Suggest a SOHO ADSL router

[DeRusto]

Hi guys, I am getting ADSL as soon as my new modem gets here (it just became available in my area!!) I have a few machines I would like to put on the connection, the problem is that I only currently have an 8-port 10/100 switch and a 4-port 10 hub. I am definately going to need a router I figured I would come here to get recommendations on good SOHO routers for ADSL. I don't need wireless, perhaps a print server would be nice, but not neccessary. That's about all, your input is appreciated

 

[DeRusto]

psst, you are supposed to give me ideas

 

[JackMDS]

Depends on your needs,

If Entry Level inexpensive is what you are looking for, find any of SMC, Netgear, Linksys, D-Link, etc. that has a printer server. They go these days fro about $50-$80.

If you need special ports opening you have to check the specs. of each Router and make sure that it can keep open these ports.

If you want a more elaborate Router with better VPN capacities you have to look at the Top Models of SMC, Linksys, and Netgear. They have each a higher level hardware for about $120-$150.

Just like the lower level category there is no real differences between them, but if you need special application you have to make sure that what you choose can do it.

If there is no special application gets the cheapest you can find.

Number of RJ-45 port on the Router is not important; you can plug your Switch/Hub into the Router. You probably do not have to change you current hardware arrangement.

 

[DeRusto]

Thanks! I was under the impression that there may be some issue of differing quality between routers. I was just curious as to what anyone would recommend. I probably don't need any special applications for my router since I would know about them if I did In that case, I will probably go with a cheap Linksys or Netgear router.

 

[cmetz]

JackMDS - there's a major difference between the various VPN endpoint routers -- some have a hardware crypto chip in them and some don't. That's an order of magnitude performance difference, and interestingly enough it doesn't totally correlate with the device's cost. The BEFVP41 is about $100 now and has a HiFn 7901 in it and a generous tunnel limit -- it seems to be the current winner.

DeRusto - at the low-cost end, the main difference is in the firmware and the company behind it. Heck, you crack most of them open and it's the same chip inside running the show (two Conexant chips dominate the low-end SOHO router space).

Linksys has the most features, probably the biggest user following, and pretty good community support if you know where to look (apparently their phone/email support is, uh, industry standard). But they also seem to have the most bugs and their AC adapter bricks aren't very reliable (tend to die after about a year). Linksys is definitely in the love 'em or hate 'em category. (Note that the "Linksys Network Everywhere" boxes, while cheaper, lack firmware features vs. the normal Linksys boxes). The Linksys SOHO router most people seem to get is the BEFSX41.

D-Link has almost as many features and a bit more reliability. The DI-604 seems to be the one most people get.

SMC has fewer features, and used to be considered reliable but a lot of people seem to be having problems with them lately. 7004ABR is most common.

Netgear-low-end and Speedstream are more basic, but more reliable. Netgear-higher-end and ZyXEL are more expensive but I've heard from a lot of people that they're good on features and reliability. Hawking are cheap and I have no real information about them. There are other manufacturers out there, but they're a lot less common.

Roughly all the time, Linksys and/or D-Link SOHO routers can be had for deals after mail in rebate. I'd grab one on whatever deal you like best.

When JackMDS says "special applications" - you might not think you need it now, but you will. This is a huge problem with PAT/NAT devices -- some applications don't work with them well and need special magic in the device to work around that -- and in general you will be happier having more features that let you try to work around these problems.

 

[DeRusto]

cmetz - thanks for this input, i went ahead and purchased a dlink di-604 for 40 bucks with a $10 rebate..

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: DeRusto
cmetz - thanks for this input, i went ahead and purchased a dlink di-604 for 40 bucks with a $10 rebate..

I normally use D-link for switching and SMC for Router.