Router recommendations? SW to use laptop as router?

[ringtail]

We're finally getting cable serrvice here, so I want to move up from DSL to cable internet service.
Unfortunately the sole provider is Cox.

Plan is to get an Arris SB8200 3.1 cable modem.

Question 1: Now, which router to buy? (for a large house, serving about 5 computers, plus about 4 cell phones).

Question 2: There are a few old laptops (Windows with Intel cpus) lying around. Is there some software that could be put on an old laptop to make it be the router? Use an old computer as the router?

Thank you.

 

[VirtualLarry]

1: Buy an Asus AC66U / AC1750 refurb from Newegg (or from them on ebay) for ~$55, or an AC68U / AC68R / AC1900 for $75-100.

2. Possible, but doesn't really work nearly as well as a real wifi router. I've tried both.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...30&cm_re=AC1750_refurb-_-33-320-330-_-Product

Looks like the AC68U/R/AC1900 Asus routers are in short supply. Refurbs are only available from third parties for $200+, no thanks.

Great routers, but I wouldn't pay more than $150 for one, and preferably under $100.

That link above, is for an AC1750 Asus router, which is basically an AC66U, and is still (thankfully) available for an affordable price.

 

[ringtail]

VirtualLarry,

Thank YOU Very Much for replying. I'm not at all confident venturing into the subjects of modems and routers. I don't understand when the ARRIS SB8200 modem will do 10 Gbps, what you mean by linking that to an array of various ASUS routers, the TOP performing of them being the AC1900. I may not be understanding this right, but it seems (to my novice eye) like that'd be like throwing away 80% of the ARRIS 10 Gbps capability, since the highest best router you suggested says it'll only send out the wifi at 2/10 of that:

"ASUS RT-AC1900 Dual Band WiFi Router speeds up to 1900Mbps"

Is that really the good deal to mate with Arris SB8200 cable modem?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well, hey, if you want to go for a 10Gbit/sec Wifi router, then go for it. Skip those measly 1900Mbit/sec wifi routers.

https://www.arris.com/surfboard/products/cable-modems/sb8200/

Care to point out where this modem is 10Gbit/sec capable, btw?

 

[VirtualLarry]

In short, I think that you're a little confused, and need to research more.

Are you gettining 1.0Gbit/sec service from your cable company? Or 10Mbit/sec service?

If you're just getting 10Mbit/sec service, you can get away with any N300 router made in the last 5 years.
(Though I still recommend those Asus routers.)

This is a decent Docsis 3.0 24x8 AC1900 combo modem / router. (Cheaper on ebay.)
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...link_docsis_ac1900-_-0E6-002W-001V5-_-Product

 

[razel]

I think you'll enjoy the AC68 or any other router from ASUS that works with AiMesh. There have been quite a few deals lately. MicroCenter is selling two AC86 (I think) for $150 each if you buy 2 or AC68 for $100 each for 2 through June. The AC86 is a high performance 2 band, 4 stream router without any fancy WiFi marketing businesss. Their dead spider AC5300s 3 band, 4 stream is are available for $200 each refurb off ebay.

However if you want simplicity, ease of use, GWiFi is hard to beat at typically $83 each for 3 pack or $75 each for the 4 pack at Costco. Linksys Velop and Orbi are also stellar, but avoid the newer dual band (smaller size) Velop for now, though it is a bargain at $150 for 2 at Walmart.

If you hunt around Target's clearance asiles the Linksys WRT32X (made for DD-WRT) is available if you are lucky at $80 or $150. I believe some have found it for a ridiculous $50.

I have a feeling the newer wireless gen routers are ready for release this year and we'll continue to see more deals on killer

 

[JackMDS]

Given the size of the House and the amount of Wireless Clients Fancy firmware and High AC numbers are good for "self esteem" boost but Not necessarily a Good Network/Wireless service large house and 10 Clients.

Buy three of these use one as the main Wireless Router, lay two cables to remote points of the house, and install the other two as switch with an Access point.

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AC17...e=UTF8&qid=1529852943&sr=8-6&keywords=tp+link

 

[ringtail]

JackMDS, VirtualLarry, razel,

Thank you.

Given the size of the House and the amount of Wireless Clients Fancy firmware and High AC numbers are good for "self esteem" boost but Not necessarily a Good Network/Wireless service large house and 10 Clients.

Buy three of these use one as the main Wireless Router, lay two cables to remote points of the house, and install the other two as switch with an Access point.

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AC17...e=UTF8&qid=1529852943&sr=8-6&keywords=tp+link

 

[Charlie22911]

You could certainly use your old laptop as a router with pfSense or another Linux\FreeBSD based distro, but you'd need to also purchase a switch and access point. There is also the issue of potentially having to run a second USB NIC which are typically Realtek based and is unreliable in this use case.

As mentioned above you will be better off getting a COTS solution instead of rolling your own, unless you are looking to take it on as a project. I've had good experiences with consumer and prosumer Netgear stuff.