New AC2300 - questions
Just unboxed and set up a new AC2300, purchased from major retailer, in-store. I have a few questions if anyone would be kind enough to respond.
VERSION
NiB but Hardware version is V1.0 Latest is 2.0 right? Do I care about that?
WEB UI STOPS RESPONDING
I set up the router over wifi while my existing router was still operating and connected to my cable modem. I noticed that with the WAN port disconnected, the router web UI hung a lot when switching menus such as between Basic and Advanced tabs. Sometimes pausing a minute, sometimes longer, sometimes so long I assumed something crashed so I rebooted the router. I am guessing it was waiting to timeout something? Like offline Internet?
Once I got the Internet connected and online I have had no more issues with the UI. If this is the cause, it will suck when Comcast goes down if I want to check something in the router.
5ghz / 2.4ghz ROAMING
I set the 2.4ghz and 5ghz networks to same SSID and Password. That seems to be working fine. I assume that if my mobile phone is connecting 5ghz AC or N and then I walk out of range of 5ghz it will transparently flip to 2.4ghz? Then when I come back into range, switch back to 5ghz? My previous router, Netgear R7000P supported that but through a specific feature.
CLIENT PREFERS N OVER AC
My windows 10 laptop w/ Intel dual-band AC 8265 adapter, with driver preference set to AC, still seems to connect @ 5ghz N. If I force the C2300 to only AC mode, then this client connects AC no problem and shows 866 mbps with 97% signal. But when it first connects and I have N/AC mode, it shows N. I am 10 feet from the router with excellent signal either way. Any idea why this is? I don't realy want to force AC only in the router.
Maybe it is initially negotiating N then later switches to AC and I am just being impatient with checking it's status? Is that typical behavior of Windows 10? Because as I type this it is now on AC where for at least the first 10 minutes after last reboot (30 minutes ago) it showed N @ 300mbps.
ANY STRONGLY RECOMMENDED TWEAKS?
Every router has its own optimal config. Any highly recommended changes from the defaults? I have to keep 2.4ghz supporting B for my Roomba instead of G/N mode. I'd like to keep 5ghz at N/AC for flexibility as long as my client devices are not using N when AC is fine. Should I force 40/80mhz?
Not looking to install 3rd party firmware, don't need VPN. Not hosting services. Probably I will connect a USB 3.0 SSD at some point.
I'd like to enable QOS for voip / video streaming - yea or nay? This was suspect on the N7000P due to stability issues.
The Antivirus features - these work? Permanent license? Netgear's "Armor" seems perhaps more hype than helpful and requires a license.
AM I GOING TO REGRET THIS?
I thought I did well getting a deal on the Netgear R7000P but it kept failing - randomly stop passing traffic between all connected wifi clients & Internet while wired client works just fine - doing this sometimes several times per hour. At most I have 9 clients, usually only 4 are connecting. After seeing that many people complain online about that and similar wifi issues, I went the AC2300 route. So far I like it. There are things I like much better about this UI than Netgear's. Will this be a good move? Or no?
If I had asked this question in Netgear forums I would probably get a resounding "yes, you will regret". I am hopeful this router lives up to its excellent reputation!
Thanks for anyone who can take the time to give me their thoughts and advice!