What's a good router?

[Goi]

Hi,
My SMC Barricade 7008BR wired router is getting kinda flaky, and it's really old, so I wanna get a new one. I don't neccessarily need a wireless version, but it would be nice in case I get a laptop in the future or run out of ports. A USB print server would also be a plus. I'd also like to network all the PCs connected to the router(i.e. the router has to act like a switch too). I'm not sure what's the difference between a wireless router and a wireless gateway/access point, so could someone outline the differences?

Lastly, what routers would fit my needs? I'd like to keep it as cheap as possible. I've look at Linksys, D-Link and Netgear's websites and my head is spinning from all the different models they have. A little help please? Thanks!

 

[Goi]

Anyone?

 

[ojai00]

The Linksys WRT54G is pretty popular. However, make sure you stay away from the version 5 because it runs VxWorks and you can't flash the router with a customizable firmware. You can tell by looking at the serial number. If it starts with CDFB then it is a version 5. You can avoid the trouble by getting a WRT54GL. This is the same router but with the Linux firmware, like the earlier versions.

This router does not have a print server though. I use this router as my primary and I have a SMC 7008ABR attached to it as my print server.

 

[JackMDS]

The Wired part of the Routers is adquate in most of them (actully the SMC Barricade is still one on the Best Wire only Router).

I still use a 7004BR as a Router and printer server, and conneted to it a Netgear WGR614 configured as an Access Point to get Wireless.

:sun:

 

[Goi]

Unfortunately my 7008BR is real flaky, and disconnects me after a few minutes. Also, I can't even connect to the router page, which means I'm unable to change any settings.

Are there any concerns with the processing power of routers nowadays, or their abilities to accept many connections at the same time for P2P usage?

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: Goi
Are there any concerns with the processing power of routers nowadays, or their abilities to accept many connections at the same time for P2P usage?

Yes. http://www.tomsnetworking.com/lans_routers/

 

[InlineFive]

Get an old computer and run Linux on it. P2P and heavy connection performance problems solved. :thumbsup:

 

[Goi]

Unfortunately I don't have an old computer, and I have space constraints that don't allow me that configuration. Anyway, thanks for the link Madwand1. It seems only the more expensive routers perform well.
Does anyone have any opinion on the following routers? They are within my budget
D-Link DI-524UP
D-Link DI-624
Linksys WRT54GL
Netgear WGR614
Netgear WGT624
Buffalo WHR-G54
SMC WBR14-G
SMC WBR14-GT

 

[salexander2]

My 2 cents...stay away from Netgear. I have used quite a few of their products over the past few years. I have had 3 of their routers, and 2 have gone bad (in some fashion) within the course of 2 years. Their tech support is non-existent, so you have no hope of troubleshooting outside of your own skills and capabilities.

I currently have the D-Link DI-524 and have found it to be easier to configure and more reliable. I believe the DI-624 is supposed to be a better value and gives you faster throughput. I think it is like many other areas of life...you pay for what you get. If you want cheap, I'm one to vote for D-Link.

Hope this helps.

 

[Maximus96]

i vote for the WRT54GL. i got one few weeks ago and just flashed to DD-WRT. works great. i upgraded from the netgear wgt624 which constantly dropped my wireless signal.

 

[Goi]

Thanks. Is it true that as long as the internals of the router are similar(same processor) then performance would be about the same? If so, is there somewhere I can check to see which of the different routers that use the same hardware internals?

My criteria for the router would actually be wired bandwidth, max sustainable connections, configurability(port forwarding etc), upgradeability(firmware), number of ports(seems like 4 is standard) then wireless speed and security(since I don't have a laptop currently)

 

[helppls]

Originally posted by: Goi
Thanks. Is it true that as long as the internals of the router are similar(same processor) then performance would be about the same?

Pretty much. Two of the bigger differences may be: prescene of an amplifier, and if dd-wrt supports the router. If there's an amplifier, expect better range (obviously). If dd-wrt supports it, you can flash probably the most configurable, and most upgradeable firmware... http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation#Supported_Devices

If so, is there somewhere I can check to see which of the different routers that use the same hardware internals?

You might be better off just reading reviews, but I don't know any sites with router chipset lists off hand.

 

[Goi]

Thanks. It's a lot to digest but Toms Networking looks like a good place for info.

 

[JackMDS]

The structure of this article and the way the measures were done is questionable in my mind; in addition, its info is probably, relevant for 2% of users (Dr. Pabst articles always ?smell? hidden agenda when I read them).

The way I experienced these issues.

If you need Wireless for short distance use. I.e. within 10 -30feet, No more than one wall, and No BT running ?Amok?, any of the Brand name would do. I simply buy whatever is on sale for $20-$30.

Otherwise it is either WRT54L with 3rd part firmware, or one of the BuffaloTech. 802.11g line.

People who do not want to deal with Flashing firmware, and need Qos control, can pay more and get the D-Link game Router thingy.

:sun:

 

[Goi]

Like I said earlier

My criteria for the router would actually be wired bandwidth, max sustainable connections, configurability(port forwarding etc), upgradeability(firmware), number of ports(seems like 4 is standard) then wireless speed
and security(since I don't have a laptop currently)

 

[JackMDS]

Upgradeability (firmware)? All Routers can be upgraded, if new firmware is available, 3rd party firmware is only viable with few models of the Linksys 802.11g line.

number of ports (seems like four is standard)? All Entry Level Routers has 4 ports. There is a very selection of 8 ports Router. 4 port + Switch are much less expensive than 8 ports router.

max sustainable connections? This is the mystery Variable.

First, it depends on what it means in Vivo? Sustainable connections are less issue than the Bandwidth load of each. You can easily sustain 10 or more connections (provided your have a good Broadband connection) of regular surfing with any Router, but one obnoxious BT can kill the system.

None of the Entry Level Routers performs well under sever load, and if it is a real functional need, you might need to look into the Next level hardware, that cost much more.

:sun:

 

[Goi]

So, basically if I were considering those routers that I listed above, it doesn't really matter which one I pick?

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Goi
So, basically if I were considering those routers that I listed above, it doesn't really matter which one I pick?

As is the Buffalo WHR-G54 is a better device.

However if you need any of the special add-ons (like Qos), and you do not mind playing with the free 3rd party firmware, than the Linksys WRT54GL is a good choice.

The page linked below would show you a comparison between the major 3rd party firmwares.

The first on the Table is HyperWRT + Tibor ( http://www.thibor.co.uk/#downloads ), it is the easiest to deal with and it is based on the original Linksys firmware.

If what you would like to do what is included in (HyperWRT + Tibor), I would recommend it as a first choice.

Otherwise, choose another the one that fits better your needs.

http://www.linksysinfo.org/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=31

What do I use it for?

1. Boosting the Power Output of the Wireless to 65mW (The Buffalo High Power yield similar signal).

2. Using IP reservation within the DHCP range (The Buffalo does it as is).

3. Qos (The Buffalo cannot do it).

4. Some time configure to WDS (The Buffalo does this as is).

Q: If it is only Qos that makes the difference, why should I get a Linksys?

A: The Flashed Linksys can do more things that the Buffalo cannot, but I currently do not use them, and I got the Linksys on sale for $29.99.

:sun:

 

[Goi]

Thanks. I don't think I currently need that much wireless power output, but I guess it's a nice thing to as. As for the rest, I'm not sure what IP reservation, QoS(Quality of Service?) and WDS is. I guess I'll go read up more on those before deciding.