Need cable router advice

[LintMan]

I'm trying to decide which cable router to get and could use some advice... (If you read my previous thread about USB file sharing and are wondering: a friend just talked me into go this route instead).

Anyway, my requirements:
- I don't need/want wireless
- My wife and I currently use Cisco VPN software to access our work computers from our home desktop PC, so do we need some kind of VPN support in the router? (How does this work?)
- firewall functionality would be nice. I'm confused about how this works as well, because I thought all cable routers functioned as firewalls, but Linksys sells a cable router (BEFSR41) and a firewall router (BEFSX41). But other brands don't seem to mention firewall routers. I currently just run Zone Alarm Pro on my PC.
- I'd rather not hassle with updating a MAC address with Comcast - do all the popular cable routers support MAC cloning? I generally didn't see it mentioned at all in the specs I looked at.
- I don't want to kill my internet download speeds.

I was concentrating on the Linksys BEFSX41, but found a number of complaints about DHCP problems and transfer rate problems, so I'm a bit concerned there. But then, I saw complaints about other brand routers as well, so I'm feeling lost!

Thanks!

 

[JackMDS]

On the issue of security you can read this.

Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.

All recent Routers support MAC Cloning.

You will find complains about all the Routers from all brands. QA is terrible on these inexpensive gizmos. In addition many complaints are due to the ignorance of the users, and the reluctant to read the full manual.

As for VPN. It a little tricky with most of the Entry Level Routers. The Linksys BEFSX41 ?suppose? to handle VPN better than other Entry Level Routers.

You should buy a Router that claim VPN through support from a local store, Treat it carefully, and if it does not work return and try another brand.

 

[LintMan]

Thanks for your helpful information once again, Jack! I feel a little better about trying the BEFSX41.