Why set up new DSL modem as a bridge? (Router talk)

[Flames89]

Ok, so I am not a luddite, but home networking frequently goes over my head.

Anyway, I am picking up my new DSL modem today which has built in Wifi router abilities, but when I was trying to look up reviews on the modem, I primarily found people asking for help setting it up as a bridge modem.

Why would do people want to do this? This is for a home network that connects 1 computer, 1 PS4, various appleTV/roku's, sonos music, and ipad/iphones.

[MrCallahan]

Some of those all-in-one router/modems have pretty limited capabilities on them, and folks that are network savvy usually want more functionality (VPN, VLAN capabilities, custom NATing, custom QoS settings, better wireless, or just general horsepower of the router). So putting it in a bridged mode essentially disables the routing portion of the modem, and it'll just act strictly as the modem. This lets the user buy a router of their choice, and use that as their primary routing device instead, and they can configure it to their hearts content with all the features they want, and can usually end up getting better performance than using the ISP router capabilities.

[Finger Cookin]

In addition to everything MrCallahan said, I always use my own router to network things instead of the ISPs because then I never need to reset the network password and connection on all my devices. Or resetting the ISP's router to have the same network ID and password that I used on my own router.

[Nammer403]

When we got our Modem/wifi router from Shaw, the range on it sucked, it was slow when everyone was at home using their own devices. Kept hearing that the modem is a good modem but a terrible Wi-Fi router. So we got a dual-band router and bridged our current modem and it has been awesome.
We get to have two separate connections for Laptops etc and games/streaming

[OldDutch]

The wifi feature on those modems suck. They basically are on par with a $30 one you would get at a store. VPN, QOS, and other features aside, they are not designed to do the basics well like decent throughput speed. They are designed for someone who doesn't need much, just something that is simple to use.

If you are on broadband 50 and up do yourself a favour and get what your paying for by buying an after market router. I couldn't even get 50 Mbps on wifi when I last tried with the all in one. Go and get a router on sale, as they are on discount all the time. Heck even a base Asus model will be much better.

EDIT: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX47224 for one that will help.

[Flames89]

This is the one that came from my ISP. Any thoughts?
http://smartrg.com/gateways/vdsl2/sr505n/

[MrCallahan]

Originally Posted by Flames89

This is the one that came from my ISP. Any thoughts?
http://smartrg.com/gateways/vdsl2/sr505n/

Pretty standard stuff there. Doesn't offer 802.11ac, and is limited on the gigabit interfaces, but that may not be important for you.

The biggest thing is that it does what you want it to do. Are you looking for specific features? Or do you just want to have wifi that works, and gives you your Internet access? If that's the case, this would probably be sufficient.

But if you start seeing weird behavior, like wifi constantly disconnecting or is super slow, or Internet throughput isn't even close to what it should be. Then maybe looking at another router would be a good option.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Flames89

This is the one that came from my ISP. Any thoughts?
http://smartrg.com/gateways/vdsl2/sr505n/

Any wifi router you use today should have at least dual band wifi. I would bridge this into a modem and add your own router.

[indes]

The integrated ones are garbage, there is no comparison between these and an 80$ router. Definitely bridge that thing!

[Flames89]

Thanks all.
So it looks like all dualband ones are like $200+ ... is it very neccessary?
Worst load on the thing over next 4 years will be me playing Rocket League while wife is watching netflix upstairs.

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by Flames89

Thanks all.
So it looks like all dualband ones are like $200+ ... is it very neccessary?
Worst load on the thing over next 4 years will be me playing Rocket League while wife is watching netflix upstairs.

I recommend dual band. You can find a used one cheap I'm sure, I actually picked up a couple from the local thrift store for $15 I still have one in the closet doing nothing.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Flames89

This is the one that came from my ISP. Any thoughts?
http://smartrg.com/gateways/vdsl2/sr505n/

I have that exact one as well.
I should be paying more attention here, apparently.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Flames89

Thanks all.
So it looks like all dualband ones are like $200+ ... is it very neccessary?
Worst load on the thing over next 4 years will be me playing Rocket League while wife is watching netflix upstairs.

There's a dual band Linksys AC at Best Buy on sale for $90. Gigabit ports, USB 3 for NAS, print sharing, etc. Pretty full featured. Looks like it might have poor range though? Might want to check some other online reviews.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/.../10298323.aspx

[Bill Bumface]

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools...rs/router/view

[Flames89]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

There's a dual band Linksys AC at Best Buy on sale for $90. Gigabit ports, USB 3 for NAS, print sharing, etc. Pretty full featured. Looks like it might have poor range though? Might want to check some other online reviews.

Thanks. I realized when looking at the GameCentre thread that I will definitely want a proper router for the NHL season.
Range is a major consideration for me, so that one won't do, but appreciate the thought.

[Flames89]

So I went ahead and for this one
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...k_ql_qh_dp_hza
Bestbuy has a reasonable sale going on it.

Anyway, about the USB ports. Would this work to attach a harddrive to that stores all my downloaded movies (versus them being on the computer)? Space isn't really an issue on the computer (yet)

Or is it more to set up a backup hard drive for info on the computer?

[EldrickOnIce]

Yes. You can share across files or printers across the network.

I went with the netgear nighthawk.
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00F0DD...jeL&ref=plSrch

Will see how bridging goes

[comrade]

Thanks for the advice in this thread, I'm kicking around buying a new router and setting things up like has been suggested for better wireless performance. Current performance with my 5 year old Shaw modem for phones, tablets, gaming and Netflix have been frustrating.

A couple of years ago I bought the Asus RT-N16 bridged my modem, flashed DD-WRT and pointed to a HMA server in the US for Netflix. Anyway, it fell from use and has been collecting dust for the last year. I just logged into it so I do have full access to it. A couple of questions:

1) If I restore factory defaults will that reset back to Asus firmware or DD-WRT? I'm guessing it'll stay DD-WRT, is there a way to get back to factory firmware? I'd like to sell it but they aren't going for much so the amount of effort would have to be low. Unless selling it as DD-WRT would make it more attractive...

2) A reset (or something anyway) of my modem at one point un-bridged it. It was nice at the time as I had one US connection and one local, what are the downsides to operating like this, not bridging your modem and just adding a router?

[To Be Quite Honest]

Just got the D-Link AC1750 http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX48209 I like it so far, but it's only been ... 8 hours? It broadcasts 2 signals, one at 5ghz and the other is 2.4ghz. I'm running one through my vpn. I just need a better network card and my VPN PC broadcast is weak.

[Flames89]

Alright. So I am hooked up and happy so far (it's been a great 30 minutes).
My main question is, like TBQH, I have my dual band router pushing two signals (5 and 2.4) which I can choose to connect to. Now, how do you recommend I decide which equipment connects to which signal?
- if I am streaming hockey or vids downstairs and connected to the 5 Ghz, should my wife ensure she is connected to the other when streaming Netflix from the living room (5 Ghz reaches there too)?
- my laptop should also likely be connected to 5, as it runs plex, yes?
Which would leave basically all the heavy lifting on the 5.