Reliable Wired Router

[Hobbes]

Alright guys, I've been trying to do some research, but I may be at my wits end and was hoping someone here might be able to shed some light on the subject.

 

I'm looking for a router that is extremely reliable. I do not want momentary outage blips, for it to be able to get overloaded by my use cases, or really do anything other than provide a solid, stable connection 24/7. And just to be clear, I am very specifically talking about a router, any kind of wireless capability is inconsequential, as I have UniFi WAPs to handle all of my wireless needs. A wired router to do DHCP/NAT/Port Forwarding/Firewall and other routing functions is all I need.

 

The issue is, almost anywhere I look, any mention of "router" brings up results for wireless routers, which are not what I need. I do not want a multipurpose machine that is alright at two different things rather than great at a single thing (Unless it truly does have a rock solid routing portion). Plus, they're always talking about the wireless capabilities, rather than the reliability of the actual router function of the hardware.

 

I have seen a lot of talk regarding creating a pfsense router, which is not out of the question, but as I am not a business, just a home with lots of devices/file transfers/plex streaming/game servers, I don't know if there is something out there already that would do just as well.

 

I know that all of this may seem a little overkill when discussing a router for a home network, but I've had so many network issues over the years that I'm fine going overkill if that means I have rock solid stability for as long as possible. Additionally, tech projects are a hobby of mine, so I don't mind spending some money if that's what it comes down to, as I'll have fun doing it.

 

Last thing I should mention, my home network is currently gigabit, so old server routers that are only 100T are something I would prefer to avoid (Wouldn't that create a bottleneck?)

 

Thank you to everyone who decides to help!

 

Edit: 
Here is some basic information about what I'm dealing with, skipped my mind to provide it previously.

 

My current router (that I will not have for much longer) is a T-Mobile branded ASUS AC1900 functioning solely as a router (as in the wireless portion is not used), which I have to periodically power cycle due to it ceasing functions until it is power cycled.

As for the demands of my network, it varies, but at absolute peak times, there are 5 desktops, 3 laptops, a Plex server, 3 TVs using chromecasts/similar streaming devices, around 10 phones, a tablet or two, and two consoles.

Edited April 11, 2018 by Hobbes

[Radium_Angel]

Here's your challenge:

 

It costs the same to make a wired/wireless router, as it does just a hardwired router, and the wireless ones sell better.

So.....your choices are as follows:

 

crappy wired/wireless routers designed to barely hold up at home until the warranty runs out

or

business-class gear (Cisco, Nortel, etc)

Your business class (enterprise in other words) gear is designed to run 24/7/365, but you will pay.

Oh yes, you will pay.

 

Now, what's more important to you?

[RedAV8R]

I dropped an old unused FM2 APU based motherboard into a basic 2U case (which probably wasn't needed except for space/size considerations. Got a spare Gigabit PCIE card and pfSense. Never have had the issues I once had with 'residential' routers.

 

Yes, power consumption is probably way more than what an otherwise dedicated box could be. Oh well. Virtualization maybe could help, combine a few boxes I have.

[Theguywhobea]

Yeah probably just find some older Zotac mini PC with 2 network ports and use pFsense.

[Hobbes]

Regarding enterprise routers, are their tiers of them, such as "100 user business/1000 user business/10000" and so on? As in, would I need to spend the money for a router made to handle tens of hundreds of clients, or are there models that would still be just as reliable, but made for lighter loads that are, relatively speaking, more realistic? I'm not wanting to cheap out if that's what it will cost, I'm not asking for extreme reliability for "under $50" or anything.

 

As for those talking about pfsense. Are traditional desktop CPUs/MOBOs/RAM reliable enough for my use? Or would I need to spring for Xeons and ECC? (I ask as I may be able to get my hands FX-8350 for relatively cheap, which I would split up into two for Plex and Router duties if consumer hardware is stable enough)

[Valkyrie Lenneth]

most modems these days have built in wired routers, u can usually just connect a switch

 

and honestly i never had any connection issues ect due to a router... everything has worked fine for me no matter what i used, the only thing that improves with better routers basicly is wireless connection, since ur wired it shouldnt matter

 

as u mentioned

A wired router to do DHCP/NAT/Port Forwarding/Firewall and other routing functions is all I need.

 

u basicly just need the modems built in router. not much more, if it doesnt have one ( which is rare af these days ) a standard cabled router will do, just look for features and speed in that case... dont worry about connection quality. as ive never seen that change wired on a router

[AshleyAshes]

Exactly how many devices are we talking about?  Because saying a 'lot' is highly subjective.

 

But as an example my AC66U with additional 8 and 5 ports switches chained up elsewhere, has no problem handling a desktop, two HTPCs, one media server, a SmartTV, plus game consoles.  Also a laptop, phone and tablet on Wifi.  As well as some of my other PCs but they're mostly off.  but this is something that a LOT of 'upper middle tier' routers could handle.

[Hobbes]

@AshleyAshes @Valkyrie Lenneth During absolute peak times, there can be 5 desktops, the Plex server, 3 laptops, 3 TVs using chromecasts/similar streaming devices, a tablet or two, two game consoles at a time, and about 10 phones. (We sometimes have a fair amount of people staying with us, they're all usually heavy users). I have no idea if this is beyond the capability of a traditional router built into wireless routers such as the Netgear AC1200. If it can truly handle even that without buckling or slowing down at all, that is fantastic news. I have just been unable to find actual performance and reliability metrics for routers thus far.

Additionally, for Valkyrie Lenneth, I'm not using the modem provided by my ISP, I am using separate hardware I bought, as I've never had reliable hardware from them. Constantly had to restart them due to it going down for one reason or another. As such, the modem is nothing more than a modem, and does not provide routing capabilities. Sorry if I made it sound like mine had that capability! I'm currently just using the router builtin to a wireless router I have from T-Mobile, but I won't get to keep it much longer, and so I'm trying to find a solution.

Edited April 11, 2018 by Hobbes

[AshleyAshes]

2 minutes ago, Hobbes said:

@AshleyAshes @Valkyrie Lenneth During absolute peak times, there can be 5 desktops, the Plex server, 3 laptops, 3 TVs using chromecasts/similar streaming devices, a tablet or two, two game consoles at a time, and about 10 phones. (We sometimes have a fair amount of people staying with us, they're all usually heavy users). I have no idea if this is beyond the capability of a traditional router built into wireless routers such as the Netgear AC1200. If it can truly handle even that without buckling or slowing down at all, that is fantastic news. I have just been unable to find actual performance and reliability metrics for routers thus far.

So, exactly what is your current hardware and whats problems do you experience with it and in what scenarios?  Sorry to keep throwing questions but your original post actually provides minimal information.  All I can say to most of that is 'Yeah, most consumer routers are not stress tested to enterprise level loads because why would consumers be interested in that?'

[Hobbes]

@AshleyAshes I currently am using a T-Mobile branded ASUS AC1900 wireless router that I was provided by T-Mobile a while back as my router. I will not have it much longer, as I will no longer be with T-Mobile, and so they will be taking it back. As such, I am already in the market for getting a new router of some kind.

 

As for the issues I am facing, I commonly have to power cycle said AC1900, as it periodically completely ceases functioning until I power cycle it. I have had similar experiences with every other device I have used as a router, and am at the point where I'm willing to pay for reliability, even if it seems extreme.

[AshleyAshes]

7 minutes ago, Hobbes said:

@AshleyAshes I currently am using a T-Mobile branded ASUS AC1900 wireless router that I was provided by T-Mobile a while back as my router. I will not have it much longer, as I will no longer be with T-Mobile, and so they will be taking it back. As such, I am already in the market for getting a new router of some kind.

 

As for the issues I am facing, I commonly have to power cycle said AC1900, as it periodically completely ceases functioning until I power cycle it. I have had similar experiences with every other device I have used as a router, and am at the point where I'm willing to pay for reliability, even if it seems extreme.

I assume it's not handling wifi since you said you have a seperate AP.  That's a dual core ARM processor in there but your problem could be more software based than hardware.  Like, before spending money, I'd try tossing DDWRT on that router rather than the ASUS WRT it's be running with.

[Hobbes]

The problem is, I won't have it in a month or two, so any stability I might gain from doing so would not benefit me for longer than that time period. 

[AshleyAshes]

6 minutes ago, Hobbes said:

The problem is, I won't have it in a month or two, so any stability I might gain from doing so would not benefit me for longer than that time period. 

But it'd also be a good test before you blow the bank on some low end enterprise hardware or build an electricity guzzling PFSense router when you can determine that a mid-high level consumer grade router will do the job

[beyonddc]

Get an EdgeRouter X (https://www.ubnt.com/edgemax/edgerouter-x/) and a smart switch like Netgear GS108-E (https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=12K-008X-00022)

[Hobbes]

To my (admittedly limited) understanding, isn't DDWRT fairly outdated on most routers? I thought you needed to buy fairly specific hardware if you wanted a good DDWRT experience? I could be totally wrong on that though.

 

Would you recommend the Edgerouter with or without DDWRT if available?

[Donut417]

1 hour ago, Hobbes said:

To my (admittedly limited) understanding, isn't DDWRT fairly outdated on most routers? I thought you needed to buy fairly specific hardware if you wanted a good DDWRT experience? I could be totally wrong on that though.

 

Would you recommend the Edgerouter with or without DDWRT if available?

The Edgerouter is not DDWRT capable to my understanding. 

 

Also, you would be surprised on what routers support DDWRT. They have a database at their site with what routers are supported. DDWRT basically gives you business level features on a consumer level product. Though it does not necessarily mean the router wont suck. That all depends on the hardware inside. 

 

In all honestly your probably looking at an Edgerouter. As its more of a prosumer/Small business router. It would be able to handle most if not all that any home user can throw at it. Plus from the last time I checked, they are not too expensive. At least compared to the $200 wireless router I bought.

[PsyOpWarlord]

I'd go with an EdgeRouter Lite 3 for the router.  Then just add a gigabit network switch with the number of ports you need for your wired devices.

 

I've been using the ERL-3 and love it.  Its been the best router I've had.