atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums What Router to use

I'm setting up a new communication closet and would like to secure my network better. I have DSL at this time but may switch to cable.

What is the best way to setup network?

Is there much difference between routers?

Managed or unmanaged switches?


VPN or not and if yes How??

I did similar in my home for my xmas present

I put a 9u rackmount in my closet, with a keystone panel and rackmount switch. Then a shelf for my modem, router, and NAS. Then a shelf for a power strip.

Most consumer routers are absolute garbage. They never get security updates. I dont think a managed switch would be needed. Maybe if you had a tenant in the building with ethernet.

VPN is probably unnecessary too. If you get a nice router you can do load balancing and of your first connection is a load balancing VPN you can increase your maximum soeed.

I got a ubiquiti edge gateway router and a wifi ap and have been really impressed with their stuff. I went with a tplink gigabit switch though. The edge gateway can do load balancing, like if you have cable and dsl, it will spread out on both.

I have an Apple AirPort at home, been running solid for several years.
Ubiquiti makes some good stuff but it's not always straight forward to configure.

I keep things simple at home and use a Netgear wndr3400v3 wireless router connected to a DSL modem (telco provided) 5GHz for our cell phones and 2.4Ghz for laptops, printer (further distance from router) and tablets. Roku, TV, Blu-Ray et cetera are wired connections.

Configuring and Firmware updates are easy.

Local telco offered to rent me a wireless modem for an additional $6.00 per month.

I also keep things fairly simple. Despite being a consumer grade unit, I use a Linksys WRT 1900AC in my bedroom. 2.4G for my mobile phone and 5.0G for my Microsoft Surface devices. 75M up & down.

I also placed various Linksys routers and a few Range Extenders around my church. No complaints other than Verizon won't give us FiOS, forcing us to make due with 7M down 768K up DSL service.

Our complex is surrounded by fiber however according to our telco website fiber build out projects schedule up to 2025...we're not on the list. So we're stuck with 17.6⬇ & 0.9⬆ DSL.

Your down is twice as fast as ours.

The only possible way I can see the church getting high speed data is if Verizon Core decides to install a 5G transmitter on one of the concrete streetlight poles near the building. I doubt that Comcast and RCN will open their wallets, install conduits and trench the property line.

That's pretty good for dsl, you must be right next to a fiber fed dslam. You could order another dsl, you might need a new name, account, or tell them theres a new sublocation like main or unit b.

Then plug it into a load balancing router and it's almost the same as having 17.6x2.

The ubiquity does it like I said, just takes a few clicks. If you're a brave linux nerd you can also get most routers with a dd-wrt distro to do it

I would just ask if bonded DSL is an option. They would just wire up a 2nd DSL circuit to another pair into the building and swap out your modem with a bonded modem.
Or ask if VDSL is available, bonded or traditional.

I may give Verizon another call to see what, if any, options exist.