Even though this might be beaten to death...Netgear RT314 vs. Linksys BEFSR41

[Maximus1]

I know this topic in general has been overdone, but I am specifically looking at buying one of these 2 routers. I haven't seen too much head to head comparison of these 2 models...

I am leaning towards the Netgear b/c I am a huge fan of Netgear in general, but I'm really not sure if there are any differences. Anyone know if there is anything overwhelmingly different b/t these routers. I have a DSL modem with four computers attached through Win98SE ICS and I'd like to put one of these routers in place instead. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

[Russ]

Get the Netgear.
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Or the Linksys.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Vrangel]

Zyxel makes all Netgear routers. For your needs
Zyxel 314 is probably the best.
Its hardware identical to Netgear 314. Only difference is
that Zyxel 314 has uplink port (Linksys has it too) but Netgear 314 doesnt.
EDIT
Zyxel/Netgear is faster and more stable but has less onboard memory compared to Linksys.
(less onboard memory is bad for Gamespy if you use it).

 

[Maximus1]

LOL
Russ, point taken....

 

[Maximus1]

Vrangel, thanks for the info and heads up...

 

[Mong0]

Actually you might want to look into the SMC Barricade. I just bought one from outpost.com for $99.99 and free overnight shipping (I mean I ordered it on Thursday at 3 pm EST and recieved it at 10 am today!!!).

This thing has a built in print server (although I don't know how important this is to you). Setup was a breeze and when I did finally have a question it only took a total of five minute from the start of the call to a solution from their tech support.

I have used it with all three of my computers with no problems (2 w98 and 1 w2k). Also if you need it they have an 8 port version at outpost for 50 or 60 bucks more.

Hope this helps.

 

[SolTek]

i just got the netgear rt314... seems like its a better product than the linksys... but then again the linksys just reminds me of an imac... so im prejudiced

 

[jman57]

Not to make your choices harder, but I have the Linksys and so far am happy with it. I have 3 PCs attached and even run a server ocassionally through it. I messed with the defaults a bit but didn't really need to.

 

[Maximus1]

Thanks for all the replies everyone...
I really didn't think I could wrong with either one (or a few other models for that matter), but I thought I'd check to see if there were any differences I overlooked. From what I'm hearing it sounds like I should be happy with whatever model I select.

 

[jmcoreymv]

I had the linksys but I had trouble hosting servers with it (that maybe fixed by the recent firmware, Im not sure) but I went to the netgear and its great.

 

[Russ]

SolTek,

HEY! The Linksys is cute!

jmcoreymv,

No problem hosting with mine.:Q

Russ, NCNE

 

[Eug]

I have to reset the Linksys (latest firmware) every few days, but I hear that some Netgear users have the same problem.

 

[pm]

I have the Linksys, two of my friends have the Netgear.


The Linksys is often slightly cheaper.

The Netgear looks more professional, IMO anyway. The Linksys looks cute. Not that I really care that much what a piece of gear that sits in a closet looks like, but it's worth mentioning.

The Netgear is faster than the Linksys (based on personal test results and confirmed by tests at this website).

The Linksys can map a range of ports, the Netgear can only map individual ones one at a time (has a newer version of the firmware fixed this?).

The web-based admin of the Linksys is easier (IMO) than on the Netgear. I've played with both and my friends and I agree that it's simply easier to set up the Linksys.


Personally, they are both very capable and either is a win.

 

[Maximus1]

This place is great...
I really appreciate all the opinions and info. I thought I heard somewhere the Netgear was a little faster, but I wasn't aware of the port mappings. Do you guys find that you need to map a lot of ports anyway? Also, I know one complaint about the Netgear was that you had to use telnet in addition to the web-based setup for advanced features. Is it possible for the Netgear to have an all web-based setup with a firmware upgrade or is it just a limitation of the current design? I know either model will probably work fine, but I'm just curious about some of the differences. Thanks again.

 

[Engineer]

My experience:

I've had 3 routers: Linksys BEFSR41, SMC Baracade, and (current) Netgear RT314.

The Linksys was fast and very easy to set up...especially the WEB based setup...But...It crashed on me 2 times per day no matter what settings or firmware that I used.

The SMC Baracade was solid and easy to set up, but was much (I mean much and I don't why) SLOWER than the Linksys!

The Netgear is very fast and very solid. I've had it running for as high as 52 days without a reset and the reset wasn't really necessary, as I had to unplug it to move some cables around. The setup of the Netgear is a little more intense as it uses mostly Telnet and text based menus to set up, but they still aren't that difficult.

My vote goes to the Netgear for it's overall solid performance. However, I've heard that Linksys just released version 1.37 of the new firmware that eliminated the lockups on many users models...just a heads up.

P.S. I'm on @home cable...used the Linksys for almost 8 months...used the SMC for 1 day (too slow) and have used the Netgear for 4 months now.

Good Luck!

 

[pm]

I've been running a BEFSR41 under firmware 1.36 for as long as it's been out, and 1.35 before that. I bought the router back in July of this year. I'm also on @Home.

Anyway, since I bought it in July it's locked (needing a hardware reset) 3 times. So that's about once every two months. Not that I'm trying to knock Engineer's post - just commenting that I've had better luck than he did.

BTW, thanks for mentioning 1.37, Engineer. It was released yesterday and I didn't realize it. No changes to my setup that I could tell, but there are plenty of new options on the menu.

 

[Russ]

I've had my Linksys since May, and it's never locked once; not a single time. I'm also still using firmware 1.23. There's nothing in the newer revisions I want or need.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Vrangel]

Instructions how to open port range on Zyxel/Netgear 314 :

To open a port rage you must use 2 rules in a TCP Filter set. those rule have the more = yes option on the first one.

Let's say that you want to open incoming port from 4000 to 4500. you should have the folloing 2 rules in your filter set.


Menu 21.12 - Filter Rules Summary

# A Type Filter Rules M m n
- - ---- --------------------------------------------------------------- - - -
1 Y IP Pr=6, SA=0.0.0.0, SP!=0, DA=0.0.0.0, DP>3999 Y N N
2 Y IP Pr=6, SA=0.0.0.0, SP!=0, DA=0.0.0.0, DP<4501 N F N

Menu 21.12.1 - TCP/IP Filter Rule

Filter #: 12,1
Filter Type= TCP/IP Filter Rule
Active= Yes
IP Protocol= 6 IP Source Route= No
Destination: IP Addr= 0.0.0.0
IP Mask= 0.0.0.0
Port #= 3999
Port # Comp= Greater
Source: IP Addr= 0.0.0.0
IP Mask= 0.0.0.0
Port #=0
Port # Comp= Not Equal
TCP Estab= No
More= Yes Log= None
Action Matched= N/A
Action Not Matched= N/A


Menu 21.12.2 - TCP/IP Filter Rule

Filter #: 12,2
Filter Type= TCP/IP Filter Rule
Active= Yes
IP Protocol= 6 IP Source Route= No
Destination: IP Addr= 0.0.0.0
IP Mask= 0.0.0.0
Port #= 4501
Port # Comp= Less
Source: IP Addr= 0.0.0.0
IP Mask= 0.0.0.0
Port #=0
Port # Comp= Not Equal
TCP Estab= No
More= No Log= None
Action Matched= Forward
Action Not Matched= Check Next Rule



The first rule check if the port is greater then 3999, so 4000 and up match the rule

The second rule check if the port is less then 4501, so 4500 and less match the rule



If both rule are matched, that meen that the port is between 4000 and 4500 inclusively.

that way you can decide on Action Mached to foward or drop that port range..... in that exemple, we foward on Action Mached

don't forget to apply that filter on the WAN interface in the INPUT PROTOCOL FILTERS


Menu 11.5 - Remote Node Filter

Input Filter Sets:
protocol filters= 12 <---- here!
device filters=
Output Filter Sets:
protocol filters=
device filters=

Copied from this site.

 

[Maximus1]

Thanks for the heads up...
I actually went with the Netgear so this site will come in handy. Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[jmcoreymv]

Vrangel the PC would still have to be in DMZ mode wouldnt it because just because you open a range of ports in the firewall, it still doesnt foward it to the client PC within your network.

 

[Vrangel]

PC is still behind firewall.
Port range is opened by way of filters.

 

[jmcoreymv]

The firewall may allow the ports, but the NAT part of the router wont know where to send the incoming requests unless there is a PC in DMZ mode.

 

[Russ]

jmcoreymv,

You'd simply specify the LAN address of the PC that you're forwarding to.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Quickfingerz]

yup, the SMC has the largest latency which sucks if you're playing first person shooters where latency is critical.

I haven't heard anyone say much about the netgear except for the telnet setup part which doesn't matter now since you can now use your browser to set it up.

I bought the linksys just because it has a high re-sell price and the SMC 'cause it was the cheapest. I have both in my apt because the 6 of us share 2 internet connections.

It seems as thought the Netgear is the best choice. Although Linksys has recently released a new router that can be used throught their USB port and might have better hardware that solves the problems that everyone is talking about (ie crashing).

 

[Quickfingerz]

does anyone know if the firmware v 1.37 released on 12/29 for the Linksys makes it faster?