Should i buy a new router?

[DidelisDiskas]

So i'm not all that knowledgeable in networking and was wondering if throwing out my old router and buying a new one would provide better performance and security.

I currently have:

* TP-LINK 108M TL-WR641G/TL-WR642G wireless router
* A fiber 100/100 mbps internet connection
* Two PC computers sharing that connection via an ethernet cable (and sometimes using the wifi with smartphones)
* A 2 room (plus kitchen) flat, not very big

I have no idea how old my current router is, but since i can't remember how old it is, i'm pretty sure it's pretty old and i can't even update it's firmware to anything newer than 2009.

This is the only router that i ever had and i can't complain too much, since i do not really consume all that much media (aside from youtube), but i was wonder if it being so old has any bearing on the speed of my internet when both computers are using it? I also wonder if it's unsafe to have a router that might possibly be around 10 years old?

 

[MustISO]

Looks like the last firmware update was 2009. IMO a new router would be a good idea just from a security stand-point.

 

[DidelisDiskas]

Given that i prefer things that are not closed off too much, so in this case something that would let me install dd-wrt, or openwrt (even though i know nothing about them, but i might want to poke at those in the future), what would be good choices for my use case?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Most of the Asus routers allow you to install DD-WRT, or even better, Tomato. I have an RT-N12/D1 router with Tomato on it. I wouldn't recommend that router to you, with a 100Mbit connection, because that router only has Fast Ethernet ports on it, no gigabit, and the CPU is kind of weak for routing those kinds of speeds.

Maybe an AC68U, or something higher? (Double-check Tomato support before purchase, though.)

Edit: Newegg has an AC68U refurb on ebay for $119.99 FS. I picked one up, after confirming (and downloading) the newest Shibby Tomato 138 for it.

 

[DidelisDiskas]

Most of the Asus routers allow you to install DD-WRT, or even better, Tomato. I have an RT-N12/D1 router with Tomato on it. I wouldn't recommend that router to you, with a 100Mbit connection, because that router only has Fast Ethernet ports on it, no gigabit, and the CPU is kind of weak for routing those kinds of speeds.

Maybe an AC68U, or something higher? (Double-check Tomato support before purchase, though.)

The AC68U ones are pretty expensive for my needs, they go for ~170 euro here. If i'm paying that much i'd rather take the full plunge and wait with for this:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/turris-omnia-hi-performance-open-source-router-security-network#/

I also found some cute ones pre-installed with openwrt here:

https://www.gl-inet.com/

Sadly those only have 1 lan port.

I also checked out tomato, but it seems to me like openwrt will have the best support in the future (also has the biggest community) and tomato is has a proprietary gui, which does not bode well for long term support.

Not sure what to do now with so many choices and configurations available. Those GLI routers look pretty interesting to me from a minimalism point of view, i wish they had a bit bigger ones with more lan ports. Some asus routers seem to have good support for openwrt and ddwrt, but have pretty mixed reviews. TP-LINK routers are getting new firmware that blocks any kind of flashing (from what i hear), but it's not at all clear which ones do and which ones don't. And i have no clue how good, or how lenient other manufacturers products are towards installing open software.

 

[john bradshaw]

well definitely, you are surely gonna need to replace with any latest router first of all because of security issues and also i think now its too old to satisfy your needs

 

[sonitravel09]

Maybe stupid question but will wireless N speed up/expand range of wireless G as well as all our laptops have wireless G inside but am not capable to reach max speed due too concrete/distance

 

[VirtualLarry]

Maybe stupid question but will wireless N speed up/expand range of wireless G as well as all our laptops have wireless G inside but am not capable to reach max speed due too concrete/distance

Speed up? Probably. More range? Unlikely.