Asus RT-N66R or RT-N56U?

[MoInSTL]

I currently am using an AT&T NVG589 gigabit combo modem/router. It's working okay, but there is no QoS and seems to get overwhelmed at times. I don't really care about the wireless range and laptop is single channel N anyway. I just need to set up the AT&T as a modem and offload the work to the router.

I do care about bandwidth between my NAS and PC desktop which is gigabit. I also have an Ooma VOIP device and need the QoS for it.

The more I read, the more I am getting confused. The last time I had a standalone router was my Linksys WRT54GS so I am not up on current routers.

So which one do you guys recommend? The price difference is not a decision factor.

 

[JackMDS]

First make sure that the ATT Modem/Router can be set as a Modem only.

Qos is kind on a general term and grossly misunderstood, While the marketing of various Routers would mention the word Qos that does not mean that what they refer to as their rendition of Qos can do what you want to do.

So do some research (actually target Routers download their manual and look at rhe Qos settings of the Router), and see if indeed it can what you want it to do.

Qos has certain capacities on DD-WRT read it. If it is Good enough for you then you know that id you get a DD-WRT capable Router you are in business.

One of the best Router on the market has Qos capability see here.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Quality_of_Service


If that looks good to you, I would recommend getting this Router.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320091


😎

 

[MoInSTL]

Thanks. Any particular reason you recommended the N66U other than DD-WRT?

As far as the ATT combo, it can work pretty close to bridge mode.
Found this how to link which is pretty straight forward http://forums.att.com/t5/Features-a...-or-as-close-as-you/td-p/3552057#.Uv-7vvkVJp9
As luck would have it, the author has the N66U.

If I use DD-WRT on the N66U can I revert back easily if I need to for warranty, returns, etc.? I know with my old Linksys I could.

Right now my Ooma is taking priority over everything else. When doing heavy uploading it was interfering with my Internet connection to the point that it knocked me off but phone continued to work. I think I may have fixed it by tweaking some settings in the interface but need to test it out. Unlike most VOIP users I want to limit it rather than assign it the highest priority. I have 24Mbps down, 3Mbps up so the Ooma isn't being starved and no reason to hog my bandwidth.

 

[JackMDS]

Thanks. Any particular reason you recommended the N66U other than DD-WRT?

Because it is right now the Best Wireless Router for its cost.

As far as the ATT combo, it can work pretty close to bridge mode.
Found this how to link which is pretty straight forward http://forums.att.com/t5/Features-and-How-To/How-to-put-the-Motorola-NVG589-in-bridge-mode-or-as-close-as-you/td-p/3552057#.Uv-7vvkVJp9
As luck would have it, the author has the N66U.

To do the Qos well the Device (N66U or any other Router) has to work as a Router.

If the ATT unit is Not totally transparent and stii do Routing, then you end up with Double Routing with always end Up troubling the flexibility of your Network.

Judging form the ATT thread it seems to me that while many aspects of the Modem/Router are disabled it still perform NAT (Routing) in the Signal's stream.

Research it thoroughly YMMV.

If I use DD-WRT on the N66U can I revert back easily if I need to for warranty, returns, etc.? I know with my old Linksys I could.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Asus_RT-N66U#Revert_to_original_ASUS_firmware




😎

 

[MoInSTL]

Thanks again. Did some more research and found out what needs to be turned off and on on the AT&T side to prevent it from also doing NAT.

Update: Researched the RT-N66U this afternoon and picked it up this evening @ local Microcenter with $5 off for price match. It helped cover the sales tax.

So easy to setup! Followed the instructions in the link I posted except I opted to stay in the 192.168.x.x range as recommended in a later reply to that post. After it was setup I nuked a couple of hundred addresses. I have no need for 254 IP addresses.

Anyway, it's a great router and once I am more familiar with it, I'll put DD-WRT on it.