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Broadband (Cable/DSL) Router/Firewall: [Questions|Information|Recommendations|Complaints|Opinions]

D

dl

Banned
Research update:

After much research, I have narrowed it down to these three routers:

[MaxGate UGate 3200 | Review | $219.95]

[Zyxel Prestige 314 | Review | $131.95]

[NetGear RT314 | Review | $128.99]

decisions...decisions...

The Zyxel is very nice and fast...but lacks some features available in the MaxGate...

The Netgear though fast...is harder to configure...(this may be fixed by a quick firmware update?)

The MaxGate is a little slower than the others...However, where it lacks in speed, it makes up in features...The downside is that it's too expensive

🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

Everybody working with networking technology is rolling out these routers for the home user w/ either Cable or DSL Internet connection. This seem to be a hot item to own if you connect to the Internet with 1 of the methods mentioned above. The question is, which 1 provides the best solution to the following issues:

  • Stability
    Performance
    Easy to setup?
    Expandability

I would love to gather as much information as I can b4 I invest in 1 of these babies.

Does anyone have links to reviews that compare these products?

What do I need to know if I'm getting AT&T RoadRunner?

I'm currently using the Intel Inbusiness 8 port 10/100 switch. Should I get one of these devices with a built-in switch and sell the Intel switch?

Compared to direct link to the wall, will I lose bandwidth if I connect to 1 of these devices?

Which 1 will allow me to host UT w/o any problems? A web server? Ftp?

What would you recommend?

If you own one, do you have any complaints about your product?

The 1 that seems to be the best deal to me is the SMC EZ CABLE/DSL ROUTER 4-PORT 10/100MBPS BROADBAND ROUTER. Here are the features:

  • Firewall security against hackers
    Simultaneous Internet access for up to 253 PCs on the LAN using only one IP address
    LAN and IP addresses auto-assigned and easily managed
    Connect to a cable modem, xDSL router, dial-up modem or Ethernet backbone - the ultimate in flexibility
    4-port 10/100 Mbps switch versatility plus one port for WAN connection
    Print server access from any PC on the web. No need to keep one powered-up and dedicated, thus additional memory is available
    Dramatic enhancement of multimedia and gaming connections
    Protocol independent - works with PC or Mac

I don't think I need the print server...should I still get this one?

Any and every other comments are also welcomed.

Thanks.

-dl

edit: links to some of the routers:

D-Link DSL / CABLE INTERNET SHARING 2 PORT 10/100 GATEWAY ROUTER

Netgear RT 314 DSL & CABLE MODEM INET GTW RTR W/4 10/100PT

SMC EZ CABLE/DSL ROUTER 4-PORT 10/100MBPS BROADBAND ROUTER

Linksys ETHERFAST CABLE/DSL ROUTER WITH 4 10/100 SWITCHED PORTS

Compex NET PASSAGE NP15 BROADBAND INTERNET ROUTER

Kingston FAST ETHERX 7 PORT 10/100MBPS INTERNET ACCESS ROUTER

Zyxel PRESTIGE 314 DSL/CABLE ENET ROUTER W/4 PORT 10/100 SWITCH

Maxgate UGATE 3200 CABLE XDSL SHARING GATEWAY 7PORT 10/100 SWITCH
 


Go to this sight and you will learn a lot. I ended up getting the Umax Ugate 3000 because I also had a switch and hooked it in line with the firewall. You could get the Ugate 3200 and sell your switch. I went with the Ugate because the port options are better. Like I said go read and look at the user reviews. take this link
 
Grab an old 386/486/6x86, laptop, whatever and run FREESCO. Minr runs rock solid on a network with Netgear FS308 switch. The old system is a Pentium Pro 200, 24MB EDO, floppy, 3Com 905-TX, 3Com 903c, and an old ATX case. Total cost was less than $80.

It can run on a 386, 6MB RAM, Floppy, and generic NE2000 ISA nics. I build one at work for a collegue with just the stuff we pulled from the junk closet (486SX-25, 16MB RAM, Floppy, 2 x 3Com 509).

FREESCO Router

Windogg
 
nice suggestion windogg, but I'd rather have a hardware router than to go through the trouble of setting up a linux box...
 
hmmm...it seems the netgear and the Zyxel are the same products....

oh well, makes to decision easier 🙂
 
i use the Linksys 4 porter...probably the easiest thing i've ever setup. Total of 5 minutes and I was running 3 comps through one ip 🙂
 
hows the LAN/WAN xfer speeds on that thing? I heart it's not so good...

also, have you ever experienced the data corruption issue that I've heard sooooo much about?

have they fixed that yet?//
 
no data dropping whatsoever...i can hit over 100k/s to some sites through the router on a cable modem...and thats with 4 comps on it.
 
If you got the bucks and you want a mid lowend router go for the Zyxel P312, its in a higher grouping then the others, and costs around the mid 200's, but it can do ALOT more stuff.
 
I just got the SMC thru the deal at buy.com. After buy.com coupon and mail-in rebate the price was about $110 + ship. The print server proved to be very handy. It was a breeze to set up and seems to be doin a heck of a job. It's also been rumored that someome else oem's this unit for SMC and that it might also be able to act as a fax server with a dial-up modem attached to it. I haven't tried that myself yet.
 
Nobody likes the LinkSys BEFSR41? Gee... we're missing one of the best routers in the market.

Ok to start things off, it's priced at around $160, which isnt very expensive, nor very cheap.
What do we have here? A 4-port router, supporting up to 4 computers without hubs(even more with hubs), those 1-port routers such as NetGear will require a separate hub if you want to share internet. Second, this thing has an integrated switch, so it'll be great for friends coming over to play LAN games and stuff like that. Third, it's very easy to setup, integrated firewall, and performs really well too. Finally, this thing is stylish, at least imo.
 
LXi: Like Linksys, Netgear has a 4-port router/switch combo (RT314) for the exact same price as the Linksys model in addition to the 1-port version. 😉
 
what I would love to do is get both the maxgate and the ZyXEL and do some benchmarks b4 I decide...matter of fact, that's what I'll do 🙂

wait .... I don't got moola 🙁
 
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