Routers – Home Network latest thinking?

It appears a lightening strike has taken out our ASUS DSL router, firstly it killed the power supply so I replaced that and now the DSL modem bit seems to have died.

What’s the current best option for replacement, we swapped from the ee router to the Asus for better coverage and have been happy but is this an opportunity to do something even better for similar money?

I don’t know how the mesh type systems work, do I need the original EE router as well as the additional bits or are they all self contained?

I’m probably going to need to revert to the original until I can get something new in place anyway…

Is there anything better than a decent 3rd party router for between £150-£200?

Thanks in advance!!

Some mesh systems are self contained (have a dsl modem), others require the stock router to act as a model.

You might be able to get away with using the EE router as a modem for your existing router, does it have a modem mode?

Either way set the network name and password on the new router to the same as the old, saves having to reconfigure every device.

thats a great tip on the password and network name!!

Just starting to look at what’s working and what isn’t!

I’ve found the original EE router…

I have an Openreach DSL modem (HG612) sat in a drawer you’re welcome to have for nothing. They’re a useful intermediary because they let you use any router you want instead of being limited to DSL models or those supplied by the ISP.

Thanks, for the offer, OK for now but will bear that in mind.

looking like a combination of issues.

Old router back up and running and essentials are reconnected.

There is also a line issue being investigated tomorrow morning, after which I’ll try the Asus again but if that’s still no good  ee have a new router and cheaper faster than current deal available that I can have next week!

Just to jump in – am I better to get a VOIP-specific router if I want to do a lot of VOIP calling?

I currently have broadband and use an internet-based phone app or MS Teams. Headset is bluetooth/USB connection into the PC.

I assume the call packets are separated somehow from other data – will this give me more stable calls? I have been using a standard router and it’s fine unless the data traffic goes up (e.g. remote desktop into a database or screen sharing).

Obvs, a wired connection into a router is better than WiFi – just wondering if performance depends more on configuration or hardware.

Some routers will have QoS features that you can enable/disable so the VOIP tagged packets get priority but most up to date ones should do it by default. Worth looking at your settings. Not sure a VOIP-specific router even exists other than a marketing gimmick does it??

Yea, it seems my Vodafone router doesn’t have QoS settings. With a VOIP router (e.g. Draytek 2765vac), you can connect an analogue phone (RJ11) directly to the router for VOIP calls. Just wasn’t sure if they are routed differently to connecting an IP phone into a LAN socket.

Draytek 28xx series there are models with analog phone ports with support for SIP for VoIP, Wi-Fi5 or 6, will act as controllers for mesh APs, QoS is supported and on and on for features.

I’m using a 2865Vac with FTTC on one WAN port and a 4G router on another WAN port for backup/load sharing. Great thing about Draytek is that they keep on churning out firmware updates for fixes and features for a silly amount of years after device release.

Draytek also have a decent website with lots of knowledgebase articles on how to set things up.

OK, thanks. They do look pretty good. Think i’ll go for an IP phone into a LAN socket on one of those…

My Asus router has QoS settings.  It bears no resemblance to any QoS I’ve seen in the enterprise.  I switched it off.