A worthy replacement for an R8000

Question

Hi All,I've been a happy R8000 user for over 5.5 years; and apart from all the known issues with the firmware along the way, it's been a very reliable piece of kit.One the main reasons I chose the R8000 was its WiFi range and its ability to handle many simultaneous connections, but the time has come to consider a worthy replacement.My requirements are:-- WiFi 6- Excellent WiFi Range- Low latency- Capable of handling 40 to 50 connections with easeGaming is not a deal breaker, but if a gaming WiFi router is the best option, then so be it,What would be the best Router to buy?TIA

plemans · Answer

The R8000 was a pretty solid router. You'd have to look to the higher performing RAX devices for more perfomance/capabilities.&nbsp;
Does it provide adequate coverage?&nbsp;
If not or you're just wanting a little more coverage, then you'd want to look towards the AX mesh solutions

rthdavid · Answer

Thanks for your reply.&nbsp;At least half of my devices are hardwired into a gigabit network. The other half are split between a WAX206 AP which is itself hardwired into the same gigabit network, or the R8000's own WiFi.&nbsp;My primary concern is the ability to handle a large number of simulataneous connections (35+).WiFi coverage and stability is very important, but a secondary concern.&nbsp;Here's the topology :-&nbsp;House[Modem] &lt;=&nbsp;GbE =&gt; [R8000 Router] &lt;=&nbsp;GbE =&gt; [S350 Switch]&nbsp;&lt;=&nbsp;GbE =&gt;&nbsp;[Devices]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;/\&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ||&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ||&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;GbE over&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;OM3 Fibre&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ||&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ||Annex (40m away from House)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;\/&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [WAX206 Access Point]&nbsp;&lt;=&nbsp;GbE =&gt; [S350 Switch]&nbsp;&lt;=&nbsp;GbE =&gt; [Devices]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;TIA

plemans · Answer

Are those connections planned to be wireless? Seems like you have a pretty solid setup already.&nbsp;
You could just add an upgraded wireless AP to the R8000 for the location that its in if you're wanting better wireless speeds/more connections. You could disable the wireless on the r8000 and just use it for the routing functions and let an upgraded AP manage the wireless.&nbsp;
Your setup with the WAX206 should be solid and be able to handle quite a few connections. It'd be to just add coverage where the r8000 is.&nbsp;
Or you could upgrade the router.&nbsp;
Not actually sure which route I'd recommend going.&nbsp;

rthdavid · Answer

Thanks for your reply.&nbsp;I rely quite heavily on my network working, and the age of the R8000 is a bit of a worry.It is by far my oldest device in operation and it is long out of warranty.&nbsp;I'm looking to replace the R8000 with an equivilent up-to-date model, and keep the R8000 as a backup.Funnily enough I can still buy an R8000 brand new...&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

plemans · Answer

Are you looking for dual or triband?&nbsp;
You can go to netgears router page and filter by specs you want.&nbsp;
That'll narrow it down.&nbsp;
https://www.netgear.com/home/wifi/routers/listing-filter/ax-wifi6-2/
&nbsp;
to be equivelent, you're going to need a fairly decent AX router just because the R8000 was/is a solid router.&nbsp;
Or look at the pro-grade equipment.&nbsp;

Forum Discussion

A worthy replacement for an R8000

5 Replies