ASUS RT-N16 802.11b/g/n - $74.99 shipped @ NewEgg

[Ns1]

for those that missed on the buy.com deal (like me)

did some quick research on routers and 128mb in a consumer router seems insane.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc..._-33320038-L0D

Code: EMCKHHF45

 

[rivan]

In for one, thanks!

Moved way too slow on the buy.com one.

 

[nyker96]

that's not a router it's an entire mini computer running linux probabaly!

 

[Schadenfroh]

This is a powerful router, it has 128mb of system memory and 32mb of flash for the ROM, along with a 480mhz Broadcom CPU.

It is easily beyond any Cisco / Linksys, Buffalo or other brand's router in the $100 price range.

Install DD-WRT or Tomato-USB firmware on the thing, those two are easily the best firmwares for any consumer router (far beyond any first-party firmware for consumer routers).

 

[Ns1]

This is a powerful router, it has 128mb of system memory and 32mb of flash for the ROM, along with a 480mhz Broadcom CPU.

It is easily beyond any Cisco / Linksys, Buffalo or other brand's router in the $100 price range.

Install DD-WRT or Tomato-USB firmware on the thing, those two are easily the best firmwares for any consumer router (far beyond any first-party firmware for consumer routers).

Thanks for the validation! Haha. Care to explain what the difference between tomato and dd-wrt?

 

[Schadenfroh]

Care to explain what the difference between tomato and dd-wrt?

Basically the difference between Ubuntu Linux and Red Hat Linux

Pick whichever your taste tells you is right.

Standard Tomato has fewer features than DD-WRT, but the web interface is cleaner. Different derivatives of Tomato exist that add features that it lacks. DD-WRT is a more comprehensive package, but the web interface is a bit overbearing compared to Tomato.

You could always just use SSH and the command line to configure it

Just ordered one, but Tennessee's sales tax sucks!

 

[SearchMaster]

I just installed DD-WRT on a router last week, and while I haven't done any complex configuration, I haven't found the interface clunky at all. In fact it seems better than the standard interface that come on most routers.

I was having a ton of problems with my previous cheapo router locking up and rebooting, hasn't been an issue with the new one. I don't know if it's DD-WRT that has stabilized it or just the new router hardware but I'm a DD-WRT convert.

 

[Schadenfroh]

just installed DD-WRT on a router last week, and while I haven't done any complex configuration, I haven't found the interface clunky at all. In fact it seems better than the standard interface that come on most routers.

The interface of DD-WRT is much better than the stock interface on most routers. But, it is not as simple / clean / minimalist as Tomato's interface.

Take a look at screenshots from both and see which one you prefer.

 

[darkewaffle]

Tempted to replace my RT N12 with one of these, though I can't imagine I really need it. I just want to

 

[Ns1]

The interface of DD-WRT is much better than the stock interface on most routers. But, it is not as simple / clean / minimalist as Tomato's interface.

Thanks, I'm all about clean/minimalist.

 

[waggy]

shit. i have a new sealed router sitting on my desk. though this is way overkill for what i need.

 

[ClockerXP]

Thanks OP. In for one. Been wanting to use up the rest of my Newegg giftcard and needed a new project. Heard a lot about DD-WRT and Tomato and now I will get a chance to play with it...

Plan on using this to connect to my work through VPN. Is DD-WRT or Tomato better for that?

 

[rivan]

Ordered yesterday, already out for delivery this morning. I love 1-day, free ground shipments

I'd consider myself a non-power user from a router perspective. I MAC filter my wireless clients, but that's about it. Is there a compelling reason for me to look into DD-WRT or Tomato, given my user level?

 

[darkewaffle]

Ordered yesterday, already out for delivery this morning. I love 1-day, free ground shipments

I'd consider myself a non-power user from a router perspective. I MAC filter my wireless clients, but that's about it. Is there a compelling reason for me to look into DD-WRT or Tomato, given my user level?

Even if you don't need the extra configuration options, I've had better stability/performance with DDWRT versus stock firmwares.

 

[rolodomo]

Even if you don't need the extra configuration options, I've had better stability/performance with DDWRT versus stock firmwares.

I've read a lot of review stating the same. I'm not even going to look at the installed firmware. You can really learn a lot about networking playing around with all the options DDWRT supports. It is good, clean fun. Anyway, thank OP, in for one (yesterday).

I'm going to reconfigure the network in my house using this as the primary router and hook it to ethernet FIOS upstream (which I read it will support).

 

[darkewaffle]

Hm, any word on when the coupon expires?

 

[novasatori]

I am curious too. On the fence about purchasing one, I have WRT54GL with DDWRT and gigabit switches but I would like to get a router with all gigabit.

 

[Ns1]

Hm, any word on when the coupon expires?

72 hour sale, should be good until tomorrow.

 

[Ns1]

As an update, I tried for like an hour to get TomatoUSB to work but the damn thing wouldn't connect after flashing no matter how much I tried.

Got DD-WRT working in about 10 minutes.

 

[alkemyst]

This is a powerful router, it has 128mb of system memory and 32mb of flash for the ROM, along with a 480mhz Broadcom CPU.

It is easily beyond any Cisco / Linksys, Buffalo or other brand's router in the $100 price range.

Install DD-WRT or Tomato-USB firmware on the thing, those two are easily the best firmwares for any consumer router (far beyond any first-party firmware for consumer routers).

Just an FYI, this is not a dual radio router. You can get a E3000 cisco for close to $100 now that the E4200 is out (which is a stellar one in everyone's reviews). Non-dual radio routers will be falling more and more in price this year.

I really wanted to wait for the E4200, but I had to replace my router last week and the best one anywhere in stock was the E3000.

 

[rolodomo]

Just an FYI, this is not a dual radio router. You can get a E3000 cisco for close to $100 now that the E4200 is out (which is a stellar one in everyone's reviews). Non-dual radio routers will be falling more and more in price this year.

At a $75 asking price, dual radios aren't high on my priority list. For me, horsepower and firmware options are. I see a lot of family streaming activity on my wired network both intra and via FIOS.

As for wireless networking, I agree it is desirable to have dual radios in the same box for increased flexibility, especially if you live (or will live) in a small house/apartment where radio location doesn't really matter. For where I live now though, I don't want any "g" and "n" radios co-located. I already have two "g" radios optimally located to provide wireless coverage to the whole house. I doubt either location will coincide with the best location for a radio operating at 5 GHz. Thus, I'll probably operate the RT-N16 at 5 GHz only and put it at the best location for that mode.

 

[Vincent]

I'll probably operate the RT-N16 at 5 GHz only and put it at the best location for that mode.

The RT-N16 cannot operate at 5GHz.

 

[rolodomo]

The RT-N16 cannot operate at 5GHz.

Yes, this is the router with a 5 GHz capable radio in it, but not enabled? That is a minus. Anyway, the focus is on routing with this router. If wireless-n is your first priority, it might not be the best option.

 

[Vincent]

Yes, this is the router with a 5 GHz capable radio in it, but not enabled? That is a minus. Anyway, the focus is on routing with this router. If wireless-n is your first priority, it might not be the best option.

I think you misunderstand the capabilities of this router. Let me repeat: you cannot operate the RT-N16 at 5GHz.

According to smallnetbuilder:

Although the BCM4718 has a 5 GHz radio, ASUS didn't put the circuitry in to support it. So even if you load up the DD-WRT distro, you won't get a dual band router.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/31058-asus-rt-n16-gigabit-n-router-reviewed

 

[rolodomo]

What is your major malfunction? That is what I said. The 5 ghz radio is there, but not enabled.

I think you misunderstand the capabilities of this router. Let me repeat: you cannot operate the RT-N16 at 5GHz.

According to smallnetbuilder:

Although the BCM4718 has a 5 GHz radio, ASUS didn't put the circuitry in to support it. So even if you load up the DD-WRT distro, you won't get a dual band router.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/31058-asus-rt-n16-gigabit-n-router-reviewed