Need some hardware advice

[thecoolnessrune]

I'm getting Bellsouth DSL in about a month and need to start preparing my network for it. My current connection in Direcway Satellite internet that uses the DW6000 modem. Its a cable modem that is proprietary because it had to apply something in the area of 19 volts out and 15 volts in on its two cable lines. It has a Dynamic IP and built in DHCP so all I needed was a 5 port switch (got the Linksys EZXS55W Workgroup switch). I have the following devices:

2 constantly wired desktops (both 10/100)
1 constantly wired server (going to 10/100/1000)
1 sometimes connected desktop (varies, its whatever neighbor's im working on, but usually 10/100)
1 constantly wireless connected computer (G most likely)
1 constanly connected wired HP Deskjet 5850 (10/100 and wireless B built in)

What I need is a router, wired NICs, and a wireless NIC.

Here are credentials for the router:

Needs to be able to handle mass amounts off connections from Bittorrent. That will be the main purpose for the connection.

Would like to have some sort of Prioritization Technology like Dlink's Gamefuel so I would be able to play games and let others browse and download (not bandwidth intensive, they just get in the game packets way )

No switch inside if possible, but if its really good then a swtich is fine.

802.11G

Credentials for the Wireless NIC

802.11G
Needs compatibility with an old Windows 98SE 400Mhz computer

Wired NICs

Gigabit preferred
I think thats it :laugh:


Thank you for those reading this whole thing. If you need more info, dont be afraid to ask.

 

[JackMDS]

What you are looking for might Not exists in the collection of Entry Level Routers.

Option 1. Buy a LinksysWRT54L and flash it with 3rd party firmware.

This option would Not withstand ?mass amounts off connections from Bittorrent?.

May be you can collect yourself together and decide whether ?mass amounts off connections from Bittorrent? is really for functional purposes, or just in order to be cool

Being cool in Networking is expensive.

Option 2. Use a real Server OS as a Router.

Option 3. Buy a professional Hardware Router (might exceed $500 in spending).

For rational solutions, http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Hardware.html

:sun:

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Thanks for the reply Jack. Another question. I ahve heard of people making a router out of an old computer using Linux and Smoothwall or Astral. Can either of those system programs packet organize like for instance, Gamefuel technology? I have all kinds of junky computers (from 133-400Mhz). I would just do that and get a 10/00 network card and a Wireless G card and have a ready router would I not? And then hook it into a bigger switch then what I have now.. Is there any way of something like that working? I am sorry for all the questions. Networking is not my biggest area at all. Im going to see if I can get Linux on one of these old things XD All I got is Ubuntu and it has to boot before it installs =.=*

Oh and yes, Bittorrent is my life source XD My internet logs hours on bittorrent more then any other thing. Boinc transfers next, and browsing after that, and gaming is 0 because with satellite pings i havn't gamed online in years.

 

[JackMDS]

Yap, a Linux box with smoothwall etc. can provide a soltution too, that is what I meant in option 2.

:sun:

 

[thecoolnessrune]

oh i knew what you mean, i just didn't know whether they supported some form of packet prioritization that a newb like me could understand

 

[Madwand1]

That's a 10/100 switch. No point getting add-on gigabit NICs for that.

GbE would only help you for large local transfers (through a GbE switch). If you have fast drives, etc., then it's better to use on-board GbE NICs or get PCIe ones. For old/average/crowded drives, a really good NIC isn't going to give you faster data transfers.