Thinking about router upgrade to 2.5Gbit

coffeecup25

Question: Any recommendations, warnings, set up info for a new 2.5 gbit router?

Background: My cable modem is giving me problems so I ordered a new one. A Motorola 8611 was on sale today for about 30% off, about $150 with tax. It will support up to 2.5 Gbit, which should future proof it. I currently get Comcast 900 Mbit. This modem is highly rated. No plans at this time to go any faster, but Comcast keeps giving away speed upgrades (300 to 600 for free, 600 to 900 for $10 more so anything is possible down the road.)

My current router is a Shuttle DS68U small pc that still works fine. The only optional features are pfBlockerNG and OpenVPN.

I see that Amazon has a few fanless pc models that support 2.5Gbit ports. I thought about getting one with 6 ports, adding my own SSD and RAM. One port would be a VLAN. The other three would be ordinary switch ports.

All of my switches at this time are 1 Gbit rated and my home wiring is copper Cat 6, all short run, so the specs say it should support up to 10 Gbit.

Anything to consider before jumping in with a new router?

Thank you.

netblues

@coffeecup25 Mhz? Ghz?
Are we talking about clock speeds or network speeds here?

If it is the latter, and you are talking about 1Gbit versus 2.5Gbit interfaces, then you really need to consider cpu capabilities of your new router pc.

pfblockerng isn't important, but openvpn is, if you really want your vpn's to excheed 300-400Μbits as it probably is the case now.

In a typical home network, 1G to 2.5G isn't going to make any difference, as far as Internet is concerned.

A Former User

I currently get Comcast 900 Mhz

Do you mean 900 MBit/s?

I see that Amazon has a few fanless pc models
that support 2.5GHz ports. I thought about getting
one with 6 ports, adding my own SSD and RAM.

MiniPC 1
MiniPC 2
If you think on those machines, please ensure first
that this LAN Ports will be supported by pfSense.

All of my switches at this time are 1 Ghz rated and

Qnap QSW-2104-2T 2 Ports 10GbE RJ45 5-Port
No VLANs but 2x 10 GBe and Multi-GBe
QNAP QSW-M408-4C - many Multi-GBe Ports
VLANs and Web managed
Qnap QSW-M2108R-2C 10 GBit/s Combo Ports
VLANs and Web managed
MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN
Small 5 Port MikroTik SFP+ Switch
MikroTik S + RJ10 - RJ45 SFP+
10/100/1000M 2.5G/5G/10G Copper SFP module
TP-Link TL-SG108-M2 & TP-Link TL-SX105
Multi-GIG Ports

my home wiring is copper Cat 6, all short run, so the
specs say it should support up to 10 Ghz.

CAT.6A 1200MHz cables are made for 10 GBit/s

Anything to consider before jumping in with a
new router?

Netgate 4100 Max / Netgate 6100 Max
Might be the best option, but if you only want

coffeecup25

@dobby_

Fixed just now. Meant one thing, wrote another.

sledge

Unless you have a specific need/want today that can’t be itched with your current setup then I would exercise a little patience and hold off on upgrading.

Doesn’t sound like YOU are the driver. You were content and have moved up your speed package because Comcast bumped you for free or did so with minimum price increase. It seems it’s an item of convenience and not a need or desire of your own. No judgment and I don’t think this is bad necessarily. For me, understanding myself and situation helps me decide which direction I go.
I’m not a Comcast subscriber and I don’t know your specific area but on the page they tell you why their speeds aren’t guaranteed, they also divulge max 1.2gb down and 35mb up cable connections and max 2gb asymmetrical fiber connections. Sounds like you are cable and they have a bit to reach 2.5 and doubtful they will give it away for free or super cheap for a little bit of time after they reach it. IMO, the better win would be asymmetrical speed for their cable users.
Higher speed equipment comes at a premium. If you can wait until it’s more mainstream prices will reduce. Also availability and market demand is off now like so many other industries. Waiting could mean you get better equipment for less money. At the least you had the luxury of saving for your upgrade over a longer period of time.
Is it practical? I have 1gb asymmetrical fiber and redoing our network with more of a focus on upgrading security, maximizing wireless and providing hard wired access. I’m trying hard (within a budget) to get every ounce of the 1gb my ISP offers. However, if I’m being realistic I honestly believe even 1gb is a little early. Sure, there are times when it pays off but I often compare it to owning a Ferrari but traveling on a mixture of roads that all have different limitations on your max speed. A few years back I was buying a new TV (electrical storm zapped my old one and insurance was paying). I had good technology before but then 4K and even 8K units were available. I had already decided OLED was my future because of deep blacks, wide viewing angles, etc. There was a considerable price swing between a 4K and 8K unit. Ultimately I choose 4K. I believe it was a good choice. I saved money on the initial purchase and while I was maybe a smidge early on technology (most 4K content is a premium $) there is still lots of content and the premium is small overall. On the flip side, 8K content is still scarce and technology of those units continue to evolve as prices lower.

coffeecup25

@sledge
All good advice. Here's my plan.

I already upgraded the modem. I also found a problem with the cable coming in and fixed it - the copper wire had clipped off and was barely making a connection. My speeds are better and I now have a spare modem - I like having spare things, not hoarding.

I'm thinking of a 6 port pc with 2.5Gbit ports. 1 port will be a VLAN. The other 3 will be for the full pipe, whatever it is - likely 900 mbits for a long time. Someday I suspect 2 Gbits will be fairly common. I started out with 50 and ended up with 900 so far, and most upgrades were free and just given to me. My Shuttle DS68U will be a spare router. Sometime this year.

I'm retired and need a hobby. This one includes bragging rights.