Network adapters
Trinet is an Ethernet based network which offers wired-only 1
Gbps user connectivity. Nowadays most computers have either a
built-in Ethernet adapter, a vendor-specific Ethernet dongle or do
not support wired Ethernet at all. In all previous cases traditional
socket-based adapter is not needed but if such is required for some
reason, Trinet recommends the following Intel 1 Gbps network
adapter:
- Intel 9301CT (PCIe)
Other 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet network adapters should work as well, but Intel adapters have been quite robust and unproblematic.
Switches
Trinet recommends regular swiches instead of routers for sharing a connection between multiple computers if no wireless access is needed. Switches without 1 Gbps Ethernet ports should not be bought anymore, 1 Gbps ports are needed to get the full speed from the Trinet access connection.
We have no specific recommendations for switch models at the moment but the following are inexpensive choices:
- TP-LINK TL-SG1005D (10/100/1000 Mbps, 5 ports, 9k MTU, ~ 20 €)
- TP-LINK TL-SG1008D (10/100/1000 Mbps, 8 ports, 9k MTU, ~ 30 €)
- D-Link GO-SW-5G (10/100/1000 Mbps, 5 ports, 9k MTU, ~ 20 €)
- D-Link GO-SW-8G (10/100/1000 Mbps, 8 ports, 9k MTU, ~ 27 €)
- ZyXEL GS-105B v3 (10/100/1000 Mbps, 5 ports, 9k MTU, ~ 24 €)
- ZyXEL GS-108B v3 (10/100/1000 Mbps, 8 ports, 9k MTU, ~ 27 €)
Wireless Routers
Wireless routers are good for purposes where wireless access is needed or even required. Trinet has no resources to test and keep a list of recommended routers, but the following aspects should be considered when purchasing a new router.
- Ethernet WAN port (to the wall socket) is required and should support 1 Gbps.
- Ethernet LAN ports (for user devices) may be useful and should support 1 Gbps.
- Wireless radios should support modern standards which currently means "Wi-Fi 5" (IEEE 802.11ac) or better.
- 5 GHz Wi-Fi band is highly recommended, there is more bandwidth available and usually less noise due to other Wi-Fi access points.
- A support for automatic software updates is recommended.
If you are looking a new router, the following model might be a good cost-efficient option which still provides gigabit Ethernet ports and supports modern Wi-Fi standards. It has also worked well in Trinet network based on feedback we have received.
- TP-LINK Archer C6 Dual-band WiFi router (10/100/1000 Mbps WAN port, 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps LAN ports, dual-band Wi-Fi 5, ~ 50 €)
Please use the blue "Internet" socket when connecting the router to the wall socket. The following settings should be changed using the router's admin web interface.
- Login to the router
- Select "Advanced" tab
- Select "IPv6" from the left menu
- Enable "Internet: IPv6" option
- Check that the following options are defined
- "Internet: Internet Connection Type": Dynamic IP (SLAAC/DHCPv6)
- "Internet, Advanced: Get IPv6 Address": Auto
- "Internet, Advanced: Prefix Delegation": Enable
- "Internet, Advanced: DNS Address": Get Dynamically from ISP
- "LAN: Assigned Type": SLAAC+Stateless DHCP
- Save changes by selecting "Save"
In addition, tuning the following options might be useful. Please note that depending on the location and client devices, changing Wi-Fi settings may even make things worse.
- Login to the router
- Select "Advanced" tab
- Select "Wireless" and "TxBF,MU-MIMO" from the left menu
- Enable "TxBF,MU-MIMO" option
- Save changes by selecting "Save"
Cables
Category 6, 6A or 7 Ethernet patch cords with RJ45 connectors are recommended. Bad cabling may cause trouble getting the full speed (1 Gbps) or disturb the connection quality.
Places to buy
Places to buy network adapters, switches and cables can be found at hinta.fi.