does it even matter what router you choose?

[Shephard]

Does it even matter what router you choose for home use?

The only reason I see you would get a more expensive router is for a better wireless signal. That's the only reason I see it.

I have been using the same D-link for like 5 years. It has yet to fail me. It was one of the first wireless I think. I use it for my phone and have no problems.

Some routers come with more ethernet ports, but I have a ton of cheap routers to daisy chain together for multiple computers on the network.

There are always topics about x brand router on sale for $30 bucks! I don't get it.

 

[JackMDS]

When your system works OK it does not matter.

When it does not working, or there is a need for new, or the Network/Environment is different than yours, it matter a lot.

In other words One should Not "stretch" his/her specific case as though it is the Rule for the "whole" world.

 

[Bricked]

Does it even matter what router you choose for home use?

The only reason I see you would get a more expensive router is for a better wireless signal. That's the only reason I see it.

I have been using the same D-link for like 5 years. It has yet to fail me. It was one of the first wireless I think. I use it for my phone and have no problems.

Some routers come with more ethernet ports, but I have a ton of cheap routers to daisy chain together for multiple computers on the network.

There are always topics about x brand router on sale for $30 bucks! I don't get it.

It depends on your needs. This is true of all hardware - for example, if you just play solitaire and minesweeper then you don't need a good graphics card. If you play the latest games then you need a top shelf, expensive card.

Home routers are the same. If you just want to get on the internet, then anything will do. If you have multiple devices that need to communicate with each other and you need things like simultaneous dual band, well, then you need one with more capabilities and features.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Not all routers are created equal.

 

[spidey07]

Not all routers are created equal.

Correct. Things like memory and processor and code come into play especially if you're "pushing it" with a lot of connections and open state tables.

Even a 80k firewall or 200k router can be brought to it's knees with enough traffic.

 

[mammador]

The router I have cost about 30 dollars. I don't care though, it works OK and it has the basic routing capability I need.

 

[frowertr]

For home use, no. All home use routers will built in WiFi suck when comparing them to Enterprise class AP's.

Just go buy one at Wal-Mart or wherever floats your boat for under $50.

 

[ch33zw1z]

For home use, no. All home use routers will built in WiFi suck when comparing them to Enterprise class AP's.

Just go buy one at Wal-Mart or wherever floats your boat for under $50.

This isn't true at a home level either...hence why there's $30 routers, and $100+ routers. For most people anything will do. But for those of us who care and will hammer the router relentlessly, not just any router will do.

 

[BuffaloChuck]

Routers and NICs have radio-chipsets in them, and I still get the best performance when matching those chipsets. It's almost impossible to ascertain what USB NICs use unless the manufacturer lists it.

Occasionally, I'll stumble across a website listing radio-chipsets in routers and NICs, but models being sold are usually too new and too numerous for any website to keep up with. Even a brand-name will mix and match chipsets, and model number changes are sometimes a recognition of this, but not always.

It'd sure be nice for transparency!

 

[frowertr]

This isn't true at a home level either...hence why there's $30 routers, and $100+ routers. For most people anything will do. But for those of us who care and will hammer the router relentlessly, not just any router will do.

I've yet to see any discernable difference in home level WiFi routers. They were all subpar. I gave up using the built in WiFi routers long ago and now only use Ubiquity UniFi AP's.

 

[chimaxi83]

I've yet to see any discernable difference in home level WiFi routers. They were all subpar. I gave up using the built in WiFi routers long ago and now only use Ubiquity UniFi AP's.

I just read up on that AP, and after reading info and reviews, ordered one. Thanks!

 

[Gryz]

Transmission technologies get better over time.

Old routers might have only 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps ethernet interfaces.
Newer routers will have 1 Gbps ethernet interfaces.

Old routers might have only 802.11g wireless interfaces (54 Mbps).
New routers might have 802.11n wireless interfaces (600 Mbps).

Even if a router has 2 interfaces at speed X, that doesn't mean the router has enough forwarding power to actually forward packets at line-rate. Old routers might actually drop a lot of traffic, reducing the effective bandwith between 2 machines on your LAN. New routers might have faster CPUs, and be able to forward packets at higher speeds.

Old routers might not receive bug fixes for recent bugs.

Old routers might not support IPv6. New routers might support IPv6. (Although I wouldn't care about IPv6 myself).

Old routers might use more power than new routers. New routers might have more power-saving features.

Lots of reasons why you wants to keep up with the times. There's no need to replace your router every year. But I doubt a 10 year old router is just as good as a new router in all aspects.

 

[s44]

For home use, no.

Wrong. There are so many bad options that will choke under heavy torrent loads, etc.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I've yet to see any discernable difference in home level WiFi routers. They were all subpar. I gave up using the built in WiFi routers long ago and now only use Ubiquity UniFi AP's.

 

[spidey07]

He's got a point. The radios in the SOHO wireless gear are complete crap. I've got a bunch of cisco 1242 and 1252s and get awesome wireless outside. High quality radios don't come cheap, it's not so much about signal strength as it is signal quality and ability to deal with noise/multipath interference.

 

[ch33zw1z]

He's got a point. The radios in the SOHO wireless gear are complete crap. I've got a bunch of cisco 1242 and 1252s and get awesome wireless outside. High quality radios don't come cheap, it's not so much about signal strength as it is signal quality and ability to deal with noise/multipath interference.

I offered the because he's not bringing anything useful to the thread. Good, you buy high end WAP's. Awesome, you just further solidified my point of not all routers, AND access points, are created equal.

bolded = the only point that matters then. Not everyone has money to spend on high quality radios.

when it comes to SOHO, you're aiming for a solid connection. If you get that, then it's money well spent. The discernable difference I've seen between SOHO basically comes down to "does it work" consistently, and when you need it.

Sure, you may get that from the $30 router, you may not...same goes for $100 SOHO routers. So yea, to stay on point, not all routers are created equal, and depending on your needs not just any ol' router can fit the bill.

If the op is so inclicned, he could always buy a better WAP to get what he wants.

Not only are SOHO routers prone to subpar hardware, they are also prone to subpar firmware.

 

[smitbret]

I've yet to see any discernable difference in home level WiFi routers. They were all subpar. I gave up using the built in WiFi routers long ago and now only use Ubiquity UniFi AP's.

So I quickly glanced at the Ubiquity page and it raised some questions. I was under the impression you just plugged an ethernet cable from your router into the AP, configured the AP and were off and running. The website gave me the impression that you need to have software running for the system to work. Will I need to have a 24/7 server up to use the AP? Could I just install the software on my FlexRAID NAS running Windows XP 64-bit?

 

[s44]

You need the software to set up/change settings, but it doesn't need to run otherwise.

 

[Shephard]

well my Dlink has never* had firmware problems or anything. I always have good speeds when downloading.

It has wireless but that is not a concern for me. As I said I use it basically for my phone just around the house. The laptop signals are fine too.

Unless you have a lot of wireless stuff it doesn't seem worth it to me. If you got old routers daisy chain them like myself.

Dlink is a good brand too maybe that's why I have no problems. Linksys, Cisco, Dlink.

 

[Doomer]

I ran out of NAT table entries so instead of buying another router I installed Smoothwall on an old PC. Problem solved. Works without a hitch and has been up 24/7 for about 4 months now. I set the BIOS to automatically restart after a power outage. I also have an old Netgear router acting as an access point for wireless. Bought it about 3 years ago refurbed for 20 bucks and it has never missed a lick.

 

[frowertr]

I offered the because he's not bringing anything useful to the thread. Good, you buy high end WAP's. Awesome, you just further solidified my point of not all routers, AND access points, are created equal.

bolded = the only point that matters then. Not everyone has money to spend on high quality radios.

when it comes to SOHO, you're aiming for a solid connection. If you get that, then it's money well spent. The discernable difference I've seen between SOHO basically comes down to "does it work" consistently, and when you need it.

Sure, you may get that from the $30 router, you may not...same goes for $100 SOHO routers. So yea, to stay on point, not all routers are created equal, and depending on your needs not just any ol' router can fit the bill.

If the op is so inclicned, he could always buy a better WAP to get what he wants.

Not only are SOHO routers prone to subpar hardware, they are also prone to subpar firmware.

*Sigh*

Someone always wants to argue...

You are kidding yourself if you think Router "A" for $30 works worse/better than Router "B" for $75. The Op's very first question was:

Does it even matter what router you choose for home use?

My answer to this is still no and will always be no. If you are simply streaming Netflix, gaming, checking email, and browsing the web then just go buy any Netgear, D-Link, Linksys etc... down at your local store and move on. I have used them all over the last 15 years and while they have gotten better (of course they have gotten better) I still can't tell the difference between a $30 D-Link and a $100 Linksys.

 

[frowertr]

So I quickly glanced at the Ubiquity page and it raised some questions. I was under the impression you just plugged an ethernet cable from your router into the AP, configured the AP and were off and running. The website gave me the impression that you need to have software running for the system to work. Will I need to have a 24/7 server up to use the AP? Could I just install the software on my FlexRAID NAS running Windows XP 64-bit?

You will need to install the software on a machine to first setup the AP. Then once that is done you no longer need to run the software.

The only reason you would need to run the software 24/7 was if you were using the captive portal feature and needed to have users log into the WiFi with user/pass credentials. The AP needs to connect to a server in order to authenticate users under this setup so the software would have to be running.

 

[ch33zw1z]

*Sigh*

Someone always wants to argue...

You are kidding yourself if you think Router "A" for $30 works worse/better than Router "B" for $75. The Op's very first question was:



My answer to this is still no and will always be no. If you are simply streaming Netflix, gaming, checking email, and browsing the web then just go buy any Netgear, D-Link, Linksys etc... down at your local store and move on. I have used them all over the last 15 years and while they have gotten better (of course they have gotten better) I still can't tell the difference between a $30 D-Link and a $100 Linksys.

Agree to disagree. I've been through my fair share of routers, and some work better than others. Oh well, but that's the way it is.

 

[Fardringle]

*Sigh*

Someone always wants to argue...

You are kidding yourself if you think Router "A" for $30 works worse/better than Router "B" for $75. The Op's very first question was:

Will you get better speeds? Probably not unless one is simply junk (and some are). Will you get better reliability from one made with better quality components? Definitely.

 

[spidey07]

Will you get better speeds? Probably not unless one is simply junk (and some are). Will you get better reliability from one made with better quality components? Definitely.

Not really. It's all solid state. A soho router just doesn't stop working.

It's almost always user error. Blaming hardware is the last step in network troubleshooting. Not the first.