Router recommendations

[konichiwa]

Right now I've got a cable modem and two computers that are networked together via a NetGear DS104 dual speed four port hub. I have the cable modem connected to NIC1 in my computer, and the hub connected to NIC2 in my computer and to NIC in the other computer.

This is a great setup, only problem is that when my computer goes down or is rebooting, etc, the other computer can't access the 'net. Now a router will fix this, correct?

So...what I want is a router. I know that some routers come with a built-in switch. Is this solution better than having a router connected to the uplink of a hub and then a regular hub setup? It would certainly be cheaper...

For instance, Linksys has a router that has a 4-port switch in it. Now if I bought that for around $150 I could sell my hub for maybe $40 to $50, bringing my total cost to around $100. Is this a good solution?

If not, I would appreciate a recommendation as to what WOULD be a good solution. Thanks.

 

[pm]

Yes, a router will fix it. Office Boy in the other thread was correct in everything that he said.

Yes, a switch is better than a hub, so a router with a built-in switch will be a better than a router going into a hub.

On the low-end there are basically thee main ones to choose from the Linksys, the D-Link, the Netgear w/ a separate switch. They are all very similar in function.

The Netgear feels the most solid of the bunch. It's in a great case. It's web configuration is probably the best too (although this is a subjective thing). It's the hardest to do firmware (BIOS) upgrades to. It doesn't have a switch, so you'll need to buy another one.

The Linksys router/switch is probably the most popular. It's had a few problems with older firmware in the past - there was a big password security hole... then there was a data scrambling problem. They seem to have these issues under control. I'm running my home network on the Linksys right now with no problems. Setup is a piece of cake, firmware upgrades are really easy too (thank goodness, there's been plenty of them), it's reliable. I've had no issues or problems. The port-forwarding is a little limited compared to the Netgear, but it works for a home network. Overall, I like it and I think you will be pleased with it.

The D-Link is the cheapest of the three. I don't have a good feel for it. I've had bad luck with Dlink in the past, but I know that a lot of people like them.

A great website is:

http://www.timhiggins.com/

Good Luck.


Edit: I notice that Linksys has another firmware upgrade which fixes the port forwarding issur (which was basically that there were only 10 entries in the table - they now allow range forwarding).

Also Tim's site seems iffy today - which is not a confidence builder, but it is a good site.

 

[Scarpozzi]

As for selling your hub. I'd keep it just so you can expand and such. If you can sell it for $40 do so, but all the people I know that would want one know the value of a hub and also know where to get them dirt cheap. I'd just fork up the extra dough if you can and keep everything. Good luck with your purchase. Search around and check the coupon sites and you might get a good deal somewhere.

 

[dirtboy]

I have the Netgear RT311 and I think it's an excellent router.