Best "consumer" QoS enabled Router

[imported_KuJaX]

Hello everyone. 🙂

I am currently running a Linksys BEFSR41 V3 with firmware 1.06.01. I am not sure if one exists, but is there a firmware, whether official or aftermarket that will add QoS addition to the router?

If not, or if you don't know, what is a good high quality QoS capable router under $100? Going to be using it with DSL.

Thanks,

 

[JackMDS]

I would ignore the Useless word Best and just provide you with info.

Your Router is Old and there is nothing new for it for years.

Currently few Routers can do Qos out of the Box.

Zyxel sells one that is reasonable priced.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833181218

Otherwise, these Routers Flashed with DD-WRT can do the job.

This Router for regular use,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162173

This is similar Router with High Power Output for Extra Wireless range,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162134

Search this forum for the term DD-WRT and you would find more info about it than there is in the Bible about Justice.

 

[imported_KuJaX]

DD-WRT?? How is the quality of the QoS when flashing with DD-WRT? 🙂

WRT54 from linksys has QoS i heard.

 

[yuppiejr]

I have to agree with JackMDS above - I'm a huge fan of the Ubicom / StreamEngine based QoS solutions, the Zyxel X-550 linked above is a steal for $55 AR at Newegg, otherwise the D-Link 4300/4100 series "Gamerlounge" series routers are similar hardware with slightly better firmware/routing code behind them.

Otherwise the Buffalo WHR-G54S linked above for around $40 is a great option to throw DD-WRT on and use their QoS. I liked the hardware design of the non High power version better as the embedded CPU includes a heatsink where the HP version does not. With a fast internet connection and lots of services running on the router you may need to use the "overclock" functions to squeeze a bit more juice out of the HW to fully utilize your available down/upstream bandwith which makes the heatsink invaluable.

Finally, my usual plug for a Linux based PC router - depending on your stockpile of old hardware (or availability of cheap desktops like the Compaq EN series on ebay) you can put together a simple Pentium 3 PC and use IPCop, SmoothWall, ClarkConnect, Mon0wall, etc.. to assemble your own hardware router with QoS, transparent web proxy/caching, active Intrusion Prevention/Detection services, etc. Good excuse to learn a bit about Linux while you're at it...