.
I had the ASUS RT-AC68 and it was rock solid for me. The interface is easy to use and configuration is fairly easy. It was very popular so there is tons of information out there. You can find them used on Ebay below your price range. If you can swing , I do recommended getting something that will last you longer like the RT-AX86U. That is what I have currently and it is well worth it. I got it when it was first released, and it is still going strong.
Its worth it to go a little over IMO, and if you watch for Amazon warehouse deals you can always get routers at a bargain. Like who TF cares if it has "minor cosmetic damage", its not going on the dining room table. 99% of the time I order that stuff the box is all smashed up and everything inside looks like it was opened up and returned, brand new still.
Can confirm the AX68U the antennas do not seem to be removable (just checked mine in person). Sorry about that, looking at the pics it looks like they are screwed on.
You can add mesh nodes to most (if not all) of the modern Asus models. Like you can do an AX86U for the main router and add something smaller like AX68U or even the older AC68U for the nodes. There are some people on the merlin forums who have 2-3 of the $300+ gaming models in a mesh setup, no idea why anyone would spend that much on routers.
Ignoring all of your specific requirements, i would say that you should NEVER EVER use a 13 year old router. Even it if works just fine, the hardware and software have not been kept current with recent security threats. There are new router security threats every year. Most routers are only provided with security updates for about 3 years.
Unless you KNOW that your router software is being updated, replace it.
So i just have to ask. Do you mean this shed with the antenna outside is providing internet to your house via that router. And you have a 24 port switch in the shed with the router that has 8 ports free.
If that is true my suggestion would be to run ethernet between your house and the shed. Then connect a AP inside somewhere with that run. You could pick up a modern mesh system or whatever AP you like to provide it as well and use that ethernet run as the backhaul to ensure reliability. If you don't need wifi out at the shed you could get a small computer and load Opensense on it to provide the router/firewall/ect functions as well. How warm does the shed run.
I keep all fixed electronic devices in the concrete shed because its fire proof and for the most part theft proof. I have to keep the power draw low because the remote cabin is off grid, runs on Solar and Batterys. So adding a mesh system with multiple 24/7 powered devices is not preferred. Also the ethernet cables I ran under ground to the house is limited.
Im looking at the Asus RT-AX86s with the dual core processor which has a bit less power needs vs the AX86u quad core. I need to dig into the Antennas a bit more and also confused about the specs stating max 64 IP clients and not the usual 255.
Where do you see that? It might be a max of 64 static DHCP entries which sounds about right. But you could use any subnet you want and have over 255 clients as far as I know.
If you use the Merlin firmware I believe there are scripts that allow you to exceeded that limit if you really need to. I don't use it myself, but I think it just moves the reservation list out of the NVRAM (which is why it has a limit) and over to a file on the JFFS partition.
Purchased the Asus RT-AX86s (Amazon warehouse used / open package referb) on amazon for $130, New was $180. Specs look legit, just hope it doesn't draw a lot of power at idle. I will measure it. My old POS D-link single band .n pulls about 3 to 4 watts. I expect this one to be a bit more.
Welcome to the club, I wont get anything else now for home equipment. Highly recommend the Merlin firmware, I believe I read on the forums the AX86S takes the same firmware as the AX86U. It is created from the stock firmware so you get all the built in Asus features, plus a bunch of extra features like enabling user scripts.
