[Nick B]

My old Linksys router needs to be replaced. I was thinking of buying a combination wireless router and modem. I went with Ooma for a landline and we cut the cable cord right now and only have Internet. I am trying Kodi as well. As I know very little about the subject, I'd appreciate some input.
There are 4-5 Internet providers locally and 3 tv providers.  If I buy a router with a modem, could there be any compatibility issues now or later and maybe if I add tv service back later? I would definitely like a 2 band router and would be willing to go about $250
Thanks,
Nick

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I would go separate.  If the thing breaks, then you need replace the whole thing.  In addition, you can buy a better router by itself but you may pay a bit more.

[Mike-48]

I would go separate.  If the thing breaks, then you need replace the whole thing.  In addition, you can buy a better router by itself but you may pay a bit more.

I'll second that. Cable-modem technology is improving slower than router technology. And it is helpful to be able to replace one without the other.

[Nick B]

Per the recommendation, I did buy a router only. It was the dual band ASUS RT 87U and I also downloaded the Merlin software which apparently gives it more functionality. The router works better than the old Linksys, but still has some connectivity issues. I may be assigning fixed IP addresses and I'm also trying to figure out which devices work better on the 2.4 vs the 5.0 bands. It's a steep learning curve and there isn't a lot of help that I've found yet.

[randytsuch]

Per the recommendation, I did buy a router only. It was the dual band ASUS RT 87U and I also downloaded the Merlin software which apparently gives it more functionality. The router works better than the old Linksys, but still has some connectivity issues. I may be assigning fixed IP addresses and I'm also trying to figure out which devices work better on the 2.4 vs the 5.0 bands. It's a steep learning curve and there isn't a lot of help that I've found yet.

I have the tmobile branded asus, a RT-AC68U with special tmobile firmware that is slightly stripped down.
I don't know about the 87u, but I like my 68u, but don't confess to be an expert.
But I did have some connectivity issues with 5 GHz, for whatever reason my devices work better at 2.4, so I connect to the 2.4g  and all is good.
I would assign fixed IP addresses where possible, I did on mine.
FWIW, when I got my new router, I plugged my old router into the new one, so I kept my old wifi network, and added a new one.  This made the transition easier for the family.

There are router forums where you should be able to find help, I remember looking and finding help when I had questions about my router.  I wanted to upgrade the firmware, then I figured out tmobile had disabled that, guess they didn't like people changing firmware in their modems.
This one might be useful
http://www.snbforums.com/forums/asuswrt-merlin.42/


Randy

[Nick B]

I have the tmobile branded asus, a RT-AC68U with special tmobile firmware that is slightly stripped down.
I don't know about the 87u, but I like my 68u, but don't confess to be an expert.
But I did have some connectivity issues with 5 GHz, for whatever reason my devices work better at 2.4, so I connect to the 2.4g  and all is good.
I would assign fixed IP addresses where possible, I did on mine.
FWIW, when I got my new router, I plugged my old router into the new one, so I kept my old wifi network, and added a new one.  This made the transition easier for the family.

There are router forums where you should be able to find help, I remember looking and finding help when I had questions about my router.  I wanted to upgrade the firmware, then I figured out tmobile had disabled that, guess they didn't like people changing firmware in their modems.
This one might be useful
http://www.snbforums.com/forums/asuswrt-merlin.42/


Randy

Thanks for the link. That will be a good source for me. Right now, the 2.4 band is performing better than the 5.0   Im going to try and find out why that is. I may also move the router and modem to where the UHD tv is. We use the Kbox on that tv and Speedtests show that the wireless download speeds can vary from 1-2 mb to 20-30
Nick

[Odal3]

To help troubleshoot wifi connection issues, you can use apps on either android or iPhones to see the wifi strength. There are many options. The one I use is called wifi analyzer (android).

 If the software on your router allows you may also try to switch the channel it broadcasts the signal on. The wifI analyzer will tell you which channels have a lot of competing networks.

Moving the router close helps and make sure its not block in. There are also products that can be set up to strengthen the signal in tricky rooms.

If you stream a lot of HD video content with full HD audio you need a pretty solid connection. If nothing else helps, there are always an ethernet cable.

I have two WiFi routers in my house. One upstairs which is the main router connected to the modem and then I have linked (bridged) a second one on my main floor where my TV room is to boost the connection.

Good luck!

[srb]

Right now, the 2.4 band is performing better than the 5.0   Im going to try and find out why that is.

Static vs DHCP addresses on occasion make for a quicker initial connection but have no effect on distance or bandwidth.

2.4GHz Wi-Fi has greater range and goes through walls, floors and other obstructions more easily but 5GHz, although having lesser range and less ability to penetrate obstructions, has greater bandwidth and throughput.

One often overlooked parameter is Wi-Fi channel selection.  On the 2.4GHz band I have seen the auto-channel setting (usually the default) on all brands of routers often make a less than optimum selection.  On the 2.4GHz band, channels 1, 6 and 11 are the only non-overlapping channels yet I have seen routers choose auto-select another channel even when there was no internal or neighbor Wi-Fi strong enough to compete and cause interference.  Setting fixed Wi-Fi channels can be one of the best tools to tweak your Wi-Fi performance.

If you have an Android phone, get the free app Wi-Fi Analyzer which will give you a lot of information on all Wi-Fi signals in your environment, give more precise signal strength as you roam and will even rate optimum channels in order.  If your phone is dual band, all the better to analyze the 5GHz band as well.

I know of several people who went from an Android phone to an iPhone, and when they discovered there was no equivalent app for the iPhone went back to an Android phone just for the app!

Lastly, router location is also important.  Ideally, you would suspend the router from the ceiling at about head height (!) in the middle of your coverage area, but of course that's not possible.

But you can locate the router away from close proximity to walls, floors, ceiling and windows, and away from large metal and glass structures such as appliances, file cabinets, aquariums, etc.  Also make sure it is not located in close proximity to other Wi-Fi devices such as telephone base stations, baby monitors, wireless security or other any other Wi-Fi devices operating on 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands.

Steve

[Nick B]

Static vs DHCP addresses on occasion make for a quicker initial connection but have no effect on distance or bandwidth.

2.4GHz Wi-Fi has greater range and goes through walls, floors and other obstructions more easily but 5GHz, although having lesser range and less ability to penetrate obstructions, has greater bandwidth and throughput.

One often overlooked parameter is Wi-Fi channel selection.  On the 2.4GHz band I have seen the auto-channel setting (usually the default) on all brands of routers often make a less than optimum selection.  On the 2.4GHz band, channels 1, 6 and 11 are the only non-overlapping channels yet I have seen routers choose auto-select another channel even when there was no internal or neighbor Wi-Fi strong enough to compete and cause interference.  Setting fixed Wi-Fi channels can be one of the best tools to tweak your Wi-Fi performance.

If you have an Android phone, get the free app Wi-Fi Analyzer which will give you a lot of information on all Wi-Fi signals in your environment, give more precise signal strength as you roam and will even rate optimum channels in order.  If your phone is dual band, all the better to analyze the 5GHz band as well.

I know of several people who went from an Android phone to an iPhone, and when they discovered there was no equivalent app for the iPhone went back to an Android phone just for the app!

Lastly, router location is also important.  Ideally, you would suspend the router from the ceiling at about head height (!) in the middle of your coverage area, but of course that's not possible.

But you can locate the router away from close proximity to walls, floors, ceiling and windows, and away from large metal and glass structures such as appliances, file cabinets, aquariums, etc.  Also make sure it is not located in close proximity to other Wi-Fi devices such as telephone base stations, baby monitors, wireless security or other any other Wi-Fi devices operating on 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands.

Steve

Well, that explains a lot and I appreciate the detailed response. Based on what you said, it diminishes the value of the 5.0 band. The router currently sits next to a wall and close to the landline. The UHD tv is 2 rooms away from the router. So the first thing to do is put the modem and router in the same room as that tv. I would also put nearly all the devices on the 2.4 band. I think we have 10 or 11 devices. I have an iPhone, so I won't be able to use that app. I'll need to get on the forum and the ASUS /Merlin site to learn a lot more.

[JRace]

Well, that explains a lot and I appreciate the detailed response. Based on what you said, it diminishes the value of the 5.0 band. The router currently sits next to a wall and close to the landline. The UHD tv is 2 rooms away from the router. So the first thing to do is put the modem and router in the same room as that tv. I would also put nearly all the devices on the 2.4 band. I think we have 10 or 11 devices. I have an iPhone, so I won't be able to use that app. I'll need to get on the forum and the ASUS /Merlin site to learn a lot more.

5GHz has two benifits:
Less interference in the 5GHz band, and better throughput.
If you have AC on your receiving end you need to use 5GHz to get the full throughput.

Downsides are distance and penetration.

If you can get the router in the same room as the TV just hard wire it.

[Nick B]

5GHz has two benifits:
Less interference in the 5GHz band, and better throughput.
If you have AC on your receiving end you need to use 5GHz to get the full throughput.

Downsides are distance and penetration.

If you can get the router in the same room as the TV just hard wire it.

The setup is functioning better now as I put a few devices on different bands. There haven't been any dropouts recently. I was going to move the router, but I don't think it's necessary right now. Speedtests show 20-60 mbps. The only device I have that may be AC capable is the Auralic Mini, but I haven't been able to verify that via a few searches. I like the router, but it has screw on antennas which tend to loosen when I rotate them. It's annoying, especially for a higher priced router.

[JRace]

Looking at the Mini Specs looks like it has AC:
http://support.auralic.com/hc/en-us/articles/206602717-Product-Specification

Input Port

RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet
802.11ac Tri-Band WiFi connection
USB 2.0 High-Speed for external USB drive

The antennas on your router can be both turned and removed.
To turn only you should hold the part closest to the router in place while you turn the antenna.

Do not point the antenna directly at your gear, and try and have all the antennas at slightly different angles.