Travel Wi-Fi Router

[Rodinski]

Our school still uses wired connections in most of the classrooms.  If I'm alone, it's fine, but when a group of us get together, we only have access to one computer with internet.  I'm looking for a cheap, travel router that I can just connect to the only wired connection we have and share it amongst all our devices over Wi-Fi.

 

Preferably, I'm looking for:

• Portability
• Performance (low latency, 300 mbps is more than enough as the school is limited to 20 mbps)
• Ease to power and set-up
• No backup battery is required

 

I was thinking of something like: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01AL7P1FU/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&keywords=wifi travel router.  I'd also intend on doing some gaming/video chat on it as well.

 

Cheers for any help!

[Ryois]

3 minutes ago, Rodinski said:

Our school still uses wired connections in most of the classrooms.  If I'm alone, it's fine, but when a group of us get together, we only have access to one computer with internet.  I'm looking for a cheap, travel router that I can just connect to the only wired connection we have and share it amongst all our devices over Wi-Fi.

 

Preferably, I'm looking for:

• Portability
• Performance (low latency, 300 mbps is more than enough as the school is limited to 20 mbps)
• Ease to power and set-up
• No backup battery is required

 

I was thinking of something like: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01AL7P1FU/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&keywords=wifi travel router.  I'd also intend on doing some gaming/video chat on it as well.

 

Cheers for any help!

You could use a Pi... https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/wireless/access-point.md
Some schools will take down rouge aps though.

[Rodinski]

5 minutes ago, Ryois said:

You could use a Pi... https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/wireless/access-point.md
Some schools will take down rouge aps though.

Ooo...that would be cool.  Would there be other benefits with using a Pi as set up as such?  How expensive?  I'm trying to keep my budget around 50 or under.

[Theguywhobea]

I know these are pretty popular: https://www.amazon.ca/TP-Link-TL-WR802N-Wireless-Repeater-300Mbps/dp/B00TQEX8BO/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1516395077&sr=1-3&keywords=tp+link+travel+router

[Ryois]

1 minute ago, Rodinski said:

Ooo...that would be cool.  Would there be other benefits with using a Pi as set up as such?  How expensive?  I'm trying to keep my budget around 50 or under.

A Pi 3 is 35$ you'll need at least an 8G microSD card and a micro USB cord. 

Heres a more friendly guide on how to set up an AP https://pimylifeup.com/raspberry-pi-wireless-access-point/

If you need to set up the Pi here's an easy guide too https://pimylifeup.com/how-to-install-raspbian/

[manikyath]

11 minutes ago, Ryois said:

You could use a Pi... https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/wireless/access-point.md
Some schools will take down rouge aps though.

this is the first time ever i've seen someone recommend a pi as a router.. instead of y'know.. a router?

 

for purposes like these i like devices like this junk:

 

they're dirt cheap (come in at around the 25USD range), with some tweaking they are very versatile as well.

 

should fit in your backpack next to your lunchbox as well.

[Ryois]

1 minute ago, manikyath said:

this is the first time ever i've seen someone recommend a pi as a router.. instead of y'know.. a router?

 

for purposes like these i like devices like this junk:

 

they're dirt cheap (come in at around the 25USD range), with some tweaking they are very versatile as well.

 

should fit in your backpack next to your lunchbox as well.

I used a Pi as a router and AP before. Its ok for connections up to 100Mbps because it lacks a GbE port but otherwise its ok.

[Rodinski]

14 minutes ago, Theguywhobea said:

I know these are pretty popular: https://www.amazon.ca/TP-Link-TL-WR802N-Wireless-Repeater-300Mbps/dp/B00TQEX8BO/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1516395077&sr=1-3&keywords=tp+link+travel+router

This, or the step up (TP-LINK TL-WR902AC) seems like the one I'll be going with.  The latter could help when I eventually move.

 

Cheers!  I appreciate all the response!

[manikyath]

24 minutes ago, Ryois said:

I used a Pi as a router and AP before. Its ok for connections up to 100Mbps because it lacks a GbE port but otherwise its ok.

but it is more expensive, and less plug&play than getting a cheapo router.

[paddy-stone]

32 minutes ago, Theguywhobea said:

I know these are pretty popular: https://www.amazon.ca/TP-Link-TL-WR802N-Wireless-Repeater-300Mbps/dp/B00TQEX8BO/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1516395077&sr=1-3&keywords=tp+link+travel+router

Agree, I have the older version 702 IIRC, has been excellent in all the years I have had it, even use it as an access point when at home, and even 24/7 operation it is great

 

[desertcomputer]

4 hours ago, Ryois said:

A Pi 3 is 35$ you'll need at least an 8G microSD card and a micro USB cord. 

Heres a more friendly guide on how to set up an AP https://pimylifeup.com/raspberry-pi-wireless-access-point/

If you need to set up the Pi here's an easy guide too https://pimylifeup.com/how-to-install-raspbian/

Personally going with pi3 is best bet. You could have other use for it when youre not using it as router. I mean you just need to buy another 8GB mirco SD and it could be to alot of other things. It really up to OP if he have time or wants to setup it up.

 

I mean i think everyone have spare mircosd usb cable laying around their homes.