Home networking/wireless/router clean up solutions

[northernladuk]

That's two words.

It's one word and some asterisks

[TheFaQQer]

**** off?

That's two words.

[northernladuk]

It is a big box let alone the size of the 4 antenna so definitely needs an out of sight solution. There will be all the cabling in the back if you are needing the 8 ports as well.

Much better solutions out there if you don't need the 8 ports.

[Uncle Albert]

Thanks for the update. I'm tempted by one of those Asus routers but it is an ugly piece of kit and the only place it could sensibly go is in our front hall.

[northernladuk]

Ok so thought I'd update this thread.

Got the Asus RT-AC88 and it's the dog's danglies. Managed to get rid of the 8 port switch and the range seems much better than the Meraki so could get rid of 3 of the 4 AP's I had around the house. Swapped the old HH5 I was using for the AP to the Meraki. Asus worked out of the box. Plugged it in, typed in the new SSID and password and away it went. Super pleased with it all so money well spent.

Only thing left to do is pick up a cheap Openreach modem to replace the last HH5 I'm using as a modem and its all nice and clean.

Just got to flash it so I can use IPVanish which is a bit long winded so I'll do that later.

[Lance]

To get rid of the HH5 you’ll need a device with a VDSL modem (assuming you’re FTTC). Cisco ones were very expensive when I last looked 2 years ago (c. £500). I got a draytek for half the price.
With hindsight keeping the HH5 would have been fine, just using it as a pass through router.

Can’t help with the VPN side as I’ve never tried client VPNs on a router.

[northernladuk]

ASUS? This is like when Daewoo decided to make cars as well as microwaves.

If you're going to buy a router, stop being tight and buy a router produced by a manufacturer that actually know how to make routers as instead of graphics cards.

Useful thanks. Care to actually make any recommendations?

[Mag]

I think the Asus RT-AC88 seems to tick the boxes. Bit pricey but if it's an improvement and tidy's my cupboard up could be worth a punt.

https://www.cnet.com/uk/products/asu...router/review/

Just need to check IPVanish or VPN situation I think.

ASUS? This is like when Daewoo decided to make cars as well as microwaves.

If you're going to buy a router, stop being tight and buy a router produced by a manufacturer that actually know how to make routers as instead of graphics cards.

[northernladuk]

What's the magic word? :

**** off?

[Pip in a Poke]

So... Geeks, nerds and cockwombles.. Your help is required.

So current set up is.. BTInfinity and HomeHub5. Runs in to a 8 port Cisco switch to distribute to the house. Using the Meraki AP instead of the HH5 wireless. Couple of HH's as AP's in different rooms.

Kodi has become the go to in the house so just for peace of mind I think I'd like to get the whole network on something like IPVanish and tidy up the amount of kit and improve the wifi range to boot.

So I'm thinking of a DD WRT router with nice big aerials, 8 ports and can put the IPVanish/other service on. It would be nice if I could get rid of the HH5 to reduce clutter but not sure that's possible.

Anyone else got a good setup to achieve what I'm after or can recommend something? Is it even worth doing? i.e. forget the VPN option and just leave it as it is as no one piece of kit will do all that?

What's the magic word? :

[northernladuk]

I think the Asus RT-AC88 seems to tick the boxes. Bit pricey but if it's an improvement and tidy's my cupboard up could be worth a punt.

https://www.cnet.com/uk/products/asu...router/review/

Just need to check IPVanish or VPN situation I think.

[eek]

Have a look at https://vpn-router.co.uk/ - if you feel confident enough to share your IPVanish password with them they will set it all up for you on the router and you're sorted.

One possible downside is that if you stream internet radio at all, and the connection isn't configured properly, you will get geoblocked - I was all ready to listen to the grand prix on R5 one week, cars were lined up on the grid, lights went out and the coverage stopped because of geoblocking

They know how to charge. £290 for a router that is £126 on Amazon just picked the first one that I saw..

[northernladuk]

Have a look at https://vpn-router.co.uk/ - if you feel confident enough to share your IPVanish password with them they will set it all up for you on the router and you're sorted.

One possible downside is that if you stream internet radio at all, and the connection isn't configured properly, you will get geoblocked - I was all ready to listen to the grand prix on R5 one week, cars were lined up on the grid, lights went out and the coverage stopped because of geoblocking

That's an odd service. So they just flash the router for you? I'd have to look at the prices. It doesn't seen overly complex to do so wouldn't want to be paying much extra on top of the router for it.

Doesn't seem to be any 8 port ones though.

[TheFaQQer]

Have a look at https://vpn-router.co.uk/ - if you feel confident enough to share your IPVanish password with them they will set it all up for you on the router and you're sorted.

One possible downside is that if you stream internet radio at all, and the connection isn't configured properly, you will get geoblocked - I was all ready to listen to the grand prix on R5 one week, cars were lined up on the grid, lights went out and the coverage stopped because of geoblocking

[northernladuk]

So... Geeks, nerds and cockwombles.. Your help is required.

So current set up is.. BTInfinity and HomeHub5. Runs in to a 8 port Cisco switch to distribute to the house. Using the Meraki AP instead of the HH5 wireless. Couple of HH's as AP's in different rooms.

Kodi has become the go to in the house so just for peace of mind I think I'd like to get the whole network on something like IPVanish and tidy up the amount of kit and improve the wifi range to boot.

So I'm thinking of a DD WRT router with nice big aerials, 8 ports and can put the IPVanish/other service on. It would be nice if I could get rid of the HH5 to reduce clutter but not sure that's possible.

Anyone else got a good setup to achieve what I'm after or can recommend something? Is it even worth doing? i.e. forget the VPN option and just leave it as it is as no one piece of kit will do all that?