Suggestions For Wireless Router To Minimize Congestion And Interference

[fdegree]

I'm currently using this Netgear WGR614 Wireless-G Router. It's speed, of 54Mbps, is actually adequate for my application. But, I have devices that support Dual-Band "n", "ac" Band, as well as "g" Band. So, I'm hoping to reduce congestion by splitting my devices between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. Plus, I'm hoping to minimize interference from neighboring routers, by upgrading to a newer dual band wireless router, and utilizing the additional frequencies.

Based upon this information, here are some details I'm hoping to find in my next wireless router:

• - No need for high speeds...my current 54Mbps is adequate
  - At least the same range as the Netgear I'm currently using...a little better would be nice
  - Fully capable of Dual-Band "n"
  - Fully capable of "ac" band
  - Long term reliability
  - As inexpensive as possible...certainly less than $100, preferably less than $50

Any suggestions?

 

[boosted1g]

For wireless AC, by far the best deal is either a refurbished asus AC68U/AC68P on newgg for $70-80, or a TM-AC1900 for $80 on amazon (same hardware as an AC68U with tmobile branding and a slight difference in firmware).

You can get some cheaper AC routers, but you are bassically getting a $150 router for half with one of the two options listed above; its is a completely seperate tier vs what else you can get in that price range.

In regards to that router and your requiremnts:
AC/N are both fully dual band, I have had zero problems with mine, and its range will be way better then your G router. I had a tp-link n router (already better than G) with big aftermarket 9 dBi antennas on it and the AC router has better range than that.

For normal speeds just set the 2.4 ghz band to support ac/n/g devices. If you ever get to where speed matters then set to ac/n only and then use your old netgear for legacy G devices.
Reason for this is becasuse to be compatible with G it has to limit the 2.4ghz speed to 150mbps even though it is capable of 600.

This router will also do a decent job of scanning your neighbors wifi connections so that it will be on a non-interfering channel to reduce interference (not really any wireless G routers that did this automatically).

 

[fdegree]

Thanks for that information. I have a few questions, regarding the TM-AC1900.
Can the Firmware be updated to the current Firmware that Asus has out for the AC68U/AC68P?
Along the same lines...can the Firmware be updated to the latest Merlin Firmware?
If the answer is "Yes" to either of those questions, are there instructions anyplace, outlining the necessary steps to accomplish this on the T-Mobile router?
Thanks again!!!

 

[boosted1g]

Thanks for that information. I have a few questions, regarding the TM-AC1900.
Can the Firmware be updated to the current Firmware that Asus has out for the AC68U/AC68P?
Along the same lines...can the Firmware be updated to the latest Merlin Firmware?
If the answer is "Yes" to either of those questions, are there instructions anyplace, outlining the necessary steps to accomplish this on the T-Mobile router?
Thanks again!!!

It can, I have done it for several family and friends.
T-Mobile/ASUS puts safeguards in place to prevent it from out of the box supporting default asus firmware, so the process is not for the novice.
There is a list of multiple files you need and you will likely need to downgrade the firmware to have telnet/ssh ability, use putty to access the router via command line, and modify a couple files and then you can enter recovery mode and get it to accept a normal AC68U file, and from there it will accept an asusmerlin file.

There are several tutorials on smallnetbuilder.com for this, I have also put together my own tutorial /notes if interested.
You can PM me if you want the tutorial or specific help on this.

 

[fdegree]

I'm far from an expert on networking, but I'm not intimidated by the process either. However, I'm curious - what benefits will I experience by going through the modification? Are the benefits worth the time and effort?

 

[boosted1g]

I'm far from an expert on networking, but I'm not intimidated by the process either. However, I'm curious - what benefits will I experience by going through the modification? Are the benefits worth the time and effort?

That totally depends on your needs. The router will still perform the same.
Going from TM to ASUS firmware will only get rid of the tombile fluff and you get to the current ASUS version which may have some patched bugs/vulnerabilities
Going to ASUSMerlin gives you much more options for VPN, VLAN, custom scripts and many other advanced features.

What it comes down to is for you, is the juice worth the squeeze. ASUS makes their router's easy to put into recovery mode to flash firmware but it is not impossible to brick them.

 

[fdegree]

If I'm not going to see any performance improvement at my devices, it may not be worth the effort to mess with it...unless I get bored sometime, and feel like tinkering with it. I may send you a PM soon, and request the tutorial that you offered...I'll get the router, and see how it performs first.
Thanks for your input with this.