recommend me a router please (16-24 connections)

[Alex]

we currently use a 24-port '3Com SuperStack II 3C16441' but have decided to buy a router instead because amongst other things, we would like the hardware firewall and hate not having internet when our file server (that was doing the sharing up to now) has to be rebooted for whataver reason...

can anyone recommend a good router with 16-24 connections... i say 16-24 because if the price difference isn't that great we'll get 24 but we only use 12 right now...

thanks for any advice!

 

[mechBgon]

Why don't you buy a 24-port switch and a one-port or four-port router

 

[mechBgon]

Oh, and to answer the question the rest of the way: Netgear RP614. $40-ish. You can plug it into your existing switch or hub, plug your modem into its WAN port, and off you all go. If you've had 12 computers running naked on the Internet without even that much protection, then that's just scary :shocked:

 

[imported_2x]

I'd get this http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-122-025&depa=0, and add this http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-201-209&depa=0. The Wrp614 mentioned above is nice, but I am not sure it has the processing power to handle that many connections if they happen to be running at the same time, it may get a little slow. The router I suggested has a print server as well. It's more expensive for sure, but for a small business I would not get a home router designed for 4 users IMO.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Why don't you buy a 24-port switch and a one-port or four-port router

:thumbsup:

Ausm

 

[Alex]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Oh, and to answer the question the rest of the way: Netgear RP614. $40-ish. You can plug it into your existing switch or hub, plug your modem into its WAN port, and off you all go. If you've had 12 computers running naked on the Internet without even that much protection, then that's just scary :shocked:

thanks for the suggestions!

yeha i know the security is really lax... i just started working here last month and the guy that set the previous server/internet connection up obviously didn't really know what he was doing...

 

[piasabird]

Makes a difference what kind of LAN connection you have. Is that a T1 or what? If it is a T1 you may want a Gigabit Router. And then connect it to a 24 port managed switch so you can do virtual networking. I say spend more money on the router so you can use Cisco OS. A Cisco 1600 series router. Makes a good router. It can be configured how you want it. Sometimes you can pick one up used.

This all depends on the cable you got coming in. Is it fiber-optic or what. If you are going to connect over 16 connections to one router it should be a faster router. Typically you would use one 24 port switch or 2 12 port switches depending on the cost differences.

I would not call this a do-it-your-selfer job. You may want to ask some kind of professional what they would recommend. Many firms know where to buy used equipment or how to get discounts on this kind of gear.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: Ausm

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Why don't you buy a 24-port switch and a one-port or four-port router

:thumbsup:

 

[Googer]

http://cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5853/index.html

http://cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps628/ps627/index.html

 

[imported_itr]

Originally posted by: piasabird
Makes a difference what kind of LAN connection you have. Is that a T1 or what? If it is a T1 you may want a Gigabit Router. And then connect it to a 24 port managed switch so you can do virtual networking. I say spend more money on the router so you can use Cisco OS. A Cisco 1600 series router. Makes a good router. It can be configured how you want it. Sometimes you can pick one up used.

This all depends on the cable you got coming in. Is it fiber-optic or what. If you are going to connect over 16 connections to one router it should be a faster router. Typically you would use one 24 port switch or 2 12 port switches depending on the cost differences.

I would not call this a do-it-your-selfer job. You may want to ask some kind of professional what they would recommend. Many firms know where to buy used equipment or how to get discounts on this kind of gear.

you do not need a gigabit router. most 10/100 routers support 10mb WAN, which is more than enough on a 1.5mb T1 connection.

buy a nice 4 port router and plug that into the 24port switch.