Modem Router Recommendations for Home Use Including NAS/Home Server

djames on 25/03/2023 - 18:25

Hi all,

I'm hoping to get some product recommendations for a new modem router as mine is on the way out. In terms of the use case, it's a multilevel dwelling with concrete and brick walls, floors and ceilings. Unfortunately, this is why a mesh network system isn't suitable, a mesh setup would be so much easier. I need something that will need to work with nbn and also allow me to hook it up to wifi powerline extenders which I currently use today in each level of the dwelling. Also, I'm running a NAS/home server. So I'm guessing I'm going to need something semi decent to support all this.

I've done a number of searches to see what I can find and cant seem to find anything consistent and to be honest, it's getting a bit overwhelming so hoping someone on here can help me out.

Computing Home Server Modem Router NAS

Comments

  • kipps on 25/03/2023 - 18:34

    Telstra Smart Modem 2 or 3 second hand. Don’t pay more than $40.

    • djames on 25/03/2023 - 18:58

      Okay, why is that? I've been looking at options in the several hundred dollar range.

      • rumblytangara on 25/03/2023 - 19:04

        I was assuming the Telstra modem was sarcasm. Unless it's way, way better than it appears after a quick Google search, it can't be serious for anything beyond a small, simple floorplan.

        • djames on 25/03/2023 - 19:14

          Sorry, I really don't understand what you are saying.

          • rumblytangara on 25/03/2023 - 21:53

            @djames: Ah, I was just saying that default hardware from telecoms providers tend to be bad options. The kind of thing you use when you don't want to invest time getting something better, and live in a house with sheetrock walls.

            I'm sure there are exceptions, but not often.

        • kipps on 26/03/2023 - 07:51

          It’s not sarcasm. These modems are surprisingly very good modems - check Whirlpool. They have decent Broadcom chipsets if you’re on VDSL, they’re rock solid no matter how many connections you push through them, and they even have 4G backup that can use pretty much any Telstra reseller. They’re also possible to get root on and hack, and they’re available for dirt cheap. Definitely an outlier when it comes to default ISP modems. Unless you need Wifi6, I’d suggest a Smart Modem 2 is a very capable modem.

          If you need additional wifi points then add some Ubiquiti APs.

          I also recommend an EdgeRouter X, but if you need QOS on gigabit you’re going to need something faster and be spending a lot more.

  • rumblytangara on 25/03/2023 - 18:58
    +1

    FWIW I've found that wifi travels through brick surprisingly well- it's concrete that really kills the signal. I'm currently running wireless mesh through brick walls and it's working okay, though TBF I could get by with a single access point to get through the walls and am just running extra nodes because I have them kicking around.

    So my suspicion is that you might have to use powerline for inter-floor, but within each floor you might be able to get by with wifi only.

    Sorry, I can't really suggest any specific models though. The stuff that I am running is pretty tech-enthusiast and probably more faff than most people would want to bother with. I've found that wifi and powerline is utterly context-dependent. To the floorplan, to the usage patterns, to the electrical circuits. For me it's been a huge amount of trial and error.

    I would though separate the modem from the router functions. I am not a fan of all in one systems as you can't replace one without the other.

    • djames on 25/03/2023 - 18:59

      Hey, thanks for that. Out of curiosity, what are you using?

      • rumblytangara on 25/03/2023 - 19:03
        +1

        OPNsense running on fanless miniPC, 24 port PoE switch, Ruckus Wifi 5/Wave2 access points.

        I've previously run a mix of Unifi gear (APs and PoE switch) and had long-running issues and gradual hardware failures that I put up with for too long) and for the router either pfSense or Ubiquiti Edgerouter.

        • djames on 25/03/2023 - 19:14
          +1

          100% tech-enthusiast :)

        • BrettSh on 25/03/2023 - 23:26

          Impressive

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