TP-Link TL-WR1043ND which firmware? Recommended settings?

[Crow550]

I picked up this Router dirt cheap: http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tl-wr1043nd Also using it with this Wifi Antenna instead: http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys-Wireless-N-PCI-Adapter-WMP300N/dp/B000FDDUXG

I was using a Linksys WRT54G v.3 with Tomato (Toastman) firmware.

I have my place wired with Cat6 and some Gigabit switches and transfer files between two PCs. So I was looking to get a Gigabit router sooner or later. I use Wifi for my phone, tablet, etc....

So now I am figuring which Firmware to use on it.... Stock, DD-WRT, OpenWRT, Gargoyle or some other 3rd party firmware I didn't list?

I have a 10mb net connection. Have a 3TB USB3 hooked up to one PC and have backups of the second PC backup on that drive. I am thinking of plugging it in the USB port on the Router but it will be limited to USB2. In time I plan to backup my DVDs and BluRays and view them between the two PCs.

Right now I threw DD-WRT on it. However someone from this site said: http://joeyiodice.com/converting-tp-link-tl-wr1043nd-to-dd-wrt#comment-2059
"A word of warning, DD-WRT does not support large or ‘jumbo’ ethernet frames, which are supported by the TP-LINK hardware and stock TP-LINK firmware. This could give you a significant performance hit if LAN speed is important. In my case I benchmarked ftp’ing 2GB files from my PC to my Synology NAS at 80MBps (that’s Megabytes / sec) with stock firmware and jumbo frames and 31MBps with DD-WRT. Had to stick with the TP-link firmware, for most people it won’t be an issue, but if you move lots of large files around your network, it certainly will be an issue that jumbo frames are not supported. Other than that, DD-WRT works well."

When looking up why DD-WRT doesn't have this feature some said that with faster CPUs on routers it's not needed? http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=662667&sid=cc4ea9fdc0af0ff005617ef78869b59e#662667

Also: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2346098&highlight=wr1043nd

So just debating which firmware to use.... How much can I increase the Wifi Antenna DB? Any recommended settings? Like for Wifi do I use 20hz or 40hz or Dynamic?

I was considering a Dual Band N router but I don't know if I need it as my property isn't close to neighboring Wifi and I like to use Wifi while outside so 20hz 2.4ghz would be better for distance right? Plus my net connection is only 10mb. Course 5ghz might be better in the House?

Just curious. This seems like a decent Router. A bit better than my classic WRT54G. Got it for a great deal and since it supports 3rd party firmware makes it a bit more awesome.

 

[JackMDS]

You are probably better off connecting your Giga capable devices to a Good independent Giga Switch and ignore the Jumbo frames on the Router.

Example - http://www.neweggbusiness.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9B-33-156-250

 

[Crow550]

You are probably better off connecting your Giga capable devices to a Good independent Giga Switch and ignore the Jumbo frames on the Router.

Example - http://www.neweggbusiness.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9B-33-156-250

I have the Router(behind my Monitor with the Wifi Antenna on a shelf) hooked up to my main Gaming rig where the ISP Modem also is. Then I run two 50ft CAT6 cables to both ends of the House to Gigabit switches. The Media Center PC in the Living Room is hooked to one of the switches.

Would it help to know the models of the switches?

 

[OlafSicky]

Use factory firmware third party firmwares slow down the performance too much. If you want distance 2.4ghz at 20hz is usually best and pick a channel that is not crowded.

 

[Crow550]

I've been seeing what all each firmware offers and looking up info on the Gigabit Switches I currently own.

I heard some people complain about poor performance with the stock firmware but it looks like it's been updated.

Also from what I have gathered to take advantage of Jumbo frames I would need Gigabit Switches that also support this.... Which they don't.

So.... If your switches don't support Jumbo then like DD-WRT is fine but if they do they using Stock may be best?

I will get around to installing other firmwares to take a look at what all they offer. Right now I am just reading about them as so far this Router has been running just fine. No issues.

So the real test will be when I start pushing heavier data through the lines which I currently don't that much. I mean I don't watch when the other PC auto backups to my Gaming PCs external drive which was just fine over 100mb network on the old router.

I need to plug in the external drive in the router and test sometime too. I don't know if the firmware supports NTFS file system (do routers tend to support ntfs or not) or if I need to partition the drive.

So maybe I don't need the extra Jumbo speed just yet that stock offers.... Plus I'm sure it'll be fast enough if I do archive my DVD & Blu-Ray collection on a external drive and stream it across my network?

Still playing around with this router. The two switches I have hooked up is Monoprice's PID : 7857 in the Living room and a D-Link DGS1008D V.B1 in my room.

I also have a Linksys SD2008 V2 and Netgear GS105 V2. Plan to route the Netgear switch to the Monoprice one to another room. The Linksys may used on the Router for some extra ports.

 

[Crow550]

Does it matter to enable IPv6 and do I also enable Radvd or keep it disabled?

Even if the ISP has not yet enabled IPv6?

Just so I don't have to remember to enable it later? It shouldn't slow anything down or pose any risks right?

I set the TCP Congestion Control to Westwood. Seems to balance things out on the network quite well without messing with QoS settings.

Been pretty happy with this router so far. Rock solid.