Help choosing router/firewall

[tandrtech]

I have just started my own business and need to setup my network. I will have 3 desktops and 3 notebooks and a server. I have cabel internet access which I need to share among all PC's.

My question is what type of router/firewall should I ne looking at. I need to keep total cost down but would like to get some decent equipment. Below are my requirements:

Speed: 108 - 125 MBPS
VPN Capabilities
Firewall: SPI and NAT
Wireless
WEP and WPA
At Least 4 ports for wired PC's (desktops and server)

This is the equipment I have been looking at :
Netgear WGR624
Netgear FVS114 + some wireless access point
Netgear FVS318 + some wireless access point
Netgear FWG114P (give up the VPN)

I am not set on Netgear and am open to other manufacturers.

Does anyone have any advice on the equipment I have listed above or other equipment I should be looking at.

I appreciate your help.

 

[blemoine]

What i would do is get a linksys or netgear AP and a used pc and install IPCOP on it for Firewall/NAT/VPN. IPCOP is a free linux based firewall that is very easy to use and install. the used PC can be a P2 or with about 64 mb of ram. you may be able to get a free machine if you check around. other than your AP and maybe a small switch you won't have to spend over $100.00. also you are preventing yourself from a single point of failure. good luck

 

[nweaver]

linux iptables based firewall > SOHO router firewall. IPCOP is a good idea

 

[tandrtech]

Unfortunately I have no experience with anything Linux.

 

[JackMDS]

I would go with this one.

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/product-detail.php?productid=88&categoryid=6

It is more stable, and has more configuration capacities than the others have. It is also WDS as is, so you would have the basis for have a much more Flexible Wireless System.

:sun:

P.S. It even looks classier than the other plastics boxes.😉

About WDS ? http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Modes.html

VPN Primer - http://www.ezlan.net/vpn.html

 

[blemoine]

IPCOP is very easy to install. you download the ISO and burn the image to a cd. then you put the cd in your computer and it will boot from the cd and install. after this all configuration is done from a web interface just like other SOHO routers. all it takes is a basic networking know how. i was shocked at how easy it actually was. give it a try

 

[tandrtech]

if I go with the linux box for the VPN/Firewall + Access Point + Switch will there be any loss of speed or signal strength for the wireless connections? The distances are minimal 50' - 75' from the access point.