What's the best router?

Comrade Cruz · Post by **Comrade Cruz** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 2:41 pm

Ok, I need a non-WiFi router with 5 or more ports. I need one with the highest up times possible (least lockups). Does anyone have any recommendations?

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 8:30 pm

Well, better ones, if you can swing the budget...

Netopia, Symantec, Sonicwall, Cisco. I've worked with quite a few Netopia's and Symantecs (which bought up Nexland...basically the same router "under the hood"). Did a WAN project using Sonicwall routers. Very impressed with them. I use a Netopia at home (and I have several Linksys, a Netgear, and a Nexland).

Realize you don't need to have a switch built into the router, most higher end routers only have a single LAN port which you uplink to another switch. (IE Sonicwall's, Cisco's, and some Netopia's)

TrevGlas · Post by **TrevGlas** » Sun Sep 14, 2003 7:39 pm

I like the Linksys BEFSX41 you recommended Stonecat, thanks for the heads up

Trev

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 7:05 am

Originally posted by TrevGlas
I like the Linksys BEFSX41 you recommended Stonecat, thanks for the heads up

Trev

Yup, those are good routers for most home users, and small office setups. Of the "Under a hundred dollar routers" market, that's my choice.

This guy looks to be looking more business grade....entry level prices here begin at around 300 dollars....and go well up beyond that, 600, 700 dollar range.

JackMDS · Post by **JackMDS** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 8:41 pm

Humorously my take on this stuff is:

What is the best Entry Level Hardware?

It Depends on the Décor!

If you need Cobalt Blue, get Linksys.

Dark Blue get, Netgear.

Nice Gray Silver, get D-Link.

Futuristic look, get Belkin.

Stylish, get Microsoft.

Battleship Gray, get SMC.

Humble look, get Siemens SpeedStream, GigaFast or Hawking.

In other words there are no real differences between the above.

There are small differences especially in the mapping of ports.

You have to define what is your needs, read the specs. of few Routers, and see what fits to your specific purpose.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Tue Sep 16, 2003 11:07 am

Dont get a Nexland all I can say

Very dissapointed because it wa suppose to be a class above the Linksys/netgear

TeddyTed · Post by **TeddyTed** » Tue Sep 16, 2003 3:46 pm

The SX41's are very good for the home users etc..
I've deployed a few.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Tue Sep 16, 2003 3:49 pm

Originally posted by Ghosthunter
Dont get a Nexland all I can say

Very dissapointed because it wa suppose to be a class above the Linksys/netgear

Were you on cable or something? I know some cable users had connection resetting issues on some Nexlands. Mine runs circles around the 3x Linksys and 1x Netgear I have. Several friends use them too..very fast. One is on cable too, no issues, but I know I've read a couple of issues here on this forum with some cable users.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:00 am

Originally posted by YeOldeStonecat
Were you on cable or something? I know some cable users had connection resetting issues on some Nexlands. Mine runs circles around the 3x Linksys and 1x Netgear I have. Several friends use them too..very fast. One is on cable too, no issues, but I know I've read a couple of issues here on this forum with some cable users.

I am on cable and get anywhere from 1-5% packet loss and have to reset it at least 1-3 times a week

seezar · Post by **seezar** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 5:27 am

Check out Zyxel routers.

cpharrboy · Post by **cpharrboy** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:14 am

Definately stay away from the D-Link DI-604. That thing is notorious for locking up and randomly rebooting. I just bought a US Robotics USR 8022 (I know its Wi-Fi too but the LAN side is sweet) and I love the hell out of it. This thing is rock solid so far with 0 problems and a million features. Paid $79 for it not to mention the free 54mbps upgrade to the technology.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 1:37 pm

Myself I was thinking of replcaing my nexland, and was thinking of upgrading to the next line like Netopia and Sonicwall, but then I realized I dont want to spend that much for my home.

So I am thinking of trying out the Microsoft wireless base station.

I have heard good reviews

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 4:55 pm

Originally posted by Ghosthunter

So I am thinking of trying out the Microsoft wireless base station.

I have heard good reviews

I've had good success with them, pretty fast. "Different" setup/management method...but fast router. I've only set them up on DSL, a co-worker of mine has set them up on cable. Dunno if there's something funky with your cable ISP though...as the Nexlands on cable in my area are rock solid..my buddies love 'em.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:43 pm

Originally posted by YeOldeStonecat
I've had good success with them, pretty fast. "Different" setup/management method...but fast router. I've only set them up on DSL, a co-worker of mine has set them up on cable. Dunno if there's something funky with your cable ISP though...as the Nexlands on cable in my area are rock solid..my buddies love 'em.

Well the thing is I have read on other forums like on dslreports other people complaing a lot about nexland same issues i am having and since support seems to be none right now since the takeover, I am willing to give Microsoft a chance

I figure worst case I buy from Best buy and can return in 14 days if it dont work out

I am thinking the Microsoft is a step above Linksys and close to Nexland in terms of perforamnce if it works and is stable

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 11:29 pm

Originally posted by Ghosthunter

I am thinking the Microsoft is a step above Linksys and close to Nexland in terms of perforamnce if it works and is stable

It gave me far better performance, and distance, over the Linksys and Netgear "B" wireless routers I setup. All 3...took a laptop out into our parking lot while connected to a speed test site...see which one let me walk the farthest out, with the highest throughput. The Microsoft one really impressed me. The Linksys "G" series impresses me even more. I haven't had the chance to try a Nexland wireless router, although their regular routers do blow the doors off of most any other home market router in terms of throughput (8 megs bidirectional...most others are 3..maybe 5)...and the performance of it's built in switch (highest I've had at home using NetCPS to measure switches).

cyberskye · Post by **cyberskye** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 11:56 pm

Nexland wireless uses a plug-in (pccard) Orinoco gold card. If the card dies you can buy a new one

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 8:28 am

Originally posted by YeOldeStonecat
It gave me far better performance, and distance, over the Linksys and Netgear "B" wireless routers I setup. All 3...took a laptop out into our parking lot while connected to a speed test site...see which one let me walk the farthest out, with the highest throughput. The Microsoft one really impressed me. The Linksys "G" series impresses me even more. I haven't had the chance to try a Nexland wireless router, although their regular routers do blow the doors off of most any other home market router in terms of throughput (8 megs bidirectional...most others are 3..maybe 5)...and the performance of it's built in switch (highest I've had at home using NetCPS to measure switches).

Yeah I am kind of torn thought about the linksys G

but I just cant get myself to buy a Linksys name..I know..I am being stuboorn...lol

If you had to compare the Linksys G vs Microsoft..well first the Microsfot is cheaper but as far as perforamnce and stability, which rates better or they very close?

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 11:16 am

Originally posted by Ghosthunter
Yeah I am kind of torn thought about the linksys G

but I just cant get myself to buy a Linksys name..I know..I am being stuboorn...lol

If you had to compare the Linksys G vs Microsoft..well first the Microsfot is cheaper but as far as perforamnce and stability, which rates better or they very close?

I didn't get a chance to compare the 2....didn't run the same test on the Linksys G. But I'd say the G model Linksys...because it's 54 megs, versus the 11 megs that the Microsoft "B" is.

4 or 5 months ago, PCWorld or PCMag (forget which one) had a huge roundup of many wireless routers...a lot of brands...including the big ones. Guess who won? In both distance, and throughput over that distance? The Linksys "G".

You can take that with a grain of salt, everyones experience with wireless varies.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 12:02 pm

Originally posted by YeOldeStonecat
I didn't get a chance to compare the 2....didn't run the same test on the Linksys G. But I'd say the G model Linksys...because it's 54 megs, versus the 11 megs that the Microsoft "B" is.

4 or 5 months ago, PCWorld or PCMag (forget which one) had a huge roundup of many wireless routers...a lot of brands...including the big ones. Guess who won? In both distance, and throughput over that distance? The Linksys "G".

You can take that with a grain of salt, everyones experience with wireless varies.

OK the 54 mbps i dont really need so much as mure stability and in sense i can go more then 50 feet...

Since i dont do much file copying between my machines at home, once in a while I do but even if it at 11 mps i can live with that.

My biggest concerns is reliability where i dont have to reboot it few times a week and not getting packet loss or quirky issues.

I think I will try the Mircosoft just because it is cheaper at this point.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 12:06 pm

btw look what i just found Microsoft is coming out with a model above the one they have for $99, that supports the same as the Linksys G:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... d=cat01028

It also has Stateful packet inspection

wow that is pretty good for $99

here ar emore details if you cant get to the link:

Up to 54 Mbps data transfer rates — almost 5 times more than typical 802.11b rates

Interoperable with 2.4GHz wireless frequency (11 Mbps and 54 Mbps)

Full compatibility with 802.11g and 802.11b Wi-Fi networks

Commercial-grade hardware SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) firewall and NAT (Network Address Translation); MAC (Media Access Control) helps protect against unauthorized access

256-bit Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), 128-bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), advanced parental controls and VPN passthrough and tunneling

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 1:10 pm

Ahh cool they finally caught up with a "G" router. Haven't kept up with them.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 1:22 pm

yep i think i will wait at this point for the reviews

it is about $30 cheaper then linksys, i am sure they will lower their prcie as well at that point

Thanks YOSC