Wireless Cable Router & Gigabit LAN recommendations

MovedGoalPosts · 29-08-2008, 09:46

It looks like the next generation of routers are now of the "n" standard for wireless, but will also offer gigabit speed wired ports for the LAN. This makes sense as good specification motherboards for computers have, for some years now, included 10/100/1000 network ports.

They are perhaps still a bit pricey, but does anyone have any recommendations?

DocDutch · 29-08-2008, 10:05

how much you willing to fork out Rob?

this perhaps? http://www.ebuyer.com/product/128049

MovedGoalPosts · 29-08-2008, 10:12

Budget is less critical than reliability.

For some reason I don't seem to get on well with Netgear routers, they have never behaved for me. I did have a D-link wired only router before moving to my current Linksys WRT54GS. That D-Link had compatibility issues with the old Set Top Box based broadband. The Linksys has been OK, but only after I put third party firmware on it.

I need something that allows me to reliably VPN to my office, and can also handle torrent traffic, whilst providing a robust configurable firewall. What the specifications say the thing can do, and what it actually can do are frequently different things with technology. Thus I'd like input from anyone who actually is using one of these routers.

DocDutch · 29-08-2008, 10:34

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129218 then perhaps mate?

---------- Post added at 10:34 ---------- Previous post was at 10:25 ----------

I'm also looking for a nice gigabit router... so would be interested in what you get

cnewton2k · 29-08-2008, 11:16

I have this one

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/128049

Fantastic works perfectly

OldGeezer · 29-08-2008, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solventcandy

I have this one

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/128049

Fantastic works perfectly

I've also been using the D-Link DIR-655 for a while now, although only in "g" mode.
Not had any issues.

MovedGoalPosts · 06-10-2008, 18:17

to give this thread a little

and by way of update, I ended up with the Linksys WRT610N. 4Gigabit capable LAN ports, Dual N band wireless and a link for the USB storage drive (would do a memory card or USB hard drive - not a printer though).

Setup was easy - ignored any of the disks, though only thing that took a bit of guessing was the router administrator name and password to login initially i.e. admin and admin. I've had it a week now and it's been rock solid, yet there has been a lot of torrent upload traffic through it, as well as my VPN into the office and such like. I suppose it is a bit on the pricey side, but then my last router did me for 5 years or so, so over that timescale the cost isn't an issue.

The real test will be the hammering it gets at a LAN party in a couple of weeks

DocDutch · 06-10-2008, 20:16

hammering or just pure abuse matey would like to know how it performs as my router is becoming a bit unstable especially with putty and vpn where after a bit of work i have to restart it as the security log is full

MovedGoalPosts · 06-10-2008, 21:05

I have yet to need to reboot it. The torrent uploads a frequently maxxing out on 20meg. I've VPN'd out to the office server and all sorts with no issues apparent yet.

DocDutch · 06-10-2008, 21:36

ahh so you got the unit that I recommended you then

brundles · 06-10-2008, 22:51

As a slight diversion from the original topic, has anyone got any recommendations for a gigabit switch rather than router? Wireless and routing wise I'm happy with the WRT54G as the link between home and the outside world, but am considering upgrading the LAN itself to gigabit level.

MovedGoalPosts · 06-10-2008, 22:55

How many ports are you looking at. Do you just need a switch, or do you need it to be more complex than that i.e. managed?

brundles · 06-10-2008, 23:43

Minimum of 4, but 8 would be ideal.

I don't think I'm after anything fancy - just something that can do basic switching/local routing. I'm perfectly happy with the WRT54G and Tomato handling everything else like wireless and NAT handling for the internet.

MovedGoalPosts · 20-10-2008, 00:42

Having just had a LAN party I can update this thread with a little.

The network layout was:
cable modem
<wired>
router
<wired>
switch #1 or switch #2
<wired>
13 PCs (mix of 100/1000 ethernet ports), laptops and Network Access Hard Drive.
plus wireless laptops!

The router was the Linksys WRT610N. Gigabit switches were Netgear GS608UK (8 port). Ethernet cable was was ever leads we had lying around of various 1, 2, 5 10 and 20m lengths.

From a user perception, the network, and thus router and switches performed well. It was setup and ran from around 6pm on Friday evening until Lunchtime Sunday. No network components needed rebooting, even the Virgin Media Modem.

We didn't have any means of monitoring traffic, but both internet downloads were at high levels as a number of PCs were rebuilt and thus needed full patches and even service packs in addition to general browsing and stuff. Within the network itself, the amount of data shifted between PCs was immense due to file sharing (you can draw your conclusions as to what). The router was responsible for IPs to all PCs thus was critical to the network. Our only difficulty was probably related to the speed of wired connections to PCs often being detected as 100 rather than 1000, but this was probably due to cable quality since a swap (without rebooting) often saw a correction.

Overall I must rate both the router and switches as being solid pieces of kit.