VPN and dual-WAN with RT-AC87U ... and what client HW you need.

Test, I have a second RT-AC87U configured as a wireless bridge and a client connected to the second router "wired". Ergebis: about 840-850 Mbps (distance 5m) ... ups ... this is really ... amazing - but completely useless, as it simply is currently no 4x4 MU-MIMO client hardware and per PC or Laptop a to purchase extra RT AC87U is then something to say ... we ... expensive. BTW - the "matching" Asus USB Adapter USB-AC56 (2x2 MIMO) can, however confidently enter into the bin (EDIT 03/20/2015: only with regard to the transmission rate compared to Bridge) - Statement comes now:

/ * EDIT 20/03/2015 and 04/10/2015 for inquiries:
In Wi-Fi is not each client the full data transmission available, but only the proportionate - the clients thus share the bandwidth requirements. With only a stream which clients use these alternate - never simultaneously. That is also the advantage of the Asus ... there may be more clients with the same or fewer clients with proportionately higher data rate to one or more of the 4 streams (4x4 MIMO mu) of the router access. With 4x4 MIMO-MU provides the router 4 streams, each with 433 Mbps (4 x ca. 433 Mbps streams = 1734 MBps) for simultaneous (!!!) use available - at 4 1x1 clients ideally takes each client on a separate stream to - each stream can therefore provide specific data for each client via beamforming. If you have 1734 Mbps sharing 5 1x1 MIMO clients are the (QOS, load balancing, etc. we ignore times) three clients with approximately 433 Mbps and two with approximately 216 Mbps gross. Of these about one half to one quarter net remain so after Protocol (802.11, 802.11ac, ...) as left - or about 108-217Mbps (801.11ac is half) - ... -in IDEAL FALL (short range without walls, no other wireless signals no error correction, etc) -. hmmm ... So NEVER -D. For a client with 3x3 MIMO-MU Dreiwerden channels simultaneously used - ie approximately 3x 433 Mbps = 1300 Mbps - there is a stream with 433 Mbps left can be operated simultaneously and independently. Mu 4x4 MIMO (4 streams x ca. 433 Mbps = 1734 Mbps) can currently only the AC RT87U as a bridge (see above). At 2.4GHz, it is even "only" 802.11n 600Mbps (turboQAM) GROSS who have to share all clients ... so you can easily calculate what is left and how QOS is useful when using several simultaneously active clients. Since you use a fast USB WLAN stick ... hmm ... nothing -D. When using an Extender / Repeater, the situation is "worse" because it sends and receives the clients of the "useful" bandwidth halved immediately (for example, a 1200 repeater used 600Mbpss for transmitting and also for receiving 600 Mbps).

But plays for me (since I do not copy large files over the wireless network in the home ...) the transmission rate of the client not matter - as long as there is enough for streaming, Internet, games, etc. (Saturation test). Thus depends always of your application, and the number of your wireless clients (ping, hardware NAT, Stoerungsminimierte transmission are crucial). I would therefore in the wireless network (unless you really need it for large data volumes) pay more on getting a system in which the beamformer (router) and the client (Beamformee) the signal optimized "negotiating" skills - which prevents problems and also extends the reach. My USB AC56 the (2 streams, each with about 433Mbps = 867 Mbps - AiRadar, 300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz but not tested) can ... With Netgear there are certain drives that are gekennzeichent with Beamforming + and should Can Too , Oh - the technology is as far as I currently do not replaceable ... a Netgear Beamforming + USB Stick not optimized with Asus AiRadar ... there have not tested! Beamforming may already be specified to 802.11n - but works Cross-manufacturer rather just happen.

Must or wants to large amounts of data over the wireless network relatively quickly copy (issue of media files on a NAS can there be a reason) then walk because of the technology used at least one 3x3 (PCE-AC68 PCIe) Client - under ideal conditions then 1300 MPS upload GROSS possible. Really you can exploit the ASUS but also so not! With USB sticks you will currently find maximum 2x2 802.11 ac. It is announced by ASUS a 4x4 AP - EA-AC87. For the RT-AC87U so you need new wireless hardware on the client side - otherwise, you in terms of bandwidth requirements None of this - indeed, one is possibly faster with its current router. The battle for the WLAN is being conducted between MU-MIMO and XStream. The Netgear R8000 or the Asus 3200 used XStream (600 Mbps on 802.11n 2.4 GHz band, 1300 Mbps in the first 3x3 802.11ac and 1300 Mbps in the 5GHz band second = 3200 MBps - WAVE 2 is not implemented, therefore 1300 Mbps maximum) - want this you need not necessarily new client hardware "to have something like this" (because each 5GHz band has 1300 Mbps) .... .If you buy the router because of its maximum data transfer rate of 1734 Mbps then you have to either to the router Buy matching 4x4 802.11 ac Client Hardware (wait for ASUS EA-AC87 (4x4), or second RT-AC87U (4x4) as a bridge), or are initially satisfied with less. Note also that the USB 2.0 port is limited to 480Mbps ...

If you already own a laptop - then it is worth looking into the manual to find out which protocol the wireless adapter can operate. If you're lucky, the laptop already 802.11 ac (2x2) ...
/ * Edit

My requirements:
1. Saturation Test
simultaneous work, Prime TV, Netflix and gaming on different devices without stutter or temporarily freeze.
2. Stable wireless connection to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
3. DDNS (build-in)
4. VPN for Android, iOS and Windows clients
5. configurable firewall
6. Static IP address (DHCP), IP-MAC binding
7. Security
8. Internet - reliability

Have I bought two routers - the RT-AC87U and the R7000 Netgear.

1. Saturation Test
Both without any problems.

2. Stable wireless connection
no problems (ok - I knew the "special character problem" when Asus beforehand) ...

3. DDNS
DDNS provide both companies 'build-in' is available. NETGEAR partnered with NO-IP, Asus makes here no information 'or I have not found her.

4. VPN
PPTP I do not use ... (I can not use) therefore I focus on OpenVPN. The Netgear openVPN Server unfortunately dominated only TAP, so that a VPN connection for example to iOS devices via TUN can not be established. The necessary ports (1394, ...) to include a separate server on the LAN openVPN I could not adjust the Netgear router. If you want to connect so iOS devices (iPhone, iPad) via VPN you have to use a router with DD-WRT (kong-build) the Netgear IMHO. AsusWRT / Merlin provides the function via openVPN without problems.

RT AC87U: 5 stars
R7000: 3 stars

5. configurable firewall
While the RT-AC87U at least provides a (basic) Configurable security firewall solution is this feature when Netgear just not there!

RT AC87U: 3 stars
R7000: 2 Stars
DD-WRT: 4 stars

6. IP-MAC binding, static IP address
The MAC filtering on the WLAN is not exactly sure I'll have to tell anyone - a very strong WPA2 / AES password is here the choice. When conditioning the IP-MAC table of Netgaer makes better figure 'simply because you can (as with the DHCP) Assign or select the device name.

RT AC87U: 3 stars
R7000: 4 stars

7. Security
OUT-of-the-box is the Asus router security GAU. To operate it should ensure you configure it before use. Here also suggests' Sonderzeichen'- problem ... in the router password dialog must Alphanumeric characters are assigned, otherwise you have remains the router to factory settings - it's really nothing more. The Netgear has here a very different GAU you can not change ', it is always in' admin '.... without words the router user.
WPS I disabled on both routers.
UPnP course also ^^

8. Availability
If one has to rely on the Internet is always available (or want it) takes the Asus RT-AC87U in the price range is no way around. It offers dual WAN via the possibility of a second modem (!!) provider to connect as a failover or load balancing. Why do I need it? My provider is currently working on a network node, since these are already months is overloaded. Although I get a credit until construction - but have for months just not a stable Internet. Have the Asus a surf stick inserted as a second modem - and now I can work reliably continued (currently no LTE in Germany with standard firmware possible). Since I am professionally angweisen on a stable and fast Internet I will, however, a modem from Telekom and additionally operate one of cable Germany ... - ... must.

RT AC87U: 4 stars
R7000: 0 stars

A word about Asus AiProtection:
Very nice feature. Blocks access to the Trend Micro database stored malicious websites reliably on all devices in the LAN / WLAN (also on iOS, Android, etc.). However, replacing the antivirus program, etc. on the PC is not (which is logical - just wanted to mention again). The 'for detecting and blocking infected devices' function I have not tested (did not want a worm on my computer voluntarily play').

Why now actually the RT-AC87U?
VPN must be decrypted and encrypted - which is faster so the more computational power is available. The speed gain compared to other routers I estimate (correction 04.20.2015 see "Comments") 20% (compared to RT-AC68U). The dual WAN feature is also absolutely essential to me. Can we do without the processing power and dual-WAN, it is IMHO one (or more) numbers smaller ...