802.11AC wireless routers, anybody have them?

[Hans Gruber]

I need another project. In reality I found a Trendnet 802.11AC router for $20. It has gigabit connections and DD-WRT support. The Lenovo RTL8821AE 802.11AC Mini PCI-E is $18 on Ebay. Much like my recent purchase of a OCZ Trion 120GB SSD with TLC memory modules, it's gotten less than stellar reviews.

My current MIMO Dual band router is a Trendnet that also got less than stellar reviews. It's just my opinion regarding routers that the end users skill and ability largely impact the performance of a router. With DD-WRT, it's a whole new ballgame.

I figure if it doesn't work well I can go back to my current dual band router. Anybody here using 802.11AC wireless routers? If so, could you share your thoughts and opinions on your setup and your experiences with them.

This is the Trendnet I am looking at from newegg.com
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 156451-S0M

[ajkula66]

That router only provides half of AC speed that you'd get with a more serious - and expensive - one. Personally, I'd pass.

As for the card, before I say anything: which machine are you intent on upgrading with it?

[Hans Gruber]

That router only provides half of AC speed that you'd get with a more serious - and expensive - one. Personally, I'd pass.

As for the card, before I say anything: which machine are you intent on upgrading with it?

I know it's not a fast one but with those are theoretical speeds, you would need a RAID O with SSD's to be able to write data fast enough. I enjoy testing things and I have yet to try out DD-WRT. I used to have a elaborate wireless N array with a bunch of antennas. I then discovered powerline connections.

I was planning on using a T410s for my test machine.

Do you have a 802.11ac router?

[ajkula66]

I know it's not a fast one but with those are theoretical speeds, you would need a RAID O with SSD's to be able to write data fast enough. I enjoy testing things and I have yet to try out DD-WRT. I used to have a elaborate wireless N array with a bunch of antennas. I then discovered powerline connections.

Fair enough.

I was planning on using a T410s for my test machine.

You'll need a modded BIOS then.

Do you have a 802.11ac router?

I had an Asus which I promptly returned since the reliability of the entire AC setup using the 7260 card left an awful lot to be desired in my particular set of circumstances. My opinion is that the whole AC thing is still in diapers.

[Hans Gruber]

George, my opinion on these wireless routers. They are all pretty much the same on the hardware side. It's the software that makes some routers better or worse. Granted some have up to 7 antennas on them and other exotic hardware built in. I have several Thinkpads with the MIMO 6300 card and a MIMO router and I can't see a speed difference.

I waited several years to get into the dual band wireless routers. The 802.11ac has been on the market since 2011/12. I figured that was enough time.

I didn't think about needing a bios mod for 802.11ac. Is that due to a white list problem in the Thinkpad bios?

I don't listen to reviews regarding wireless hardware. I say this because when you look at benchmarks of high bandwidth connections like 802.11ac up to 3200mbps. If something doesn't perform at even half the segment leader that is still a really fast connection. This unit I am looking at is a 1200mbps theoretical max with gigabit ports.

Things like powerline with gigabit connections solve distance issues with wifi quite well. I am still using 100mbps powerline down on the bottom floor of the house.

[ajkula66]

I didn't think about needing a bios mod for 802.11ac. Is that due to a white list problem in the Thinkpad bios?

Yes.

I don't listen to reviews regarding wireless hardware.

Neither do I, but that's beside the point...read on

Things like powerline with gigabit connections solve distance issues with wifi quite well. I am still using 100mbps powerline down on the bottom floor of the house.

Let me put it to you this way, twofold:

a) I've spent a large part of the past 15 years building *various* networks for a living at pretty much any stage of the game. To me, reliability is everything.

b) All that I've said is that I wasn't happy with the way the AC setup behaved on my property at the time. No more and no less.

If I had a 75/75 FiOS circuit - heck I'd take a 25/25 in a heartbeat - or even a conventional T-3 fiber shelf at my disposal I'd likely be looking into building a proper AC setup. With an ADSL that sits on a remote DSLAM I'm not inclined to spend time and money on such ventures.

Obviously, to each their own.

[Hans Gruber]

I have Comcast and my speed varies from as high as 100mbps down to mid 60's mbps wired and 15mbps up. The Wireless N speed is between 35-65mbps down and always 12-14mbps up.

I don't even know if I would upgrade my wifi card right away. It's just nice to have for future upgrades.

George, do you use DD-WRT on your wireless networking? That is a feature that I wanted to try out on a router. I enjoy tinkering with hardware.

[hhhd1]

Lenovo RTL8821AE 802.11AC Mini PCI-E is $18 on Ebay.

This is single stream, you need to get a card that support 2 streams.

This will only do half the speed.

Typical Wireless AC with 2 streams will give you actual transfer rate of a bit above 40 MegaByte/s maximum, in ideal conditions with best possible hardware, could reach 50 MB/s.

[Hans Gruber]

Lenovo RTL8821AE 802.11AC Mini PCI-E is $18 on Ebay.

This is single stream, you need to get a card that support 2 streams.

This will only do half the speed.

Typical Wireless AC with 2 streams will give you actual transfer rate of a bit above 40 MegaByte/s maximum, in ideal conditions with best possible hardware, could reach 50 MB/s.

Do you have a few 802.11ac adapters model numbers that would work with a T410s that are two streams?

[ajkula66]

Do you have a few 802.11ac adapters model numbers that would work with a T410s that are two streams?

Since you have to apply a modded BIOS anyway, just go for Intel 7260AC from any manufacturer. You seem to like Intel cards anyway.

The other option is a Killer 1525 card but these are both expensive and require extensive hacking of the antenna leads, unlike the Intel ones.

[Hans Gruber]

It's more of a future proof wireless router. I like the DD-WRT option and the price was right. I probably will wait until the (currently $20-22) Intel cards are $10-$15. It's not that I am an intel fan, they typically have inexpensive wireless cards. Take the 4965AGN card for my T61. $3 with shipping. My current router is supposedly 450mbps with concurrent connections. This new one will have 300mbps in wireless N. The fastest I have seen on my current router is around 270mbps.

[hhhd1]

Do you have a few 802.11ac adapters model numbers that would work with a T410s that are two streams?

Using any AC card will require BIOS mod, not hard to find.

there are 2 cards that I know off:

1. Intel 7260:
it had allot of stability and speed issues at the first 1+ years of its release, most people say that newest drivers fixed the issues.

2. Broadcom BCM4352 BCM94352HMB:
There isn't allot of information about that one, but, it is the 2-stream version of the same one included in some MacBook pro models, (the Macbook pro have 3-stream version).
There is also some mixed information, good and bad, I am guessing it depends on the router.

IMO, if you go with either one of the above, you have to be ready for some testing for different drivers ..etc, no gurantees, since apparently wireless AC hasn't matured yet.

may be worth noting, there is some very good USB wireless-AC adapters with 2-streams.

---

I am currently running a wireless-N 300 Broadcom BCM43228 BCM943228HMB , and I get stable ~200mbps (22+ MB/s).
With router Linksys E3000 , which support dd-wrt and tomato.

[RealBlackStuff]

I have an ASUS RT-N66U router (900Mbps wifi-N).
I will stay away from AC until it matures (IMHO quite a while yet...).
My router can also take DD-WRT, but I prefer the easier Shibby's TomatoUSB.
Router's been up for over 2 years without any interruption.

[Hans Gruber]

This $20 Trendnet TEW-811DRU gives me downloads from the net of 120mbps and uploads of 12mbps in speed tests. The T61 with the Intel 4965AGN 3 floors down in the dungeon gets 70mbps down and 12mbps up. I upgraded the firmware to the latest version which runs much better than what it came with. My next step is to put on DD-WRT.

My question is can router firmware go back to the stock firmware after going to DD-WRT? Eventually I will put in a 802.11AC wifi card in one of my T410s.

I am not an expert in networking or routers.

I will never understand why people pay so much for wireless routers. This thing like my other Trendnet comes with gigabit ports. To the fastest routers I say is the router $200 faster in speed?

[ajkula66]

I will never understand why people pay so much for wireless routers.

The very short and simplistic answer to your question would be that properties and coverage areas - not to mention structures used in building a particular residence or business - vary greatly. What works well in one set of circumstances may very well be a disaster in others.

[Hans Gruber]

I don't have a NAS or bounce files off one computer to another. I use it exclusively for internet downloads and uploads and as a network printer server. The gigabit ports are very important considering the download speeds internet providers have.

I got the Wireless N card for my T43p from China so I will be able to see how that card does with downloads. This router does 300mbps vs. my other router that does simultaneous 450mbps speeds that I never personally saw.

Do you use DD-WRT or the stock networking that comes with the wireless router? I got this router because I wanted to run DD-WRT.

[hhhd1]

My question is can router firmware go back to the stock firmware after going to DD-WRT? Eventually I will put in a 802.11AC wifi card in one of my T410s.

Most likely yes, you will need a copy of the stock firmware.
you should find guides to go back to stock firmware, in the same website you find guides to go to dd-wrt.

I will never understand why people pay so much for wireless routers.

For having storage servers (NAS or simple file sharing) accessible via wireless, for doing large file transfer, backups, running vmware virtual machines, all while not tied down with a network cable.

Having multiple users share files without congestion or slow down.
Running TV or Laptop with media shared over wireless, you wouldn't want any stuttering.

Any home with multiple users could easily have 10+ of devices connected at the same time, that need range and speed and stability.

Do you use DD-WRT or the stock networking that comes with the wireless router? I got this router because I wanted to run DD-WRT.

I use Tomato by shibby, IMO it is better if you can find that your router is supported.

[Hans Gruber]

I have heard good things about Tomato. Doesn't DD-WRT basically turn an inexpensive router into a $300-$400 router because of the software to network everything together? This router I have has a USB 3.0 port where I can connect one of my old Seatgate external drives creating a hybrid NAS.

I may retire my Samsung F3's that have served me since 2008 without fail to a NAS storage system. I have them in a RAID 0. Those are the Samsung drives with 500GB platters. I get 230mb reads on those with speeds up to 270mb transfer rates.

I also use powerline connections for hard to reach places with wireless.

Thanks for your feedback.

[hhhd1]

it was along time since i played with router firmware, so you may get better info by googling dd-wrt vs tomato by shibby

from what i remember, dd-wrt was more customizable, while tomato had more features out of the box, easier to use, and supposedly more stable.

either solutions will give you more options than you could know what to do with.

[Hans Gruber]

I read DD-WRT r27453 is the current version supported by TEW-811DRU. Is DD-WRT software a one size fits all solution? Are there separate versions of DD-WRT for different model and branded routers?

[hhhd1]

some devices require custom builds of the firmware.

do not assume you can just flash it as you would do for a stock firmware upgrade.

some devices require custom steps to reset router in specific way before flashing