4 ms·

Ask HN: Any under $60 router suggestions for Homelab

6 points by bovem 3y ago

I want to upgrade my router from tplink archer a5 [1] due to constant connection drops and lack of Gigabit support. I would like to know how do I go about shortlisting a new router for my homelab. The netgear and ubiquiti options seems really expensive. Are there any options under $60? I'll be mostly streaming from my Jellyfin server or accessing files on my NAS over tailscale. [1] https://www.tp-link.com/in/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-a5/

nashashmi 3y ago
The tp links are mesh ready. Do you need mesh?
bell-cot 3y ago
Guess: You ruled out the Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X, because it doesn't also do WiFi? (Not to say that's a great product, but you're not going to get "great" on a $60 budget.)
- bovem 3y ago
  Seems like a good option but ~$130.15 (Rs. 10699) in India (https://www.amazon.in/Ubiquiti-Edgerouter-Router-Desktop-Black/dp/B0144R449W https://www.amazon.in/Ubiquiti-Edgerouter-Router-Desktop-Bla...)
- bovem 3y ago
  What do you think about MikroTik hEX S Gigabit Ethernet Router (https://www.amazon.in/MikroTik-Gigabit-Ethernet-Router-RB760iGS/dp/B07F7HDRKX https://www.amazon.in/MikroTik-Gigabit-Ethernet-Router-RB760...) is it worth giving a try?
- simfree 3y ago
  The MT7621 powering it is a classic chipset at this point, and Ubiquiti has neglected updating their EdgeRouter lineup. Not the best purchase in 2023...
warrenm 3y ago
This one's $50 at my local Walmart - https://www.walmart.com/ip/TP-Link-Archer-AC1900-Dual-Band-Mu-Mimo-Wi-Fi-Router-with-Gigabit-Port/1783141771?fulfillmentIntent=In-store&from=/search https://www.walmart.com/ip/TP-Link-Archer-AC1900-Dual-Band-M... 4 GigE wired ports
- bovem 3y ago
  Thanks I'll take a look. At a glance on Amazon and other ecom websites, it seems like I've to go with TP-Link again.
runjake 3y ago
You said router, so I'm going to assume you meant a router and not a router/wireless access point combo. I used the NanoPi R4S for a bit with DD-WRT and it did really well and would saturate a gig link. Note that this is a router, and not a wireless access point. https://www.friendlyelec.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=284 https://www.friendlyelec.com/index.php?route=product/product... PS: If by connection drops you mean wireless, you should investigate the causes of these drops instead of blindly replacing wireless hardware. The TP-Link Archer series is generally considered pretty decent wireless gear for home use. Make sure you're using 5 ghz and not 2.4 ghz. Check the TP-Link's logs. Check your client's logs for drops.
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
guilhas 3y ago
I usually go on ebay and search openwrt
mindcrash 3y ago
Any hardware which can run OPNsense, OpenWrt or DD-WRT. Personally I would look at a SOC platform like Banana Pi, Nano Pi or Nano PC.
hello_computer 3y ago
If your switch supports vlans, you can use just about any cheap computer (ARM SBC, or some old desktop off of ebay) as a firewall+router combo. That is, on the switch plug the internet modem into vlan A (access), assign LAN ports to vlan B (access), and use the last port to trunk vlans A & B to the cheap computer. From there, you can use vanilla linux or BSD to firewall & route between the two vlans. Only suggesting this because finding something cheap with more than one NIC is a tall order. Best practices, no. Cheap, yes. If you can get a super-cheap PC, decent gbit nics can be found for under $15, and that would eliminate the vlan nonsense.

6 points by bovem 3y ago

nashashmi 3y ago

The tp links are mesh ready. Do you need mesh?

bell-cot 3y ago

Guess: You ruled out the Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X, because it doesn't also do WiFi? (Not to say that's a great product, but you're not going to get "great" on a $60 budget.)

bovem 3y ago
Seems like a good option but ~$130.15 (Rs. 10699) in India (https://www.amazon.in/Ubiquiti-Edgerouter-Router-Desktop-Black/dp/B0144R449W https://www.amazon.in/Ubiquiti-Edgerouter-Router-Desktop-Bla...)
bovem 3y ago
What do you think about MikroTik hEX S Gigabit Ethernet Router (https://www.amazon.in/MikroTik-Gigabit-Ethernet-Router-RB760iGS/dp/B07F7HDRKX https://www.amazon.in/MikroTik-Gigabit-Ethernet-Router-RB760...) is it worth giving a try?
simfree 3y ago
The MT7621 powering it is a classic chipset at this point, and Ubiquiti has neglected updating their EdgeRouter lineup. Not the best purchase in 2023...

warrenm 3y ago

This one's $50 at my local Walmart - https://www.walmart.com/ip/TP-Link-Archer-AC1900-Dual-Band-Mu-Mimo-Wi-Fi-Router-with-Gigabit-Port/1783141771?fulfillmentIntent=In-store&from=/search https://www.walmart.com/ip/TP-Link-Archer-AC1900-Dual-Band-M... 4 GigE wired ports

bovem 3y ago
Thanks I'll take a look. At a glance on Amazon and other ecom websites, it seems like I've to go with TP-Link again.

runjake 3y ago

You said router, so I'm going to assume you meant a router and not a router/wireless access point combo. I used the NanoPi R4S for a bit with DD-WRT and it did really well and would saturate a gig link. Note that this is a router, and not a wireless access point. https://www.friendlyelec.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=284 https://www.friendlyelec.com/index.php?route=product/product... PS: If by connection drops you mean wireless, you should investigate the causes of these drops instead of blindly replacing wireless hardware. The TP-Link Archer series is generally considered pretty decent wireless gear for home use. Make sure you're using 5 ghz and not 2.4 ghz. Check the TP-Link's logs. Check your client's logs for drops.

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

guilhas 3y ago

I usually go on ebay and search openwrt

mindcrash 3y ago

Any hardware which can run OPNsense, OpenWrt or DD-WRT. Personally I would look at a SOC platform like Banana Pi, Nano Pi or Nano PC.

hello_computer 3y ago

If your switch supports vlans, you can use just about any cheap computer (ARM SBC, or some old desktop off of ebay) as a firewall+router combo. That is, on the switch plug the internet modem into vlan A (access), assign LAN ports to vlan B (access), and use the last port to trunk vlans A & B to the cheap computer. From there, you can use vanilla linux or BSD to firewall & route between the two vlans. Only suggesting this because finding something cheap with more than one NIC is a tall order. Best practices, no. Cheap, yes. If you can get a super-cheap PC, decent gbit nics can be found for under $15, and that would eliminate the vlan nonsense.