Buying my first router - recommendations?

[Sid59]

Dlink DI604 .. no problems at all.

 

[oldfart]

I also like Linksys even though the Evil Empire bought them.

 

[Noriaki]

I picked up a Linksys BEFSR41 for myself yesterday and set it up this morning.
You could train a monkey to set this thing up...seriously...it's "fall off a log" easy.

A friend of mine also got one at the same time.

They are super great.

 

[Viperoni]

Netgear RT314, still humming along after > 2 years

 

[RanDum72]

The most reliable routers I've owned were Netgear and D-link. Never had luck with Linksys. Check this site for router reviews and user feedback.

 

[JBT]

I had the d link 604 never had any problems with it at all VERY easy install now I have the wireless version which also works great I highly recomend D-link.

 

[Heifetz]

I had a linksys BEFSR41, but it totally did not agree with my cable connection. At first it would just drop randomly, but then it started dropping every 5 minutes until it no longer worked. I replaced it with the microsoft 4 port router that I saw at CC. It was actually the cheapest router in the store, and after rebates, it was like $30, a great deal, considering it was at a B&M. I would definitely recommend it.


Heifetz

 

[MIDIman]

1) HOW do the following compare? They're all 4-port switch/firewall/routers:
NR041 - $49.99
BEFSR41 - $59.99 - $10 rebate
BEFSX41 - $79.99

2) Also, even those these have built-in firewalls, do I have to use a software firewall?

3) If so, why does everyone recommend NOT using WinXP's builtin firewall? Why do I have to use a third party one?

 

[MasterFlash]

I bought a D-Link DI-704P because I wanted my router with a combined 4 port switch and print server. Linksys doesn't make a router/switch/print server combo. The router came straight out of an unopened box, and didn't work because the WAN port was defective (or so it was assumed after hours of attempting to get tech support). I RMA'd and the new one works great. You can generally get D-Links at lower prices than Linksys, but I don't think reliability is as good.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Another vote for Linksys. D-Link gets second place.

- M4H

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: MIDIman
1) HOW do the following compare? They're all 4-port switch/firewall/routers:
NR041 - $49.99

Unfortunately I dunno anything about this product.

BEFSR41 - $59.99 - $10 rebate

Great router, does NATing but not a real Firewall. I have one I use all the time. (Got it for free ... if I had to buy one I'd get the SX41)

BEFSX41 - $79.99

This model is basically a revision of the SR41 with all the SRs great features plus an actual HW FW allowing SPI, some DoS protection, VPN, etc....

2) Also, even those these have built-in firewalls, do I have to use a software firewall?

If you're using the SX then no you don't need a SW FW. If you're using on of the others then perhaps but for home use it really probably doesn't matter.

3) If so, why does everyone recommend NOT using WinXP's builtin firewall? Why do I have to use a third party one?

Because no one trusts MS.

Thorin

 

[Schadenfroh]

we use all SMC at my house, never had any trouble with the router but the SMC switches get fried very easily.

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
we use all SMC at my house, never had any trouble with the router but the SMC switches get fried very easily.

Care to elaborate on "fried".

Thorin

 

[sathyan]

2) Also, even those these have built-in firewalls, do I have to use a software firewall?

A hardware SPI firewall (I use SMC 7004VWBR, $30) can protect against incoming attacks but a software firewall (I use ZoneAlarm, Free) also protect against outgoing "phone home" connections which can provide details of your system to facilitate future attacks.
Test incoming security: https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2
Test outgoing security: http://grc.com/lt/leaktest.htm

3) If so, why does everyone recommend NOT using WinXP's builtin firewall? Why do I have to use a third party one?

Besides being MS with its record on security, ICF does not lock down applications from accessing the internet.

 

[Brian48]

Been using the Linksys BEFSR41 almost two years now. Been running 24/7 since I got it. Very reliable, runs cool (comparied to others), and firmware updates are a breeze. I heartily recommend it.

 

[MasterFlash]

Originally posted by: thorin

Originally posted by: MIDIman

3) If so, why does everyone recommend NOT using WinXP's builtin firewall? Why do I have to use a third party one?

Because no one trusts MS.
Thorin

Well, there's that. Plus, a software firewall takes up system resources. The fewer programs I have running in the background while I'm pwning at CS, the better

 

[Links4me]

I've had a BEFSR11 (1port) for 1.75 yrs and it's been great. I ran that incoming leaktest thing and it passed 100%. I got the 1 port because I already had an 8port 10/100 switch (also Linksys), so I just connected the router to the switch. From the feedback received, Linksys sounds like one of the best brands out there.......

 

[Mitzi]

I've had a DLink 504 for about 6 weeks now, I've been very happy with it though the restricted logging functionality is a big annoying.

 

[Dennis Travis]

Thorin covered this very well but here is my $.02 since I have used a NRO41.

Originally posted by: MIDIman
1) HOW do the following compare? They're all 4-port switch/firewall/routers:
NR041 - $49.99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a friend with the NRO41. It's made by Linksys Network Everywhere division which is a lower cost Linksys. His works ok but he gets a lot of outages and it's not his modem loosing Sync and resetting the router always fixes it. Also the NAT Firewall is very basic with less features than the others. I would stay away from this one if you want a real reliable router.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEFSR41 - $59.99 - $10 rebate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a BEFSR11 which is like the 41 but with just one Lan port. It's been very reliable espcailly after updating the Firmware a few times. Only thing I wish it has was a SPI Firewall. Otherwise the BEFSR41 is a very good router and very easy to setup, use and update the firmware.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEFSX41 - $79.99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To me this is the Linksys to buy as it does everything that the BEFSR41 does but has more features and a SPI Firewall and VPN. It costs more but to me it's worth the extra cost with the added protection.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Also, even those these have built-in firewalls, do I have to use a software firewall?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Especially with the BEFSX41 you really don't need a Software firewall but it's can't hurt to have say the free Zonealarm.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) If so, why does everyone recommend NOT using WinXP's builtin firewall? Why do I have to use a third party one?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's really not that good and very limited on what you can do and set. The FREE Zonealarm blows it away in features and protection and configurability.


I would go with the BEFSX41 is you want a good and reliable Router with a SPI Firewall.