Asus RT-N56U or RT-N66U

[ffeingol]

We now have a bunch of "N" gadgets at home so it's time to upgrade from an old Asus. I have a home use Astaro firewall, so it does all the heavy lifting (DHCP, QoS etc.). The wireless router is really just acting as a switch and an access point.

Here is an overview of the devices:

- Two cell phones (both N capable)
- Two Android tables (both N capable)
- Two iPad mini's
- Apple TV (gen 2, running XBMC)
- Ouya (running XBMC)
- MythTV box (also runs XBMC)
- Latop (not sure if it's N capable)
- Chromebook

The RT-N56U seems like it would be 'enough' but the vertical design seems a bit crazy to me. Once I plugin in a few patch cables it seems like it would be quite ugly / fall over. The RT-N66U is a 'normal' design, but I'm not sure I'm willing to pay an extra $50 for good looks.

I know I could just use a gig switch and an AP, but unless someone has good (cheap) suggestions, it just ends up being a wash price wise.

TIA

 

[sfx2000]

Maybe ask the folks over in the ASUS forums?

 

[stevech]

We now have a bunch of "N" gadgets at home so it's time to upgrade from an old Asus. I have a home use Astaro firewall, so it does all the heavy lifting (DHCP, QoS etc.). The wireless router is really just acting as a switch and an access point.

Here is an overview of the devices:

- Two cell phones (both N capable)
- Two Android tables (both N capable)
- Two iPad mini's
- Apple TV (gen 2, running XBMC)
- Ouya (running XBMC)
- MythTV box (also runs XBMC)
- Latop (not sure if it's N capable)
- Chromebook

The RT-N56U seems like it would be 'enough' but the vertical design seems a bit crazy to me. Once I plugin in a few patch cables it seems like it would be quite ugly / fall over. The RT-N66U is a 'normal' design, but I'm not sure I'm willing to pay an extra $50 for good looks.

I know I could just use a gig switch and an AP, but unless someone has good (cheap) suggestions, it just ends up being a wash price wise.

TIA

Most any $50 device would do. If you already have a good router (wired or WiFi), just add an AP to your switch. As you probably know, a WiFi router can be re-purposed as an AP to add more coverage.