[jamont]

I'm looking for a DSL/cable router + fast ethernet switch. Amazon has the Netgear RP614NA for $44.94 with a $15 rebate. I'm thinking of ordering this, does anyone have a better suggestion?

 

[raymondlin]

Netgear ones are good, or Linksys, or 3com, and if you are loaded, get Cisco.

 

[Arzela]

I'm looking for one of these things also.
Has to be wireless, and preferably
under $100 total for the transmitter and reciever.

 

[Mr.PD]

One thing to consider.
Wireless.
I have a Net Gear router, but I wish I had gotten a wireless set up. At the time I purchased this I didn't think I would ever need wireless. I still don't need it, but I do wish I had it.

 

[LobsterSan]

I've got a Linksys BEFW11S4 802.11b wireless router/4-port hub which also has connections for ethernet cables, if you should choose not to use the wireless feature. It has 128-bit WEP encoding, and I've not had many problems with it at all. I nabbed it off of Ebay for something like $60, if I remember correctly.

802.11b should be enough for you, unless you plan on doing a lot of large file transfers via your wireless network. To me, it is pretty pointless and if I want to do large file swaps I just use ethernet cables. I suppose if you have a really really fast internet connection, 802.11g might then be of some actual use.

I've not tried other brands, but I feel confident in saying that Linksys has never really given me any problems.

 

[akar]

If you are gonna go wireless, take into consideration that Netgear's throughput and response time is not quite as good as a couple of it's competitors.
It's still good enough for just surfing and using e-mail.
But if you want to play games online or do alot of downloading from a wireless connection, you may want to consider an alternative.
Linksys makes an acceptable alternative, as does Siemens.
In particular the Siemens Speedstream 2624 also has a built in print server.
A handy feature for printing wirelessly from your laptop while sitting on the backporch

I do have a Netgear WAP, and it is quite stable and easily configurable, but I haven't been happy with my response times when gaming through it.

 

[BlindTiger]

I bought a cheap D-Link wireless model.
Can find them as cheap as the non wireless models. Works fine with an Orinoco card.
Always find deals with rebates from Best Buy.

 

[wallijonn]

get one that has all the connections on one side (unlike the D-link DI-704). as always, check www.dslreports.com for user reviews.

http://www.speedguide.net/reviews.php?category=32

 

[DanG]

I would stay away from D-Link. We used it at home because it seemed like a nice budget model that would work as well as the more-expensive Linksys model. However, it simply didn't work. We moved on to the Linksys BEF-SR41 (v.2) and that worked fine for the six months we used it (I sold it off on eBay a week or two ago).

Now we have a Linksys 802.11g wireless router. It's better to go for a better model in the world of WiFi, especially if your computers are spread out around the house. Good signal strength is imperative. Still, my brother has had problems with the PCMCIA-slot card that he got for his laptop when trying to use the network in his room -- he needs to set up on the first floor to get a decent signal. My PCI wireless card works wonders, though, and also on the second floor of the house.

Something to consider is that Linksys is a Cisco subsidiary. You probably don't need to purchase Cisco routers which are made really for commercial applications, not personal use.

 

[lini]

jamont: Does your provider list certain requirements for the router - regarding the required protocol support(PPPoE/PPTP...), for example. What will also make a difference are extra features like support for DCHP (client & server), NAT & other firewall functions, VPN passthrough, DynDNS, web-based remote control interface and whatever. I think, you should list some more details to get a good recommendation...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[Bonkura]

just some notes on wireless

I have a netgear wireless router and I would just say that if buying new wireless equipment today I would get the 802.11G standard, I have b myself and altho perfectly fine for websurfing, its just a bit slow for watching video files I have stored on other computers in the network and very slow for file transfer. If just for websurfing then fine but since the cost shouldnt be much more for g products I would go G. And the best thing is to get wireless cards from the same company that made the router you choose to ensure compability, as this sometimes is a problem even tho it really shouldnt.

 

[BlindTiger]

I have the d link 614+ for over a year. I see they changed their design. Mine has 2 antennaes instead of one.
I had no problems setting it up to work with my Orinoco card which was recommended. I don't know about other PC cards.
I've heard their is a hack to change the Orinoco Silver to Gold but I haven't done that yet.

 

[andrzejpw]

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr.PD One thing to consider. Wireless. I have a Net Gear router, but I wish I had gotten a wireless set up. At the time I purchased this I didn't think I would ever need wireless. I still don't need it, but I do wish I had it.

I second this. I didn't have any at the time that we bought the router, but since my father got a laptop with wireless capabilities. The prices on wireless routers have come down quite a bit.

 

[pod-lover]

2 belkin 54g routers
used as access points
WPA encryption enabled
works great

i could surf all around my house, basement, first floor & second + backyard without loosing signal.

the onlything i don't like about them is the lack of a removable antenna.

but somehow i will find out how to replace the antennas

have a d-link 54g router & cantenna on the way

 

[averydonovan]

I have been using a Linksys wired DSL router for over a year and a half with no issues. It can be found for $59.99 or less pretty easily. Link