Wireless router for 30+ devices

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
la chupacabra

la chupacabra

Distinguished
Apr 26, 2014
114
6
18,695
I’m looking for the best router for a network of 30 PCs and iMacs + 30 mobiles. All of them will be connecting wireless. My main priority is stable connection and best use of not so fast bandwidth (15-30Mbps)
The previous router that has been used on this network (when there were less computers connected) was Netgear WNDR3700v2 and there have never been any problems with it.
After adding few computers to the network I thought that router upgrade would be a good idea and I installed NETGEAR R8000 Nighthawk X6. That was a very bad choice, SSIDs were constantly disappearing. So now I’m back to old Netgear WNDR3700v2 which works OK, but I think new router can improve internet performance on network computers.
I did some research and now I’m mainly leaning towards ASUS RT-AC68U. I installed some other Asus routers in the past (ASUS RT-AC66U AC, ASUS RT-N66U N900) for smaller networks (5-10 devices) and I never had a single problem with them.
Is this model; ASUS RT-AC68U, a good choice for a network with so many wireless devices or there is a better option than this. Or maybe ASUS RT-AC66U AC would be better? I know that sometimes more advanced models are less reliable (i.e Nighthawk X6).
My priorities are: stable, uninterrupted connection and best use of an internet bandwidth that is provided for the office (15Mbps-30Mbps).
 
Solution
g90814
The routers you are listing are routers for home consumer use. I'm surprised the Nighthawk didn't perform at least as well as the WNDR3700.

You might want to look into Ubiquiti systems access points, they are aimed more at small businesses, but much cheaper than Cisco type solutions.

https://www.ubnt.com/unifi/unifi-ap/
https://www.ubnt.com/unifi/unifi-ap-ac/

They are sold by Newegg also:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=ubiquiti+unifi&N=-1&isNodeId=1

Basically you just need a good router, and use these access points for wifi (turn off built in wifi in router if it has it).
Sort by date Sort by votes
g90814

g90814

Honorable
Apr 11, 2013
1,382
1
11,960
The routers you are listing are routers for home consumer use. I'm surprised the Nighthawk didn't perform at least as well as the WNDR3700.

You might want to look into Ubiquiti systems access points, they are aimed more at small businesses, but much cheaper than Cisco type solutions.

https://www.ubnt.com/unifi/unifi-ap/
https://www.ubnt.com/unifi/unifi-ap-ac/

They are sold by Newegg also:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=ubiquiti+unifi&N=-1&isNodeId=1

Basically you just need a good router, and use these access points for wifi (turn off built in wifi in router if it has it).
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Solution
casper1973

casper1973

Distinguished
Dec 30, 2012
942
0
19,360
I think we need to determine the problem and your goals before making any legitimate suggestions.

Can you explain the issues you are/were are having any further? So far all we know is that "SSIDs were constantly disappearing" with the NightHawk and well... you aren't having any problems with the WNDR3700v2 (which begs the question... why change it?)

Also what you hope to achieve from the upgrade? Are you after faster internet speeds? Do you share files between the devices and need a performance increase here?

Do your devices support 5GHz? (at least some of them)

 
Upvote 1 Downvote
la chupacabra

la chupacabra

Distinguished
Apr 26, 2014
114
6
18,695
The office is not that big (maybe 30 or 40 sq.m.) and the router is right in the middle of it. The WiFi range is not an issue here. Even most further located computer has very strong signal, usually all bars. It's how the router is handling so many wireless connection is my main concern.
Do you think that ASUS RT-AC68U would have problems handling 30 computers and around 30 mobiles connected to it wireless (on 2 SSIDs)? The reason why I'm leaning towards Asus more is because I've been using them for some time now (but in smaller networks) and the solution that you recommended may take me much more time to learn how to configure it and actually do it. But maybe I will go for it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
g90814

g90814

Honorable
Apr 11, 2013
1,382
1
11,960
Any one device will have trouble handling 30 connections.

That's why I suggested a solution with multiple access points.

They have software to manage the UniFi access points, it's not too difficult to use.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
casper1973

casper1973

Distinguished
Dec 30, 2012
942
0
19,360



In this case I agree with g90814 - get a dedicated access point, in fact get a few.

You can get 3-packs of the Ubiquiti Unifi for £150/$180 and space them out around the office. They mesh together so you only see one SSID (or two in your case) and load is automatically balanced between them. So instead of one router handling 60 wireless connections, you have 3 AP's handling 20 connections each.

Wireless routers are multifunction devices - good at everything, great at nothing.
I honestly believe ANY wireless router on the market will be pushing the limits at 60 wireless clients. They just aren't designed for that level of usage.

Let the router handle routing and let the AP's handle wireless.

EDIT
If you budget allows, go for the Unifi Pro model. They cost a lot more but the additional 5GHz band will help since you are operating in such a crowded area.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
la chupacabra

la chupacabra

Distinguished
Apr 26, 2014
114
6
18,695


Thank you all for advice. What I'm aiming for is to get best use out of the internet bandwidth which is quite low for so many computers, but unfortunately upgrade is not an option because building administrator is ripping people off on internet fees (£100 per 1Mbps per month). 6 iMacs are supporting 5GHz and probably all mobiles so they would be connected to seperate SSID (maybe I will ask everyone to disconnect their mobiles from the WiFi network). And also there is a shared folder on the network used by everybody.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom