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Router recommendations.

LwowiakLwowiak
edited January 1970 in Off-topic
Hi guys,
I am looking for some recommendations to improve my home WIFI.
Having moved premises I can only receive ADSL2+. I have been given a Technicolour TG587n (Thomson) modem from Telstra.
In comparison to my previous cable setup, the performance is woeful. WiFi range is poor (house is large), and media streaming is horrific. With cable I had a Netgear CG3100D-2BPAUS modem which was able to stream HD movies around the house with ease. The TG587n struggles.
We have a Smart TV, 5 laptops, WiFi printer, smartphones and the odd Ipad that are connected at any one time. I intend to buy a Synology DS413 4-bay NAS in the future as well. We watch movies and TV shows by streaming from a PC to the TV.
I work from a home office and have two daughters studying at Uni, so a reliable setup is needed to ensure domestic harmony.
Can you please recommend:
1) A decent router than can be stand alone, or connected to the Telstra modem. (Netgear R7000 AC1900 and Asus RT-AC68U have caught my eye).
2) Can I "bridge" my Netgear CG3100D to the Thomson modem and increase my wifi range, and improve the media streaming? If so, please let me know how.
3) Are the WiFi extenders any good, as I have heard mixed reviews.

All comments and recommendations are welcome, and I thank all in advance for any suggestions.
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Comments

  • Koffee_KosmoKoffee_Kosmo
    My Asus router failed 2 months ago after many years of faultless service I replaced if with a new model dual band Asus router only model RT-N66U Happy with it so far
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  • KelseyKelsey
    Im very happy with my FritzBox 7390. Looks like a spaceship. Fast, 4 gigabit ethernet ports, VOIP handling and can act as a DECT compatible base station with answering phone, if need be.
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  • hiphiphararhiphipharar
    2) Can I "bridge" my Netgear CG3100D to the Thomson modem and increase my wifi range, and improve the media streaming? If so, please let me know how.
    With the CG3100D-2 connected to a computer, open the modem gui via 192.168.0.1. (Default logins are admin and password) Go to the NAT menu option under Advanced Select 'NAT- Disable' then Apoply Modem will restart and be in bridged mode. Note you will then need to use 192.168.100.1 if you want to access the modem GUI again.
    A decent router ...
    Not sure what you mean by decent. I have my CG3100D-2 bridged and connected to a Netgear WNDR3800 I bought about 3 years ago. Dual band (2.4 and  5GHz) Better than a network extender and has printer or USB storage connectivity.
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  • LwowiakLwowiak
    Hi HHH, Thanks for the advice. I had a play and as the Netgear3100D is locked into Telstra firmware, it can not be used as a stand alone router (unless someone knows how to hack it). Your  instructions are perfect when you want to connect a router to the NG3100D. When I had cable, I found it (3100D)was sufficient on its own. My new ADSL modem is very low end, hence I need to connect a router to it.
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  • hiphiphararhiphipharar
    ..is locked into Telstra firmware, it can not be used as a stand alone router (unless someone knows how to hack it)
    The NG CG3100D-2 has a red WAN port on the back to allow it to be used as a dedicated router e.g. to use on the NBN when Telstra decides to turn that on (if it isn't already - I haven't tried it). So you might try bridging the Thomson and see what happens when you plug a LAN cable between it and the WAN port on the NG. You also might want to check Whirlpool for good ADSL modem/routers
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  • LacehimLacehim
    Hi Lwowiak, You need to put your freebie Telstra modem into bridge mode.  http://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/Modems-Hardware/technicolor-tg587n-v3-bridge/td-p/121596 which should be fairly simple.  Then attach a cross over CAT5 cable from the tg587n's LAN port to the WAN port on Netgear CG3100D.  Your modem tg587n will connect to the internet, and the router CG3100D will access the modem.  You need to put your username and password in the tg587n, set to bridge mode and set up the network on the CG3100D.  Does that make sense? I got the same modem when I churned to Telstra and I threw it in the cupboard as a backup.  I use a Netgear DGND3700 and it has better WiFi than my old Billion 7800N.  My house is also big, 2 storey and I get good coverage.  I put my TV on 5Ghz, the rest run off 2.4Ghz.  No IPV6 on this but I'm not stressing about it.  Easy to set up and you can also activate guest access. :)  Great for the kids visiting friends with iPads playing minecraft.  These guys just had it on special http://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/buy/netgear-dgnd3700-wireless-adsl2-modem-router-n600-dual-band-gigabit-usb/DGND3700 so keep an eye out, it will probably come up again. If you can't be bothered fiddling around buy a new ADSL modem.  Keep the tg587n for testing/backup in a cupboard.  If you can get them bridge the only issue you will have is powering 2 devices where one can be used. :) If you have any questions or need a hand let me know.
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  • Brett HBrett H
    My Fritzbox was killed in an electrical surge.    I have a Billion that cost more.  Don't buy a Billion.
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  • Intense CoffeeIntense Coffee
    on 1394072065:
    I use a Netgear DGND3700
    I just got a Netgear DGND3700 as well, mainly for the Guest Access capabilities, (we list on AirBnB), and while I use Cable as apposed to ADSL, I found it quick and easy to set-up as well as manage. The WiFi (2.4hz) seems really good, although the 5hz, does not penetrate as well, so has limited usage. I just got it from Officeworks as I needed it in a hurry, so did not get any special deal, although seemed cost effective. Graham
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  • Koffee_KosmoKoffee_Kosmo
    My new Asus also has guest setting
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  • MOQMOQ
    @Lwowiak Is your issue poor Wi-Fi or slow internet? What are the results of SpeedTest with a computer connected directly to the modem via Ethernet cable? You could have noise on the phone line causing slowness, drop-outs, etc. and no amount of Wi-Fi boosting, repeaters, etc., will fix any of that. This is an area of expertise for me having been in the IT game for 30 yrs and setting up an ISP in 1995, so PM me if you like and I'll be happy to discuss ideas to help identify what's wrong and how to go about addressing the problems.
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  • LwowiakLwowiak
    Thanks for the replies. I have managed to use the NG3100 as a router connected to the TG537, but it did not improve things. Modem moved to upstairs room and it provides better coverage around house, though still poor. If positioned in downstairs office, the coverage is worse. Speedtest: TG587 only. Laptop connected via ethernet cable yields 4Mb/s download and .55Mb/s upload. Via wireless yields 3.5Mb/s. In office which is downstairs, I am lucky to get 2Mb/s download and average 1.6Mb/s. Telstra tech came to check on noisy phone line. Pronounced it was induction. Changed a ADSL wall filter on kitchen phone. Kitchen phone is disconnected, and only one cordless is in use. Alarm disconnected. At night when congestion is bad, 1Mb/s speeds are barely attainable. Issue has been escalated. Wonder what comes next????? Will reply via PM to those who offered help.
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