Best DSL/Cable router on the market for small home office?

I was at CompUSA today, (not really my favorite place but they are
close..) and I saw several units to choose from but only one that
mentioned working with Linux. I'm curious what brand and model people
find most stable and realiable.

Do you folks also have a feature preference among the popular models on
the market?

I'm on Verizon DSL in NYC - does this limit options or steer
preferences? The pricing I saw seemed reasonable at around $60.00
dollars for simular units.

I hope folks feel free to post thier opinions for this market item as I
assume there are many folks seeking such information :-)

On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 02:49:48 GMT, "Net Resident" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>I was at CompUSA today, (not really my favorite place but they are
>close..) and I saw several units to choose from but only one that
>mentioned working with Linux. I'm curious what brand and model people
>find most stable and realiable.
>
>Do you folks also have a feature preference among the popular models on
>the market?
>
>I'm on Verizon DSL in NYC - does this limit options or steer
>preferences? The pricing I saw seemed reasonable at around $60.00
>dollars for simular units.
>
>I hope folks feel free to post thier opinions for this market item as I
>assume there are many folks seeking such information :-)
>

I'm going to have this engraved on my tombstone, I swear...

What CompUSA et al call a router is in NO WAY a router - ditto a
firewall. These units are generally a (potentially very buggy, IE
Linksys) hardware NAT layer, some with a built in dhcp server and/or a
DSL modem. PERIOD.

Now, for some users, that will serve - but if you are expecting to
make use of the features of a real router or firewall, you are going
to be spending a whole lot of time swearing. I have a linksys DSL
router (so called) in my closet that is totally useless - it's not
even the right shape for a wheel chock - and it sure as hell isn't a
router. It's a DSL modem and a 10/100 switch.

To the OP - what, exactly, are you trying to do? Please be as
specific as you can... You mention small office; Moving web and mail
servers inhouse? What are you planning to do for a firewall? Yada
Yada - you get the idea.


Mike-

Mornings: Evolution in action. Only the grumpy will survive.
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Net Resident wrote:

> I was at CompUSA today, (not really my favorite place but they are
> close..) and I saw several units to choose from but only one that
> mentioned working with Linux. I'm curious what brand and model people
> find most stable and realiable.
>
> Do you folks also have a feature preference among the popular models
> on the market?
>
> I'm on Verizon DSL in NYC - does this limit options or steer
> preferences? The pricing I saw seemed reasonable at around $60.00
> dollars for simular units.
>
> I hope folks feel free to post thier opinions for this market item as
> I assume there are many folks seeking such information :-)

As you are using DSL, I would suggest a dsl modem with a built-in
router, such as the Metgear DG814.
These devices work with any system that uses a browser. Configuration
of the dsl connection is done once using a browser on either linux or
windows to access the firmware. The connections between the computers
and the router are a standard LAN connection DHCP (or your can use
static ip if you prefer)
I mentioned Netgear but most of these combined devices work the same
way, a dsl modem outboard and a standard ip masquerading router inboard
with the firmware configured using a browser to address the firmware's
private-range ip address.

If you have a separate PPPoE modem, perhaps one supplied by the service
provider, the Linksys BEFSR41 4 port router works well with either dsl
or cable.

"Clive Dove" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:9WAIb.42104$(E-Mail Removed). cable.rogers.com...
> Net Resident wrote:
>
> > I was at CompUSA today, (not really my favorite place but they are
> > close..) and I saw several units to choose from but only one that
> > mentioned working with Linux. I'm curious what brand and model
people
> > find most stable and realiable.
> >
> > Do you folks also have a feature preference among the popular models
> > on the market?
> >
> > I'm on Verizon DSL in NYC - does this limit options or steer
> > preferences? The pricing I saw seemed reasonable at around $60.00
> > dollars for simular units.
> >
> > I hope folks feel free to post thier opinions for this market item
as
> > I assume there are many folks seeking such information :-)
>
> As you are using DSL, I would suggest a dsl modem with a built-in
> router, such as the Metgear DG814.
> These devices work with any system that uses a browser. Configuration
> of the dsl connection is done once using a browser on either linux or
> windows to access the firmware. The connections between the computers
> and the router are a standard LAN connection DHCP (or your can use
> static ip if you prefer)
> I mentioned Netgear but most of these combined devices work the same
> way, a dsl modem outboard and a standard ip masquerading router
inboard
> with the firmware configured using a browser to address the firmware's
> private-range ip address.
>
> If you have a separate PPPoE modem, perhaps one supplied by the
service
> provider, the Linksys BEFSR41 4 port router works well with either dsl
> or cable.
>

Thanks for the tips, I'm looking at those units now =)

"Michael W. Cocke" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...

> I'm going to have this engraved on my tombstone, I swear...
>
> What CompUSA et al call a router is in NO WAY a router - ditto a
> firewall. These units are generally a (potentially very buggy, IE
> Linksys) hardware NAT layer, some with a built in dhcp server and/or a
> DSL modem. PERIOD.
>
> Now, for some users, that will serve - but if you are expecting to
> make use of the features of a real router or firewall, you are going
> to be spending a whole lot of time swearing. I have a linksys DSL
> router (so called) in my closet that is totally useless - it's not
> even the right shape for a wheel chock - and it sure as hell isn't a
> router. It's a DSL modem and a 10/100 switch.
>
> To the OP - what, exactly, are you trying to do? Please be as
> specific as you can... You mention small office; Moving web and mail
> servers inhouse? What are you planning to do for a firewall? Yada
> Yada - you get the idea.
>
>
> Mike-
>

Thanks for the heads up. Not planing on any servers at the moment -
really it is more of a home setup.. I already have the verizon device
and a hub that I am not using at the moment. I have a Netgear print
server and two other computers that all need to talk to each other again
and to the printer.

I figured I would probably just hang the hub off of the router which the
print server and one non internet client would be on with two clients
directly hitting the router.

I could also take a old system to setup as a full time router but the
cost, space and ease of configuration advantage I think favors a decent
router.

A hardware firewall I don't think I really care about but if it has one
that works without a ton of fuss that would be good. Especially if I can
just tell it to let *everyting* pass through in a few easy steps. I'm
used to using Tiny Personal Firewall (old free version) on the client
and it seems to work well enough but admittedly this is not an area I
know much about on the firmware side - IE if it affords me speed or
resource advantages. Any admin advantages for me mean very little I
suspect.

On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 20:18:11 GMT, "Net Resident" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>
>"Michael W. Cocke" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed).. .
>
>> I'm going to have this engraved on my tombstone, I swear...
>>
>> What CompUSA et al call a router is in NO WAY a router - ditto a
>> firewall. These units are generally a (potentially very buggy, IE
>> Linksys) hardware NAT layer, some with a built in dhcp server and/or a
>> DSL modem. PERIOD.
>>
>> Now, for some users, that will serve - but if you are expecting to
>> make use of the features of a real router or firewall, you are going
>> to be spending a whole lot of time swearing. I have a linksys DSL
>> router (so called) in my closet that is totally useless - it's not
>> even the right shape for a wheel chock - and it sure as hell isn't a
>> router. It's a DSL modem and a 10/100 switch.
>>
>> To the OP - what, exactly, are you trying to do? Please be as
>> specific as you can... You mention small office; Moving web and mail
>> servers inhouse? What are you planning to do for a firewall? Yada
>> Yada - you get the idea.
>>
>>
>> Mike-
>>
>
>Thanks for the heads up. Not planing on any servers at the moment -
>really it is more of a home setup.. I already have the verizon device
>and a hub that I am not using at the moment. I have a Netgear print
>server and two other computers that all need to talk to each other again
>and to the printer.
>
>I figured I would probably just hang the hub off of the router which the
>print server and one non internet client would be on with two clients
>directly hitting the router.
>
>I could also take a old system to setup as a full time router but the
>cost, space and ease of configuration advantage I think favors a decent
>router.
>
>A hardware firewall I don't think I really care about but if it has one
>that works without a ton of fuss that would be good. Especially if I can
>just tell it to let *everyting* pass through in a few easy steps. I'm
>used to using Tiny Personal Firewall (old free version) on the client
>and it seems to work well enough but admittedly this is not an area I
>know much about on the firmware side - IE if it affords me speed or
>resource advantages. Any admin advantages for me mean very little I
>suspect.
>
You're still calling it a router.. <sigh>.

No (or not much) firewall? Have you been out there lately?! I cannot
tell you how much I advise against that idea!!! Even a Linksys is
better than nothing.

Get yourself an old 486 and load smoothwall or shorewall up. Put it
between the DSL modem and the hub. Plug all of your gear into the
hub, behind the firewall. At the very VERY least, block ports 135-137
and 440-445 at the firewall (bidirectionally if you ever run windows
in house).

It probably sounds like overkill, but do you really WANT to have your
next door neighbors reading your email and the fellow down the block
printing on your printer?

There's a world of difference between "cheap and simple" and nothing
at all. nothing at all is false economy, because you're gonna get
hacked regularly, and you'll spend way too much time trying to put it
together again.

Mike-

Mornings: Evolution in action. Only the grumpy will survive.
-----------------------------------------------------

Please note - Due to the intense volume of spam, we have
installed site-wide spam filters at catherders.com. If
email from you bounces, try non-HTML, non-encoded,
non-attachments.


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Michael W. Cocke <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> No (or not much) firewall? Have you been out there lately?! I cannot
> tell you how much I advise against that idea!!! Even a Linksys is

Why? What will a firewall do for you that keeping your distro up to
date will not?

> better than nothing.

Peter

On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 18:16:14 -0500, Michael W. Cocke wrote:

> On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 20:18:11 GMT, "Net Resident" <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Michael W. Cocke" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>news:(E-Mail Removed). ..
>>
>>> I'm going to have this engraved on my tombstone, I swear...
>>>
>>> What CompUSA et al call a router is in NO WAY a router - ditto a
>>> firewall. These units are generally a (potentially very buggy, IE
>>> Linksys) hardware NAT layer, some with a built in dhcp server and/or a
>>> DSL modem. PERIOD.
>>>
>>> Now, for some users, that will serve - but if you are expecting to
>>> make use of the features of a real router or firewall, you are going
>>> to be spending a whole lot of time swearing. I have a linksys DSL
>>> router (so called) in my closet that is totally useless - it's not
>>> even the right shape for a wheel chock - and it sure as hell isn't a
>>> router. It's a DSL modem and a 10/100 switch.
>>>
>>> To the OP - what, exactly, are you trying to do? Please be as
>>> specific as you can... You mention small office; Moving web and mail
>>> servers inhouse? What are you planning to do for a firewall? Yada
>>> Yada - you get the idea.
>>>
>>>
>>> Mike-
>>>
>>
>>Thanks for the heads up. Not planing on any servers at the moment -
>>really it is more of a home setup.. I already have the verizon device
>>and a hub that I am not using at the moment. I have a Netgear print
>>server and two other computers that all need to talk to each other again
>>and to the printer.
>>
>>I figured I would probably just hang the hub off of the router which the
>>print server and one non internet client would be on with two clients
>>directly hitting the router.
>>
>>I could also take a old system to setup as a full time router but the
>>cost, space and ease of configuration advantage I think favors a decent
>>router.
>>
>>A hardware firewall I don't think I really care about but if it has one
>>that works without a ton of fuss that would be good. Especially if I can
>>just tell it to let *everyting* pass through in a few easy steps. I'm
>>used to using Tiny Personal Firewall (old free version) on the client
>>and it seems to work well enough but admittedly this is not an area I
>>know much about on the firmware side - IE if it affords me speed or
>>resource advantages. Any admin advantages for me mean very little I
>>suspect.
>>
> You're still calling it a router.. <sigh>.
>
> No (or not much) firewall? Have you been out there lately?! I cannot
> tell you how much I advise against that idea!!! Even a Linksys is
> better than nothing.
>
> Get yourself an old 486 and load smoothwall or shorewall up. Put it
> between the DSL modem and the hub. Plug all of your gear into the
> hub, behind the firewall. At the very VERY least, block ports 135-137
> and 440-445 at the firewall (bidirectionally if you ever run windows
> in house).
>
> It probably sounds like overkill, but do you really WANT to have your
> next door neighbors reading your email and the fellow down the block
> printing on your printer?
>
> There's a world of difference between "cheap and simple" and nothing
> at all. nothing at all is false economy, because you're gonna get
> hacked regularly, and you'll spend way too much time trying to put it
> together again.
>

OK well here is the good news: I got Mandrake 9.2 installed and after some
stumbling around I found the right wizard to help me setup install
and PPPoe which is now working and this is my first post via this new
Mandrake install and Pan (used Pan before and liked it).

I do need to set up some sort of router so I may see about salvaging
old hardware and doing as you suggest :-) I never had a problem with
windows mostly because I had a good working idea of what I needed software
and configuration wise to stay out of trouble. With Linux I'm unsure of
myself but I'm sure some reading will get me up to snuff soon enough.. I
hope.

Thanks for the feed back

I want to thank Ted Potter in the other thread for pasting a link to a
good PPPoe setup walk through even though I ended up not needing it, it
was a good security blanket none the less

> As you are using DSL, I would suggest a dsl modem with a built-in
> router, such as the Metgear DG814.
> These devices work with any system that uses a browser. Configuration
> of the dsl connection is done once using a browser on either linux or
> windows to access the firmware. The connections between the computers
> and the router are a standard LAN connection DHCP (or your can use
> static ip if you prefer)
> I mentioned Netgear but most of these combined devices work the same
> way, a dsl modem outboard and a standard ip masquerading router inboard
> with the firmware configured using a browser to address the firmware's
> private-range ip address.
>


I don't have a comment on that equipment, but I suggest you consider
that NetGear has an unsatisfactory rating from the Better Business
Bureau:
http://www.bbbsilicon.org/common.htm...&compid=210357