need advice on the best 8 port router to get

[LesPaul]

Needin more ports.. currently we have 5 devices, I don't really see it getting too much more than that.. the house has no more room for any more.. but this would leave room for 3 or 4 extra's..

What's the best 8 port router on the market now? I looked at the 8 port linksys, but i've never read so many negative reviews on a product before.. About 80% of the people complain about the same major issues.

The only other thing I can find is the netgear 8 port VPN/Firewall.. that's around 90 bucks, but we really don't need all the extra VPN and security over a regular router.

Any suggestions?

 

[JackMDS]

The best 8 ports Router is a 4 port router with an additional Switch.

An 8port Routers cost more than 4port + switch and the selection is very limited.

The price differential between Wired and Wireless is very small, a result people who to not plan on immediate Wireless buy Wireless Router any way.

So the market for Wired Router does not have very few new Entries.

However as far as Wired Routers go.

The main difference between the Wired Entry level Cable/DSL Routers is the Firewall "Filtering" system, and number, range etc. of ports that can be opened through the Hardware Firewall.

If you are a gamer, and or use applications that need ports opening, it is an issue you have to look at.

If you need special ports opening for Server, VPN, etc. You have each targeted Router to make sure that it can keep these ports Open.

If you want in general more elaborate Router with better VPN, and SPI capacities you have to look at the Top Models of SMC, Linksys, D-Link, and Netgear.

Otherwise I would go with the lowest price, and the decor

Link to: Cable/DSL Routers - NAT, Ports, SPI.

Link to: Wireless What Should I Get?

:sun:

 

[LesPaul]

don't want a wireless router.. I want to keep my wired lines.. My buddy has a wireless AP he'll sell me cheap if i ever want to use some wireless devices. The main reason I was hoping to find a good 8 port router is because, right now we got a 4 port router, then a 8 port switch my dad runs a few of his PC's off.. However.. there's alot of bandwith loss he's getting going through the switch then the router.

Going straight to modem = 600KB/sec average (tested with the same batch download in Grabit from our ISP's news server). Going through router to modem = 400KB/sec. Going Through switch to router to modem = <200KB/sec average. The switch is configured for 100 full duplex.. its an old 3com.

We were hoping to get a larger router to just cut out the switch, and hopefully get a little less bandwith loss on a newer router. Our 4 port linksys router is pretty old, with latest firmware however.

 

[JackMDS]

The Router is the same whether it is an 8port or 4 port.

The 4 port or and 8 port is just a switch residing with a Routing circuit in the same box.

Your measures might indicate that some thing is wrong with your current hardware.

The loses that you get is Not a technological Rule of Networking, it is a result of BAD system.:shocked:

In any case there are only 2 or3 units of Brand name 8ports Wired Routers on the market. So buy all the three and return the two that you do not like.

:sun:

 

[LesPaul]

you're right about the bad hardware.. The switch for sure we are concerned about.. the router works pretty good, but does cause for about a 200Kb/s loss of bandwith.. however a couple people i've talked to, who I consider fairly knowledgable about networks told me routers will always cause some bandwith loss, unless you turn it into full switch mode. As for how much bandwith I don't know.. Is this wrong? Was hoping to kill 2 birds with one stone with the 8 port router.

Networking is my area of weakness in computer hardware.. I'm a PC tweaker/overclocker, not much of a network guru. So the 200KB/s loss in bandwith is definately alot more than should be happening, right? If we go with a new router + a new switch, i'm sure the cost will be higher.. however if the bandwith loss will be significantly less, then it will be worth it.