Beyond the Cheapies: Which Routers Are Best For Subnetworking?

[Colebert]

I realize 90% of topic traffic dealing with routers relates to internet cable/dsl routers, but I have a question regarding the big boy routers.

What are some good routers that will allow you to subnet traffic within a network? The kind that they show on the Networking Fundamentals tests that split up networks so that 192.168.0.0-128 go to port X and 129-255 goto port Y?

Don't just say "Cisco" because I know they are router kings. But give me some examples of good routers that you would use to divide a network of 10 computers up into 2 networks of 5 computers that are separate from each other, but share the router for WAN purposes.

 

[phatrabt]

Depends on how much money you want to spend and what you're doing. If you want to have the two networks like you've described you could use a Cisco 1760 and use secondary addresses on the Ethernet interface. This would be a pretty cost-effective solution for what you need it to do. What routing protocol do you plan on running? With something like this I would PROBABLY just use static routes. You would also have to decide whether you'd need to use NAT and whenther the router would run as the DHCP server, as that might affect your choice.

You could also use a Layer 3 switch and use VLAN's to do what you need, but I think that's overkill for what you describe. Depends on your needs...

HTH,

phatrabt

 

[cmetz]

Colebert, if performance matters, a layer 3 switch (best: Extreme, then Foundry, then Cisco, then Dell, then SMC, then D-Link, then the nobodies) will give you the best LAN forwarding bang for your buck. If you're trying to route between media, such as over WAN lines, then Cisco is the most credible player in the game, and everbody else really is a distant second, if that.

 

[ITJunkie]

Originally posted by: cmetz
Colebert, if performance matters, a layer 3 switch (best: Extreme, then Foundry, then Cisco, then Dell, then SMC, then D-Link, then the nobodies) will give you the best LAN forwarding bang for your buck. If you're trying to route between media, such as over WAN lines, then Cisco is the most credible player in the game, and everbody else really is a distant second, if that.

This is exactly what I was thinking too. Without knowing what exactly your talking about in relation to "WAN" services, it's hard to give a definitive answer.

 

[pookguy88]

Linksys (Cisco)

 

[Colebert]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

What I mean when I say "share the WAN" is that they both be on separate logical networks that don't see each other, but share the broadband. I knew VLANs were the ultimate, pricey solution. The unit wouldn't have to do NAT, because the broadband router would do that. It would just have to keep two sets of 5 computers apart from each other without allowing them to change settings on their computers to talk to the others.

I figured, on the cheapies, static routes had something to do with this, but really don't understand them.

 

[Colebert]

Originally posted by: pookguy88
Linksys (Cisco)

 

[spidey07]

cmetz has really hit the nail on the head here.

 

[artemedes]

What I mean when I say "share the WAN" is that they both be on separate logical networks that don't see each other, but share the broadband. I knew VLANs were the ultimate, pricey solution. The unit wouldn't have to do NAT, because the broadband router would do that. It would just have to keep two sets of 5 computers apart from each other without allowing them to change settings on their computers to talk to the others.

This is very easy to do with a Freesco 3.x box. Not only is it easy, but practically free.

All you need is 3 or 4 network cards (preferably PCI) and an old computer. Almost any kind of computer would work. Then go to Freesco.org and download the software and read the manual and forums. This will allow you to have one internet connection serving multiple networks. Depending on the number of computers you might also need a little switch for each network you are creating.

I have used this with great results on multiple occasions here at work.