router brand?

[Digital Pimp]

hey all, i'm in the market for a router and i've narrowed it down to 3.

linksys BEFSR41

d-link DI-704P

SMC SMC7004VBR

any thoughts as per the best one?


Thanks, Digital

[cw823]

Originally posted by Digital Pimp
hey all, i'm in the market for a router and i've narrowed it down to 3.

linksys BEFSR41

d-link DI-704P

SMC SMC7004VBR

any thoughts as per the best one?


Thanks, Digital


I have the D-Link at home, and it's worked like a charm.

[[Oc]acaridans]

I like my linksys, ive been very happy with it.
The only issue ive ever had on it was trying to run netmeeting, for some reason it just dosent like it. I know others with the same router and they have no issue, it would figure id be the only one.

Ive worked on the D-links, im not to carzy on how there layed out but other wise very similar to the linksys, D-link would be my 2nd choice.

Ive never gotten to work with the SMC, no help there

[Digital Pimp]

which one would be the best as a firewall as well, i think the linksys has one built in or something, which is configureable with the web browser, is this true? cause that's the one i think i'm gonna get if there arent any uge problems with it.


Digital

[jajmon]

I have the dlink704 (no printer port) I like it very much, easy to setup- basically plug-n-play. I have worked with the SMC model that has the printer port and that was easy as well. The linksys is an easy setup as well. From a router/switch standpoint they are all equal in performance and features. Either on should suit you just well for internet sharing and LAN networking. All 3 are priced pretty close.

[i8maryslambs]

i was wondering the same thing, but i saw an add for a Belkin router at comp usa for 30 bucks. it is right here. (http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product%5Fcode=284689&csearch=1) would that be okay since all i need to do is share my cable internet with 2 computers? or should i go with one of the companies listed above?

[ZeroAquaduct]

I recently purchased a SMC7004ABR and it's working very well for the past two days. I haven't tried the other routers you've mentioned, so I can't comment on how it compares with the others. But I have no complaints so far.

As for the firewall feature, my SMC7004ABR passed all tests at the Gibson Research Corporation website. The URL for the website is here:

http://grc.com

[roYal]

I was looking into this yesterday actually, and talked to a lot of people. The d-link routers are pretty cheap, and are very very good. They have the switch built into them as well. The switch isn't very important if you're not planning to have a bunch of computers hooked into the router.

This will help you plan on which router to by
1. Switch - can re-direct all bandwidth to a certain node
2. Firewall - Filters incoming packets to whether it should be allowed or disallowed.

There are other factors, but those 2 you should think about.

You could also discard the firewall, and always use a software firewall, which will you give a more sense of control, but then again, you'll have to monitor the firewalls on ALL the computers.

Personally, when i eventually get my other computer built with all its parts, i will get a d-link router because it seems liek the best buy for its' price and its values.

[jajmon]

Originally posted by i8maryslambs
i was wondering the same thing, but i saw an add for a Belkin router at comp usa for 30 bucks. it is right here. (http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product%5Fcode=284689&csearch=1) would that be okay since all i need to do is share my cable internet with 2 computers? or should i go with one of the companies listed above?

That router would prolly work just fine. I noticed they are sold out, maybe online that is. Also there are 2 rebates that bring the price down.

CompUsa is known for their dual rebates.

[Digital Pimp]

i found (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=1&WLBS=fs%2Dweb4&biasid=439EF8A3A4B5487493D4EEEAA0332E5B&sku_id=0665000FS91048041&catid=&newdeptid=1) one it looks to be the right one for my needs, and it passed the most important test... the girlfreind thinks it's "cute" so i guess the linksys is a go.

thanks for all of your advice, i would have gone for the compUSA deal but i'm in canada and i dident want to drive to the states to buy one.

Digital

[Tweaked!]

I have the Linksys and it is great. Easy to setup and configure, and yes it has a built in firewall. just a helpful 2 cents;)

[IHateStupidPPL]

I have the 4port Linksys router(I cant think of the model number of the top of my head) that runs my 3 computer and then I also have a Linksys 5 port switch off the router that runs my roommates rigs. It has been rock solid for 6 months, not a single problem. Setup is very easy. I highly recommend the Linksys router.

[Kingslayer]

I would go with the SMC for a couple of reasons.

1. It has a print server. That's handy.
2. It has a serial port. Most broadband ISP's will also give you a dial-up account and you can hook an external modem to this and set it as the fail over. If your DSL or Cable fails, the modem will dial.
3. The serial port can also be used for a console port. If you've forgotten your password on the other two your pretty much screwed where the SMC can be recovered by utilitzing the serial port.

[Greg M]

Kingslayer, I love your tagline on stupidity. I've felt that way for years. It's time to cull the herd. ;)

I love the LinkSys products. I've found them to be very reliable and a great value.

Having a built-in print server wouldn't do me any good. My printer is upstairs in a different location from the switch. It's easy enough to share the printer and print via the network. The linksys also has a method for resetting the admin password in case you forget it. The VPN pass-through in the LinkSys products was also a must-have for me.

[XprincoX]

Also linksys lover here and have to say it was much easier to setup than the dlink router. The user interface to me was much easier to use and understand. But then the printer interface is a nice feature to have. However, you could also just setup a network printer when everything said and done and have the same effect. :D

[Kingslayer]

For an everyday home user the Linksys is a good router. I just don't like it's limitations. I have 5 computers in the house and need about 50 routes in for everything to communicate what they need and the Linksys is limited in that.

A benefit I will give the Linky is that it's NAT translation is UPnP so most messenger programs will work behind it. Especially MSN Messenger.

[jajmon]

Originally posted by XprincoX
Also linksys lover here and have to say it was much easier to setup than the dlink router. The user interface to me was much easier to use and understand. But then the printer interface is a nice feature to have. However, you could also just setup a network printer when everything said and done and have the same effect. :D

I can't comment on the linksys setup. (but it is prolly the same as any other router/switch in it's class, netgear,smc, etc) I have a dlink 704. I plugged it in to my cable modem, typed 192.168.0.1 in my browser and was in. I browsed all menus, nothing to change for my needs (no dmz port forwarding etc.) Plugged my other puters into the available switch ports, set them to aquire ip addy/rebooted and 5 minutes later all were on the Internet. It was very 'easy' to set up. The SMC router serves Kingslayer better for his needs. (he runs more 'services' than your average user would and having a console port has it's advantage)

[natopotato]

no netgear? i thought they were good? i have one works great... are they not good?