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-   -   On Wi-Fi & Routers (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/gadgets-computers-software/64258-wi-fi-routers-62.html)

So when you switch on and off the wifi in your device, you get internet back on?
Since the devices seem to connect to the wifi, my assumption is that the issue is between the router to the modem (or ISP) and hence the suggestion to re-start the router.

Hello folks!
I'm looking for a Wifi Router to connect my Tata Docomo Max Wifi Dongle. The Wifi signal strength of the dongle isnt good at all so I'm looking to enhance the wifi signal using the router. I've checked several routers which support usb dongles but am confused about which one would be the best.
Please help me with the best router with usb support!
Thanks!

I used a Digisol with my Photon Plus with excellent results.

I got the TP-Link device above and set it up at my home. The other one is EOL'ed.

1. Both my ACT and BSNL broadband links are now connected to it, both work fine and traffic balancing (and failover) between them work fine too.
   
2. I have setup an IPSec VPN from this device to my AWS VPC; it works fine with BSNL but not with ACT (NAT-T issue). I have raised a ticket with ACT but don't have much hope.
   
3. Most common IPSec features are supported, including both Main and Aggressive modes, PFS, DPD etc. On the other hand, only PSK is supported - I didn't see any option for certificate-based peer authentication.
   
4. Multiple SSIDs are supported. I created one for my home (retained my old SSID - configured on all sorts of devices at my home) and one exclusively for my own WFH use.
   
5. Unfortunately it does not support different DHCP pools for each SSID. I didn't want sundry devices to have direct access to my AWS VPC via the VPN; so I have done a hack for now (assigned a static IP for my laptop and tunneled only that IP). Need to check some security aspects of this before adopting this as a permanent configuration.
   
6. The Wifi range is excellent. Too good to be true, in fact. My previous device (Linksys) wouldn't reach my bedroom so I had a repeater in between. This one reaches much beyond. :-) I hope I don't get complaints from others in the complex that my Wifi is interfering with theirs (I have chosen the safe channel 11, though).
   
7. There is the option of DDNS+RoadWarrior IPSec configuration which I don't think I'll use; but I'll give it a try too.
   
8. All standard features are present (protocol-specific handling for VoIP, games, file sharing etc.). I don't think anything's glaringly missing.

I paid nearly Rs. 9000 for this device, though market price seems to be > 10K. I got a discount from my office's IT equipment vendor.

Thanks binand for your detailed review. It looks like this one will be serve my purpose which seems to be same as yours.

Guys I have a question. I have an ACT broadband (now ACT FibreNet) connection that is advertised as 40Mbps. In fact I do get the full 40Mbps when plugged into the router (Cisco Linksys E900) via an ethernet cable. But when I use WiFi I don't get more than 20Mbps up or down. Is there a setting or configuration change I can make to unlock the full speed on WiFi? I tried some googling, and the most popular remedy seems to be a firmware upgrade. This brings me to my second question. Is it safe for me to download and upgrade the firmware? or does this need to be done by the ACT guys?

I have recently spoke to one of CC advisory from D-Link. He says that both (2/5) dB antenna is still on market. In all the shopping site they display the old pics with 2 dB antenna which may be wrong. You need to find the HW version, it should be U1.

I am also in a look out for a decent router, I am currently on Beetel 450 TC2 which doesn't even cover to the next room, provided by Airtel.

So I am planning to invest on a decent router and use this Beetel as a modem to connect to the router.

Now my budget is around 7k, maxed out at 8K.

Devices - 4 SmartPhone, 2 IPads, 2 Windows Laptop, A macbook Air, Wii and TataSky HD+

Future Additions - Possibly Apple TV, or Chromecast or its likes

ISP: Airtel, 4mbps with FUP.

Requirement: House is around 1200Sq Ft. currently I get only 2 bars in the next room. The current router is present in near the hall & bedroom wall and it cannot be moved to another place.

Usage:
Seamless connection to devices, as it moves out and in to the wifi zone - Very Important
1.Next is to cover the entire house corner, utilize the 5Ghz band to connect my newer devices.
2. stream movies from my external HDD, to be connected to the Router.
3. Might use a download master.
3. Future proof to some extent till I get a 802.11ac device or get a good 802.11ac router now itself but costs are really high & out of range.


So, I would like the learned group to suggest me a good router

Candidates
Asus RT-N56U
Asus RT-AC52U

I have an asus in my parents place and have never had any issue with it, so leaning towards Asus. No Connection issues what so ever with

I have used TP-Link router previously and my Nexus 4 and Ipad doesnt behave properly with them. Thought it connects to the WiFi, it wouldnt have internet connection, until I restart the router.

I have been using the Asus RT-N66U for the past 2 to 3 years, this will meet all your requirements, amazing hardware and coverage, I have connected 1 TB HDD to the router and it streams movies all over my house, infact the signal is so strong that I get it even 70 to 80 meters away from my house. The best investment I have done.

Mod Note: Please quote ONLY the relevant bits of a post. Quoting a full, long post inconveniences our mobile readers.

Thanks rbp, I agree the Dark Knight is indeed a beast, but for me budget very much a limiting factor. N66U is way beyond my reach @ 12k, where as my budget is ~8K max.

Is there a similar router that would let me enjoy a decent performance at this price range. Any new suggestions are welcome too.

56u is also good but the firmware support isn't great. N66U gets frequent updates, if any of ur friends is coming from US get 66U from there, hardly 8k there. I would advise u to stretch ur budget worth the performance

Thanks for the suggestion. Got a couple of questions -
1. is it worth buying a 802.11ac router now? or should I wait for the market to mature?
2. If I get a Asus router from US, will it have warranty in India like apple products do?

If you have ac gadgets yes, else no

No, zero warranty!

Thanks AB, I don't have an ac Device as of now, but i am planning to upgrade my N4, to a newer one which would probably be ac compatible.

1. how does Airport extreme (newer tower model) compare to the likes of AC routers?

2. Given that my requirement would be to stream (HD) movies to my devices while browsing/watching youtube extra, would there be significant difference be AC or N routers?

3. How good is the beam formation of AC over N in passing through, 3-4 brick walls in a typical indian house? Since I dont need a router that has huge coverage. For me coverage or say 1500 - 2000 Sq Ft is enough but quality of connection is extremely important.

@rbp, are you on stock firmware or on the likes or merling/dd-wrt etc? Is there any warranty issues when the router is switched to a open/modified firmware from the stock firmware?

I am on stock firmware, never found a reason to try the others. I haven't had any issues with the router so dunno if changing the firmware will void warranty or not, based on your requirements I doubt if you will ever change the firmware to others. By the way the router comes with 3 years warrant as far as I recall.