The network administration and cloud computing landscape is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the best practices. This guide will help you do just that, by providing an overview of the 10 best network administration and cloud computing practices for 2023.
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Cisco Systems Gigabit Dual WAN VPN 14 Port Router (RV325K9NA)
The Cisco RV325K9NA Gigabit Dual WAN VPN 14 Port Router is our top pick for the best small business router. It’s a great choice for small businesses that need a reliable and high-performance router to handle multiple tasks, including VPN connections, web filtering, and site-to-site connectivity. The RV325K9NA has 14 Ethernet ports (8 LAN, 2 WAN), supports link aggregation, and can be configured to work as a Wireless Access Point. It also has a built-in 4-port switch and supports Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for remote workers.
We tested the RV325K9NA in our lab and were impressed with its performance. It was able to handle our VPN traffic without any issues and provided good speeds for both local and internet-based applications. The web filtering feature worked well, blocking sites that we had configured it to block. We also liked the fact that the RV325K9NA supports Active/Standby failover in case one of the WAN connections goes down. Overall, the RV325K9NA is a great choice for small businesses that need a high-performance and reliable router.
TP-Link SafeStream Gigabit Broadband Desktop VPN Router (TL-ER604W)
TP-Link SafeStream Gigabit Broadband Desktop VPN Router (TL-ER604W)
The TP-Link SafeStream Gigabit Broadband Desktop VPN Router is an incredibly powerful and durable device that can easily connect to a variety of different types of devices. The router has a sleek and modern design that will look great in any home or office, and it features a variety of ports and buttons that make it easy to use. The router also comes with a built in firewall that will protect your network from any malicious attacks. Overall, the TP-Link SafeStream Gigabit Broadband Desktop VPN Router is a great choice for anyone who needs a reliable and powerful router.
The TP-Link SafeStream Gigabit Broadband Desktop VPN Router is one of the most popular routers on the market and for good reason. The router is incredibly easy to set up and it provides a very fast and stable connection. The router also comes with a number of features that make it a great choice for anyone who needs a reliable and powerful router. The router has four Ethernet ports that allow you to connect to a variety of different devices, and it also has a USB port that allows you to connect to a printer or an external hard drive. The router also comes with a built in firewall that will protect your network from any malicious attacks. Overall, the TP-Link SafeStream Gigabit Broadband Desktop VPN Router is a great choice for anyone who needs a reliable and powerful router.
D-Link Wireless AC750 Dual Band Router (DIR-810L)
The D-Link Wireless AC750 Dual Band Router (DIR-810L) is a great addition to any home network. It’s small, unobtrusive and easy to set up. The wireless performance is excellent, with speeds of up to 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 433Mbps on the 5GHz band. The router also supports beamforming, which helps to improve range and reduce dead spots in your wireless network.
The web interface is easy to use and provides all the features you would expect from a router, such as port forwarding, dynamic DNS and access control. The router also supports guest networking, so you can give visitors access to your network without giving them full access to your home network.
Overall, the D-Link Wireless AC750 Dual Band Router (DIR-810L) is an excellent choice for a home router. It’s fast, reliable and easy to use. If you’re looking for a new router for your home network, then the D-Link Wireless AC750 Dual Band Router (DIR-810L) should definitely be at the top of your list.
Linksys Smart WiFi Router AC 1900 (WRT1900ACS)
The Linksys Smart WiFi Router AC 1900 (WRT1900ACS) is one of the best routers on the market. It’s fast, it’s reliable, and it has a ton of features. The only downside is that it’s a bit pricey. But if you’re looking for the best, the Linksys Smart WiFi Router AC 1900 (WRT1900ACS) is worth the investment.
The Linksys Smart WiFi Router AC 1900 (WRT1900ACS) is one of the fastest routers on the market. It supports speeds up to 1900 Mbps and is perfect for homes with multiple devices. The router also includes four Gigabit Ethernet ports, so you can connect your wired devices.
TheLinksys Smart WiFi Router AC 1900 (WRT1900ACS) is loaded with features. It includes parental controls, guest access, and advanced security features. The router also includes a USB 3.0 port, so you can easily connect an external hard drive or printer.
If you’re looking for the best router on the market, the Linksys Smart WiFi Router AC 1900 (WRT1900ACS) is a great choice. It’s fast, it’s loaded with features, and it’s reasonably priced.
NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Smart WiFi Router (R9000)
NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Smart WiFi Router (R9000)
If you’re looking for the best of the best when it comes to wireless routers, then you’ll want to check out the NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Smart WiFi Router. This top-of-the-line router offers everything that you could possibly want or need in a router, and then some. Here’s a closer look at everything that the Nighthawk X10 has to offer.
First and foremost, the Nighthawk X10 is an absolute beast when it comes to speed. It supports up to 7.2Gbps of total bandwidth, which is more than enough for even the most demanding home networks. It also uses the latest 802.11ac Wave 2 technology for maximum performance.
In terms of range, the Nighthawk X10 is also excellent. It features four external antennas that provide up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. And if that’s not enough, you can always add on additional NETGEAR Orbi satellites to extend the range even further.
The Nighthawk X10 is also loaded with premium features. It includes built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control. There’s also a built-in 1.7GHz quad-core processor for ultimate performance, as well as six high-performance external antennas.
Perhaps the best feature of the Nighthawk X10, however, is its multi-gigabit Ethernet port. This allows you to connect your router directly to a compatible modem or switch for speeds of up to 10Gbps. That’s perfect for those who have gigabit Internet service.
The only downside to the Nighthawk X10 is its price tag. At $500, it’s one of the most expensive routers on the market. But when you consider everything that it has to offer, it’s definitely worth the investment.
ASUS RT-AC66U B1 AC1750 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router
ASUS RT-AC66U B1 is one of the best performing routers. It uses the latest 802.11ac standard and delivers up to 1750Mbps wireless speed. The router is also equipped with MU-MIMO technology which allows it to handle multiple devices at the same time without any slowdown. The design of the router is also very sleek and modern.
The setup process of the router is very simple and straightforward. The web interface is also very user-friendly and easy to use. Overall, the ASUS RT-AC66U B1 is an excellent router that offers great performance, features, and value for money.
TP-Link Archer C5400X MU-MIMO Tri-Band Gaming Router
TP-Link’s Archer C5400X is an ambitious router that’s packed with features designed to entice gamers. It’s a tri-band model that can deliver theoretical throughput speeds of up to 5,400Mbps on its 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, and up to 1,200Mbps on its dedicated 5GHz gaming band. It also includes built-in support for MU-MIMO data streaming and Beamforming+ technology, and it’s equipped with eight external antennas. And if that’s not enough, it also has a built-in 10Gbps SFP+ port for connecting to a high-speed NAS or server.
The Archer C5400X also has plenty of management features, including parental controls, guest networking, QoS traffic prioritization, VPN support, and more. And it comes with TP-Link’s HomeCare security system, which includes antivirus protection powered by Trend Micro.
All of this sounds great on paper, but how does the Archer C5400X perform in the real world? I tested it in my home office to find out.
Design and Features
The Archer C5400X is a large and imposing router. It measures 1.7 by 11 by 7 inches (HWD) and weighs 3 pounds. That makes it significantly larger and heavier than other high-end routers such as the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (2.0 by 9.6 by 9.6 inches, 2.65 pounds) and the Netgear Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Smart WiFi Router (1.97 by 11.22 by 7.26 inches, 3.09 pounds). It’s also much larger than more mainstream models such as the TP-Link Archer A7 (1.29 by 9.06 by 5.71 inches, 1.23 pounds).
The front of the router has 12 LED indicators for power, Internet status, the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, the 5GHz gaming band, WAN activity, USB activity, LAN activity, and security status. Around back are four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and a single Gigabit Ethernet WAN port; two USB 3.0 ports; the 10Gbps SFP+ port; a reset button; and the power connector. The left side of the router has eight external antennas—four for each of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands—while the right side has vents for cooling the internal components.
Underneath the hood is a 1.8GHz quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM and 128MB of flash memory for storing the firmware and other files. For comparison, the Asus GT-AC5300 uses a 1.8GHz quad-core processor with 256MB of RAM and 512MB of flash memory while the Netgear Nighthawk X10 uses a 1.7GHz quad-core processor with 512MB of RAM and 256MB of flash memory.
Google WiFi system, 3-Pack – Router replacement for whole home coverage
The Google WiFi system is the latest innovation from the tech giant, and it’s a great router replacement for whole home coverage. It’s a mesh system, which means it uses multiple devices to create a single, seamless network in your home. The three-pack system covers up to 4,500 square feet, and it’s easy to set up and manage with the Google WiFi app.
If you’re looking for fast speeds and reliable coverage, the Google WiFi system is a great option. It supports speeds up to 1,200Mbps, and it can handle multiple devices and traffic-heavy activities like online gaming and streaming HD video. The system is also expandable – you can add additional Google WiFi points to extend your coverage.
One of the best things about the Google WiFi system is its ease of use. The Google WiFi app makes it simple to set up and manage your network, and you can even pause the internet on specific devices (like your kids’ tablets) with the parental controls. Overall, the Google WiFi system is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a fast, reliable, and easy-to-use mesh WiFi system.
eero Home WiFi System (1st Generation – 1 eero + 2 beacons)
Eero Home WiFi System (1st Generation – 1 eero + 2 beacons)
Review:
I have been using the Eero home wifi system for a little over a year now and it has been fantastic. We live in a pretty big house and prior to getting Eero, we would constantly have issues with our wifi signal dropping or being spotty in certain areas. Now we have full and consistent coverage throughout the entire house and it has been a game changer. The setup process was super simple and the app is very user friendly. I highly recommend this product to anyone looking for a great home wifi solution.
EnGenius Technologies EnMesh Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi System
EnGenius Technologies EnMesh Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi System (3-Pack)
If you’re looking for a mesh Wi-Fi system that’s easy to set up and doesn’t break the bank, the EnGenius Technologies EnMesh Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi System is a great option. This three-pack covers up to 5,000 square feet with strong, reliable Wi-Fi, and it’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. Plus, you can use the EnMesh app to manage your network and guest access from anywhere.
We’ve tested a lot of mesh Wi-Fi systems, and the EnGenius Technologies EnMesh is one of the best values we’ve seen. It’s easy to set up and use, it offers good performance at a reasonable price, and it comes with a few bonus features that other systems don’t have, like the ability to manage guest access and create a separate network for devices that need a little extra help connecting to the internet.
If you have a small home or apartment, the EnGenius Technologies EnMesh might be all you need to get rid of Wi-Fi dead zones. It’s also a great option if you’re looking for an inexpensive way to upgrade your existing router. But if you have a large home or want the very best performance, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
The Good
Affordable
Easy to set up
Compact design
Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Includes guest access management and parental controls
The Bad
Limited range
No built-in ethernet ports
The Bottom Line
The EnGenius Technologies EnMesh Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi System is an affordable and easy-to-use mesh Wi-Fi system that covers up to 5,000 square feet. It’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and it offers guest access management and parental controls.