Time to replace my RT-AC88U

[PeterT]

This recommendation hasn't changed for many months now.

The GT-AX6000, the RT-AX88U Pro, and as a last resort (very unbalanced hardware that is hard to recommend today, even with your current ISP speeds, now), the RT-AX86U Pro.

See which models are available in your area, and wait for a good sale if you can.

I'd love to understand the issues with the AX86-U Pro; what leads to the hardware being considered unbalanced.

Thanks

 

[Tech9]

Just someone’s opinion based on the fact the router has single 2.5GbE port. Most folks don’t have or need >Gigabit ISP plan.

 

[jerry6]

Thank you for your quick answers.
The bad thing with Tomato is the problem that it doesn't support LAN ports 5-8.

That was my point why I bought this router, to get 8 LAN ports without using another switch which always disturbs my home network.

a switch is cheap and will last many years . I have read many posts where the ports on tha router are not reliable

 

[jerry6]

Just someone’s opinion based on the fact the router has single 2.5GbE port. Most folks don’t have or need >Gigabit ISP plan.

2.5 gb port is still useful for transfers , computer to NAS or other connected devices

 

[Tech9]

Single 2.5GbE LAN port won't be very useful. For faster LAN transfers switch is cheaper. Paying extra for unused features and planning for the future on a disposable type consumer device is a wrong strategy. This device will be End-of-Life in number of years and has to be replaced again.

 

[rezlop]

Don't expose any services to Internet and you'll be fine

I don't use any DMZ and Port Forwarding, but I rely on DDNS and OpenVPN. I also use AiProtection.


So if I really want to be on the safe side I could use like the Netgear GS308 switch on port 4 for example if I move to Fresh Tomato ?!
Or I put enormous effort and build my own router with OpenSense on a MiniPC and use my "unused" TP-Link Deco as Wifi-AP..

 

[Tech9]

DDNS and OpenVPN is fine.

You can use any Gigabit switch for more LAN ports.

 

[jerry6]

Supports VLANs, Access Point mode and Repeater Mode - all you need to recreate what Asus marketing calls AiMesh.

thank you Mesh is just marketing or newspeak for something that has always been there

 

[maxbraketorque]

Single 2.5GbE LAN port won't be very useful. For faster LAN transfers switch is cheaper. Paying extra for unused features and planning for the future on a disposable type consumer device is a wrong strategy. This device will be End-of-Life in number of years and has to be replaced again.

A single 2.5 gbe port is useful for interfacing the wifi router wireless traffic to a multi-gig switch.

Speaking of EOL, Netgear EOLed my MS-510TX multigig switch within 3 years of introduction. Gotta love Netgear for their short product lifetime cycle.

 

[Tech9]

A single 2.5 gbe port is useful for interfacing the wifi router wireless traffic to a multi-gig switch.

We are talking about RT-AX86U Pro and RT-AX88U Pro, remember? Dual-band models with one only higher speed radio on 5GHz band. In theory you are correct, perhaps for a multi-band or BE-class router. In reality for dual-band AX-class router very few devices can exceed Gigabit on Wi-Fi and special conditions have to be met - clear DFS for 160Mhz wide channels, device with 160MHz wide channel support, quiet Wi-Fi environment, shorter range.

 

[maxbraketorque]

We are talking about RT-AX86U Pro and RT-AX88U Pro, remember? Dual-band models with one only higher speed radio on 5GHz band. In theory you are correct, perhaps for a multi-band or BE-class router. In reality for dual-band AX-class router very few devices can exceed Gigabit on Wi-Fi and special conditions have to be met - clear DFS for 160Mhz wide channels, device with 160MHz wide channel support, quiet Wi-Fi environment, shorter range.

I generally agree that saturating even a 1 gbps ethernet with wifi traffic from an AX88U Pro or AX86U Pro is unlikely, but I'll take whatever extra headroom I can get.