This week we will examine some combo routers, switch, and wireless devices, comparing various capabilities and brands. I’ll include the Eero router, which is often part of a special package from MetroNet, a fiber provider installing service in my area currently. It is an NSA Best Practice to own your own router, so we will have to consider that MetroNet may have administrative control of a provided Eero device, which is not recommended. I will also look at options from AmpliFi and tp-link, which are available online and at local stores. There are many options available.
Router
Let’s start by examining the router and switch functions of these combo devices. It’s important to make sure that your router can handle your new FTTH internet connection. Your internet provider’s speed should be equal to or less than what your router can handle. As internet speeds increase over time, it may be a good idea to invest in a router that can handle faster speeds to make future upgrades seamless. The standout feature in the specs below is the 2.5Gbps WAN port on the TP-Link Archer. This port can transmit 2.5 times more information than a 1Gbps port and allows for internet connections greater than 1Gbps.
| Eero Pro 6 | Amplifi Alien | TP-Link Archer AX3000 | |
| Single Price ($) | 200 | 380 | 150 |
| Internet Speed (Up To) | 1Gbps | 1Gbps | 3 Gbps |
Ports | 2 x 1Gbps LAN/WAN | 1 x 1Gbps WAN 4 x 1Gbps LAN | 1× 2.5 Gbps WAN 4× 1Gbps LAN |
Switch
To compare the internal network switches of these devices, we can observe that they are quite restricted and have only 1 to 4 ports for connecting wired network devices. However, if your internet connection is located in your office or main media center, this may be a suitable option as all your wired devices are nearby.
Wi-Fi
When looking at the WiFi capabilities, we can see below that some Access Points are Dual-Band, and some are Tri-Band. The Tri-Band Access Points offer an additional 5GHz radio that allows for additional capability in denser environments. The Amplifi Alien stands out with its third radio with up to 4.8Gbps of bandwidth. Here is some information about Dual-Band vs Tri-Band Access Points
The wireless access point’s radios have multiple ratings that determine their capabilities. These ratings include the number of antennas and streams they can support at a given time, which is often represented as 3×3 or 4×4. Additionally, each radio has a bandwidth measurement, which should be higher for better performance. It’s crucial to note that if your wifi network is slower than your internet speed, you won’t be able to fully experience your internet connection. Here is some information about the difference between WiFi 5 and WiFi 6.
| Eero Pro 6 | Amplifi Alien | TP-Link Archer AX3000 | |
| WiFi 6 Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Coverage | 2000 SqFt | 3000 SqFt | |
| Bands | Tri-Band | Tri-Band | Dual Band |
| 2.4GHZ | 2×2 576 Mbps | 4×4 1148 Mbps | 3×3 574 Mbps |
| 5 GHz Lo | 2×2 1200 Mbps | 4×4 1733 Mbps | 3×3 2402 Mbps |
| 5 GHz Hi | 4×4 2400 Mbps | 8×8 4804 Mbps |
It’s important to consider the wifi capabilities of your client devices when determining your needs. Keep in mind that cell phones and laptops also have bandwidth limitations that can affect your network connection speed. It’s best to take into account the slowest device to ensure optimal performance. Here is a KB article about iPhone Wi-Fi speeds, and another about Pixels and Galaxy devices.
We also want to follow NSA Best Practices when we are setting up our network and only look at devices that support WPA-2 (NSA BP#3 Implement WPA3 or WPA2 on the wireless network) and offer Guest Network capabilities. We may also want the capability of running a VPN server, so we will look at that capability as well.
| Eero Pro 6 | Amplifi Alien | TP-Link Archer AX3000 | |
| WiFi Security | WPA2-AES, WPA3-Personal transition mode | WPA2 | WPA WPA2 WPA/WPA2-Enterprise (802.1x) WPA3 (V2.0) |
| Guest Network | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| VPN Support | No | Includes AmpliFi Teleport configuration-free VPN solution | • OpenVPN Server • PPTP VPN Server • L2TP VPN Server |
Mesh
Let’s finally take a look at expanding the wireless network via Mesh. We are looking at these mesh-supported devices because we are unable to run wires through our space. To expand the wireless coverage we will need to add additional wireless access points to our network. These access points are connected to the main router/ap wireless via MESH wireless technology.
| Eero Pro 6 | Amplifi Alien | TP-Link Archer AX3000 | |
| Mesh Support | Yes | Yes | OneMesh™ Supported |
| Price: Router + 1 Mesh | 700 | 200-400 (Many inexpensive options) | |
| Price: Router + 2 Mesh | 400 | ||
| Coverage (Estimated) | 6000 SqFt | 6000+ SqFt | Varies |
Let’s take a look at how adding a single additional Mesh Access Point improves the wireless overage in the Home Office:
Next week I will take a look at stand-alone routers that we will use to build a modular network with separate wireless access points. This network design allows greater flexibility and improved wireless performance.
References:
https://eero.com/shop/eero-pro-6
https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-ax3000/