A router is the heart of a local network. Each network needs one router, and preferably no more than one.
At a minimum, a router includes a WAN port to connect to an Internet source and a few LAN ports for connecting local wired devices. Technically, a router is a layer 3 network switch.
Nowadays, the term “router” is often used to refer to a “Wi-Fi router” — one that has a built-in Wi-Fi access point. Consequently, we use “non-Wi-Fi” to refer to a standard router that lacks built-in Wi-Fi capability.
Final update (October 5, 2022): Harv Perkins has received his prize and left the following message. We were in need of a new router. Since being a daily reader of Dong’s posts I took a chance and entered. Very happy and appreciative of the prize!!! Enjoy your new toy, Harv! …
Final Update (September 5, at 2:15 pm): Web Dove has received his prize and left the following message: Thank you Dong! I have a 2.5g Trendnet switch which will let me connect 2.5g ethernet AiMesh backhaul between this new Ax86u and my current Ax86u exterior router. Looks like somebody is …
Updated (August 22): Alan’s response as the official winner of the giveaway: “Thank you, Dong! We are so happy with this new addition to our Wi-Fi! What an awesome gift, coincidentally it’s my b-day today 😊 Also, appreciate the gesture from Joe Orzech, thank you!” This concludes this giveaway, check …
The Synology RT6600ax and Ubiquiti UDR (UniFi Dream Router) appear to have nothing in common. They have distinctive looks and belong to two approaches regarding home/(semi-)professional networking. But I couldn’t help thinking of the latter while testing the former, which arrived later in the Wi-Fi 6 game—both were kind of …
Synology’s first router in years, the RT6600ax, is finally available today. And, like the Ubiquiti UDR, it’s a near-perfect Wi-Fi 6 machine that does not have a lot of love for Multi-Gig users. For the rest, the new router is as good as can be. And its support for the …
In early October 2021, Ubiquiti quietly released the UniFi Dream Router (UDR), its first UniFi Wi-Fi 6 broadcaster, as a $79 Early Access device to those who agreed to keep most of its information under wraps. Not everyone managed to snatch one since the router kept running out of stock. …
In a good way, Ubiquiti’s AmpliFi Alien has been a weird router. That was my initial impression more than two years ago, and it’s even more so today. I’ve reviewed dozens more Wi-Fi 6 routers in the past couple of years, yet none was like the Alien. This router is …
