TP-Link N450 WiFi Router
Posted on 06/12/2022 7:11:34 PM PDT by ducttape45
Good evening fellow Freepers. It's time for me to ask another in the long line of IT related questions, this time about suggestions for a new router for my home network.
Currently I have a Netgear WNR3500Lv2 router. It's a combo wired and wireless router. It is hooked up to a DLink Modem, Model DCM-301.
However, last month lightning struck right behind my place and it killed one of the ethernet ports on the router. Thank God the entire thing wasn't fried. But now I need to replace it, and I'd like to find something of a similar build in that I require four (4) wired ports, the ability to utilize wireless, AND to also have the ability to plug a USB storage device to it. Heck, if I can find something I can install an internal SSD into that would be even better.
I liked Netgear early on but I feel their products are becoming too complicated to use. I'm almost 62 and would like to keep things simple. I like the DLink modem so if I can find a DLink router to hook up to it, that would be ideal. I preferred separate units in the past that way if one went on the blink, I could replace it without being hit with a huge cost, but I'm willing to explore a combo unit now.
All that being said, if someone can point me in the right direction I'd be most appreciative.
Thank you all for your time and efforts to help me.
Are you wired only, or do you use WIFI?
If you don’t like needlessly complicated, stay away from Linksys.
Any of the major model’s work. Match them to your devices or just get the best 200 dollar model.
Cheap switches can triple or quadruple your your wired ports.
I strongly prefer Asus and using free Merlin firmware for it.
It uses Asus’s core code and adds useful abilities, on top.
I can find lots of these every day at my local thrift shop for $5
You just have to get a newer one.
Mostly i get the ones ith docis 3.0 modems built in
Cause I can make decent profits even after ebay fees
I have an Asus running Merlin and use it to put all my devices behind a VPN.
I have never had much success with Netgear. I gave up on them about 10 years ago.
I now have a D-Link which has been in my system for about 10 years.
Look for the best free one you can find, hook it up, and continue looking for a better free one.
This is what I’m using. It fits your description of what you want and it’s only $40
https://www.amazon.com/Netgear-WNDR4500-100PAS-N900-Gigabit-Router/dp/B00HEX851C
6 months ago I bought TP-Link N450 Wi-Fi Router ($24 at Amazon) that has three long antennae poking upward. Now I get wifi connectivity on my laptops, that is the same as using Ethernet cable to my desktop. 100mbps these days for wired and wireless
TP-Link N450 has been around since 2011 or so. I bought new because I was assured of getting the latest version, which is version 6.0.
You will see used ones at eBay going for $11. They might be only version 3.0
Dual band router means your new router will also operate in 5G in your house. So I got ye old single band router / TP-Link N450 / that has no stinking 5G
TP-Link N450 WiFi Router
Assuming that your router only blew 1 port and there’s no other damage, then the cheapest solution is to get a switch (hub). For about $15 you can buy a 5-port gigabit network switch. For $20 you can get an 8-port.
Switches use 1 of the ports as an input, so a 5-port is really 1-in, 4-out.
I'm almost 62 and refuse to have a router combined with wifi. I use a wired router leading to two switches which have wireless access points connected to them. But then I had the whole house wired with Cat5e when built 21 years ago.
If I can do something wired, I do it.
Don’t get a combined modem and router.
If you want Cox’s higher speeds you’ll need Docsys 3.1.
I was just saying what I can typically buy for cheap and flip
Many people do not need 3.1 speeds or plans.
Some do, which is why they donate their ac1200 3.0 modems
I currently have the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000, and it’s been rock solid. I’ve had it for about two years or so now, and have not had to reboot it even once. It was around $500 when I bought it, but I see that it’s now available for about $350. Even though it’s not the latest, it is very capable and still in high demand. I also love the phone app that is available to monitor and control it. It’s easy to use, and provides access to most of the important features. Netgear’s interface, by comparison, was clunky and unreliable.
The router I mentioned above is likely overkill, depending upon your subscribed internet speed and the number of devices that typically use your WiFi simultaneously. It’s also physically large and kind of gaudy (it’s marketed as a “gaming” router). And it’s a model that’s been out for quite a while, so there are undoubtedly newer ones out there now. The bottom line is to start with your subscribed internet speed, and then select a router (I would still strongly recommend Asus) that has a rated speed on EACH band that meets or exceeds that speed. You want to make sure that your router doesn’t become a bottleneck, especially if you’re subscribed to higher speeds in the several hundred megabits per second to 1 gigabit (or higher) range.
IF you have multiple fairly up to date devices, like recent phones or tablets along with maybe some media streamers or smart tvs, AND your internet service is in the hundred megabit to gigabit range, then I would get a WiFi 6 router that has at least that capacity on each of its bands. Also, dual band is good, tri-band is better (but mainly if you have a lot of devices). As you get up into the tri-band routers, in particular, you will also tend to find more features like higher-speed ethernet ports (mine has four gigabit ports and one 2.5 gigabit port), and better support for attached hard drive storage. One thing I love about Asus is that even if you get a pretty complex router, they make using the features as complex, or as simple as you want. If, as it sounds, you want to prioritize ease of use without giving up some advanced features, their software makes it easy to let it automatically configure the more advanced stuff, and it actually works well, unlike some of their competitors.
bkmk
Rd later.
Whateveroutlet you plug this into, get a good Belkin outlet surge protector for the new hardware.
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