New Router / Modem

[Neil Lukins]

We use Talk Talk on a Business Fibre FTTC.

The router they supply isn't great so we are looking to swap this out. Been told that a new router will require a modem so I'm assuming we can use the existing equipment if needed.

Any advice on good routers or router/modem combos which would work great for us.
Usage is business - 1 pc, 3x phones, ipad, 3xalexa, 2x games consoles, 1xsmart TV, 1x printer,

Also any advice on installation would be great as I'm aware you can't just plug and play (or can you)

 

[Nico Albrecht]

Deep inside, you want a Draytek router that has FTTC support build in. Pretty much any tech supplied from an ISP is a product for the bin. Draytek has build in load balancing and package control and your voip has priority always.

They can be pricey but worth the money. If you are on a budget go for a DrayTek Vigor 130 VDSL2/ADSL Fibre (FTTP/BT Infinity) Ethernet Modem.

Advantage, build in VPN but no wifi. vlans, bad ass firewall and user rules. For wifi you buy yourself a Ubiquity AP lite access point or more depending on how big the office it.

All in DrayTek Vigor 130 around £80 new
Ubiquiti Networks UAP-AC-LITE WLAN Access Point around £80

pay somebody to set the FTTC and assign QOS for the voip, fine tune the firewall and off you go. You have a system rated to last at least 5 years without rebooting it. They support 4G as well so a prepaid sim poped in and you have a nice failover.

Side note:
You buy products that actually work not brands. Cisco might be a bit on the higher side but stay away from Netgear, TP Link, Linksys, BT products. There are like any ISP provided gear products for the bin.

 

[Neil Lukins]

Thanks Nico - just the advice I was looking for. I've been researching routers online and amazon but keep getting various results.

 

[Nico Albrecht]

The setup above was tested by me with TT and it works just fine. All the tech I mentioned is fair priced and the lowest you can go for fro those companies. No need to go higher for your small setup and I can vouch for it that it actually works. You will have a very stable system for years.

For the setup it is not rocket science either, call from your landline the TT number provided to retrieve your password and username. ( google it ) or here https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Articles/Set-up-a-non-TalkTalk-router/ta-p/2205383

Go into the router and click on internet setup , follow the guide job done. Here is the link for TT.

https://www.draytek.co.uk/support/guides/kb-isp-talktalk

The ubiquity if it is a single one you connect it to the back of the router via Ethernet. Power is supplied via a power injector and included. Install the ubiquity app on your phone and follow the setup. https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/115012360487-UniFi-Getting-Started-with-the-UniFi-Mobile-App

You must setup the ubiquity via the TT router as the draytek one doesn't have wifi. Once the setup is done you can switch over. Also Ubiquity is enterprise level tech at consumer pricing and you can add more to your network and create a mesh in case you have a bigger house and dead spots.

For Draytek VOIP QOS setting https://www.draytek.com/support/knowledge-base/5286 One tick and off you go job done,

 

[Neil Lukins]

Hi Nico, which Draytek router would you recommend? I've looked at the post again and can only see the budget router recommendation. If we wasn't on a budget which one would you go for? We already use 3x decos for range extending so would we need the ubiquity?

 

[Nico Albrecht]

The DrayTek Vigor 130 will be fine for you better models aim at businesses with more users and vpn connections.

I setup a DrayTek Vigor 130 in my dads house with way more devices and this one works just fine. Save the money here and invest it into the ubiquity ones.

Broadband buyer is a good source to get them. Call them up as their pre sales support is quite good and they offer a bit of trouble shooting too. Tell them what you need and they can advise further.

Range extenders is the last resort to go for. A wifi mesh with several access points is the preferred way to go. If you do not have Ethernet sockets in the area you need them installed get some tenda powerline adapter to get data to them.

It is worth it.

 

[ServWise]

Just agreeing with the Draytek suggestion, I have used them for many years and they are rock solid (at least until they die in a lightning storm), however, I consider them to be a prosumer product price-wise. If budget is a consideration and what your need does not seem that taxing then I have always had good luck with TP-Link DSL routers. Stay away from Asus and netgear.

 

[DavidWH]

+1 on Draytek

We have a model that has wifi.

We've for FTTP connection, using the now redundant ADSL line as a fail over until the contract expires. Before the FTTP we had a 4g dongle and load balanced the connections.

We also make use of the built in VPN.

When using our piss poor ADSL connection the draytek had less drop outs compared to the netgear routers we used previously.

 

[Craig Bird]

great comments so far by @Nico Albrecht

An all in one solution by Draytek would be great, having a Draytek 130 with a more advanced firewall will add better threat protection but add another point of failure.

 

[Nico Albrecht]

In 5 years with 5G on board, there will not be such a problem with routers anymore.

Can I smoke the same crack as you to come to the same conclusion.

 

[Bilon]

A router can work slow due to the high load on it. For example, there are security systems that require a wi-fi connection to work properly and exchange data. I have noticed that last year. I used to have an old security system. It did not work correctly. So, I changed it to a new Ajax home security system. As the Ajax system does not need a wi-fi connection, the load on a router was decreased. That system works from a sim card. In my way, it is the most reliable technique.

 

[fc-ramon]

+1 for draytek . They are class products. Although i've not had bad experiences with the Business TP Link stuff too Ruckus access points are absolute units too - better than a UniFi bit of kit

 

[DontAsk]

Why all the talk of FTTP when the OP clearly states FTTC.

The connection is only going to be as good as the connection from the cabinet to the premises.

How long is a piece of copper?

 

[fc-ramon]

Yes, but a the difference between a stock talk talk router and draytek is miles apart even on a 30 or 60 mbps plan. The ISP routers suck at QOS and actually giving a solid service when multiple devices are connected at the same time utilising the network

 

[EmC007]

A very simple setup with good WiFi is a ZYXEL Vmg 3925 B10D.

 

[Nico Albrecht]

ZYXEL Vmg 3925 B10D.

Every modern modem router that still supports WPS setup should be binned for good!

 

[fc-ramon]

Agree with Nico, not to mention the *totally legitimate* (/s) back door recently discovered in ZYXEL devices

 

[Ian J]

This thread will be celebrating it's birthday soon. Many thanks to Bilon for raising it Lazarus like from the grave

 

[Nico Albrecht]

This thread will be celebrating it's birthday soon

Nothing beats a good router talk. Still waiting for Mr D crashing the router party with his asda's finest router recomodations.

 

[Ian J]

Nothing beats a good router talk.

I must admit that when I have a router problem I post about it here and wait for you to answer