I need a wifi router

[mikeyyy]

My wife wants me to buy this device from BestBuy instead:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/tp-link-24-port-10-100-1000-mbps-gigabit-ethernet-switch-gray/4359864.p?id=1218475485608&skuId=4359864#tabbed-customerreviews

I'd rather just go with a router suggested from this forum - here are my requirements or desired features:

-good security
-good performance
-minimum 6 output ports
-has the ability for me to remote into it from my phone, for example, and deactivate ports (have kids that I give chores to - sometimes they like to video game before their chores are done - or it would be great to setup automated block out times during school days as well)

Any router is better than my current 4 port one which is doing the job adequately, but I mainly just want to do an upgrade here at my home network.

Please advise. If you have one that roughly fits these bullets, please provide a link to buy. Thanks in advance!

 

[USAFRet]

-has the ability for me to remote into it from my phone, for example, and deactivate ports

That is a majorly bad idea.
'Remote admin' is generally OFF by default on consumer grade routers, for good reason. If you can remote in, so can I...

-minimum 6 output ports

Generally, routers only have 4. If you need more LAN ports, a $20 switch will do this.

 

[COLGeek]

What is your budget? Do you mean you want at least 6 Ethernet ports on the router itself?

 

[mikeyyy]

Thanks all for the rapid responses

@COLGeek: I'd like to be around the price that my wife designated: about $100 or less. Yes, 6 is desired but the other poster said that it's not standard.


@USAFRet: I'm open to a suggested link.

 

[USAFRet]

So what are you actually looking to do? New router or just more ports?
Is your current router doing what you need, aside from not enough LAN ports? If so, then a switch. Doesn't have to be a 24 port...scale up from 5, to 8, to 16....however many.
Starting at ~$15-$20.

If the current router is NOT doing what you need, then we can probably recommend one.

 

[COLGeek]

USAFRet took the words right out of my mouth.

Said another way, even if you get a new router, you may still need to add a switch to get the desired physical ports.

 

[firespasm]

Linksys smart WiFi remote platform options may be a good choice for you. here is a Linksy product: LINKSYS EA8500 MAX-STREAM™ AC2600 MU-MIMO SMART WI-FI ROUTER (http://www.linksys.com/us/p/P-EA8500/#product-features)

I also think this would be a good choice too but there is no AC only b/g/n: http://www.netstoredirect.com/d-link-routers/2435-d-link-dsr-250n-router-0790069352430.html

What you should do is scrap all ive said and get this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016EWKQAQ/?tag=pcgedit-20

Thanks

 

[mikeyyy]

@USAFRet and all,

My Responses:

SHORT VERSION

1. Let me just go with a 12 port switch for now. Please suggest a link to a specific recommended product to buy from.

LONGER VERSION

2. I have residential grade fiber internet. Their legacy backup battery kept dying so they came out and gave me a new upgrade device with a CyberPower battery backup mounted in my house.

3. Ever since the new upgrade, my public IPs no longer work, and so I have to get those reactivated at some point.

4. My legacy setup was the headin cable went directly into my switch, and from there, I did some daisy chains to routers and other switches.

5. However, the new setup is:

ISP > Headin into my router > my router > various daisy chained switches and or devices. My wife works from home and VPNs into her work as a Sys Admin. She assists the Fbi/Homeland/nsa who have contracts of big data to her work. I also VPN and work from home using a Cisco Meraki and which connects my Polycom voip phone, etc. Ever since the new setup, there have been clashes for IPs, where I end up having to unplug my mac or something so that she can VPN in, etc.

My wife believes that we should stop the daisy chained switches and buy one switch and fan out from the switch.

6. I still want the ability to remotely deactivate a port, but it's not critical given the security risk.

Thanks

 

[COLGeek]

I know this is OBE now, but here is a router with the number of desired ports:

http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DIR-632-Wireless-N-8-Port-Router/dp/B003XMAD22

For the purchase of your switch, do you still want something from Best Buy?

The IP address issue described above is not a function of the number of ports, rather it is a function of the IP addresses assigned by the router (if I am reading your issue correctly).

 

[mikeyyy]

Thanks everyone for you input and feedback.

 

[USAFRet]

Daisy chained switches are absolutely no problem. It's what I have here.

But, from BestBuy, the one you linked isn't bad.
Or this 16 port, for $80
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/tp-link-16-port-10-100-1000-mbps-gigabit-ethernet-switch-black/4359855.p?id=1218475640365&skuId=4359855