Suggestion on new router/modem?

[BigfootKevin]

I've had my Linksys router/modem for a couple years now, and they've given me nothing but trouble. At least I guess it's the routers fault. Once or a few times a day the connection will go down. Upon startup it won't establish a connection for 20 seconds or so. A little icon will appear on the bottom right tool bar and say "aquiring network address.."


For example, i'll go to work and set up an away message on AIM, and when I come home it shows the login screen because it booted me off..

I've tried updating the firmware but it can never connect right to update it.

Should I stay with new Linksys hardware or go with a different company?

 

[amdskip]

What model is it?

 

[BigfootKevin]

Originally posted by: amdskip
What model is it?

Router is BEFSR41 ver2

 

[nweaver]

I like seperate modems and routers, but that is a personal preferance. I use whatever modem is provided, and then I use a linux box (just moved it from craphat 9 to Debian unstable) and put my old netgear in as a switch and AP. I rarely have problems once the initial setup is done, and the feature set of my router is great

 

[shortylickens]

I'm new to the whole Networking thing, but I'll tell you what I got.

Yesterday I picked up a Netgear Wireless Router 108Mb (WGT624) and a wireless card to match (WGT311T).
I put the card in my game machine and connected my office computer to the router with RJ45. The router also has a direct link to my cable modem.

The wired computer never has any problems and I can always access the Router (for configuration) and the internet. The gaming computer has more difficulties. It seems to lose the connection every once in a while. But I suspect its my fault.
I'm still using all automatic settings instead of manually configuring my IP's.

Way back when I thougt I was an Uber-Leet HAXOR, I went in and disabled a bunch of services in both my WinXP systems. It never occured to me that I could make a network someday and certainly not wireless. That was the cause of most of my problems and now it seems my happy little home network is running fine.

Still dont have any encryption running though. Am not sure of the differences between WEP, WPA, PSK, AES, TSIK and all that.

 

[BigfootKevin]

I have no clue when it comes to networking


So, should I make it so my computer connects to the same IP every time, or create a new one everytime it connects like its doing now?

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: BigfootKevin
I have no clue when it comes to networking

May be these clues can help.

The Best Modem/Router, is a Modem and a stand alone Router. The combos Sux.

Ignore the prices in the links below. The same or similar hardware can be found for 60%-90% less.

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. What do I need for wireless Networking?

Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions to Windows Network Setting and Sharing.

Link: Installing & Sharing

Link to: Diagram of Broadband Connection with Cable/DSL Router.

Link to: Wireless What Should I Get?

:sun: