Router recommendation please

[akbray]

Hi,

I recently moved, with my new house being a relatively new-build and having a very limited number of ISP's available. The ISPI use is fine (it's called See the Light) but the router they supply is utter rubbish (every morning it has be be restarted because it won't allow communication with printer & NAS).

Please can you recommend a decent router that:
1) supports DHCP with IP address reservation for specific devices
2) allows for some devices to be denied access at specific times during the week
3) Has a decent range (I don't live in a mansion!)
4) doesn't cost the earth
5) Has a user interface that makes setting all this stuff up reasonably easy (I'm reasonably technical, but as I'm getting older I get more grump about needlessly complex UI's)

Thanks

 

[TTJJ]

How about a TP-Link device? They're generally fairly cheap and with simple interfaces that'll do all you need easily.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-C7-Wireless-Supports-Parental/dp/B00CEB53MS/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=tp-link+ac+router&qid=1588331391&sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-C50-Wireless-Supports-Parental/dp/B075PDLQ2Y/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=tp-link+ac+router&qid=1588331391&sr=8-3

 

[Mark.J]

I've just adopted the TP-Link AC1900 (Archer VR900 v3), but to be honest that's just because it's been sitting around for awhile waiting for something to do. If I were to buy one today then I might want to ensure it had a phone port for VoIP.

 

[akbray]

Thanks both - I'll have a look at your suggestions.

I don't care about VoIP since we don't use any kind of landline, I just want something reliable, which the ISP-provided unit really isn't!

 

[aquiss]

I presume you are using VDSL? If so the TP-Link C50 and C7 as mentioned above would not be ideal, as they will need a separate modem.

If you are using VDSL, then either the TP-Link VR400, VR600 or VR900 make perfect sense.

 

[Meatball]

Hi, Just a thought while reading this thread.

You say "limited ISPs" which to me infers you are on a development provided by an Altnet such as ONFL.

See-The-Light allow you to use use your own router but I would in the first instance contact their support people as it may be a known issue they can resolve as they will have many other customers on the development and are probably still learning as new developments are built.

It is my understanding that the router they supplied was a Technicolor TG589ac Router then the Technicolor DWA0120 but on FTTP my understanding is they have been using the ZTE H298A
If it is the latter it is quite a capable device and known security issues resolved. If they have updated their router since then this would have an even higher spec.

User Guides to all these routers exist. I just don't want you spending out unnecessarily if you are not going to gain much.

Point-to-Point over Ethernet (PPPoE) protocol
Credentials can be anything
MTU. seethelight recommend this be set to 1492 or 1500 bytes

 

[Captain_Cretin]

I presume you are using VDSL? If so the TP-Link C50 and C7 as mentioned above would not be ideal, as they will need a separate modem.

If you are using VDSL, then either the TP-Link VR400, VR600 or VR900 make perfect sense.

I have stopped reccomending TPLink VDSL routers; I have now had THREE fail, the latest (a VR900), appears to have been defective straight out of the box, and quickly started falling over every 30-40 hours - requiring a reboot.

 

[akbray]

Hi all,

Thanks for your input - I ended up getting a TP-Link Archer C7. It's all set up and working perfectly.

The ISP-provided router was a ZTE H298A - which was less easy to use and every day would block a number of devices from accessing the printer (but not all devices, and the printer was fine), necessitating a router reboot every morning (at least).

The C7 seems to have a better range, although I'll probably also buy an extender compatible with the TP-Link mesh system for a dead spot in the house, but that's not urgent.