top notch router required

[madires]

It doesn't make much sense to use torrent to access private files remotely. It's a P2P protocol to distribute large files.

Never heard of bit torrent sync?
Accessing private files from many locations and keeping them synced is exactly what it's designed for.

There is a huge difference between accessing files remotely and synchronizing files. And after reading https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent_Sync#Technology I'm sure that I don't like to sync my private files that way. I'd go for rsync via ssh. FTP and HTTP are a bad choices because of clear text password transmission. SMB is very bad anyways, but it's what most people consider convenient. If you would setup a VPN connection (IPsec) to the router at home you could use those protocols over the VPN connection. Otherwise HTTPS, sftp and ssh/scp (could be mapped as a filesystem with an additional tool for convenience) would be ok.

[Simon]

I'm going to get the TP one and cancel the netgear one or resell it if it turns up.

[madires]

I'm going to get the TP one and cancel the netgear one or resell it if it turns up.

Please check http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/start#tp-link for support of the model (and hardware version) you like to buy, even if you are going the use the original firmware first. If TP-Link stops supporting the model you could move to OpenWrt easily.

[Simon]

TP-Link TD-W8980 N600 is not supported

[AndrejaKo]

Does OpenWRT support ANY router with built-in modem? I thought that they decided not to support them due to modem driver license issues.
UPDATE: Looks like they don't support Broadcom modems, but others with free drivers are OK. Source:http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/buyerguide#modem

[Simon]

Well that might be the reason. As I'm having to spend so much I'd rather have something that does the whole job, uses less power combined and will hopefully be easier to setup with the NAS although that is secondary as at the moment I just want a stable internet connection.

[true]

My 1043 is running OpenWRT too and it's been running great! Much better than original firmware.

What about TP-LINK's newer routers? They have both bands and run on OpenWRT as well. For example TL-WDR4300 has all that's needed, except for the modem.

We experimented with them (mostly TL-WDR3600)

Radio power output can't be set as high as the 1043, and actual signal at the same reported level isn't nearly as strong as the 1043 (and is about on par to slightly less than other competing models). Overall operation of software on the unit is faster. More RAM is always nice. Radios were a bit more finicky when roaming but not too bad. There are reports of overheating in the field and other minor bugs; we haven't had any of this yet but I do notice they get hotter than the 1043. 5GHz is very weak compared to my 3700s but very fast when in close range.

We stopped using them except if the customer really needs dual band or has existing dual band equipment. I think I have only one left. Yet just today I installed 3 more 1043s...

[NiHaoMike]

So far, I haven't come across any affordable unit that could match an old PC repurposed into a router. For wireless, your best bet is a cheap(ish) router used as an AP. Upgrading the heatsinking (the routers I have taken apart just use thin sheet metal as a heatsink, if there's any to begin with) and adding more bypass caps will help a lot for overclocking or just getting better stability.

And where bandwidth counts, cheap CAT6 will beat wireless every time. Use that if you can.

[madires]

What about TP-LINK's newer routers? They have both bands and run on OpenWRT as well. For example TL-WDR4300 has all that's needed, except for the modem.

We experimented with them (mostly TL-WDR3600)

I've got two TL-WDR4300 running OpenWrt and I'm quite happy with them. The WLAN works excellent, much better than the D-Link stuff I had before (which was 2-3 times more expensive). The only caveat is that OpenWrt doesn't support the built-in hardware NAT (proprietary).

[smoothtalker]

Asus all the way for quality router! http://www.asus.com/Networking/RTAC68U/

I'm using a D-Link rounter right now. DO NOT buy dlink, they are horrible. The wireless on 2.4Ghz is only 60mpbs max.

Over here in singapore our fibre broadband reach 1Gbps for download. I'm paying for 200mbps. Can't even get half the throughput on DLink. Asus easily hit 90mbps on 2.4ghz

[Simon]

Well router arrived and easily installed, now have a much more reactive internet.

[fluxcapacitor]

Well router arrived and easily installed, now have a much more reactive internet.

   can you access your NAS  .

[Simon]

well I had a bash at setting it up and it seems to be working, I can log in from my phone on mobile connection but will hold until I test at work to be sure

[SeanB]

Now add the remote webcam behind a good SSL tunnel so you can see the yobs and you will be set.

[HyBird]

I know its to late now, but i think you should have a look at the FritzBox 3370 International Version.
Based on your Annex version and DSL Profile, this Gateway schould work to on your Isle.

Supporting VPN, Multiple DynDNS Providers, remotemanagment and much more Goodies.

If you not at home and you need a File from your Computer, you can esyly logon to your
Fritzbox and push the WOL button that belongs to the computer/server/NAS then your
computer/server/NAS begins to boot.... then you can download files via remote.

[Smokey]

incase you needed another reason to NOT go DLink...

http://www.devttys0.com/2013/10/reverse-engineering-a-d-link-backdoor/

[madsci]

If one is feeling adventurous and wants to run OpenWRT *right away*, get a DLink DIR-825. It's cheap, the hardware seems to be reliable (4 in service for a year, no issue) and it has dual band WiFi with all GbE ports. The antennas are connected with SMA so you can use it with other, better performing dual band antennas.

Most versions work with OpenWRT and with OpenWRT flashed in, you don't have to worry about DLink's terrible and sometimes downright dangerous firmware. The only gripe is the bright blue LEDs and 5GHz radio is not very powerful.

They should just ship them with OpenWRT and disband their FW dev team...their dev team sucks anyway!

[madires]

If one is feeling adventurous and wants to run OpenWRT *right away*, get a DLink DIR-825. It's cheap, the hardware seems to be reliable (4 in service for a year, no issue) and it has dual band WiFi with all GbE ports. The antennas are connected with SMA so you can use it with other, better performing dual band antennas.

D-Link's hardware is ok. A few years ago they sold some stuff with a warranty of 11 years. I had two access points with that extented warranty but the crappy firmware ruined them completely and unfortunately the APs still aren't supported by any of the alternative firmware projects. So I had to sell them and put D-Link routers & APs on my personal blacklist. I won't buy any new SOHO router or AP if it isn't supported by OpenWrt.

Most versions work with OpenWRT and with OpenWRT flashed in, you don't have to worry about DLink's terrible and sometimes downright dangerous firmware. The only gripe is the bright blue LEDs and 5GHz radio is not very powerful.

Do you got a soldering station? Then the problem with the blue LEDs could be easily fixed :-)

They should just ship them with OpenWRT and disband their FW dev team...their dev team sucks anyway!

I'm not sure about the dev team. It could be also the management forcing them to produce cheap firmware.

[Eliminateur]

I've installed over 60 1043s with OpenWRT AA on them, most as routers or WAPs, and a few doing a lot of building automation. They're solid pieces with very low cost...single band though. But OpenWRT makes them solid and I can do anything I want with them.

i love my 1043ND, 3 big antennas, 4 giga ports(would love to have 6 or 8...) and very fast.
I'm still running stock FW(can't complain but sometimes i'd love more visibility on my network, like instantaneous BW used, realtime flow monitoring, some sort of rudimentary QoS, more flexible addressing on port types and being able to select only G/N and not BGN -_-).
why openwrt and not dd-wrt?
are you using plain 12.09 AA?(isn't 12.09.1 out yet?), any particular tips you recommend?, any caveats?

[echen1024]

The ASUS black diamond (AC86) I believe, seems to be the best router that's out there now. There is also the N66, which was the best router, until the AC replaced it

[true]

4 giga ports(would love to have 6 or 8...)

Actually, it has 5 - the WAN port is GigE and is part of the same switch. This has been helpful for me in situations where I install a WAP and need a port for uplink and need all 4 ports for devices (say an Apple TV, blu-ray player, game console and control system)

why openwrt and not dd-wrt?

Because it works. Reliably. Every time. And I can install only what's needed, and do more than DD-WRT. I also know how it works; it isn't blackbox.

Also, I don't know if DD-WRT is on TL-WR1043ND. I don't care, either.

are you using plain 12.09 AA?(isn't 12.09.1 out yet?), any particular tips you recommend?, any caveats?

12.09 AA, yes. Vanilla distribution.

No tips or recommendations; it just works. VLANs, QoS, high power WAPs, multiple WiFi networks on various VLANs, public WiFi using WPA2 that changes weekly (in a business right next to poor housing) and has a web interface to show the simple generated code, public WiFi with custom captive portal and logging / statistics, controlling lighting and locks in a building based on the status of an alarm system, working as a basic reliable router, other stuff I can't think of. Great little machines.

The only bug I have noticed so far is that in LuCI, one can't change the NTP server fields. This bug did not exist in prior AA releases. The workaround is to ssh in and vi /etc/config/system. Minor bug, slightly annoying, but something that's set-and-forget thankfully.

[Eliminateur]

"controlling lighting and locks in a building based on the status of an alarm system,"  , you're using it for THAT?, HOW?, are you using the GPIO pins to some sort of contraption?.
i count 4 usable as the wan is pratically always used, but i run short with 4  : 3 PCs, 1 NAS, 1 long-haul and i need one free just in case i need to plug something at giga speed

[madires]

i count 4 usable as the wan is pratically always used, but i run short with 4  : 3 PCs, 1 NAS, 1 long-haul and i need one free just in case i need to plug something at giga speed

There are tons of 5 port desktop GE switches for €20.

[Eliminateur]

yeah i know there are very cheap switches( tplink/dlink) but it's adding another thingy to an already cluttered "behind desktop".
i know the culprit are the switch chip manufacturers that are fixated on 5 measly ports chips dunno why(5 external, 3 MII-"internal"), router manufacturers COULD use those MII and hookup to externals PHYs but they're lazy and cheap...

Also the ammount of space on the back of the device is a problem, with the antennas and all that... (you could argue they can put a couple ports on front, or sides).

I have an old SMC Barricade router that has EIGHT ports(PLUS one dedicated WAN port) and METAL casing and direct IEC C13 input(internal PSU), it is an absolute delight (it was my router for years until i moved to an "all-in-one" adsl+router+switch thingy that burned on a storm and then moved to this tplink) and was using it as a "emergency" backup on the office when a customer has problems or i need something temporary but the router part broke sometime ago (never gets ready), but still works as a switch(FE tho, it's old..).

I wonder why they don't make stuff like that anymore, 8 ports plus 3 antennas on metal casing....

BTW, 12.09.1 should have been already out(august/september) i think i'll wait for it before upgrading(see what they fixed)

[strobot]

I also have the WNDR-3700 V3 and have been nothing but pleased with it.  Running stock and haven't had the need to flash DD-WRT or any other aftermarket firmware.