Should I Buy the NetDuma?

[mattp]

Hi, I'm currently looking into purchasing a router and have come across the NetDuma as a top contender. As of now I'm comparing the NetDuma to some of the Netgear Nighthawk series (x6, x8), and potentially others.

 

I have Comcast with a 300Mb Download and 30 upload, using the ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem.

 

I read that the Netduma supports only up to 120Mb download speed. Is this correct, and if so, is there any future model that will support a higher download speed? Additionally, I read that it supports up to 300Mb over Wifi, however my understanding is hardwiring/Lan would produce better results.

 

Additionally, I noticed the Netduma does not support the 5Ghz networks. Will this be problematic?

 

Can you help me in my decision to purchase a router. For gaming (1 Xbox One, however at times friends bring over their Xbox's and we all play online), netduma offers a wide variety of useful features, however our household will additionally be using 2 laptops, 1 desktop, and 2 smartphones. I'd like to expand to more devices in the future and additionally take advantage of some "Smart" house appliances. Gaming is not the only priority, but it would be nice to utilize the Geofiltering features and others.

 

I've read in older posts (March 2015) that the wifi is not as strong as perhaps other routers, however the majority of our household devices will be using wifi. If anyone can elaborate on this portion let me know!

 

Let me know if you need any more information and if Netduma is the right choice! My primary concern is not being able to utilize the full 300Mb download if I purchase the Netduma. Thanks for your help!

[secretface]

Hey bud I think with the latest firmware it supports 300Mb .

[mattp]

Hey bud I think with the latest firmware it supports 300Mb .

Oh ok! that would be great, do you happen to have a link that shows this information. Additionally, is that something that would be pre-installed on the router upon purchase, or i would update it on my own when i receive it?

[PharmDawgg]

You're correct the router does not support 5ghz but what you can do is either add an access point or router(as an access point) that does support 5ghz.

And like secret face said there is an actually an update that supports up to 900Mb download. But who has those kind of speeds. Lol.

[mattp]

You're correct the router does not support 5ghz but what you can do is either add an access point or router(as an access point) that does support 5ghz.

And like secret face said there is an actually an update that supports up to 900Mb download. But who has those kind of speeds. Lol.

Alright awesome! that solves my issue with the speed. Regarding the Access point, what benefits would the 5ghz get me? additionally, do you have a recommended access point to use?

[takeover514]

I don't want to rain on the parade but netduma doesn't support up to those speeds, unless I am doing something wrong (gigabit speed)

[mattp]

I don't want to rain on the parade but netduma doesn't support up to those speeds, unless I am doing something wrong (gigabit speed)

Maybe someone will chime in who is currently getting over the 120Mb that I found. If you find anything let me know!

[Urge]

I don't want to rain on the parade but netduma doesn't support up to those speeds, unless I am doing something wrong (gigabit speed)

I don't have those speeds so can't say for sure, but i think you'd want to make have Super Turbo mode selected in the Miscellaneous settings to get top speeds.

[PharmDawgg]

Alright awesome! that solves my issue with the speed. Regarding the Access point, what benefits would the 5ghz get me? additionally, do you have a recommended access point to use?

I'm using my Asus router as an access point for my 5ghz devices.

The 900Mb is theoretical but you can definitely get up to 300Mb with the R1.

[major masingil]

Oh ok! that would be great, do you happen to have a link that shows this information. Additionally, is that something that would be pre-installed on the router upon purchase, or i would update it on my own when i receive it?

You will have to install the most recent update to get the higher speeds. .05m ( last digits of the firmware) is the current firmware.  Originally I used the Netduma's 2.4 wifi and it was great.  It was strong through out the house, even in the basement. I had somewhere around  20ish devices connected wirelessly.  Now I have my old router (netgear R6300 in AP mode and I use its 2.4 and 5 ghz wifi and I have turned the Netduma's wifi off.  

 

Based on what you've said a Netduma will give you a great deal of control over your network. You will really like all the ways you can prioritize anything in your network.  The only place where I'll see you could possibly have an issue would be when you have all your friends over with their XBoxes.  The duma will still work, but you may need to adjust the settings somehow to allow all the XB's to have open NAT.  This is can be done.  You may need to check the wiki or here on the forum for help with those settings as i haven't done that yet.

 

My setup flowchart goes like:  Verizon ONT>Netduma>Netgear R6300 in AP mode and it works great.  

[A7Legit]

Should you buy the router, the answer depends on what you want it for.

 

Personally, I didn't think twice about the router when I first heard about it, never looked back, never regretted the R1 or a second.

 

I'm not sure if that Modem chipset suffers from the EEE bug?

[PharmDawgg]

A7Legit makes a great point. Please verify that the SB6190 does not have the same chipset as the SB6183 because there were bug issues with that modem and the R1.(i.e. Random Ping spikes)

[Alex49H]

No the SB6190 does not have the Broadcom chipset, it has TI chipset. Though I do see random ping spikes still but I am waiting for a firmware update from Cox. Comcast already sent it out to their customers.

[Netduma Fraser]

Hey welcome to the forum! Glad to see you're interested in the router, I'll try to answer your questions in as much detail as I can.

• We do support up to ~900mbps speeds with the latest upgrade which you can find here (as well as a detailed log of what is included in the upgrade) 
• You will not be able to get wireless speeds that fast. I can regularly achieve about 50-70mbps on the duma wifi but it really depends on how your home is arranged but I would not expect any high wifi speeds than this, expect ~50 max and you won't be disappointed.
• 2.4GHz has a further range than 5GHz but there is the potential for more interference. However you can help this by changing the wireless channel to the least congested. You wouldn't get any faster speeds through 5GHz either. 
• It sounds like with all the devices you'll have connected our congestion control would be perfect to ensure you don't impact each other. 
• If the consoles are connecting wirelessly I wouldn't worry (though would suggest wired) - gaming uses very little bandwidth and therefore you will have plenty.
• As others have stated if you wish to have 5GHz wifi or AC wifi for faster wireless speeds you could connect a router to the R1 and put it in AP mode. This way you'll still benefit from all of the R1's features.

Hope that helps!

 

[mattp]

No the SB6190 does not have the Broadcom chipset, it has TI chipset. Though I do see random ping spikes still but I am waiting for a firmware update from Cox. Comcast already sent it out to their customers.

Thanks for pointing this out Alex. Since comcast has already sent this out, is there something i need to do on my end regarding the modem?

[mattp]

Hey welcome to the forum! Glad to see you're interested in the router, I'll try to answer your questions in as much detail as I can.

• We do support up to ~900mbps speeds with the latest upgrade which you can find here (as well as a detailed log of what is included in the upgrade) 
• You will not be able to get wireless speeds that fast. I can regularly achieve about 50-70mbps on the duma wifi but it really depends on how your home is arranged but I would not expect any high wifi speeds than this, expect ~50 max and you won't be disappointed.
• 2.4GHz has a further range than 5GHz but there is the potential for more interference. However you can help this by changing the wireless channel to the least congested. You wouldn't get any faster speeds through 5GHz either. 
• It sounds like with all the devices you'll have connected our congestion control would be perfect to ensure you don't impact each other. 
• If the consoles are connecting wirelessly I wouldn't worry (though would suggest wired) - gaming uses very little bandwidth and therefore you will have plenty.
• As others have stated if you wish to have 5GHz wifi or AC wifi for faster wireless speeds you could connect a router to the R1 and put it in AP mode. This way you'll still benefit from all of the R1's features.

Hope that helps!

Thank you so much for the detailed response! The quick support from all of you has been great and seems to be a great selling point for purchasing this router as well.

 

You mention "If the consoles are connecting wirelessly I wouldn't worry (though would suggest wired) - gaming uses very little bandwidth and therefore you will have plenty." Are you saying you would "worry" if they were connected hardwired. I would like to have the best experience for all Xbox's. Lets assuming there are 3 xbox's in total and I want to hardwire everything for the best experience. Is it just settings that i need to change according to major masingil's response above? or are there specific unsolvable limitations.

 

Additionally, Suppose i purchase the R1 and choose to purchase an additional Router/AP, do you have a recommendation on what to get, considering I'll already have the benefits of the R1?

 

Would the setup be Wall-> SB6190 --> R1 --> AP/Router?

I assume you connect the xbox's hardwired from R1 Router, and then additionally, do you connect the AP/Router from the R1 in a similar fashion from the ethernet port on the back of the R1 router

 

Thanks again for all of your help!

[major masingil]

 

1) Additionally, Suppose i purchase the R1 and choose to purchase an additional Router/AP, do you have a recommendation on what to get, considering I'll already have the benefits of the R1?

 

2) Would the setup be Wall-> SB6190 --> R1 --> AP/Router?

3) I assume you connect the xbox's hardwired from R1 Router, and then additionally, do you connect the AP/Router from the R1 in a similar fashion from the ethernet port on the back of the R1 router

 

Thanks again for all of your help!

Here is a link on the forum which addresses multiple consoles on the same R1     http://forum.netduma.com/topic/8444-multiple-consoles/?hl=multiple+consoles

 

1) I wouldn't go all out on a router you're going to use only as an AP -- When you enable AP mode you need to turn off DHCP on your AP router ...you basically end up with an Ethernet switch with WiFi

2) Yes

3) Yes - you want everything on your network to run through your R1 before it leaves your house

[mattp]

Here is a link on the forum which addresses multiple consoles on the same R1     http://forum.netduma.com/topic/8444-multiple-consoles/?hl=multiple+consoles

 

1) I wouldn't go all out on a router you're going to use only as an AP -- When you enable AP mode you need to turn off DHCP on your AP router ...you basically end up with an Ethernet switch with WiFi

2) Yes

3) Yes - you want everything on your network to run through your R1 before it leaves your house

1) I'm sorry i'm new to the ethernet switch with wifi, do you have a suggestion here. Again the purpose of additional wifi is to match the 300Mbps download speed i am getting that the R1 does not support.

 

My goal is to get a total picture of everythign prior to pulling the trigger on the R1, If it's another $300 for a device that will support 300Mbps wireless in addition to the $200 R1, it may be more beneficial for me to just get a Nighthawk for $350. (of course i would lose some options). However if the device for the wireless is cheaper, it seems more reasonable to get the R1 and that device. Any hints and areas to navigate or what to look for here would be really helpful and help make the decision that much easier

 

Thanks again!

[major masingil]

1) I'm sorry i'm new to the ethernet switch with wifi, do you have a suggestion here. Again the purpose of additional wifi is to match the 300Mbps download speed i am getting that the R1 does not support.

 

My goal is to get a total picture of everythign prior to pulling the trigger on the R1, If it's another $300 for a device that will support 300Mbps wireless in addition to the $200 R1, it may be more beneficial for me to just get a Nighthawk for $350. (of course i would lose some options). However if the device for the wireless is cheaper, it seems more reasonable to get the R1 and that device. Any hints and areas to navigate or what to look for here would be really helpful and help make the decision that much easier

 

Thanks again!

Sorry mattp I don't have a specific suggestion for you.  Look up Gigabit Ethernet Router with wifi on Amazon to see your options.  You could get a decent router for ~50-75$ to use for an AP.   I'd feel badly if I suggested something specific which I hadn't used and it turned out to be crap for you.

 

this is what I am using:

  http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-R6300-WiFi-Gigabit-Router/dp/B0084DMYT0/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1451421354&sr=1-3&keywords=netgear+r6300+router

 

 

Remember though, I had this one before I went with an R1,  so it was on hand to use.  I have always liked Netgear routers personally.  I can say I'm glad I found the R1, and my lag and WTF moments have been seriously reduced because of the level of management the R1 provides.  I didn't know too much about routers before the Netduma either, but I've learned a ton.  There are a lot of smart people on the forum that are usually more then willing to help a bro out.  

 

With all that said...the 2.4 ghz wifi on the duma is stout.  I wouldn't worry too much about the naysayers in that department. Before I used a router in AP mode, I just connected an ethernet switch from the duma to my TV, DVR, and Roku  or anything I wanted connected by wire.   The reason i changed to use my old router in AP mode was basically me just experimenting with the old router and my network.  When I was using only the Duma wifi  I had plenty of signal even outside in my back yard. My house isn't brick, but I'd say it was at least 125' away from the router and through the walls of my house

[Alex49H]

Here is a link on the forum which addresses multiple consoles on the same R1 http://forum.netduma.com/topic/8444-multiple-consoles/?hl=multiple+consoles

 

1) I wouldn't go all out on a router you're going to use only as an AP -- When you enable AP mode you need to turn off DHCP on your AP router ...you basically end up with an Ethernet switch with WiFi

2) Yes

3) Yes - you want everything on your network to run through your R1 before it leaves your house

 

On any router as AP turn off DHCP?

[Alex49H]

Sorry mattp I don't have a specific suggestion for you. Look up Gigabit Ethernet Router with wifi on Amazon to see your options. You could get a decent router for ~50-75$ to use for an AP. I'd feel badly if I suggested something specific which I hadn't used and it turned out to be crap for you.

 

this is what I am using:

http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-R6300-WiFi-Gigabit-Router/dp/B0084DMYT0/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1451421354&sr=1-3&keywords=netgear+r6300+router

 

 

Remember though, I had this one before I went with an R1, so it was on hand to use. I have always liked Netgear routers personally. I can say I'm glad I found the R1, and my lag and WTF moments have been seriously reduced because of the level of management the R1 provides. I didn't know too much about routers before the Netduma either, but I've learned a ton. There are a lot of smart people on the forum that are usually more then willing to help a bro out.

 

With all that said...the 2.4 ghz wifi on the duma is stout. I wouldn't worry too much about the naysayers in that department. Before I used a router in AP mode, I just connected an ethernet switch from the duma to my TV, DVR, and Roku or anything I wanted connected by wire. The reason i changed to use my old router in AP mode was basically me just experimenting with the old router and my network. When I was using only the Duma wifi I had plenty of signal even outside in my back yard. My house isn't brick, but I'd say it was at least 125' away from the router and through the walls of my house

I have that router too R6300v2.

[secretface]

Sorry mattp I don't have a specific suggestion for you.  Look up Gigabit Ethernet Router with wifi on Amazon to see your options.  You could get a decent router for ~50-75$ to use for an AP.   I'd feel badly if I suggested something specific which I hadn't used and it turned out to be crap for you.

 

this is what I am using:

  http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-R6300-WiFi-Gigabit-Router/dp/B0084DMYT0/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1451421354&sr=1-3&keywords=netgear+r6300+router

 

 

Remember though, I had this one before I went with an R1,  so it was on hand to use.  I have always liked Netgear routers personally.  I can say I'm glad I found the R1, and my lag and WTF moments have been seriously reduced because of the level of management the R1 provides.  I didn't know too much about routers before the Netduma either, but I've learned a ton.  There are a lot of smart people on the forum that are usually more then willing to help a bro out.  

 

With all that said...the 2.4 ghz wifi on the duma is stout.  I wouldn't worry too much about the naysayers in that department. Before I used a router in AP mode, I just connected an ethernet switch from the duma to my TV, DVR, and Roku  or anything I wanted connected by wire.   The reason i changed to use my old router in AP mode was basically me just experimenting with the old router and my network.  When I was using only the Duma wifi  I had plenty of signal even outside in my back yard. My house isn't brick, but I'd say it was at least 125' away from the router and through the walls of my house

I also am using that router.

[major masingil]

On any router as AP turn off DHCP?

Yes you only want 1 router dishing out ip's

[Alex49H]

Yes you only want 1 router dishing out ip's

You didn't have or notice any problems with high ping spikes with the Netgear router?

[JConnor]

One thing for the OP to consider aside from the issues he is concerned with is...

 

What platform(s) does he play most of his games, on?

 

If it is console, then the R1 is a must, IMHO because most console games don't allow you to do what the Netduma does: Pick the server / host closest to you.

 

However, if he plays a lot of PC games and only does XB1 LAN parties... He may not even need it since 90% of PC games allow players to pick the server(s) they want, depending on the game.

 

It's just something to consider along with what everybody else has mentioned, already