802.11n modem with 802.11ac router?

[Justin Bayette]

Hi,

 

So, my parents (don't blame me for this) have century link DSL. We are using an 802.11n modem/router all in one. Would it be possible for us to buy a 802.11ac router, connect it, and turn our Wi-Fi into 802.11ac? (To clarify, this means you have dsl cable -to- 802.11n modem -to- 802.11ac router -to- my secret Netflix account)

 

(Yes, I know we should just get cable Wi-Fi....................ragggeee....)

Edited August 4, 2018 by Justin Bayette

[Lurick]

If you need the local transfer speed, range, or stability then yes, just turn off the ISP unit's wifi and there won't be any issues. You won't however get faster up or down speeds, just want to make sure that's not the expectation going into this.

[Justin Bayette]

1 minute ago, Lurick said:

If you need the local transfer speed, range, or stability then yes, just turn off the ISP unit's wifi and there won't be any issues. You won't however get faster up or down speeds, just want to make sure that's not the expectation going into 

 

Let me make sure I understand what your saying. It could boost our range, as well as stability, just not overall speeds?

[Lurick]

Just now, Justin Bayette said:

 

Let me make sure I understand what your saying. It could boost our range, as well as stability, just not overall speeds?

Correct, if you need to transfer stuff on the local network and the computers have AC wifi cards then you'll see a boost in speed there but internet speeds will not change without paying for more speed.

[Donut417]

1 hour ago, Justin Bayette said:

Hi,

 

So, my parents (don't blame me for this) have century link DSL. We are using an 802.11n modem/router all in one. Would it be possible for us to buy a 802.11ac router, connect it, and turn our Wi-Fi into 802.11ac? (To clarify, this means you have dsl cable -to- 802.11n modem -to- 802.11ac router -to- my secret Netflix account)

 

(Yes, I know we should just get cable Wi-Fi....................ragggeee....)

I agree with everything @Lurick said. It will just give you a more range and faster local transfers. But internet speed will still be slow, LOL. 

 

You actually have two good options here. 1) Get an access point as you have a modem/router combo, and then just disable WiFi on the Century Link box. Access points are basically just the wireless radios. They will give you the faster WiFi without the headache of having to properly setup that second router so you dont have double NAT. 2) You put your Century Link combo unit in bridge mode, making it just a modem and buy a decent router with QoS options. This can help on slower connections if someone wants to watch Netflix and surf at the same time. Some routers like a Synology RT2600AC allow you to dedicate a portion of bandwidth to a device or limit how much bandwidth a device can use. Which might also be useful. 

[Justin Bayette]

1 hour ago, Donut417 said:

I agree with everything @Lurick said. It will just give you a more range and faster local transfers. But internet speed will still be slow, LOL. 

 

You actually have two good options here. 1) Get an access point as you have a modem/router combo, and then just disable WiFi on the Century Link box. Access points are basically just the wireless radios. They will give you the faster WiFi without the headache of having to properly setup that second router so you dont have double NAT. 2) You put your Century Link combo unit in bridge mode, making it just a modem and buy a decent router with QoS options. This can help on slower connections if someone wants to watch Netflix and surf at the same time. Some routers like a Synology RT2600AC allow you to dedicate a portion of bandwidth to a device or limit how much bandwidth a device can use. Which might also be useful. 

Ok, thanks so much for your help, both of you!

[Alex Atkin UK]

Although generally ANY router, so long as it lets you turn off DHCP, can be used as an access point.

 

You don't have to turn off NAT/routing, so long as your network is still getting DHCP from the main router and so all traffic is being sent there via the additional router.

 

The reason I say this is consumer grade access points are not necessarily as good as consumer grade routers when it comes to WiFi.  This is why people tend to do for things like the Ubiquiti Access Points as they are intended for small business so generally more reliable.

 

Of course if your main router lets you switch it into bridge/modem mode, using a better router MIGHT improve your broadband, as ISP routers can be very underpowered.