Question on routers, and which one to buy...

[aa_koch]

I am interested in buying a router for my home network. The routers of choice are the Linksys BEFSR41, and NetGear RT314. Because neither of these brands are easy to come by in the Netherlands, I want to buy the router via the Internet from an online retailer. (Who's more than likely based in the U.S.) This will also allow me to save some money, because routers don't come cheap in this place.

Anyway... I understand that the plug/outlet is different, and that the voltage used in North America runs @110V instead of the 220V we're used to. All these problems can be solved easily, and I already have the necessary item for that. (We call it a transformator, but I think transformer is the correct term?) My question is: Does the fact that the device is intended for the North American market pose a problem other than voltage and plug issues? I.e., does the router handle "signals" from the xDSL modem (in my case ADSL) different in Europe than it does in North America? (Are different signals used?) Or may I safely assume that the difference will be the voltage/plug, and that the rest of the device is identical across the globe?

Furthermore, I am not completely sure which router to buy: I've heard good things about the Linksys BEFSR41 model, and good things about the NetGear RT314. There is not much of a price difference between these two, either, and both models come with a built-in 4-port switch. Here's the network I have in mind:

PC1, running Suse Linux 7.0 Professional, Apache, MySQL, and PHP. I hope to use this PC to host my own website in a couple of weeks'/months' time, and this means it needs to be accessible 24/7.

PC2, running Windows 98SE/ME & Windows 2000 (dual-boot). This will be a home PC, used by the whole family, and only "general software" will be installed. (I.e., MS Office, Adobe Photoshop, Internet Explorer/@mail, entertainment software.)

Furthermore, I'd like to be able to connect a laptop to the network every once in a while. I assume that this is just as easy as hooking up a PC, but maybe it's possible to hook up a docking station to the network constantly, so that the router always sees it as an active "device?"

All these should be able to share the ADSL modem, and I chose to go with a router because of the firewall. (Important to me, especially when I get the Linux server up and running.)

With this in mind, does it matter which one I buy? Or should I get whichever model is easier to come by, and has the lowest price at the time of my purchase?

 

[Wik]

Either one should work fine. I would look into the SMC if you plannned on setting up a print server.

 

[JackMDS]

I think that every thing will work well, pass the Cable Modem LANs has the same standards.

Frequency 50 or 60Hz is not a consideration in such appliance. Here in the US you can find ?Transformers? 220 to 110 that have 110 outlet plug on them.

BTW, the router does not mind to have a computer on the Network or off, if this is your only reason to buy Docking station, you can save the money.

If your Laptop support USB you may be, want to buy Ethernet to USB Adapter card (if you use this you don?t need any thing else for your Laptop).

The USB is very easy to configure, and you can use this entry for the Laptop or any other computer (with USB) that you want to put on the network, and remove.
The additional computers can connect and disconnect with the network ON since it is USB.

http://www.us.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10226431&loc=101

 

[aa_koch]

JackMDS: To be honest, I had originally decided to get a switch. But researching the two models I had in mind on their respective websites, I stumbled across the router. It's probably a bit more expensive, but I like the idea of having a built-in firewall. Obviously it'll take more than that to protect my website, but it's a step up from installing a firewall through the use of software alone. I didn't decide to get a router because of the laptop, 'cause that's the least of my worries.

I like your idea of getting a ethernet to USB adapter, but I'd think that a docking station is easier to use. Just plug it in and she's ready to go, right? (The laptop is my mom's, and she barely knows how to work that machine. I doubt she'll ever use it to surf the web if I told her she'd need to connect a bunch of cables to the laptop and router first, before she can use it to surf the web.) If I use the adapter, can I leave it connected to the router so that it's always "active?" Or will it have to be "announced" each time it's being used on the network? Of course money's an object, but I'd rather use a device that allows the laptop to be "hot swapped."

 

[JackMDS]

The USB adapter (about the size of a pack of Cigarettes) is connected using a regular CAT5 cable to one of the Router?s ports. The Adapter has a second connector to accept standard USB cable (SMC gives you USB cable with the Adapter); the other side of the cable is plugged to the Laptop.

The first time it is plugged you install on the Adapter drivers on the Laptop.

From this point on you leave the adapter connected to the Router side. If you want to take the LapTop off the Network you just unplug the USB cable form the Laptop. If you want to reconnect you, plug it back. Since it is USB disconnection and Connection it can be done while every think is ON. Plugging and unplugging USB is easier then using a docking station.

In addition, I installed the USB drivers on some other computers that I have and they are not part of the Network This drivers don?t do any thing when the computer is off Network, they are USB drivers, and don?t take any IRQ. If I need to transfer big, files or any other unusual manipulation I just plug the Computer to network through the USB plug, and disconnect when I am done, (No need to open and install temporary NIC.

 

[aa_koch]

Well, in that case... I think I'll forget about the docking station then. No need to spend any extra money if I don't have to. I just hope my mother doesn't attempt to put in the USB plug up-side down!

Thank you, JackMDS!