Currently using RPi4b as router running 23.05.3 this device is directly connected to a small managed Netgear switch which has a trunked port to an old r7800 which is my current dumb AP.
I really think it's time to upgrade the R7800 as it's max SQM download is maxed out at 190mb (I'm on a virgin media 250Mb deal currently) but hoping to move to Grain 1Gb when they extend into my area so I want a higher SQM capable throughout device, so what would your advice be please ? What should I look for obvs WiFi6 at least would be a step up too from the R7800. Please advise
Now, this is not a real recommendation, more a FYI.
I am in a similar boat and want to replace an old WiFi4 AP (neatgear wndr 3700v2, a got a ton of mileage out of that one), my choice fell on the OpenWrt One. But it is still not in my hands so no report on how well it does work in that role... anyway still maybe something to keep in mind as a potential option...
Sorry I wasn't clear. SQM is running on the RPi4b NOT the R7800. According to another thread I posted a while ago the outcome was suggesting that the R7800 is the bottleneck as the max throughput will be limited with it being unable to use the OEM hardware fully
This is strange, i can push 220Mbps over ancient wifi n devices over 5 GHz without problem, even my asus onhub can push over 700Mbits over ac radio on nss build so you have something wrong for sure. What wifi card you have?
My Reyee RG E5 has been an outstanding external antenna WiFi 6 dumb AP. Throughput at range is better than an RT3200 and much better than a WRX36 (I've used all three). It's available for $40-$50 shipped from ebay in US.
Assuming it's available in your location, it does have its issues: 1) first flash with OpenWrt requires opening the case and connecting a USB dongle; 2) only 16 MB of flash - plenty for a focused collection of essential packages on a dumb AP or router, but not enough for grander use cases; 3) no USB port.
If none of those issues dissuade you, I highly recommend it for an AP.
This thread I posted earlier this year has some really enlightening info from clearly very clever members as to why the R7800 will never be one of the best devices to shape traffic at speed..
I think out of these Ubiquiti UniFi U6+
Zyxel NWA50AX Pro I'm airing now on the side of the Ubiquiti as the preferred replacement in the hope I can achieve better performance over both WiFi AND SQM..
But, as long as the delivered performance (throughput and latency under load increase7 responsiveness) meets your requirements, why is "unable to use the OEM hardware fully" necessarily a bad thing?
@moeller0 when you say ""why is "unable to use the OEM hardware fully" necessarily a bad thing?"" I do not think it is a bad thing at all, but my interpretation from the last discussion earlier this year was that the Netgear R7800 is maxed out around 180Mb when using SQM cake..
Hopefully I will be upgrading to a 1Gb internet connection within the next 12 months. With that in mind Im trying to upgrade my networking hardware with better/newer devices to acheive a higher sqm throughput
But if the r7800 is only acting as AP it will not run SQM (or rather the costly traffic shaper), so by all means, replace it if its WiFi throughput is too low, but as long as your raspberry pi4 handles the wan traffic shaper the r7800's sqm capabilities should not matter a lot, no?