Something like the TP-Link Archer C80 AC1900 at £40 would do quite nicely.

Its seems down to v1.60 the c80 is setup for easy access point mode.

https://postimg.cc/zyQXjGJh

All rob has to do is set the ssids up and cable up

https://i.postimg.cc/26V4f0Kk/image.png

In reply to a post by Eeeps:

Something like the TP-Link Archer C80 AC1900 at £40 would do quite nicely.

Thanks again all. I note there's a Wifi6 TP-Link router right next to the C80 on a popular site, at £45 - the AX18/AX1500. Worth the extra £5? I think the RRP on the Wifi6 is lower (£70 compared to the C80's £80).

Edited by Robroadband (Fri 22-Nov-24 15:01:48)

In reply to a post by Robroadband:

In reply to a post by Eeeps:

Something like the TP-Link Archer C80 AC1900 at £40 would do quite nicely.

Thanks again all. I note there's a Wifi6 TP-Link router right next to the C80 on a popular site, at £45 - the AX18/AX1500. Worth the extra £5? I think the RRP on the Wifi6 is lower (£70 compared to the C80's £80).

I think the AX18 is not quite as good on the 2.4GHz band hence the AC1500 v AC1900 of the C80.

Regarding setup I suggest the following...

1. Log into your existing router and discover the IP range used (Subnet) and DHCP start and end range (Scope). This will provide you with a suitable fixed IP address to use on the new router / AP.

2. Use a wired connection to the new router directly from a laptop. Don't connect it to your network yet. Put the new router in AP mode, configure the static IP address and switch off its DHCP.

3. Connect the new router to your network and configure the Wi-Fi settings from the comfort of your living room.

Which ISP do you use?
Some ISP (like Virgin) have the DHCP range starting at 192.168.0.10 meaning you have 8 addresses that can be used for static devices. (192.168.0.1 being used for the main router)

Edited by Eeeps (Fri 22-Nov-24 15:27:36)

I think the AX18 is not quite as good on the 2.4GHz band hence the AC1500 v AC1900 of the C80.

Thanks Eeeps - that would make sense. For my meagre 150mbps paid-for, would it make more sense to go for the Wifi6 even with the lower 2.4GHz for a) hopefully better coverage around the house, b) future-proofing?


Which ISP do you use?
Some ISP (like Virgin) have the DHCP range starting at 192.168.0.10 meaning you have 8 addresses that can be used for static devices. (192.168.0.1 being used for the main router)

Just moved to Vodafone - the reserved addresses look to be 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.200, so presumably I can give the new router .201? Appreciate the help - I'm hoping the instructions above and any help TP-Link can give me via a quick start up guide/software and the online help Taras linked to will see me right...

In reply to a post by Robroadband:

I think the AX18 is not quite as good on the 2.4GHz band hence the AC1500 v AC1900 of the C80.

Thanks Eeeps - that would make sense. For my meagre 150mbps paid-for, would it make more sense to go for the Wifi6 even with the lower 2.4GHz for a) hopefully better coverage around the house, b) future-proofing?


go with the c80 its cheaper, and as you are not quite what you need atm - its a fair price atm to for.

In reply to a post by Robroadband:

Which ISP do you use?
Some ISP (like Virgin) have the DHCP range starting at 192.168.0.10 meaning you have 8 addresses that can be used for static devices. (192.168.0.1 being used for the main router)

Just moved to Vodafone - the reserved addresses look to be 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.200, so presumably I can give the new router .201? Appreciate the help - I'm hoping the instructions above and any help TP-Link can give me via a quick start up guide/software and the online help Taras linked to will see me right...

Don't worry about ip addressing. atm. the tplink will disable dhcp and the voda router will dish out the ips. You may wish to put the tplink on 192.168.1.201 so you can get into it without issue. You will initally either get it to work or for it not to work. If its the latter post here - please try and keep to one forum, as it any further help will be split over two sites and confuse everyone including you.

Honestly I would look at second hand APs and a PoE switch which should be around the same price as a budget router e.g. right tool for the job.

I see a set of three Unifi APs for under £40 on ebay.

You need to run a manager program to configure them (on a laptop or PC) and then it isn't required.
I run it as a small VM on the same hardware as my router and only spin it up when a change is required.

Once it is up and running and you find it just works then adding a more up-to-date wifi 6/7 is simple. Just plug it in, adopt in the software then the same config is applied.

You can also find cheal Ruckus hardware but it is a bit more complex compared to Unifi.

In reply to a post by Taras:

go with the c80 its cheaper, and as you are not quite what you need atm - its a fair price atm to for.


Thanks Taras - can someone explain what the 2.4Ghz does, as this is the single selling point of the C80 over the £5 more AX18 which would future-proof me a bit with Wifi6.

Edited by Robroadband (Sat 23-Nov-24 16:16:40)

Thanks smouty - if I could understand even a vague idea of what you;re saying, I'm sure this would be a great solution but if you assume you're dealing with a tech dullard here you won't be far wrong...

Edited by Robroadband (Sat 23-Nov-24 16:29:59)

In reply to a post by Robroadband:

In reply to a post by Taras:

go with the c80 its cheaper, and as you are not quite what you need atm - its a fair price atm to for.


Thanks Taras - can someone explain what the 2.4Ghz does, as this is the single selling point of the C80 over the £5 more AX18 which would future-proof me a bit with Wifi6.

Theres 3 frequencies used by wifi units, 2.4ghz, 5ghz (not to be confused with 5G mobile phones - 5g for phones means fifth generation) and recently 6ghz.

So 2.4ghz was the first frequency range used by wifi, so everyone has a wifi unit that has 2.4ghz but what makes 2.4ghz even more crowded is that bluetooth and microwaves sit in that frequency range..

Thats the huge downside to 2.4.ghz the upside it can penetrate walls easier.

The reason i'm saying go for the c80 is this, I don't think, you know confidently and add in your skills set at this stage to know what you need. Wifi is some sort of weird thing becasue its limitations are partly limited by your environment. Some properties are great, others not so much.

You've identified where you need to upgrade - upgrade that now; cheaply and then look at what you need maybe 6 to 8 months down the line. You may be fine with the c80, but who knows you may ned up with 10 devices in being served by the c80 and you really then maybe need something else. Rather than going gun ho buying something that you won't use.

Coming back to the ax18 vs the c80, it will be probably a much of muchness and add in your internet speed, the c80 is probably the better bet but you will be fine with the ax18.