Hi all,

I want to setup a router in my network that would cover my whole household under VPN. I bought a DSL-AC88U but I think it might be too outdated for this purpose (I’ve seen a lot of posts online with people having trouble setting it up after 2021) so I think I will be returning it.

I manged to get it for $70 on an auction, and that’s a rough ballpark of my budget on it atm. Maybe stretching it to $100 (I don’t mind buying used).

Is there a router you could recommend? Thanks

  • quizno50@sh.itjust.works
    1·
    11 months ago

    I would honestly recommend buying an old laptop with a broken screen (or an old netbook or something, make sure it has an Ethernet port), a decent DSL modem, a USB network adapter, and a switch if you need it. Now you’ve got everything you need to make a super capable router. Install a very basic Linux distribution and get NAT setup (it’s like 4 or 5 commands), configure the firewall, and your VPN software of choice. I’ve run a setup like this for years and it’s great, because any time a component is “out-of-date” you just update that component. For example, you need AX WiFi instead of AC, just upgrade the WiFi adapter).

    • Felix@mastodon.social
      2·
      11 months ago

      @quizno50 @CoachDom
      Sometimes you get cheap leasing returns as well. Those mini workstations where you just need to buy a hard disk and get a well equipped computer.

      It looks better than a Laptop and can be extended more easily (less soldered parts).