Looking at getting a new wireless router for the house, Netgear R7000
 

The one I have now is an old, Linksys unit. Good range, okay speed, but I want to upgrade the router, as I am going to be upgrading the internet connection soon at home. Consolidated Communication(formerly Surewest) kind of sucks, and has steadily been trying to get me to kick them to the curb. They are not giving me the speed or bandwidth I am paying for, so I am getting the wheels in motion to switch. I have been looking at routers, and I am sort of liking the looks of the Netgear Nighthawk Dual band, model R7000. I know there are a number of knowledgeable cats that frequent this place, and was wondering if y'all had any input. A few hundred bucks, but should do well for me for a while, barring any EM pulses, but if that happens, I will have bigger fish to fry. Anyone have one of these babies?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/netgear-nighthawk-dual-band-wireless-ac-router-with-4-port-ethernet-switch/1754208.p?id=1219062800202&skuId=1754208&st=router s wireless&cp=1&lp=1

The Netgear router that you mentioned did not perform as I needed so it went back to Amazon and was replaced with the following unit; it has has been outstanding:

ASUS RT-N66U Dual-Band Wireless-N900 Gigabit Router

I have the ASUS RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless-AC1750 Gigabit Router

It's a kick ass router.

Same price point as the Nighthawk.

There is also the newer Asus AC68, a bit better performance than the AC66 but IMHO not worth the additional ~$30.00.

I get a consistent 300 Mbps on 5 GHZ N 50 feet from the router with 2 rooms in between.

hard wired router only that can be used w/ aftermarket firmwares. Or build one out of a low spec PC. Separate wireless access point(s)

The ASUS is fully dd-wrt compliant.

It's actually listed as a feature by ASUS.

I love this place

When I was getting ready to move, my research indicated that the Asus was the one to have, but I ended up having to use the part supplied by ATT. Now I'm looking for a good wifi print server to make my HP laser printer wireless.

Providing the ATT device has ethernet ports you can hang the ASUS off the back of the ATT device and set it as an access point.

Keeps DNS provisioning via the ATT device and you disable its radio.

The ASUS has a print server built in as well as supports NAS. Even streams media from the attached HD to iTunes or other udnp receiver such as a Playstation / ROKU etc...

Yeah, but the ATT device has wireless that works. Buying the ASUS wouldn't give me anything. I've currently got the printer on the network wired, but we are hoping to move it to somewhere more out of the way. I won't be able to neatly cable the printer. We'd love to put it in a spare closet, but there's no power in the closet. That's the other problem, where we are going to put it at all. Downsizing from 2000 sqft with garage and attic to 1300sqft without means some juggling required.

Speaking of routers. What would be the best bet to extend my range? Currently our router is upstairs in the center of the house. I could move it downstairs but that would kill the service upstairs I suspect. Is there a good repeater I could put downstairs and increase signal in the living room and out on the patio?

I just got one of these routers...Almond+ Routers for $99. I'm not sure what the retail price will be, I was able to lock in on that price by being a "kickstarter" for the router...

I admit I am sort of a beta tester for the product... but check out the specs.. I'm using it as a network extender and a controller for a z-wave and zigbee sensors that control lights, my new thermostat, and other thing automating my house etc.. through an app on my droid...

I used to have a nice paper route when I was in 6th grade.

For the printer, you need one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007CO5DZ4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've got one of those.

They work fine.

Just make sure you follow the set up instructions to the letter or it'll render the rest of your WIFI network invisible.

Ask me how I know.

You can get them at Best Buy.

Don't order from that Amazon link unless you don't mind paying 2 x's what they go for.

Netgear, Inc WNCE2001100NAS - Best Buy

Forget the repeater. Run a CAT6 line to the downstairs and put a WAP on the end of it, problem solved.

What the FFFF? I paid $20 each for 3 of them!

A bit better

NETGEAR Universal N300 Wi-Fi to Ethernet Adapter (WNCE2001) at Amazon.com

This. As someone who works from home and must have a reliable internet connection, count me as another ASUS fan. I had one of about every brand out there until I picked up an ASUS N600 a couple of years ago. Before I was constantly resetting the routers. The ASUS was rock solid, day in day out. Bonus points for easy to navigate software and the ability to power a printer and shared hard drive for storage. Oh yeah and QoS so my work computer takes priority over my daughter watching Netflix.

A few weeks ago I picked up an AC1750 as an upgrade. We spent three weeks living in and me working from a fifth wheel parked in the yard during home renovations. The signal from the N600 wouldn't reach. AC1750 gave me consistent reception at 180 feet and full reception anywhere inside my home.

No doubt the other brands are quality pieces but I'm sticking with ASUS. -J

I used to run a Netgear router but found their wireless reach a bit sketchy. I replaced my home unit with an ASUS RT-AC66U with great results. I downloaded the Merlin firmware and had to narrow the bandwidth to avoid interference to make it reliable. Finding a clear channel also helped - you can download free software to check what signals/channels are in the 'air'.

We constantly stream 1080P movies to up to 3 devices simultaneously without an issue. Couldn't have done that on the Netgear.

As for extending we have a 2 storey double brick home so I ran an Ethernet cable upstairs and have another wireless router looking after that area. Pulling the cable to that router is a great way to flush the kids out of their rooms up there!

Stupid question-for those running two routers, do you have the same network id and passord for both?