802.11AC Access Point?

Well after moving into my new home, running an ethernet line to my main PC in my bedroom office isn't as simple as I thought it might be, so it may be a while before I get an actual ethernet line run to my router. That being said, I'm using my desktop more now and have a USB wireless adapter, but it's USB and gets hot, and relying on USB for reliable transfers is not ideal.

So I'm considering getting a router that can act as a wireless bridge or access point connected through ethernet cable from my PC to the router/AP/bridge device that will connect wirelessly to my main router.

I am looking for something reasonably inexpensive, under $100 if at all possible, and want 802.11AC. I was looking at the Archer C5 and wondering if anyone has had any success doing such a thing or if it is feasibly a good idea?

I even found this Netis router that's even cheaper yet that might do the trick? http://www.amazon.com/Netis-WF2780-...1441433469&sr=1-10&keywords=asus+access+point

I just need something to tide me over for possibly six months or so with decent transfer speeds and ping without flooding the USB I/O.

Here's looking at you @downloads.

 

This Netis router is extremely cheap and apparently reasonable in terms of speeds (some 220mbps on 802.11ac) but for one it's based on Realtek hardware - which is not a good thing but could be ignored this time because of the price-tag - but more worryingly it apparently has 8MB RAM. That's scary.

TP-Link Archer c5 is in reality TP-Link Archer C7 with 802.11ac radio limited to two streams - while it far super superior to Netis there is a problem with the fact that Archer C7 v1 (and C5) has a no-longer-supported 5GHz radio. That said the firmware does support bridging and TP-Link do even provide instructions.

I'd go with C5 seeing as the difference in hardware is so much bigger than a difference in price. Archer C5 is some $17 more expensive but it's well worth it.

 

Thanks downloads. What is meant by "no-longer-supported 5GHz radio"?

This should be good though. I can at least position the bridge with near line of sight to the router with only a single wall in between rather than 3.

 

There was something wrong with the radio by design and Qualcomm decided not to bother and simply moved on and released a new radio. The manufacturers were left out to dry with what they bought from QCA - some made an effort, others did not.

While TP-Link released an Archer C7 v2 with the new 5GHz radio they did not dump the V1 version and having released over a dozen beta firmwares finally got to the point where the radio works as it should ( I would know - I have Archer C7 v1).

While the radio works fine, there is not support for it which means no third party drivers and as a result no DD-WRT or OpenWRT. So it's either stock TP-Link firmware or nothing.

 

Thanks. So what firmware version should I be looking for? I think I will go with the C7 too. Can use it as an AP in my basement after I get done with it.

 

If you are looking to buy Archer C7, make sure to buy v2. It's the only one that should be available by now, but check that anyway.
It's going to be about $100 though.

Any C7 v2 has the new radio and is going to be supported by 3rd party firmwares.

 

If you have no brand preference, can also look at netgear/Asus.
Or, you can get a 7260ac into the desktop via a adapter.
Or, you get a excuse to upgrade your main router and user your current main for your desktop.

Sent from my 306SH

 

Just wanted to follow up to say that I went with the Archer C7 v2 and it has been working marvelously so far. Not as good as gigabit wired, but will do until I can get proper cable routed. Thanks for the help.