Looking to update my network

[tshwartz]

Hello
My Apple Extreme Routers and Apple Time Capsule are getting pretty long in the tooth. The TC occasionally over heats and reports errors.

What are people using for network gear these days that is as reliable as my old Apple gear. I have a 3 story house plus basement. I do have Cat5 going to a patch panel in the basement and to some of the rooms on each floor. I could switch to a mesh network and run Ethernet backhaul if this makes the most sense, or do I do one router and a bunch of access points?

Lately I have been doing a lot more work outside on the porch, and need to improve the signal outside.

What products and technologies are people using?

Regards
Ted

 

[mfram]

Are you looking for a router that can also server a Time Machine disk? Or do you just want the WiFi router part? If you just want WiFi then I am using the Linksys Velop product with three base stations. It's works wonderfully with all the things on my network including my Apple products.

 

[mj_]

I've recently upgraded to Netgear's Orbi system. One base station and two satellites. Couldn't be happier, I still get the full 220 Mbps of my cable internet connection in the far corners of the house despite a lack of ethernet backhaul.

 

[Fishrrman]

With your use case, it sounds like you're a prime candidate for a "mesh system" with 3 or even 4 nodes.

There are many different ones "out there" now. It will be up to YOU to do the research as to the one you like best.

Be aware that the most desirable of these have THREE radio channels (instead of two). The "third channel" is designed to handle "backhaul" between the nodes so that this doesn't slow down or crowd the standard two channels.

I have a two story house, 1,400sqft. A 2-node Linksys "Velop" (3 band) works fine for me.
There is also Netgear's "Orbi" system (also a 3-band system).
Other popular systems include eero and google wifi (these may be only 2-band systems).
And numerous others.