Gaming Cable Router

[Dynasis]

I'm looking for a fast 4-port router that is VERY secure and fast. Something that's particularly good for sharing a cable connection between someone downloading, another browsing and yet another playing online games.

I've come across Linksys Model: LKS BEFSR41 and Siemens Model: SIM SS2604. I'm familiar with Linksys, as I have one of their 4-port hubs, but which is better?

I'm running Linksys 10/100 NICs as well as 3COM 10/100 NICs. Thanks guys :)

[Malakai]

I have the linksys 4 port one you listed there, and it works perfectly.

really any router+switch will do, they all operate basically the same way. All a router is is a switch with a WAN port. Any will do what you need it to do.

my setup with the linksys is

Intarweb
|
|(2m down, 350k up)
cable modem
|(10mbps)
|
linksys router (192.168.1.1)
|(100mbps).................\(100mbps)
| ...................................\
main comp.................Linux comp(192.168.1.101)
(192.168.1.100)

this way, i get 100mbps between the 2 comps on the network.

[JimmyG]

I recently bought a Belkin 4 port router to replace a Linksys Router and Linksys switch that had gone unstable on me (after less than a year). I got it at Best Buy for $31 including tax. It works great and I like the very bright LED indicators on it (compared to the dim ones on the Linksys).

[FunkDaMonkMan]

I have a lynksys 4 port router, and I can download @ nearly full speed and have 2 computers running online games w/ low pings. With a 3rd browsing the internet. It works great.

[nebben]

Most 4 port NAT routers (switch with NAT on the 5th port) are roughly the same. As long as the 4 ports are switched, you'll be able to do plenty on your internal network without slowdowns. The uplink port is subject to whatever DSL or cable modem you already have. So, if it operates on a 10mb half duplex, 10mb full duplex, 100mb...etc.

Most of the differences on these things is what kind of interface do they use to configure it, can you configure it, parental blocking features, wireless...etc.

-ben

[Dynasis]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the replies. What about security? I'll be using the Comcast @Home service. Does anyone know what modem they rent out? Is it the Motorola SurfBoard 4200 Series? Thanks.

[Zazuk]

I use a SOHOware BroadGuard NBG800, it works great to about 10 minutes from start to finish which was, opening the box, installing it, setting it and both my PC's up. Works really sweet plus it acts as a fire wall. Here is a link the to NBG800 specs (http://store.yahoo.com/sohowaredirect/nbg800.html) and a link to its data sheets (http://www.sohoware.com/manuals/nbg800_manual_a2.pdf).

[Dynasis]

Cool. Thanks.

[Malakai]

Originally posted by Dynasis
Thanks guys! I appreciate the replies. What about security? I'll be using the Comcast @Home service. Does anyone know what modem they rent out? Is it the Motorola SurfBoard 4200 Series? Thanks.

The modem has no effect on security at all.

A router acts as a NAT firewall.
This means that the IP that your ISP gives you is actually only assigned to youyr router. Nothing from the net gets directly to your comps, just the router. If you forward a port, then any traffic going for that port goes directly to that comp.

[Lusankya]

I have an SMC barricade that works perfectly.. it was literally plug and play when I switched from DSL to cable...

Just pluged in everything and was set to go.. didn't have to reconfigure a damn thing..

NAT and well as firewall
all the good stuff...

[Tebore]

Well I'm also in the market for a new router and since there's already a thread I was wondering if I can borrow it.
I use DSL(might switch to cable) my budget is about $50us and was wondering what you'd recommend, I was looking at theD-LINK - DI-604. Does anyone have any comments about it? I'm also wondering What's the best 4-port router with a print server?
Sorry for Thread Hijacking.
TIA

[Malakai]

I personally don't like D-Link. I had one die, and had a friends die.

I love my linksys, and I have used Netgear. Both are nice.

[Kosmic]

D-link is low on my list, too. I bought a 604 but it dropped 100 kbit/sec off of my downstream speeds! The netgear rp-114 that I thought was dead (firmware upgrade) only takes off 10 kbit/sec. D-link's tech support was no help in getting it fixed. I have to RMA it back to Googlegear.

My next purchase will probably be a Barricade 'cause this RP114 isn't switched, making my internal network painfully slow.

[bdf24]

I'm not all that happy with my Linksys BEFSR41. It loses internet connections at random. Always has. Also limited on port forwarding and worst of all. I cannot set up a game server behind it. Not even if I put the PC in DMZ. It will always kick the clients. Drove me nutz.
I've called Linksys about it several times with no luck on getting it worked out.

I've just learned to live with it.