ASUS - ROG Rapture GT-AX11000

I was previously using Linksys products before they were sold to Belkin, and then switched to ASUS routers, I have had two main routers by them, both ROG. Plus many others I’ve used as AiMesh Nodes. I haven’t had any trouble them. Their tech support was helpful the few times I’ve reached out to them. They even replaced there router free of charge with a NEW one (not refurbished) of the same model when I had an issue not related to the quality of product. A few ports on the routers switch went bad after a near Lightning strike caused EMP damage to it (a lot of networking gear from different companies got damaged) I have no qualms about ASUS and their products have never given me problems.

I'm not clear on how much you know, or not, about networking. You reference a "router/modem thingy," and I don't know if you're just being cute about it, or don't understand (as many people don't!) that those are different functions. Generally speaking, you have one device that connects to the ISP, like a cable modem or an ONT (for fiber networks). Then that in turn connects to a router, which handles all the traffic inside your network. The router also and provides those devices with a connection to the outside world via its connection to the modem/ONT/whatever. SOMETIMES the router and modem/ont/whatever are all consolidated in one device, like the fritzbox. Often, ISP-provided devices will handle both functions in one piece of hardware too (but not always). Personally, I would recommend keeping the router and the box that connects to the outside world separate, for the same reason I would have avoided buying a TV with a built-in DVD player 20 years ago. At any point, you may want to replace or upgrade the device handling one function while the other is still serving your needs quite well. IE: I'm going to need a different box if I want to upgrade my home internet to gigabit from its current 300Mbps -- the ISP-provided box I have right now doesn't go that fast. But I have no reason to replace my router, which is doing a great job for everything I need inside the network and could easily keep up with the gigabit Internet speeds via a connection to an appropriate ISP box. Likewise, I might someday want to replace my router for other reasons, but if the ISP's box connecting me to the outside world is fine, I have no reason to replace both. It's typically ultimately cheaper and more flexible to have separate devices. Someone here mentioned Opnsense boxes and Unifi WiFi gear. You certainly could go that route. But even a typical consumer router will do everything you're asking for. I use an Asus and it handles port forwarding, can run Wireguard and OpenVPN servers on its own, handles both 2.4 and 5ghz on the same SSD, serves as the master router for a mesh network with other Asus satelitte units, etc. I'm not sure what the "DS slot" you're referring to is -- SD slot? It's got USB ports and I can hook up a drive to make it available over the network, including a card reader, if I want (I have NASes so I'm not hooked up this way, but it works fine). An open-source router solution or some enterprise gear would give you some further flexibility, but I think you'd be fine with that or any of a number of consumer gear competitors. The things you're asking for aren't very specialized or unusual. If you need more than four ports, some routers have them, but your best bet is probably a separate unmanaged switch. Just connect that to the router, and the devices to the switch. Many routers also now come with at least 1-2 2.5Gbps or 10Gbps ports you can use as well. If all of this is foreign to you, I'd advise caution with your self-hosting. There are security implications when it comes to things like port forwarding and exposing services to the outside world. So go slow, and learn as you go, without assuming much. Tinker, but be mindful that you could also misstep and expose yourself to various sorts of attacks from bad actors, so proceed with care.

I can only speak to my own experience. I use an Asus Rapture GT-AX11000, which works very well for my needs, but if I were buying today, would probably buy something with more multi-gig ports. I'd strongly consider another, newer Asus because I've had a good experience and own mesh network units for it, but I wouldn't only look at those as options. I use an ISP-provided ONT (like a cable modem, but for fiber) and that's fine for me. I don't have any particular needs for configuring the ONT itself. Everything I care about configuring is on the router side. The ONT just has to give me an internet connection, which it does fine with its stock configuration by the ISP. I haven't used Opnsense, but I wouldn't describe ANY self-hosting project as grandma-safe and tinker-free. You may eventually get some services to the point where you feel good about how they're operating and don't fiddle with them much, but that's entirely up to you, your needs, what projects you're looking to run and how you set them up. Some people get into more advanced networking setups with Opnsense or other routing solutions, but I'm not seeing anything in what you're saying you want that needs them. I don't have to touch my router configuration often. I set up Wireguard on it ages ago, I set up the free Asus DDNS service on it ages ago (which I then forward to with CName records from a different domain I own) and I gave most of my devices static IP addresses ages ago, and everything else important to my self-hosting is being handled on devices connected to it. Some people might want to run DNS services on their router or do things with their network above and beyond what I can handle with the stock firmware. But anything you're saying you want to accomplish could be handled stock. There's also the "Merlin" firmware project for some more advanced features.

I'm not clear on how much you know, or not, about networking. You reference a "router/modem thingy," and I don't know if you're just being cute about it, or don't understand (as many people don't!) that those are different functions. Generally speaking, you have one device that connects to the ISP, like a cable modem or an ONT (for fiber networks). Then that in turn connects to a router, which handles all the traffic inside your network. The router also and provides those devices with a connection to the outside world via its connection to the modem/ONT/whatever. SOMETIMES the router and modem/ont/whatever are all consolidated in one device, like the fritzbox. Often, ISP-provided devices will handle both functions in one piece of hardware too (but not always). Personally, I would recommend keeping the router and the box that connects to the outside world separate, for the same reason I would have avoided buying a TV with a built-in DVD player 20 years ago. At any point, you may want to replace or upgrade the device handling one function while the other is still serving your needs quite well. IE: I'm going to need a different box if I want to upgrade my home internet to gigabit from its current 300Mbps -- the ISP-provided box I have right now doesn't go that fast. But I have no reason to replace my router, which is doing a great job for everything I need inside the network and could easily keep up with the gigabit Internet speeds via a connection to an appropriate ISP box. Likewise, I might someday want to replace my router for other reasons, but if the ISP's box connecting me to the outside world is fine, I have no reason to replace both. It's typically ultimately cheaper and more flexible to have separate devices. Someone here mentioned Opnsense boxes and Unifi WiFi gear. You certainly could go that route. But even a typical consumer router will do everything you're asking for. I use an Asus and it handles port forwarding, can run Wireguard and OpenVPN servers on its own, handles both 2.4 and 5ghz on the same SSD, serves as the master router for a mesh network with other Asus satelitte units, etc. I'm not sure what the "DS slot" you're referring to is -- SD slot? It's got USB ports and I can hook up a drive to make it available over the network, including a card reader, if I want (I have NASes so I'm not hooked up this way, but it works fine). An open-source router solution or some enterprise gear would give you some further flexibility, but I think you'd be fine with that or any of a number of consumer gear competitors. The things you're asking for aren't very specialized or unusual. If you need more than four ports, some routers have them, but your best bet is probably a separate unmanaged switch. Just connect that to the router, and the devices to the switch. Many routers also now come with at least 1-2 2.5Gbps or 10Gbps ports you can use as well. If all of this is foreign to you, I'd advise caution with your self-hosting. There are security implications when it comes to things like port forwarding and exposing services to the outside world. So go slow, and learn as you go, without assuming much. Tinker, but be mindful that you could also misstep and expose yourself to various sorts of attacks from bad actors, so proceed with care.

I can only speak to my own experience. I use an Asus Rapture GT-AX11000, which works very well for my needs, but if I were buying today, would probably buy something with more multi-gig ports. I'd strongly consider another, newer Asus because I've had a good experience and own mesh network units for it, but I wouldn't only look at those as options. I use an ISP-provided ONT (like a cable modem, but for fiber) and that's fine for me. I don't have any particular needs for configuring the ONT itself. Everything I care about configuring is on the router side. The ONT just has to give me an internet connection, which it does fine with its stock configuration by the ISP. I haven't used Opnsense, but I wouldn't describe ANY self-hosting project as grandma-safe and tinker-free. You may eventually get some services to the point where you feel good about how they're operating and don't fiddle with them much, but that's entirely up to you, your needs, what projects you're looking to run and how you set them up. Some people get into more advanced networking setups with Opnsense or other routing solutions, but I'm not seeing anything in what you're saying you want that needs them. I don't have to touch my router configuration often. I set up Wireguard on it ages ago, I set up the free Asus DDNS service on it ages ago (which I then forward to with CName records from a different domain I own) and I gave most of my devices static IP addresses ages ago, and everything else important to my self-hosting is being handled on devices connected to it. Some people might want to run DNS services on their router or do things with their network above and beyond what I can handle with the stock firmware. But anything you're saying you want to accomplish could be handled stock. There's also the "Merlin" firmware project for some more advanced features.

I've had zero problems with M1 for many years. Only went down once, and that was for scheduled maintenance in the middle of the night. Also, it's not just your internet plan that could be the cause of any issues. If your router isn't good enough, or is in a terrible position, or is overheating, or the bomb shelter is between your laptop and the router, you are gonna have issues no matter what plan you have. I have a standard 1Gbps plan but an Asus gaming router with ethernet cables going to the 3 heaviest users in the home – PS5, living TV and bedroom TV. I also set up a second router using Asus AImesh to provide wifi signal to one of the further corners of the house.

FYI , all of our current routers and mesh product all have extensive on router functionality including Open, Wireguard and much more. As such you could pick BT6, 8, 10, 16 our any of the routers. Also all of the units have our Gaming QoS option for prioritizing game packets and or specific systems, if you want a more streamlined experience our gaming models ( ROG, ROG STRIX, TUF GAMING ) also have dedicated Gaming Ports which are pre configured should you connect your device to that port. You can also do this manually through our firmware/app. Also note unless you need the coverage specific to a kit ( which can be done via AiMesh ) on the router side you have the benefit of no backhual use maximizing throughput if you are within the coverage area of a router.

I've been using AiMesh since the beginning, and it was rocky at first, but now I'm currently quite happy with it. One solid main router and two APs outside. What unifi did you get to replace your setup and do you think it was worth the cost?

I have the AX11000 ( old versión ) and is an AMAZING router!!

Nothing wrong with Netgear at all, you’d be well off with one of their WiFi 6 or 7 gaming routers. Personally I go with the ASUS ROG Rapture series, like the AX11000 which is WiFi 6. But get the highest version of WiFi you can afford 😊

old ping but you have no issues whatsoever? I am running an asus gt-ax11000 and it constantly drops my internet. Switching back to my ISP provided router but would like one with more control

Asus AiMesh - Yea TP-Link Deco - Yes TP-Link Easy Mesh - Not sure

I personally use all rog routers using their AI mesh