Recommendations for a Cable/DSL router

ESPNSTI

ESPNSTI

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Since my existing router, (a SMC 7008ABR) has stopped working at 100BaseT for quite some time now, and the replacement (V2) router doesn't work with my wireless DSL modem (Mitsumi Netstar 11), I'm in the market for a new Cable/DSL/Broadband router.

What I'm looking for is:
-RELIABLE & DURABLE
-VPN (I need to be able to make a VPN connection from a single computer)
-NAT
-DHCP
-Firewall
-1 RJ45 WAN port
-1 (or more) RJ45 LAN port that can be hooked up to a 10/100/1000BaseT switch
-I will be using a VoIP device to make outgoing calls (SIP), but as I understand it, a router doesn't have to do anything to support that.

optional:
-uPNP
-I don't need wireless, but it's ok if it has it (as long as it can be shut off).
-Web based config

These are some of the ones I have my eye on:
DLink:
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=59&sec=0
NetGear:
http://netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/WiredRouters/RP614.aspx
http://netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/GWirelessRouters/WGR614.aspx
http://netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/SuperGWirelessRouters/WGT624SC.aspx
Linksys: (haven't read much of anything good about these routers, and I'm a bit confused by what the differences are)
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...340941&pagename=Linksys/Common/VisitorWrapper
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...636538&pagename=Linksys/Common/VisitorWrapper
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...832495&pagename=Linksys/Common/VisitorWrapper

Any recommendations?
 
Between those I'd definitly go with the DLink. Simply because over the years I've managed to break a couple netgear ones and tried Linksys but those never managed to work properly.

Currently running a SMC7004VBR which works fine, but afaik doesn't support VPN.document.
 
I dunno... I'm using the Netgear WGR614 v5, the web-based configuration is great and easy to use, wireless is stable (Not that it matters to you) and it also can be turned on and off in the web config... as for reliable, it hasn't dropped my connection ever and its about 1.5 years old (but the only problem I had with it is that I recommend that you place it vertical, I used to place it horizontal I had alot of trouble with it overheating then dropping out, but if its Vertical, there won't be a problem.

I used to use a wireless DSL as well (Not the same machine) but it also worked pretty well, but I don't think it supports gigabyte ethernet, only 10 and 100.

As for Linksys, I wouldn't go with them... my dad has never had a good experience with them... D-link is pretty good but I personally like my netgear (plus it looks better as well)
 
My current setup is vertical (and mounted):
http://img504.imageshack.**/img504/3585/basement0028tn.th.jpg
My only NetGear product is that little 4-port hub there.
Other than a problem with one of the LEDs it's still going strong (and it's probably about 10 years old).

What about 3com? They have a reasonably good name (as far as I've heard) and a 3 year warranty:
http://www.3com.com/products/en_US/detail.jsp?tab=features&sku=3CR858-91&pathtype=purchase
http://www.3com.com/products/en_US/detail.jsp?tab=features&pathtype=purchase&sku=3CR860-95
 
I use a modem -> separate router -> PCs. Allows me to change routers and/or modems down the road and makes it so that I don't have to use a switch.

Oh, and <3 Linksys.
 
Viper007Bond said:
I use a modem -> separate router -> PCs. Allows me to change routers and/or modems down the road and makes it so that I don't have to use a switch.
Click to expand...
I have that currently as my config.
Only reason I was looking at eventually hooking up a Gigabit switch is because I have more than 4 hookups and I figured that getting a separate Gigabit switch and 10/100 router was cheaper than getting a gigabit router, but now I don't know, I have my eye on this one now:

http://games.dlink.com/products/?pid=371&#DGL-4100
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2005/03/04/review_dgl4300/index.html

Viper007Bond said:
Oh, and <3 Linksys.
Click to expand...
Well, when I keep reading things like this, I kind of shy away from Linksys routers:

Yes, the Linksys WRT54G V5 Really Is a Lousy Router

TomsNetworking said:
When I started this investigation, I really didn't know how hard I would have to look to find an explanation for the WRT54G V5's growing reputation as a botched product. As it turned out, I didn't have to look very hard. I can't say for sure that the V5's inability to support more than 16 simultaneous connections is at the heart of what ails most unhappy purchasers of this product. But I do know that for a router to be successful in today's market, it had better be able to handle as many simultaneous connections as its design will allow and the higher the number the better!
Click to expand...

TomsNetworking said:
The sad part of this (besides all the unhappy purchasers of the V5) is that we've been through this before. Long-time Linksys users probably all-too-well remember the long, hard road it took for the company to learn the ins-and-outs of designing and debugging router firmware. It took well over a year and almost two for Linksys to work the bugs out of its original BEFSR11 and BEFSR41 wired routers. And other products have had similar long learning curves.
The let-the-users-pay-to-debug-our-product approach might have been ok for the up-and-coming scrappy company that Linksys once was. But those days are long gone. Linksys has been "a division of Cisco Systems, Inc." for more than three years now and frankly, Cisco knows better. But maybe the company is just content to let Linksys' past reputation and retail ubiquity keep bringing in the money from consumers while Cisco repositions Linksys for the main reason it purchased it: to get a foothold into the lower end of the small business market.
Click to expand...
 
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burnsy said:
here's a linksys that'll do your voip for you. we have a wired version, and it works just fine.
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1116265541785&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper
Click to expand...

Thanks. :)
I'm not actually looking for a router that has the VoIP phone line jack on them, rather I just want to make sure the router can pass through "VoIP packets" from the LAN to the WAN side. (I think any router can do that.)
I'll have a separate box that converts a network jack to a phone jack hooked up on the LAN side.
 
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I'm not sure you can really go all that wrong with routers. They're extremely common equipment and all pretty much the same, IMO.

I've had a few D-Links, and I now have a Netgear.
 
I've used Netgear, Linksys, and D-Link. D-Link is complete crap, and always will be, Linksys isn't great, and Netgear isn't bad, but could be better.

I have a Linux router now, and it's the best solution for me. I'd also consider a Linksys WRT54GL which you can flash with DD-WRT or OpenWRT which gives you a SFF linux router, which may be the most stable option.
 
I would suggest a Belkin or Buffalo, not trying to follow the last posts.

I have that exact Linksys wireless router that was destroyed in reviews, but all I use forit is my laptop. Though I have had no problems with it..considering I have only had a max of 2 connections coming into it.

I probably go for the Buffalo, since it's got a double use at a descent price. Out of your choices? I would most likely go for the Netgear Super-G.
 
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Some strange contadictions here, and I am going to add to the mix. I bought a Belkin and it was complete crap ended up with D=Link and it has been problem free I highly recommed the brand.
 
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