Cable modem / router

[gogo]

I've used their NIC cards w/o a problem. My dad uses their non wireless router switch and he's happy.
Have you thought to see if you have wireless neighbors? may pose a problem. I live in 0 lot line, when I was playing with a wireless laptop I was picking up a neighbors connection. Man he was sharing everything, logged on as admin too. Sometimes WinXP is just plain fun
I've been happy with my Linksys router swicth, I've only Had to reset it once.

I've never hear or read, "that insert name of device firewall sucks. " Then again I don't run anything mission critical either, so I don't worry too much. It's not like I have a database with credcard info on it. If someone really wants to look at my stuff that bad...then again, I say this be hind a firewall, behind a username, behind a log in name, bhind an anon server name....

[gogo]

That's not a bad price though. Even before the rebate.

[pHaestus]

Ya I turn off broadcasting and turn on 128bitWEP then filter out MAC addresses other than my notebook's wireless. Not foolproof, but enough security for my home LAN. I don't share anything other than movies, mp3s, and apps over the LAN anyway so who cares?

[airspirit]

DLINK WIRELESS IS HORSE SHIT!!! DO NOT BUY IT!!!

I can't say that enough. I've had more problems with DLink gear than any other brand of wireless (and I've had the displeasure of messing with almost all of it).

For easy networking, that Linksys box you mentioned in your first post should do it. I am running two of them (one is 4pt, one is 8pt, and the 8pt has more features), and they give excellent throughput and are a breeze to configure (um, if you need to configure them at all).

I believe they handle VPN (one connection). Let me log on to my 8pt and find out ....

[airspirit]

You can put one machine in a DMZ for use in VPN. Would that work for you? You can also forward various ports to various machines if that is necessary for your connection. I'm scanning the manual now ....

[airspirit]

The router supports IPSEC pass through for VPN connections. The Linksys would do the job for you. You can download the manual at:

ftp://ftp.linksys.com/pub/manuals/befsru31_ug.pdf

[airspirit]

If you decide to go wireless, now, I would highly recommend Netgear or Linksys wireless products. Netgear especially has some nice configuration utilities and such that make it a breeze, and they also tend to have a nice range on their access points (about 200 ft further than my DLink router and 100 further than my DLink bridge with a 12 dB antenna).

The problem with wireless is that even in the best of circumstances, you're limited to under 6Mbps throughput. You were talking about wanting 100Mbps capability, and unfortunately there is no wireless system (that any of us can afford, at least) that can do close to that.

[Buster]

What airspirit said is right on the money. With wireless networking, you get what you pay for. If your going to depend on wireless for a reliable network link, it pay to spend some extra dollars up front and get quality equipment and save yourself some frustration. As far as the lower priced equipment goes, Linksys has the best bang for the buck. What your looking for in a wireless AP is the transmit/receive output, most will show it in db, the linksys WAP11 is putting out 20db with equates to 100mw of power. The same is true for the PCMCIA cards. Most brands only put out 75mw or less. By far the best bang for the buck with the PCMCIA card is the Orinoco Gold or Silver card, it putting out 100mw. It might not seem like a big difference, but it really is. If you want to spend a little more for an AP, I would look at the Orinoco AP-500, its a great AP and goes for around $250.
I have a setup in Arizona between my Parents house and my Uncles house which is apx 10 miles apart with decent line of sight using to wap11's and 24dp parabolic antennas. They get a consistant 5mps transfer rate.

scott

[bigben2k]

Thanks to everyone.

I'm dropping the wireless option, because getting a decent one will throw this project out of our budget.

I'm also dropping the hardware VPN, as I expect it to be out-of-budget too.

VPN passthrough is a requirement, and so far, I know that all these have it:
-Netgear 4 port unit ($50)
-Linksys 4 port unit ($80)
-Linksys 8 port unit ($100)

So unless the Linksys 4 port unit has a major advantage over the Netgear one, Netgear it is. More Googling...

[airspirit]

The linksys has more options for setup. My brother is running two Netgear 4pts, and they are a real bastard to configure if you're doing anything beyond surfing the web. If you want to set up internal servers or whatnot, they are a real pain.

The linksys units, on the other hand, are a breeze. All of their documentation is saved in the firmware, as well, if you have any questions. Setting up internal forwarding and whatnot is a one minute operation.

To each his own, but I would spend the extra cash on the 8pt Linksys box. After screwing with my brother's router, I wouldn't EVER buy one of those things for myself or my business.

[bigben2k]

I came across this review of the Linksys 8 port unit, and it was good, but a few things are important to note.

I did come across this instruction set for the Netgear FR314 unit, and it looks better, to me.:shrug: but the user comments are horrible!

[L053R]

I'm new to the water-cooling scene but I'm old school when it comes to routing. I have found and awesome solution using whatever old x86 machine you have lying around.

First, pull the hard drive out and put a floppy in, then ditch most of the RAM (if you really care) and put 2 NIC's in it, most any will do. Then go to:

http://bbiagent.com/en/index.html

They have full instructions on the setup. After it is all done, you write the image it builds to a floppy and pop it in your old machine, which is now your new router. It takes less than 10 minutes to be a phantom on the internet. It is simple to admin thorough a browser, is maintenance free and much more bulletproof than one of those cable-router boxes. It also makes use of your 'useless' pc and is not limited to only 4 ports, hook it up to a 48-port switch or an access point and serve your whole complex like I used to. Mo-money-Mo-Money-Mo-Money!

Also, unlike the vulnerable cable-router boxes, your ISP won't be able to see the plethora of machines you have running behind it

[bigben2k]

That's still a good idea, thanks.

I could pick up an old 486 from a local resale shop, for peanuts. Then, I could add a couple of NICs, and a switch... but I'm down to the same amount of money. I'd rather go that way, but I think I'll start with something simple, and "upgrade" later.



Here's an add-on twist: I might build a server, for image hosting, and/or for setting up my own webpage and/or website (I'm aware that it's not as reliable as having a site hosted). I may even add a file server.

[airspirit]

The Linksys allows you to forward certain ports to various IP addresses inside the LAN. I'm running a web server and a FTP server as well as a simple internal file dump for my subscribers out here all based out of my Linksys router.

As far as seeing through one of them, it is virtually impossible. The only way you can tell how many users are on the other side of my Linksys box is to start counting browser/OS reports on a webpage from my IP. I have only three high level machines in my network for my network services (all hardware firewalled), and the rest go through at least two firewall layer before they reach my primary routers.

If you know how to configure a hardware router/firewall right, you are virtually invisible to the outside world.

[Yo-DUH_87]

Originally posted by bigben2k
Personally, I don't really care for DLink... What do you all think?

Originally posted by airspirit
DLINK WIRELESS IS HORSE SHIT!!! DO NOT BUY IT!!!

I know that you have chosen not to go with wireless, the below is just to clairify D-Link wireless products.

If you are going to use D-Link anything, it must be used with an all D-Link network. If you throw a odd NIC in it is fine, but as far as wireless, it is prety much mandatory that you sell your soul to buy all D-Link hardware.

I've been running a DI-614+ for about 6+ months, and it is a very nice router. I have DWL-520+ cards in all my computers, and it operates flawlessly. Had to update the firmware, because DHCP would lose it's brains every once in a while, but it works well now.

[airspirit]

My favorite is the 900AP+ bridge randomly switching between DHCP and assigned IP. It is great when an entire subnet gets dropped because the bridge overrides DHCP and assignes crap IP/Subnet info to everyone behind it. The only reason I use any of my DLink gear is because it does occassionally work for a few people in my area (when it doesn't they go back to Jester, my Netgear WAP) and because it is easy to swap antennas with them.

[Yo-DUH_87]

Originally posted by airspirit
My favorite is the 900AP+ bridge randomly switching between DHCP and assigned IP. It is great when an entire subnet gets dropped because the bridge overrides DHCP and assignes crap IP/Subnet info to everyone behind it. The only reason I use any of my DLink gear is because it does occassionally work for a few people in my area (when it doesn't they go back to Jester, my Netgear WAP) and because it is easy to swap antennas with them.

That is what I was talking about, DHCP going mad/crazy. A firmware update solved the problem for me, but your milage may vary.

[airspirit]

Oddly enough, I never had problems with the DHCP on the wireless router itself (same model as yours). One thing I did find strange was that it wouldn't pass DHCP to any other brand of WAP except DLink. When I'd plug my Netgear WAP into it, it would give the WAP an IP, but DHCP wouldn't pass through it to the WNICs. Similarly, if I put one of my Linksys routers, switches, or hubs under it, the router would get DHCP, the 10/100 clients would get DHCP, but no non-DLink WAPs would be able to pass DHCP through them. I ended up putting that router under a Linksys 4pt router with the Netgear WAP under the linksys as well, with DHCP being provided by my Linksys box. It works fine that way. Since my other WAN line goes to a different WAP altogether, I'm not even bothering with it right now (don't break something trying to fix it and all that).

What pisses me off about DLink is that they advertise their product to do one thing (even on the box and in the manual), but when you can't make it work, you have to contact Tech Support for the truth (like the convenient fact that the 900AP+ only will bridge or serve as a WAP for other 900AP+ units or 614+ units). I bought the thing ony to find that it was useless, making me buy the 614+ to be able to use it (somewhat).

[bigben2k]

Well Airspirit, I've gone with your recommendation (sort of)...

I just ordered the Linksys 4 port unit from here

It'll be delivered tmo, along with a 1 foot patch cord.

Total: $77.72 (with shipping).

Wish me luck...

[bigben2k]

Did anyone catch that Utabintarbo has an MCSE cert.?

He recommends this unit. Netgear's RP614, 4 port.

Sorry Utabintarbo, I should have checked with you! I'm willing to fork out the 15% re-stocking fee, and shipping, if necessary.

Additional info:
I'm considering all of the following, in no particular order, and within a 1 year time frame:

1-Share a cable broadband connection between my 2 home PCs, and my wife's laptop. I may add another PC.

2-My wife's laptop needs VPN access to the office.

3-I want to avoid a software firewall, as much as possible.

4-I may setup a box to act as an image host.

5-I may setup an internal file server and/or print server.

6-I may add the linux box later. It will not replace this router.

7-Content filtering is nice, but I don't want to pay a lot for it. IT's strictly for the kids (no pron).

8-I'll need to be able to share files between all PCs/laptop.

9-I may setup an e-mail service, for myself ('cause I'm tired of the attachment limits).


More reading to do...

[bigben2k]

I'm now typing this through the cable modem conncetion!

Now I have to set up this box...

[jaydee]

Originally posted by bigben2k
I'm now typing this through the cable modem conncetion!

Now I have to set up this box...

The router I got required no setup. Just pluged in the network cable from the modem and all 4 comp work great. Didn't have to do anything special. Was rather impressed actually. www.dslreports.com port scan came up good aswell so the firewall at least looks like it is working "ok". Which is good enough for me. Good Luck!

[bigben2k]

Same here!

I did upload the latest firmware, but other than that, I didn't change a thing. Even the VPN worked!

Now I have to do the ISP provider setup (e-mail, tuning, etc...).

DSL report came back flawless, but the tweaker is pushing me to enable selective Acks, which I can't do with their utility, under win95. The other PC is on Win98, and the laptop is under XP Pro, so they'll be OK.

Otherwise, this ole' Win95 box is showing 1132 down and 357 up. The dsl report that there's a guy in my town that's getting twice the up rate... maybe I'll e-mail him!

[airspirit]

My cable service in town has been steadily slowing ... I found out when I went down there yesterday that they signed on over five times the amount of people that their bandwidth will support. They might have it fixed in three months they say ... what retards.

There were five people cancelling their service while I was in there ... maybe that's how they plan to increase available bandwidth. They offered to pay me $80 for each cable connection I dropped.

Moral: that guy could have been an early adopter or is on another node.

[pHaestus]

Or he has another package...