Help me choose a Router (new to all this)

[Shagga]

Hi all,

Been off the scene for some time and need some help please.

I am finally getting Broadband enabled at my exchange in the next month and I've kind of convinced myself I need a Router, but have a few questions.

1) Do routers have built in Hardware Firewalls? or do I have to invest in a Software Firewall? If so, which do you suggest. Norton, Kerio, Zone alarm etc..

2) I have one PC that is being used all the time. This PC will be connected directly to the internet on a 1Mbps connection. Is there such a thing as a Router that will connect to my PC through the normal conventional method (cables) and also allow a wireless connection. I have a notebook which I would like to be able to connect to the internet through the router but it needs to be wireless.

3) Can anyone recommend a Router that would accept say 4 connections (allows for a little expansion) but its not that important. 1 std connection and 1 wireless would suffice.

4) Best ADSL Modem out there that is capable of handling a 2Mbps connection should I upgrade. I presume this will connect to the PC via USB. I have USB1 and 2.

I can't think of anything else at the moment but I would appreciate any guidance guyz and galz.

 

[knothead34]

i might be able to answer question 1. i thought all routers came with firewalls however i was told differently . i would go to newegg and read the specs carefully to make sure it indeed does have firewall inside it. there are two types of routers wired and wireless. have to be cautious of wireless or guys next to you will be getting free internet access from your router lol. also have to make sure all the proper security settings are enabled or those same guys will look at your stuff on your computer.

 

[Shagga]

Fair play. I understand. I thought there may have been some kind of restriction from ppl stealing bandwidth and having access to my PC by now, a bit like Bluetooth where the hardware has to be authorised to connect.

So, is there no such thing as a dual wired and wireless router? If not, I'd like a very good router for a wired connection then.

Thanks again.

 

[cryptonomicon]

no, most wireless routers have ports in the back for wired ethernet connections as well. i know the belkin one i saw does. if you want a software firewall I like zone alarm.

 

[Shagga]

Thanks. Alot of ppl seem to like the Linksys WRT54G. Is this the one to go for on that basis?

 

[JBT]

I've got a WRT54G. It kicks ass in every aspect. It also has some 3rd party firmwares available that allow you to boost signal strength and a boat load of other improved features.

 

[n0cmonkey]

1. No, they generally utilize NAT which acts in a similar manner and helps out security. I like software firewalls like kerio because they can do egress filtering.
2. Most of them work like that. They have built in switches and wireless APs.
3. They're really about the same. Look in the Hot Deals section or at a local store for one that's cheap, then google for issues before buying.
4. Don't go with USB. They're absolute crap! Get one that uses ethernet to connect to the router.

 

[TankGuys]

Originally posted by: Shagga
Thanks. Alot of ppl seem to like the Linksys WRT54G. Is this the one to go for on that basis?

It's a big seller for good reason. It's our top selling router, because it's a good value, and you can get some nice 3rd party firmware as was mentioned by JBT. If you're looking for a nice setup, I think that's an excellent way to go.

 

[FlyBono24]

Originally posted by: JBT
I've got a WRT54G. It kicks ass in every aspect. It also has some 3rd party firmwares available that allow you to boost signal strength and a boat load of other improved features.

Yup... I'd recommend the same one... it's a great router.

It is capable of wireless G networking.... plus 4 ports on the back for wired networking.

 

[JackMDS]

May be this can Help.

Link to: Wireless What Should I Get?

Link to: Wireless - Basic Configuration.

Link to: Wireless Security.

:sun:

 

[Shagga]

Thanks JackMDS, just looking into those links now. Thanks for everyones help it really is appreciated.

So, is this the right one? Will this model be able to have the new firmware for extra features?

 

[TGS]

Unless you really don't care about what your computer has, personal information, banking, etc... don't go wireless. Link Part 1

If you use your computer for any personally sensitive information, invest in at least a software firewall on top of whatever the router/firewall offers, and go wired. If it's on a machine that is just for games, or generic web browsing wifi is your friend.

When I picked up my pcmcia wifi, I bought an external antenna for it. Just out of curiousity I drove around where I live, and about 75% of the wireless routers I found on Net Stumbler were unprotected. Of those unprotected I could easily pull over and get automatically logged on to their networks via DHCP. Needless to say that is a rather scary thought that someone can drive up to your house, use your network to do what ever they wanted, and drive off.

Wireless for when security is safer. I kid you not, I've been able to hit networks about a mile away from the comfort of my own house, just by cracking the window enough for the antenna to get a unobstructed line of sight.

 

[Spike]

I recently picked up a US Robotics G router with a USB wireless adapter. It was $90 but for the next like 6 months USR has a $55 MIR, so 90-55 = $35! I did some testing and it works very well, also supports WPA as well as 802.1X security. Personally I don't care so much about security except to keep others from stealing my bandwidth. If they can patch together packets and tell what MP3 I happen to be streaming then more power to them.

I would stay away from the netgear wireless routers if I were you. I have had 3 of them and most have had poor signal. Their wired routers work just fine but the wireless are a bit lacking (I have not tried the new PRE-N netgear routers so those might be alot better)

-spike

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: TGS
Unless you really don't care about what your computer has, personal information, banking, etc... don't go wireless. Link Part 1

If you use your computer for any personally sensitive information, invest in at least a software firewall on top of whatever the router/firewall offers, and go wired. If it's on a machine that is just for games, or generic web browsing wifi is your friend.

When I picked up my pcmcia wifi, I bought an external antenna for it. Just out of curiousity I drove around where I live, and about 75% of the wireless routers I found on Net Stumbler were unprotected. Of those unprotected I could easily pull over and get automatically logged on to their networks via DHCP. Needless to say that is a rather scary thought that someone can drive up to your house, use your network to do what ever they wanted, and drive off.

Wireless for when security is safer. I kid you not, I've been able to hit networks about a mile away from the comfort of my own house, just by cracking the window enough for the antenna to get a unobstructed line of sight.

Don't get the OP all scared now. Yes, wireless is still very unsecure when comparted to wirless (for obvious reasons) thats why alot corporations don't use wireless yet. For home use it's fine. All a person can see when they log onto a network is what is shared and what is transmitted. If you did banking with a wireless connection then yes, they could "sniff your packets" and find your account info.

My setup is probably more what you want. I have my main computer wired into the router and my wifes Laptop and my PDA as wireless devices. We do all our banking and stuff on the main machine and she just surfs and does email on her laptop. Yes, somone could read her email buit big deal, we don't care. If somone gets on your network they will not be able to access your HDD unless you have it shared or they are REALLY good.

-spike

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: TGS
Unless you really don't care about what your computer has, personal information, banking, etc... don't go wireless. Link Part 1

Unfortunately the Societal trend into Fear Factor and Sensation Journalism plagues Computer Related Sites in the same way that any News media is currently plagued with (and some Computer Sites are plagued with it more then the others).

The contention against Wireless would be similar to:

Do not Buy and or Use a Car because it can be stolen or and you get into an accident

Do Not live in a House, it can be burglarized.

Do not go out to the Street you can get Robbed.

And so On and So forth.

May be this can Help.

Link to: Wireless Security.

Link to: WEP, WPA, and the Future (802.11i).

Link to: Network Segregation - Adding security to Wireless Network (or to any peer to peer Network).

:sun:

P.S. The are times in live that Wishful Thinking might Help.

Solving Computer related problems is NOT one of them.

 

[Shagga]

Thanks again all. Did anyone check my link out to see if that Router was the right one?

Wireless, is something I want to be able to use if I have to. I will probably just use the wired facility at first.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: TGS
Unless you really don't care about what your computer has, personal information, banking, etc... don't go wireless. Link Part 1

Never mind the rest of your bullshit blather - you linked to THG as "proof." You ran out of credibility at that point.

Wireless is as secure or insecure as you make it.

- M4H

 

[Dennis Travis]

That Linksys is the right one. Very good router and it does have a Hardware firewall with SPI (Statefull Packet Inspection). But as n0cmonkey pointed out, get a good Software firewall anyway along with the Hardware one. It will block outbound traffic also which is important. Kerio is very good. I quite like it.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Shagga
Thanks again all. Did anyone check my link out to see if that Router was the right one?

Wireless, is something I want to be able to use if I have to. I will probably just use the wired facility at first.

If you get a router with wireless access point, it's good to disable the wireless portion if you're not going to be using it, and then just enable it in the future whenever you get a wireless device that needs it.

 

[shoRunner]

use WPA to secure your wireless network, as WEP...well WEP sucks. You really don't have much to worry about if you are using any form of encryption on your wireless connection because the chances of someone hacking it are basically nil. almost every wireless router includes 4 ports for use with wired computers. Most routers also come with a NAT firewall, but some will also include SPI firewall also which is nice.

 

[Shagga]

Originally posted by: ProviaFan

Originally posted by: Shagga
Thanks again all. Did anyone check my link out to see if that Router was the right one?

Wireless, is something I want to be able to use if I have to. I will probably just use the wired facility at first.

If you get a router with wireless access point, it's good to disable the wireless portion if you're not going to be using it, and then just enable it in the future whenever you get a wireless device that needs it.

Thats what I was thinking.

 

[Shagga]

Okay. I have the ASUS P4C800-E Duluxe motherboard which has onboard LAN via a RJ45 port connected to a Gigabit LAN Controller.

The Intel 82547El Gigabit Ethernet Controller allows full duplex Gigabit performance on LAN on motherboard (LOM) applications through the Communications Streaming Architecture (CSA). The controller combines Intels 5th Generation Gigabit MAC design integrated with physical layer ciruitry (PHY) to support 1000BASE-T, 100BASE-TX and 10BASE-T applications

Question is do I connect the Router to the PC via this RJ45 slot and is the controller sufficient for 1Mbps connections?

 

[Shagga]

Shameless bump...