worth upgrading routers?

[MadOni0n]

I have an old BEFSRW41 wireless router. the newest firmware for it is may 2004. my friends laugh at me when i say theres no option to disable DMZ,etc. will i get an extra protection/features ie is it worth upgrading to a newer router?

 

[keeleysam]

Not really, as it's a wired router.

 

[0roo0roo]

nope. unless u want more speed and bittorrent compatibility(handle many many simultaneous connections without dying)

 

[0roo0roo]

wait til the wireless with gigabit ports become cheap.

 

[Madwand1]

I can't find info on that model -- did you get the number right?

Is it an 802.11b with only WEP security, no WPA? Are you using the wireless? Do you have a relatively modern client adapter with 802.11g support? If so, I'd recommend an upgrade to at least a 802.11g product with WPA security. WEP is no longer secure.

 

[stardrek]

Originally posted by: Madwand1
I can't find info on that model -- did you get the number right?

I belive he made a little mistake, because the model number closest to that one is the BEFSR41W. This does have the ability to assign a host IP address to be in a DMZ. It is on page 42 (page 25 of the adobe document here) of the manual:

"The DMZ Host setting allows one local computer to be exposed to the Internet
for the use of special-purpose services such as Internet gaming or video-conferencing.

To expose one computer, enter the computer?s IP address and click the Apply
button. Inactivate DMZ by entering a zero (0)."

I'm not exactly sure what he is looking for though because the question is somewhat vague. I'm not really sure if he is looking for this feature particulary "...laugh at me when i say theres no option to disable DMZ,etc." or does he need several others? Does he need this individual function or not?

 

[MadOni0n]

i made a slight mistake, i checked up on my router and its a wireless BEFW11S4 v3 802.11b. i was just interested in more security, and in bittorent capability like 0roo0roo said. and thanks, ill try entering 0 to disable DMZ.

 

[Madwand1]

You're vulnerable with WEP encryption. It's easily broken these days.

Originally posted by: Madwand1
Are you using the wireless? Do you have a relatively modern client adapter with 802.11g support? If so, I'd recommend an upgrade to at least a 802.11g product with WPA security. WEP is no longer secure.

 

[imported_haris]

Compusa has a deal on a a/b/g router with builtin printserver for $20AR. I'd get it myself if I didn't already have a g router and my laptop had the newer maxG card.

 

[silverdj]

Speaking of wireless routers, would adding a different antenna to it make a big difference in signal strength. My computer is a little ways away from the router and sometimes I get good signal and sometimes I don't. I just want something that is pretty constant and a little quicker too.

 

[MadOni0n]

Originally posted by: haris
Compusa has a deal on a a/b/g router with builtin printserver for $20AR. I'd get it myself if I didn't already have a g router and my laptop had the newer maxG card.

a b g?

 

[TC10284]

802.11a = 5GHz 54mbps
802.11b = 2.4GHz 11mbps
802.11g = 2.4GHz 54mbps

Those speeds are the max, there are slower speeds as the signal drops, the speed will drop back.

Haris is talking about a router that supports all three of those. I have a Dlink access point that supports those three. I only use 802.11a and g however. My Toshiba laptop has an 802.11a/b/g WNIC and it will connect to the Dlink AP with a speed of 108mbps. Although, of course, it's still not faster than the 100mbps wired NIC that's built into the laptop.

 

[Mellman]

Originally posted by: Madwand1
You're vulnerable with WEP encryption. It's easily broken these days.

Originally posted by: Madwand1
Are you using the wireless? Do you have a relatively modern client adapter with 802.11g support? If so, I'd recommend an upgrade to at least a 802.11g product with WPA security. WEP is no longer secure.

who goes wardriving anymore? I thought that was out when cable/fios became faster than the local business T1-3's?

And really, who goes around and randomly tries to crack wifi security in a residential neighborhood?