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I got an 18 mbit internet service but my router is junk

J

JAG87

Diamond Member
Hi all,

I recently got an 18/1 internet service. Turns out that my Linksys BESFR81 has 10/100 LAN ports, but only a 10 mbit WAN port.

This is what I need:
- a router that has a 10/100 WAN port
- a router that has 8 ports (at least)
- if possible, I would like the router to have 10/100/1000 LAN ports, but this is not absoultely necessary, even 10/100 LAN ports will suffice (about this I have a question: if I connect lets say 5 computer with a 100 interface, and 3 computers with a 1000 interface, will the router set modes for the ports individually, or will it switch to 100?)

Any advice please? Im willing to spend 300-400 on this, so dont be scared to throw expensive stuff at me. THanks in advance!
 
Try out the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54

Along with a Netgear or Trendnet 8 port Gigabit Switch.

Both of these together ~$100. Trying to find an 8 port gig router just by itself is going to limit you way down and it's going to be a very unreliable router that'll be >$100
 
I would rather not use a wireless router if possible. Why do you say that an 8 port gigabit router is unreliable? (a 10/100 router is fine too, as long as it has a 10/100 WAN port). I was just trying to find a 10/100/1000 router so I could get faster network transfers, but considering hard drive bottlenecks, an 8 port 10/100 will suffice.

Also, a friend of mine told me its possible to use a switch for my needs. He said that I can plug the internet coming from the modem into one of the ports of the switch, and connect the computers to the rest of the ports. Is this true? It comes as a surprise to me as I always thought a router was needed before the switch, and that a switch could only be uplinked to a router.
 
8 port gigabit routers just arent that common, and limit your possibilities heavily. as kevin stated, its best to just attach a gigabit switch to a seperate router.

yes, you can connect different speed devices into different ports as each one is negotiated seperately from the rest.

and no, your friend is sadly mistaken. you need something to hand out dhcp address, perform nat / routing function, etc.
 
jlazzaro, he said that you can configure the switch to handle the DHCP assignment. I am so shocked about what he is ssaying, but we will get together tonight and he will show me what he claims.

thanks for answering my original question about the different port speeds. now, can you suggest an 8-port 10/100 router, that has a 10/100 WAN port as well? I was looking at the linksys Cisco one (the RV082), am I on the right track? Since this router is quite expensive, should I just grab 2 BEFSR41 (which are claimed to have 10/100 WAN ports) and uplink them? what do you think?

my BEFSR81 is limiting my internet connection right now... I must get around this.
 
Originally posted by: JAG87
jlazzaro, he said that you can configure the switch to handle the DHCP assignment. I am so shocked about what he is ssaying, but we will get together tonight and he will show me what he claims.

thanks for answering my original question about the different port speeds. now, can you suggest an 8-port 10/100 router, that has a 10/100 WAN port as well? I was looking at the linksys Cisco one (the RV082), am I on the right track? Since this router is quite expensive, should I just grab 2 BEFSR41 (which are claimed to have 10/100 WAN ports) and uplink them? what do you think?

my BEFSR81 is limiting my internet connection right now... I must get around this.
Click to expand...



A switch is a layer 2 device, it cannot hand out DHCP or route packets (pure switch)
 
thats what I was taught in university... 😛
but he said its possible... anyways lets drop this argument until I meet with him.

nweaver do you have any router suggestions? I study this stuff in school but when it comes to buying the product I am clueless because I have never really researched the market. I dont want to throw money away because of my ignorance. I know the theory, but I never looked into the products so I need help.
 
need a 8-port router with a 10/100 WAN port. anybody wanna shoot some models at me? im looking at the linksys RV082, is there something cheaper?
 
Originally posted by: JAG87
need a 8-port router with a 10/100 WAN port. anybody wanna shoot some models at me? im looking at the linksys RV082, is there something cheaper?
Click to expand...
No no no, people have already answered your question. 4 port router + gig switch.

 
Originally posted by: JAG87
need a 8-port router with a 10/100 WAN port. anybody wanna shoot some models at me? im looking at the linksys RV082, is there something cheaper?
Click to expand...

You're not getting it. Nobody is going to "recommend" an 8 port router because there not good. Try and atleast LISTEN to what we're all saying, get a good 4 port router (I suggest the buffalo or zyxel and I'm pretty sure everyone else will back me up on that), they both have 10/100 WAN ports and just attach an 8 port GigE switch to that for your higher speed computers. Quit trying to fuss with getting an 8 port router and just go with what will work.

And as far as routers in general are concerned, avoid Linksys and probably belkin. Everyone here has their own niche of routers to avoid but for me, Linksys, belkin & netgear are to be avoided. The best SOHO routers are (in no particular order): zyxel and buffalo. Linksys for a small period used to put out pretty good routers in the WRT54G(s) line and then they wanted to save a few bucks and pretty much suck again.
 
have an old computer laying around? go over to www.dd-wrt.com and download the dd-wrt x86 and install it on said computer and slap all the SOHO stuff in the face. you could have 1000mb capability on both the lan and the wan side if you felt like it.
 
ok guys, thanks to all the replies. I am going to purchase a good 4 port gigabit router and connect it to an 8 port gigabit switch.

I appreciate all the brand suggestions, but I forgot to mention that I live in Canada and brands like zyxel and buffalo are not available. Here they only bring Linksys, Dlink, Netgear, and SMC.

Thanks everyone. I learned something new today.


EDIT
nevermind, I found zyxel products at NCIX. Im going to give that a shot.
 
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