Windows 10: Help me pick a new WiFi Router (AP)!

Hi all,

I'd say I'm "very experienced" or expert when it comes to networking, but my experience with wireless AC is limited. I currently have an Asus RT-N66U that I absolutely love. I do pro-AV and have installed dozens of those and never had an issue and they have incredible range and speed for the price.

I am ready to upgrade to AC but am kind of surprised the "top end" routers are all over $300. I know there's tri-band and dual-band, but does anyone have experience with the top end ones?

I don't necessarily need crazy speed from AC since if I need crazy speed, I'm going to go gigabit Ethernet.

I'm eyeing the RT-AC68U or RT-AC87U right now. Anyone have experience?

I'm open to other manufacturers but so far I think Asus does a nice job with their web interface and feature set.

BTW - I don't need this to do routing, but I'd prefer a router to an AP in case this changes. I know Asus has AP mode.

:)

 

N80ie Not Receiving IP Address

I have a N80ie with the Wireless Wizzard installed. Works like a charm with most WiFi networks except for my home network.

At home I have ADSL with a D-Link AP. I have NO PROBLEM connecting to the WiFi AP; however, neither the AP nor the ADSL router 'see' the phone in the network, not even whhen I use a fixed IP or reserved DHCP entry. Its driving me CRAZY cuz I want to use Gizmo!

HELP!

 

WiFi Access Point Discovery GUI not Working

No. As I mentioned before, this is a Windows 10 issue, not related to any provider or ISP. And most assuredly not a AP or Router GUI. This is NOT about connecting to an AP or Router management console, this is entirely trying to define why the Network
Connection GUI is not displaying available, or any, access points.

If you click on the WiFi logo down in the (typically) bottom right corner, near the time, you will be presented with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that will list all of the available WiFi Access Points or Routers. On a normally functioning system, there
will be listed the available options, and you can chose which one you want to attach to.

On this system, there are no listed WiFi APs or Routers in that GUI.

When you run a "Command Line Query" through the Command Prompt and execute "netsh show all", the system lists several available WiFi Routers or Access Points, proving that the computers hardware can see
the available options, which leads me to believe that the GUI in the corner is having some form of error that is not easily resolved with the typical knowledge items which were tested, as mentioned above.

My focus is to find a way to reset the GUI so that it can "present" the APs and Routers that are available to be used.

Additionally I installed NetSetMan and it allows the computer to attach to the previously mentioned APs and Routers that the Command Line executable, but as this is a more complex program, it is my desire
to have the Microsoft Default GUI be able to be used as the default.

Again, the hardware works correctly, and can connect to WiFi if I use a 3rd party app. It can see the exact same APs/Routers that the "netsh
show all" command shows. The WiFi GUI in the corner does not work as per normal.

 

I have a Nighthawk R7000 by Netgear that has been outstanding. I would say you wouldn't have to worry about going wrong with either the Asus or the Netgear Nighthawk series. I would look for the highest speed available on sale in the price range you want to pay for either of those. Of course, the router or AP is only half the equation - you need the AC network adapters on the client side too. I'm upgrading my laptops to Intel 7260HMW AC Dual Band adapters.

My WiFi network at home is the R7000 router in the basement. There are 3 wired gigabit Ethernet hubs connected to that for my wired clients in different locations in the house. On the second floor is a Linksys RE6500 WiFi extender that connects on both WiFi bands to the R7000 and extends the WiFi range upstairs as well as provides wired Ethernet via WiFi bridge to two clients upstairs. I have had absolute success with this arrangement.

If you have the need to add a WiFi extender make sure to get one with cross-band capability. When I connect to the 2.4 ghz band on the WiFi extender, it sends that traffic over the 5 ghz band to the main router - this maintains full speed on the WiFi channels instead of cutting it in half to use the same band.

 

Go to smallnetbulider.com and compare the information on those two units. I use a stand alone A/P with my network. Wired Gateway downstairs that will outlast anything that I connect as a Access Point. You need to be looking at WAN to LAN and connections, along with CPU and RAM on the unit.

 

I recommend UniFi AP-AC-PRO

Ubiquiti Networks - UniFi(R) AP AC PRO

 

My wife would freak if I spent that much on a better quality A/P than the Engenius I have. I would have to run a new Ethernet up into a wall where our old Doorbell chime is, if I went that route.

I can go over 100' away from my house and still get decent speeds.