Need Router Recommendation

[MJB87]

I need some help on a router recommendation. Here are the minimum specs

1. Absolute dual-WAN capability with load balancing -- two WAN RJ45 ports. Even better if I can add a third USB interface for a cell backup.
2. At least 4 LAN ports. More is better.
3. Ability to interface with OpenVPN
4. A vendor that is willing to support individual users - no need to work through reseller/partner
5. Ease of use in a browser interface, especially in the areas of reserved (static) IP assignment, port forwarding and VLAN establishment.

A nice to have feature is a USB NAS connection.. Another nice feature would be an ability to manage connected device names through some type of MAC lookup feature.

I own three AC68U routers but the dual-WAN capability just doesn't seem to work. I've given up on them.

So I purchased a Cisco RV340W and the dual-WAN capability work great -- but Cisco is absolutely impossible to work with unless you are a big business. This router does not support OpenVPN and is has proven impossible to acquire the necessary licenses to install AnyConnect Client for Windows to enable VPN. You have to work only through authorized resellers/partners and none of them will work with an operation my size.

What else should I consider?

 

[Luminair]

Peplink checks all 5 boxes. They're for the SOHO without an IT department. See: Peplink Balance One Core 600Mbps Dual-WAN Router (BPL-ONE-CORE)

 

[MJB87]

Thanks. I apppreciate the advice. However, while the Peplink router is perfect from a hardware perspective, they miss two of my five essential criteria:

1 Peplink requires you to purchase through a certified partner. They wil not deal directly with an individual buyer. This is the problem I already have with my Cisco router and why I am going to have to replace it. I need a router I can buy directly without going through a reseller.

2. They do not support OpenVPN.

 

[umarmung]

Synology RT2600ac.

If you prefer something SOHO rather than consumer, and don't actually need all the USB nonsense, then Ubiquiti Edgerouters - the exact model depends on speed of Internet connection and other needs like PoE.

 

[MJB87]

Thanks. I've looked at the Synology RT2600ac. It has decent specs but get pretty bad reviews from about 1/3 of customers. How rugged is it? I already use an RS815+ NAS and that seems pretty robust.

The EdgeRouters do not appear to be designed ground up for dual WAN. (In fact, if you search "dual wan" on the Ubiquiti website you get zero hits.) I understand they have just now implemented a workaround using updated firmware, but don't know how well it works. Also, implementing the dual wan seems to require CLI knowledge and I don't want to bother with that. Just want to manage via the browser interface.

As for Peplink, there is a reseller that seems willing to sell to SOHO, albeit at $500!

 

[coxhaus]

1 Peplink requires you to purchase through a certified partner. They wil not deal directly with an individual buyer. This is the problem I already have with my Cisco router and why I am going to have to replace it. I need a router I can buy directly without going through a reseller.

You do not need to buy from a Cisco certified partner to buy Cisco gear. You can order a Cisco switch from Newegg. I did. You just don't get any Cisco support unless you buy from a Cisco certified partner. There are plenty of online Cisco certified partners you can order from if you want Cisco support.

 

[MJB87]

Thanks. The Cisco router works OK as a router but I am completely unable to set up VPN. The RV340 does not support OpenVPN. Cisco wants you to use AnyConnect. But you have to download some pre-installation software to get AnyConnect to work. I can't even download the AnyConnect software unless I have a service contract with a reseller, even though the router itself comes with two AnyConnect licenses. Also, the data reporting abilities of the RV340 are really weak -- can't even sort the list of connected devices by IP address.

As for Peplink, can anyone confirm that the VPN capabilities work on iOS devices?

 

[coxhaus]

I would think Cisco's VPN would be rock solid once you get it working. Back when I worked before retirement I had a Cisco VPN into my work which was rock solid. It ran every day with no problems. It took a little to get it running but after that you never had to touch it again unless you changed hardware. I don't know why every one complains.

 

[MJB87]

Thanks -- but you miss the point.

Cisco will not allow me to operate AnyConnect without downloading the software. I cannot download the software unless I have a service contract with one of their partners. None of the Cisco partners have any interest in supporting a customer with only one Cisco box in their entire network. I cannot even set up a Smart License account without being a business.

 

[JustinTheOld]

@MJB87

Did you ever decide on a router? I have identical requirements to yours. I have two gigabit internet links (Google Fiber + ATT).

I'm deciding between the Synology RT2600ac, Cisco RV340W. Any input would be awesome.

Thanks!

 

[MichaelCG]

You will be hard pressed to find any actual non-consumer vendor that will meet the requirements you have laid out. It isn't cost effective for most vendors to directly support a customer with a single piece of hardware...hence the reason many want you to go through a VAR or to have a service contract.

Your requirements seem to somewhat blend a few business features with a few consumer features. A $500 piece of hardware is pretty cheap when you talk about business grade features and hardware. Especially if they aren't requiring a support/maintenance contract to work with you. They will either make the money up front on the cost of the equipment, or they will get it from you in the long run with a support/maint agreement.

Otherwise can't pfSense do most of what you have spec'd out? I have not tested out dual-WAN load balancing, only dual-WAN fail-over on it.

 

[MJB87]

@JustinTheOld

I have used the Asus AC68U for years (I have three of them) but it just doesn't do dual-WAN. Could never get it to work, so I've abandoned that.

Next I purchased the RV340W. It does a great job managing the dual WANS and the LAN as a whole. It's interface and reporting on Connected Devices is VERY weak (can't even sort the list by IP address). The manual assumes high competence as a network engineer and is woefully short on practical examples. My biggest problem is that I can't get VPN to work unless I download AnyConnect and you have to have a service contract with an authorized Cisco Partner to download that. So I'm about to scrap that unit after two weeks. I can't honestly recommend the RV340W unless you are a business with ongoing Cisco relationship.

So this morning I purchased the Peplink Balance 20 and I'll see how that works. It does not support OpenVPN and its own solution seems to not work well with iOS devices but I'll try it out.

I decided not to do the RT2600ac (yet) because of highly negative reviews on Amazon.

 

[MJB87]

@MichaelCG

Thanks. You are right. However, I did find a VAR from Peplink willing to sell a Peplink router so I'll try that.

Money really isn't the issue. I'd gladly pay $1000 for a perfect solution. I'm not a network engineer and don't care to become one so I'm looking for a consumer-friendly unit with business-friendly capabilities.

My gut tells me there is an emerging niche for this type of product but no one has filled it. Cisco and Peplink fill the hardware needs but not the consumer-interface needs. Synology, Ubiquiti and Linksys fit the consumer needs but lack robustness and true dual-wan design.

 

[System Error Message]

avoid cisco RV and all VPN routers.
peplink is pricey but they have the best dual WAN load balancing router at the moment, but full fledged regular x86 linux OS can do good load balancing too and can be a pain to set up as a router unless you have the skills.

Im surprised at how many people are still duped into buying VPN routers and cisco RV. Its not that cisco RV is a bad router (though VPN routers are), since they worked on their firmware, they just arent fit for purpose for what they're advertised for.

If you're willing to pay for peplink, go for it.

edit: in regards to your USB NAS needs, i would usually suggest a separate NAS. Both seagate and WD sells absolutely basic NAS that have a single hard drive in them and support more via USB, their advantage being that they come with easy to use dedicated NAS software on the absolute basic level which would work far better than what a router offers. Router NAS is usually only applicable at home where the performance and feature set of a dedicated NAS isnt needed.

 

[MJB87]

Thanks. Appreciate the feedback. I've got a Peplink Balance 20 on the way.

Now, if only I could get L2TP/IPSec to work on the Rv340w, I'd be happy.

 

[alixvincent]

@MJB87

Did you ever decide on a router? I have identical requirements to yours. I have two gigabit internet links (Google Fiber + ATT).

I'm deciding between the Synology RT2600ac, Cisco RV340W. Any input would be awesome.

Thanks!

I have a similar situation with 2 gigabit internet links. I'd be interrested in what router you decide on.

 

[coxhaus]

I am surprised that any of these small routers can handle 2 internet gigabit connections. That is a lot of data to process.

Maybe this site should test for dual WAN gigabit connections.

 

[somms]

Maybe this site should test for dual WAN gigabit connections.

I would think the next logical testing metric Tim should consider implementing if he hasn't begun already would be for 10GE WAN throughput.

UTOPIA Fiber to Launch State’s First Residential 10 Gig Service

Since we first started several years ago here initially capped at 250Mbps then eventually bumped upto 1Gbps when offered by my ISP and now this year 10Gbps residential has became an albeit quite expensive option.

It will probably be just a matter of time (and cost) before some folks start moving onto these faster throughput speeds...IMHO

 

[coxhaus]

Two 1 gig pipes are going to be more plentiful than 10 gig for a while. Plus this may require the router manufactures to fix their dual WAN connections.

 

[kvic]

$300 for Peplink Balance 20 that's more than five-year old and does a routing speed of 160Mbps is insane..I hope the vendor provides superb after-sales support to justify that.

My Edgerouter X ($50 apiece) can do better than 160Mpbs. That's with full QoS on. Load balance with two WAN (so far flawless to my experience). You can go up to 4-WAN load balance, leaving one RJ45 for LAN on this little device.