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03-28-2019, 07:46 AM | Topic Starter |
Dirty Bit
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Lake of the Woods
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Modem/Wireless Router
Wife and I are moving into a larger house in a few weeks (currently live in a wide open ranch style house, one floor) and I want to get us set up with a good cable modem and wireless router for a house with 3 levels.
Do any of you have good recommendations for equipment and how to best set that up in our house? I can handle the technical set up up the equipment, so I'm moreso looking for modem and router options. Thanks |
Posts: 6,862
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03-28-2019, 08:00 AM | #2 |
Kind of a mod
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Donkey Land
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Generally speaking, a modem is a modem if it works with your ISP. My main recommendation is just to have a separate modem and router rather than one that tries to do both.
As for routers, I've recommended this one to a few friends, and they've been happy with it. (I personally use an Asus router I bought like 7 years ago, so I can't recommend the specific model at this point.) https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Night...dp/B07C65K9H9/ |
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03-28-2019, 08:14 AM | #3 | |
Dirty Bit
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Lake of the Woods
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Quote:
The modem I own now is from my ISP 7 or 8 years ago. I'm afraid it's dated at this point and would like to upgrade (but not from my ISP). |
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03-28-2019, 09:40 AM | #4 | |
Kind of a mod
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Donkey Land
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Quote:
I'm certainly not an expert on cable modems, though. |
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03-28-2019, 09:41 AM | #5 | |
'Tis my eye!
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chiefsplanet
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03-28-2019, 09:40 AM | #6 |
'Tis my eye!
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chiefsplanet
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In general, you'll want to rent your modem from your ISP. I know the monthly charge sucks but buying your own modem opens the door for your ISP to blame every little problem on you. By renting from your ISP, you'll get better support and be 100% sure it will work with their service.
As for your wifi router, I would recommend against spending big money unless you know what you are doing and/or know you need it. I have a Netgear R7800 running DD-WRT but that's more of an advanced thing. If you want simple and functional, I've been recommending Tenda routers for a while now. They're not expensive and they do the job. They seem to have reasonable coverage as well. The Tenda AC1200 model is particularly attractive because it's currently selling for around $40. Can you give us a little more info about your setup? How many devices? Use cases, etc? |
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03-28-2019, 09:42 AM | #7 | |
Kind of a mod
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Donkey Land
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03-28-2019, 09:44 AM | #8 | |
'Tis my eye!
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chiefsplanet
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Quote:
Of course, I'm blessed. I've had fiber for about 5 years now and I've had to call tech support once. Lost the protect side of the ring and for some reason my phone line was on it (even though my internet never went down). |
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03-28-2019, 09:46 AM | #9 | |
Everything is Awesome!!!!!
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: The Pitt
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Quote:
i can't speak for your isp, but mine will rent you a modem/router combo for an extra $10 a month. yes, i know, you all hate an extra $120 a year, and i get it. think of it as an insurance plan. if the thing quits, it's replaced with no questions asked. in some cases you can go to the solutions store and change it out yourself (quickly) or wait a day for the tech to get scheduled. and theres absolutely nothing wrong with buying your own either. its just how you like to live your own life. what works for me might not work for you. good luck, drop me a line if you have any questions. |
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03-28-2019, 09:51 AM | #10 | |
'Tis my eye!
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chiefsplanet
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03-28-2019, 10:05 AM | #11 |
Everything is Awesome!!!!!
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: The Pitt
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if your isp is worth a shit, you are absolutely right. they want your business and with all the competition around, the good ones will fight for you. so to speak.
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Posts: 11,360
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03-28-2019, 10:30 AM | #12 | |
Dirty Bit
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Lake of the Woods
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Quote:
Two tv's - using firestick, netflix, etc. One computer Two ipads/tablets Typically, we have 2 devices, sometimes 3, going at once. I think I'm mainly just concerned with a solid router so that a signal is broadcast throughout the house (basement, main, upper). I assume I'd want to set everything up on the main level. |
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03-28-2019, 10:34 AM | #13 | |
'Tis my eye!
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chiefsplanet
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Quote:
How many neighbors you have? Normally, I would recommend trying to provide 5Ghz coverage to as much of your house as possible and minimize use of 2.4Ghz because of lack of spectrum. But covering a 3-story house with one wifi router isn't always easy. A cheap dual-band router on the main floor with some standalone AP's to cover the upper and basement might be your best bet if you can run ethernet to central locations. Otherwise, you'd be extending via wifi, which isn't ideal. |
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03-28-2019, 02:59 PM | #14 | |
Dirty Bit
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Lake of the Woods
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Quote:
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03-28-2019, 04:43 PM | #15 |
Kind of a mod
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Donkey Land
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Most normal routers can function as an access point. The key, as he mentioned, is being able to have Ethernet running between them. If you don't have that, I wouldn't try going that route.
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