Trying to determine which networking components to purchase for my uses

[sneak]

I'm currently using a Hitron CODA56 modem with 1000/100 internet and an ASUS RT-AX58U. I'm told by my ISP in the next 5-7 years they plan to have everyone over on Fiber.

I have a TERRAMASTER F4-424 PRO, which has 2x 2.5G ethernet ports. My motherboard is an ASRock X570 Taichi with a 1G ethernet port.

I would like to take advantage of the NAS's connectivity to the fullest extent (in terms of transferring files from my hard drive in my PC to the NAS array). The drives I'm using are two HGST HC320 8 TB in TRAID, with plans to add more in the future. I may switch to RAID10 and UNRAID or TRUENAS if needed, later on. I believe these drives in TRAID or RAID1 can already achieve 280 MB/s transfer but I'm currently limited to about 115 MB/s with my 1G internet connectivity from my computer.

I'm interested in switching to WiFi 6E and want a PCI NIC and a router or router and switch combination (less parts/expenses the better, unless there's a good reason to have more) that allows me to take advantage of the NAS's connectivity. I believe I can't aggregate those NAS ports, and have read that LAG can be disappointing and complex anyway.. but if possible I would of course be interested in running 5 Gbps to and from the NAS.

So I'm looking around at options and I'm not 100% sure about which router to buy and if I can get away with 1 2.5 Gbps port on the router and no switch or if I should buy a switch.. or just get a router with 2 2.5 Gbps ports (like the 88U Pro). I also am unsure on which network card to get. I care about reliability and latency. I don't want a buggy network card, and with my experience with servers it seems like intel NICs are usually preferable. I've had issues with Marvell SATA controllers at home before, too.

Overall I've been looking into the ASUS RT-AX88U PRO and ASUS RT-AXE7800. I would prefer 6E and the former doesn't provide that. I don't really want to buy one of those $500 routers, either. I'm having a difficult time finding a good option for a NIC but the TP-Link TX201 seems to be the best option I can find that seems well-received in various places online. It's only 2.5G but it would get me what I want out of the NAS (assuming I can't get 5G from this NAS).

So are there any suggestions on a NIC and router (and possibly a switch, if this is useful under the circumstances of the recommendations)?

 

[Tech9]

I would avoid Asus AXE models. RT-AXE7800 is mid-range hardware similar to RT-AX58U with one extra radio. GT-AXE11000 is an old model router 2 hardware generations behind. GT-AXE16000 and ZenWiFi ET12 obviously have firmware issues upstream and stuck on 3004 firmware base. If you need guaranteed Asuswrt-Merlin support firmware going forward - you have to pick BE-class model. If stock Asuswrt is good enough - RT-AX88U Pro runs on stock 3006 firmware, has 2x 2.5GbE ports and on reasonable price.

 

[sneak]

I would avoid Asus AXE models. RT-AXE7800 is mid-range hardware similar to RT-AX58U with one extra radio. GT-AXE11000 is an old model router 2 hardware generations behind. GT-AXE16000 and ZenWiFi ET12 obviously have firmware issues upstream and stuck on 3004 firmware base. If you need guaranteed Asuswrt-Merlin support firmware going forward - you have to pick BE-class model. If stock Asuswrt is good enough - RT-AX88U Pro runs on stock 3006 firmware, has 2x 2.5GbE ports and on reasonable price.

Thanks. One reason I specifically bought my current modem was merlin support, but I've never even put it on there. I had just moved and was overwhelmed and then never decided like it felt necessary. I do like having the option vs not having it, though.

I was looking into the ASUS RT-BE92U prior to finding the AXE7800, actually. I forgot why I switched off of it, but I know one thing is that I don't have anything that supports WiFi 7 or MLO.

I looked at it again, and it has 4x 2.5G ports and a 10G WAN. Very nice. As long as that 10G steps down to 1G of my modem I can save those 4 other ports and, unless I'm missing something, I could just use that router and a 2.5G NIC to get at least 2.5G to and from the NAS. I also like that you can use the USB port on the router for tethering, because I would assume that it's as simple as the device having tethering turned on and a connection to the router to restore internet. For the rare times my internet goes out I'd rather it be this simple and quick instead of dealing with the poor Windows 10 UI re-design and networking configuration hassles to get back online.

Do you have suggestions for a NIC?

 

[Tech9]

I would look at RT-BE88U or RT-BE86U for more 2.5GbE ports. They both have Asuswrt-Merlin support on 3006 base as well. About 2.5GbE NIC for your PC - whatever is available at reasonable price. They all work with Windows one way or another. About Dual WAN service backup with Asus router - you may be disappointed. It's unreliable and YMMV situation.

 

[sneak]

I would look at RT-BE88U or RT-BE86U for more 2.5GbE ports. They both have Asuswrt-Merlin support on 3006 base as well. About 2.5GbE NIC for your PC - whatever is available at reasonable price. They all work with Windows one way or another. About Dual WAN service backup with Asus router - you may be disappointed. It's unreliable and YMMV situation.

Well, good thing the tethering is lower than a tertiary concern for me. The RT-BE86U has 4 2.5GbE ports and 1 10GbE just like the RT-BE92U. The RT-BE88U has 10G SFP+, 10GbE, 4x 2.5GbE, and 4x 1GbE. Other than the high amount of 2.5GbE and Merlin support, were there other reasons to mention these? Or just more options to research?

 

[Tech9]

There is currently only 4x BE-class models supported by RMerlin and 1x model by GNUton. No much of a choice for 3006 base firmware. The rest AX-class models stuck on maintenance mode 3004 base with available stock 3006 Asuswrt for Pro models and a few GT models. All in somewhat beta stage still, expect bugs and fixes over time.

If you ask about my eventual hardware choice including Wi-Fi 6E - it will be Ubiquiti UCG-Max Gateway and U6 Enterprise AP. If single RT-AX58U was enough to cover your place - one AP is perhaps all you need. Comes more expensive than consumer All-In-One router, but the software works out of the box, future expandability is much better and is user-friendly enough. I'm done with beta testing consumer products. If AIO unit - Synology RT6600ax. Software quality and compatibility are above average.

 

[sneak]

There is currently only 4x BE-class models supported by RMerlin and 1x model by GNUton. No much of a choice for 3006 base firmware. The rest AX-class models stuck on maintenance mode 3004 base with available stock 3006 Asuswrt for Pro models and a few GT models. All in somewhat beta stage still, expect bugs and fixes over time.

If you ask about my eventual hardware choice including Wi-Fi 6E - it will be Ubiquiti UCG-Max Gateway and U6 Enterprise AP. If single RT-AX58U was enough to cover your place - one AP is perhaps all you need. Comes more expensive than consumer All-In-One router, but the software works out of the box, future expandability is much better and is user-friendly enough. I'm done with beta testing consumer products. If AIO unit - Sinology RT6600ax. Software quality and compatibility are above average.

I didn't know Synology made routers lol. I lean a little away from the company due to what seems to me to be an "Apple-like" nature of trying to lock people down into their system and force them to use proprietary things. I don't really like that. I do always have a positive feeling about Ubiquiti products, but have never used any. I'm sure I'd love the coverage and performance of the products but I can't justify spending all that right now. I do have at least 1 dead zone in my kitchen when I bring my phone near the cutting board (sometimes) but this may be resolved by switching routers. I don't know. Also, switching to another ASUS router I guess would allow me to use my current one as a mesh, and I could just place it in the kitchen .

 

[Tech9]

If you avoid Apple-like products - Ubiquiti is not for you. It's the Apple in networking. Started by an Apple engineer and similar down to the way boxes open. Otherwise works as advertised, wide range of products in their ecosystem and high quality. About Synology - I have one RT2600ac still in use and the software is really good. The new RT6600ax must be running similar SRM.

 

[sneak]

If you avoid Apple-like products - Ubiquiti is not for you. It's the Apple in networking. Started by an Apple engineer and similar down to the way boxes open. Otherwise works as advertised, wide range of products in their ecosystem and high quality. About Synology - I have one RT2600ac still in use and the software is really good. The new RT6600ax must be running similar SRM.

Oh, okay. I hadn't researched the Ubiquiti products to purchase -- just saw them in passing. I researched Synology for a purchase.

I think I'm content enough with the options from ASUS and I'll research those 3 models when I have time.

 

[Tech9]

Whatever you are comfortable with as software and fits your budget as hardware. Don't overpay for unused features.

 

[sneak]

Whatever you are comfortable with as software and fits your budget as hardware. Don't overpay for unused features.

That's exactly why I'm going to research them.

 

[sneak]

I've narrowed things down in terms of the differences between the three:

$300 RT-BE86U (vertical standing. 1 GB less ram than 88 and slower theoretical 2.4 speeds. WAN 10G, WAN 2.5G w/ total 4 2.5G)
$347 RT-BE88U (traditional standing. 1 GB more ram than 86 and faster 2.4 speeds than 86U and 92U. sfp+, WAN 10G, WAN 2.5G w/ total 4 2.5G and 4 1G)
$240 RT-BE92U (vertical standing. same ram and theoretical 2.4 speeds as 86U. WAN 10G w/ total 4 2.5G)

Aside from these basic details, I couldn't find as much (useful) information about the BE92U as the other two. One question is how much of a difference the 2 GB ram would make over 1 GB, and in which circumstances would this even matter?

Assuming the vertical and traditional ones were identical otherwise, I would prefer vertical because it saves desk space and my CODA56 is vertical as well.

I'm not sure the usefulness of SFP+ as I don't know much about fiber and brief research about this didn't really help. Plus, by the time I get fiber I'm not sure I'd want the same router.. so to me at the moment the SFP+ port is unimportant.

I only need to connect my work computer, personal computer, and my NAS via ethernet so I don't need 4+ ports and if I needed more than 4 I could buy a switch but it's unlikely I'll need more than these by the time this router is replaced... so I don't consider the extra ports to be useful.


So assuming the RAM being 1 GB rather than 2 GB isn't an issue, I would think the RT-BE92U would best suit my needs. Let me know if I'm missing something.