Advice for a new user/router in NL/EU

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

Hi there,

I am looking to finally replace my ISP provided router with something more capable.

My internet speed is 100mbit, maybe 200mbit in the near future. In the long term maybe max 500mbit.

At the moment I am using pi-hole with DHCP and unbound on a pi zero w 2. I'd like to tunnel all my traffic to a VPN, and also be able to tunnel in from WAN, and go outside again. So I need something a bit more powerful and with dedicated ethernet ports.

First I was looking at a Nano PI R2S, or for about the same money the R3S (LTS). But I would need to buy a switch if I ditch my ISP router. So now I am thinking of the Banana Pi BPI R4 lite, it would be about the same price of a R3S + switch.

I have decent network experience and looking for something I can use for a very long time.

I have a wifi 5 AP which would do atm. The wifi 7 option in the R4 lite sounds appealing, but in a few years when I got something that can make use of it. I am not a heavy internet user.

The R4 lite is a very new model but if I am correct it is already supported?

Is there any way of knowing a how long a device would be supported in the future? (the R3S as well)

Is this a decent choice for a new user?

Any other suggestions? I would consider the non-Lite R4, but it's overkill and a bit expensive.

Thanks for any replies :slight_smile:

2

to give you an idea A Wireguard comparison DB.

where are you located, geographically ?

3

wifi7 is barely supported, on very few devices, if cost is of a concern something like flint2 will serve as a primary router, wifi6 AP and a few-port switch all in one 100-some bucks box.

4

@frollic I am in the Netherlands. I did found the comparison DB, a R3S doing 400mbit would be plenty fast already.

@brada4 I have a AP for now, wifi 7 would be a nice upgrade in a couple of years and an easily option on the R4 (lite)

I do prefer a SBC instead, the flint 2 would be too expensive (lowest €154 here).

5

then buy a T-56 from wifilinks, it's 60€ + S&H, 20-30€ cheaper if you get it from Marktplaats instead.

6

I second this. Top tier specs for the price.

7

Damn, hard to beat that... just a bit less RAM and no SFP then a R4, both of which I'm not gonna use for the foreseeable future I guess. Any T-56 would do right, there is just one version?

8

you can always try to find the non-ISP version - EX5601-T0 (T-56 is a -T1), it got a SFP port, but it'll most likely not be in the sub 60€ price range.

yes, there's only one.

9

Thanks, I found a T-56 without SFP for €40 second hand, or a T-54 with SFP for €45...

I guess i go for the T-56. The T-54 isn't even on the hardware list so it's a no go right?

I will pick one up tomorrow, thanks so far.

1 Like
10

Correct....

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11

Thanks all, I just flashed my T-56. Excited to explore all the options and put it in use.

2 Likes
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