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UPDATE: which router? netgear RO318?

mcveigh

mcveigh

Diamond Member
I want to get a router for my home network (roadrunner) and maybe one for the covad DSL being installed next week at work. I have looked around at all the reviews, DSL reports, practically networked, etc. I am leaning towards the SMC, the print server would be nice for me at home.

at home it would be for 3 computers and a hp712 printer,

work would be for about 18 computers w/ NT4 connected to a 3COM 24 port switch.

anyone have these?

Update: I'mm leaning to the RO318 but was wondering why it isn't reccomended by practicallynetworked.com
 
i have the rt314, works fine. i believe people prefer the SMC but they're almost the same. i almost got the SMC but i heard some horror stories about the AC adapter for it. strange eh?
 
Definitely the RT314. Been using it for a while now to network a laptop and desktop to DSL and it works great. Haven't heard much about the SMC one.
 
I've got the SMC wireless 4-port and it works great. I've never had any problems with it... don't know anything about AC adapter problems.
 
I just got a Netgear RT314 a couple of weeks ago and it works great (once you have all the filters set up properly🙂)
 
Bump for a Netgear RT314. Sweet as heck router and love the new firmware that allows port mapping! I would have liked an intergrated print server, but I can live without it.

vash
 
I have the SMC 7004BR and it works great. The AC adapter is perfectly fine, don't know what everyone is carping about. The print server is very nice to have. But in my case, since I'm a sorry dial-up user, the serial port and modem server clinched the deal. No more ICS software to mess with. Just plug it in and it works. I also have the SMC uplinked to a Linksys 8-port switch. No problems at all.
 
The colar behind the contact probe is a bit too long.
all you need to do is trim about an 1/16" off the end.
No big deal. I think the smc is great
 


<< I have the SMC 7004BR and it works great. The AC adapter is perfectly fine, don't know what everyone is carping about. The print server is very nice to have. But in my case, since I'm a sorry dial-up user, the serial port and modem server clinched the deal. No more ICS software to mess with. Just plug it in and it works. I also have the SMC uplinked to a Linksys 8-port switch. No problems at all. >>



hmm? so u it has built in modem? i mean if ur using modem to connect.. ui'll have the computer on anyways. I thought using the ICS built in win98SE was rather simple.
 
I would recommend the SMC for home and the Netgear for work.

SMC - I have it, and works great. They've fixed the AC adapter problem with the latest models. Currently selling for $49 at computers4sure.com after $50 rebate. They have port triggering which I think the netgear doesn't have (can anyone verify?) Makes for easier game playing/config. Nope, it doesn't have a builtin modem - just a serial port.

Netgear - Much more features + more secure = harder to configure. Faster too - I don't think the SMC can handle 18 PCs (then again not sure if the netgear can handle it either). Finally added port range forwarding about 2 weeks ago. Not sure where it's on sale.
 


<< hmm? so u it has built in modem? >>

No built-in modem, but you can connect an external one.

<< i mean if ur using modem to connect.. ui'll have the computer on anyways. >>

Umm, but if you are using a modem to connect to the internet, and want to share it among a bunch of computers on the network, then the computer the modem is attached to always has to be on, regardless of which computer(s) you want to use. With the SMC, I just leave the modem, router, and my switch on all the time, and every computer on the network has internet (and printer) access at all times, without starting another machine.

<< I thought using the ICS built in win98SE was rather simple. >>

It is, but you have to leave the computer on all the time. The SMC makes it even simpler.
 
SMC... I have two =)...

Print server and the connection for the external modem will help out in case your broadband ever craps out temporarily...
 
Since you already have a 24 port switch at work, why not get an RT311 and save a little bit of money? Though that wouldn't bee too good if you want to add many more computers. 🙂
 
So far I can't get ann answer from COVAD as to wheather or not I can use my own router or not.
the current rebate on the SMC is tempting though. But I prefer the metal case of the Netgear.

still deciding...
 
Covad will likely set you up with their own router/firewall. Business DSL is usually either routing or bridging mode, your dedicated bandwidth to use as you please. Sharing is pretty much understood, part of the deal, as is the need for security.

I have a SMC here at home, it works as a router/firewall only in pppoe or bridging modes, by far the most common. Probably true for other soho devices as well. Because our isp set up our DSL in routing mode, I have to let the cisco 675 do that part of the job, the SMC acts as a switch and printserver. PITA figuring that one out, it's not in the literature and neither tech support was much help. A networking professional probably would have known the answer, but that's not me.

The SMC can be a little awkward to work with, having connections on three sides and no mounting options.
 


<< The SMC can be a little awkward to work with, having connections on three sides and no mounting options. >>

That's true! Luckily the place where mine sits and the layout of the stuff I have connected to it just happens to perfectly accommodate the octopus-like nature of the SMC. But it is something to consider.
 
I probably need to decide today. (i'm back from vacation 🙁 )
i know that deal on the SMC just ended so now I am thinking of the RT311 as I have a switch i'll be connecting it to.

My main concern besides security is that I want to be able to use the same static IP's I have for the network now
 
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