Just picked one up at Coventry airport retail park, cv3 4to.
£89.97.
One left on the shelf.

None in Newbury, so if anybody decides they don't want theirs please let me know. :smiley:

just grabbed the last one in one of the stores in swansea. Actually went looking for an Archer C7 but couldnt refuse this at the price. Heat added with thanks :smiley:

1 left at the old PCWorld at Fort Kinnaird - Edinburgh. Cheers OP!

Most of the latest Asus routers offer Dual WAN (including this one) but in you set up it sounds like you may be better off with a combined modem/router such as the DSL-AC68U (for VDSL) or the cheaper DSL-N55U (for ADSL) which for the expense would offer load balancing over DSL/LAN.

Just picked one up for £79.99 at the Currys clearance store in Manchester. Had another 5 on the shelf

Or just very paranoid !! :smiley::smiley:

Following your point about the WA701's, I contacted TP-link and they suggested using two 2.4GHz 150Mbps Outdoor Wireless Access Point, seems to be a good idea. Cuts out the need for the WA701. Now just trying to work out how to combine the two internet connections in my house. Saw you can bridge two connections in windows, but I know the dual WAN / load balancing router would be a better option, just costs £150 minimum. Just going to check if adding a network card to my PC would be an option.

Thanks for your comments. In an ideal world I would use CAT6 cable, but unfortunately a main road prohibits this. I think I would be better using 24dB model antenna (TP-Link TL-ANT2424B) at one end and utilise the TL-ANT2414A that I already have mounted to the side of the house. I put together a quick picture. Do you think this setup would be better: ( The aim is to combine two fibre connections at my house into one for double internet speed when required )

​Regarding Genesis, it's unusable because it's now unsupported by the dev. Look at Specto which is a forked version with continuing development.

TP-Link equipment is fine, although at 100m you are pushing the limits of a "14dB" non amplified antenna. Might be a problem for HD streaming, but for internet access you should get signal. The last out building wireless set up I installed for a customer was a Linksys RE6500 (based on a MediaTek MT7602EN chip) and 2 DrayTek ANT-2510 antennas, which gave fairly good 150Mbps coverage at around 50m.

I would personally look at an external Cat6 cable run, which will give you a rock solid 1Gbps connection (depending on ethernet speed at each site) and have an access point at the remote site for wireless - a better set up, if its possible to do.

Hoping you could give me your opinion OUTRAGE. I'm extending a wireless network 100 metres from one house to another. Would your rate tp-link hardware to do a basic job? Would be using TP-Link TL-ANT2414A and tp-link TL-ANT2414b plugged into tp-link extenders.

Thanks. I think maybe ditching Sky will be the likeliest option. Just a few months before the contract ends.....

In that case, your Sky Hub is correctly on a different subnet, NAT Loopback 'is' working, just not how you want it because you have a double NAT - 2 private networks.

The best solution here for your network - although it involves spending money - is to buy a DrayTek Vigor 120 (for ADSL) ~£35 ebay, or a DrayTek Vigor 130 - ~£70 ebay (for ADSL and VDSL, in case you will ever need compatibility with fibre broadband). This is an excellent, reliable external DSL modem, and I have used it for customers many times for problems just like this. You would need to extract your Sky broadband username and password from the SR102 using wireshark (simple to do) first. This would remove the SR102 and double NAT altogether and everything would be handled by the Asus, as you are wanting.

It is a shame Sky force you to use their own equipment, but I would personally seriously consider an external modem if you are planning on staying with Sky or even moving to another ISP that doesn't allow their routers to be used as a modem only.

CORRECTION - the Asus WAN address is 192.168.2.7 (not 192.168.1.7)

Thanks for the feedback. Yes it's the Sky SR102, on ADSL (Sky Broadband Unlimited). Wireless and DHCP are turned off on the SR102, and Asus is set as the DMZ. Access to my internal servers works fine over 3G, port forwarding is all working correctly. The SR102 is on 192.168.2.1, and the rest of the LAN (including the Asus router) is on 192.168.1.*. The Asus WAN address is 192.168.1.7.

I'm struggling to get my head around option 1 (static route to bridge the two LANs). Would that allow me to keep the Asus as the DHCP server? Where/how would the static route need to be defined?

I'm not drawn to Option 2 as I didn't want to throw any more cash at it, and might decide do ditch Sky anyway when the contract is up in a few months.

Re. Option 3 - I understand that it's not possible to configure the SR102 in bridged mode, due to Sky insisting on locking it down presumably.

Option 4 isn't what I want, as it would negate the whole point of buying the Asus in the first place.

At this point it looks like ditching Sky may be the best option - unless Option 1 can help???

It sounds like youve got a double NAT. What brand / model is the "Sky router"? Are you using ADSL or VDSL (broadband or so called fibre broadband?) I happily moved away from Sky a year or two ago, but I'll assume you will be using a so called SR102 Sky Hub? If so, I again assume you have turned wireless and the dhcp off, and tried to add the Asus to DMZ to forward everything, this wont work for WAN to (Asus) LAN. The modem (ie your Sky Hub) has to be on a different subnet to your LAN.

What is the WAN address that the Asus is getting? Is it a private IP or your Sky WAN IP? As i believe this has no option to operate as DSL modem, you (unwillingly) have 2 routers / gateways on your network - not a good practice for your small home network.

NAT Loopback sounds to be working correctly on the Asus;

LAN requests WAN address -> resolved as WAN address on the Asus (which is the Sky Hub as a gateway) -> Forwards requests to Sky Hub -> Opens web config page of Sky Hub.

WAN requests from Android -> no local clients on the Sky Hub gateway subnet -> failed connection.

You've got a few options - as i say im not a Sky broadband customer so im not sure what their equipment is or can do;

1 - Change the subnet of the Sky Hub (or Asus) to a different one and add a static route to bridge your two LAN's.

2 - Get a DSL modem and remove the Sky Hub altogether (maybe an Openreach modem can work if you obtain the user name and password from the SR102 - I set this up for a friend on ADSL, not sure about VDSL?)

3 - Try configure the WAN connection in the Asus as bridged rather than DHCP (if the SR102 supports it). You might need your Sky DSL username and password and to use DD-WRT on the Asus for this.

4 - Use the Sky Hub as the gateway / router as Sky force you to (dealing with DHCP, routing, firewall, port forwarding, static routes etc) and use the Asus in Access Point mode to deal with Wireless and Gigabit switching only.

4 - Leave Sky and join Plusnet or Virgin Media who happily allow you set things up how you want (Openreach or Docsis modem to your own router).

I know, but some people bought it for its benefits in wireless range.

I can ping using the WAN address from a Windows 7 PC on the LAN, but if I try to access my IP cameras from an Android phone using the WAN address the connection fails (it was working before I introduced the Asus router to my infrastructure).
If I try to access a web site on my server from another PC on the LAN I get directed to the console page of the Sky router. The Sky Router is connected to the WAN port of the Asus router, with the Asus designated as the DMZ on the Sky router. The Asus is my DHCP server and gateway.
???

I am using Merlin, but it worked fine on Asus firmware. What is your exact issue? Can you ping using WAN address or not?

You'd have been better off putting your £100 towards a fibre upgrade? It's like using a Ferrari chassis with a 50cc moped engine in..

You have to put your Sky hub into modem mode.

Picked one up at Parkgate Rotherham today, they had another two left on the shelf.

Tried all afternoon to get this working with Sky (not fibre) using a TP-Link 8817 in bridge mode. No luck :disappointed: anyone else got this working on Sky ADSL?

Using a VPN will just raised suspicions, and you will be on the "hit list" before you know it.
Believe me :wink:

It's more about being able to monitor folks Internet usage so they can then look to (more effectively) block said streaming sites.

I agree - I don't think end users of streaming will be prosecuted.

But if enough of the streams can be throttled/end up being more hassle than they're worth then that'll be a win in Murdoch's book.

Genesis (a popular streaming app via Kodi) is pretty much unusable these days for instance.

Downloading is illegal but there's legislation somewhere under the EU that says streaming is NOT illegal hence you get all the people using these smartboxes to stream content. Not mentioning the software being used for obvious reasons.

From what I'm told by the (many) folks I know who work for SKY and various other Murdoch media outlets, it's being sold to the public as being about protecting us from paedos and terrorists.

In fact it's more about protecting Murdoch's copyrights and finding a way to nail anyone who downloads/streams copyright material.

The Quantenna wireless these use can be problematic (Google it).

Some will be absolutely fine but many have had problems with it.

Better off with a Broadcom Wireless NIC.

Which I believe almost all the rest of the Asus routers have.

What a pain in the bum trying to get one of these.. called up "if it isn't on the website we don't stock it" so walked into town, they didn't have it on the shelf, I asked if they might have it elsewhere "Let me check online"... nope we don't stock it..
zzzzz

Went to Currys in Leeds town centre and Leeds crown point, non in stock

Just picked up the last one at Blackpool Squire's Gate. Great deal and perfect timing given I am sick of my VM Superhuman 2 and am trialling modem mode. :smiley:

Can I ask which firmware version you are running?

I've got the rt-ac68u and its a great router. not sure why being voted down as this improves on it.

I have an RT-AC68U and nobody seems to have managed to get NAT Loopback working on it, even with the latest Merlin firmware. So you can't access URL's hosted internally using the public domain address. If this is an issue for anyone you might want to check the situation with the RT-AC87U before taking the plunge.

Did you read the powers the bill would introduce?

"allow police and intelligence officers to see the Internet connection records, as part of a targeted and filtered investigation, without a warrant"

The bill doesn't stop at paedos and terrorists. They can use it to investigate whatever they like.

For example I'm a medical doctor (emergency physician). I've seen and heard all sorts. You might spend all day on hotukdeals and ebay... I routinely deal with and look up information on illicit drugs, weapons, poisons, human trafficking etc.

(Yes I know doctors are mentioned in the draft bill, but it just acknowledges that there may be potentially sensitive information due to certain professions and then says they can get a warrant to use the data anyway if they fancy).

So I'll keep my VPN thanks :smile: and no that still doesn't mean I'm up to no good.


That's cool. Unlikely is not good enough for me so I'll still use AES256 :smile:

I use a VPN because I run a business from home therefore I need to protect my data. Plus I find it sometime speeds up youtube sometimes (Throttling).

Why is that ridiculous? They can "sniff my packets" all day long I don't care. All they will find is eBay and hotdeals they will soon be bored!

This bill is to protect us all from pedophiles and terrorists.

I am using 128. It is extremely unlikely that anyone with anything less that the world fastest super computer is going to crack 128, which in itself takes un-tolds of years worth of compute performance to decrypt.

Mine was free with £5 delivery from Plusnet.

Allows me to xbox, surf and Kodi.
Perfect.

That's a ridiculous thing to say. Read this sh*t: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft_Investigatory_Powers_Bill


AES256-CBC? You're probably using AES128 which is PIA's configuration default and will be significantly faster... BUT this is not recommended by the NSA for top secret communication (ie considered crackable by someone with enough resources).

I have peaked about 107mbps down with PIA VPN on this Asus router the other day. (200mb line)

Edit: this is with the VPN setting on the router. Average sits at about 70mbs.

​You're up to no good if you need 100% VPN :confused:

1ghz cpu in this... Would prefer a Linksys WRT1200AC (advertised at 1.3ghz but actually 1.6ghz) which is compatible in price. I have all my traffic going through a VPN which is very CPU heavy. One of these would top out around 27mbit while the Linksys would top out my bt infinity and Max around 40mbit.

I currently have a piddly 720mhz tp-link which can only manage around 18mbit which is a little bit sad :disappointed: that's the price you pay for security I guess?

You can also use the homehub sent to you by BT and just disable the router part of it, and plug it into the ASUS router too.

scud c

​Use DD-WRT on it simples...

Eh??? Do you have the RT-AC68U? If so, could you confirm which version of the firmware you are using? I'm using Merlin 380.57, and have been told in the Merlin forum that there's a known issue with NAT loopback at the moment.

Host file isn't an option as some of the client devices are Android (e.g. I want to view my IP cameras from inside and outside the home). Setting up a DNS server seems like a major undertaking for what should be a trivial thing for the router to do.

Great router at a fantastic price! Heat.

Pretty sure I still have one, when I had the earlier home hubs. Thanks for the info

As a power user, I can say my one I got last week has been rock solid on a large number devices. No drop, hangs, nothing. I guess it must be luck of the draw.

Speedtest 207mbs on VM 200mb from downstairs on 5Ghz.

I recently got an Archer C7 (from, as it happens, an in store deal in Currys/PCWorld) which stopped working until power cycled a couple of times. Googling, it seems other people have had similar problems. Now wondering whether to take it back, or try DD-WRT on it.

Bought one last week and had nothing but problems with it. Whilst signal is stronger than the BT home hub, its only marginal. I've tested it with 10 devices over various distances. My internet speed at the router has dropped from 70Mbps on BT HH5 to 65 Mbps on the Asus. It has locked up and stopped working for no reason. On one PC with a previously rock solid ac wifi adapter it not only causes the adapter to lock up, but also crashes the PC with the following blue screen "Kernel Security Check failure". I've updated the Asus firmware and also tried Merlin. I have spent many hours trying different channel setups etc. I like the VPN setup, the network wide security and traffic monitoring, but think I'm going to give up on it. It's cheaper than more basic Asus routers for a reason. I had the TP Link Archer C7 which was rock solid.

Some people get blinded by the price drop and see £60 off an overpriced unrequired piece of equipment.
That is why Apple do so well.

One in Curry's PC World Winterstoke Road Bristol store at this price

already here http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/asus-rt-ac87u-ac2400-router-instore-only-99-97-pc-world-2395763
Anyway, spotted 1 in Sydenham by sainburys large store less than a week ago, you might be lucky as it was still with older price but will scan at £99.97

This router is going cheap because it has a known 5ghz issues. The chipset they have is bad and nothing can be done about it, it will drain android baterries too if you manage to get a wireless connection on 5ghz.

Read around.

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2016/02/24/ftc-asus-20-years-monitoring/1

i'd guess this is why asus routers are going cheap ?

Already been posted, I purchased one for £99 last week from curry.
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/asus-rt-ac87u-ac2400-router-instore-only-99-97-pc-world-2395763

Just to add I have 200mb VM and this router is amazing better than SH's. Peak speed with no dips.

Where from?
Got one for £10 in august but the price seems to be going up.
Would be handy to have a spare.

Fantastic router to stream Kodi. Heated!

This work well with BT? The home hub 5 is ****

I'll be checking mine tomorrow to see if they have it. Dual WAN has worked well for me with a 4G backup for when virgin continually let me down plus loaded up merlin's firmware as well to increase the functionality.

Yeah, did everything this one does. Excellent service.

:smile:

:smile:

​I think you know the answer to that question.

This is a great router - bought it after lots of research for my dad's place (still need the modem that comes with your ISP plan). Can run 2 simultaneous networks with different security and access for different features and every firewall, VPN and other setting you can imagine under the sun. Highly recommended, and a good price for it too!

Only reason why people are down-voting is because its in store only and not online. Sale is national and while stock lasts.

super hot. don't get this site....