Question Which router to use as main and extender?

[cramer90]

I have been using Asus AC87U as my router and a Linksys E3000 as extender. The Linksys finally died and I bought a Netgear Nighthawk AX12. Is there any reason to use the Netgear as the main or keep it easier by using the new Netgear as the Extender?

we have about 20 wireless connections in house. Also cable comes into the house in the basement corner smartbox and does not reach the 2nd floor on the opposite side of house which is why I need extender

thanks in advance

 

[aigomorla]

Explain Extender?
You mean as a switch for extra ports? or you disabled DHCP, and your using it as a Access Point for Wifi, or Both, or Range Extender?

Honestly Linksys is garbage... its a sub brand of Cisco, yes, but its not even a poor man's Cisco.

If you need range, and cant get wires to locations for your AP, i would go with a MESH kit, like Amplifi, or even a Orbi.
If you just need wifi, there are much better options. (Ubiquiti)
If you need more RJ45 ports and Wifi, you could just throw in a switch and AP. (8-port switch + Wifi AP)
If you needed a VLAN to separate your Wifi Clients, well, i guess you wouldn't be asking this question, but just incase, there are better options like Ubiquiti.

 

[JackMDS]

Smart Box is Not so Smart, and consumers Extenders mainly are used to Extend the profit of the vendors.

As a regular consumer the best way is to lay two CAT6 Ethernet cable to two open spaces in the hosue near the rooms and Living room, and install two Wireless Routers configured as an Access Point.

Using Wireless Routers (or Modem/Wireless Router) as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html.

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P.S. aigomorla - Cisco sold Linksys to Belkin in 2013.