Best reasonable router out there?

[MR62167]

Hello everyone,

After waiting in line to use the internet service at home, I decided to do a home networking setup. I've been window shopping for an Ethernet Broadband Cable/DSL Router and would like to get opinions about what's good, but cheap out there. :confused: Would you be so kind to help me out with this. I'd like to be able to have more than one computer sharing the internet and also files and printers.

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

MR

[rickoic]

Most brands of routers will do what you want to do. I purchased a Belkin Wireless router with 4 1000/100/10 lan ports from Walmart recently and am happy with it. I was using a Linksys Wireless with 4 100/10 lan ports prior to that but was having problems with it locking up my dsl modem.

The 100/10 routers are cheeper and provide good use, but if your going to more large files back and forth between computers on your lan, then the 1000/100/10 moves them faster. But before going the 1000/100/10 route, make sure your pc's will handle the 1000 part. If your using the onboard lan connection most except for recently purchased motherboards only handle the 100/10 connections. Lan cards that can use the 1000 are available for $20-$30 usually via eBay, or for $45-$55 at Walmart, Best Buy, Fries, etc.

I would think it best to buy from a store first so that if the one you pick has conflicts with your equipment you can return it and try another brand.

Tks
Rick

[ghettoside]

Walmart has the Linksys "Network Anywhere" (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3910287) NR041 4 port router for $40. Inexpensive for a NAT router, and I'm quite pleased with it. Note the 200 Mbps connection speed. I have a blazing connection on 3 boxes, the router delivers that speed to all computers on your network, it doesn't split the 200 Mbps up between the boxes connected to it.
Other routers I looked at:
From CDW, a Linkysys BEFSR41 (http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=196823) for $60 from CDW or a BEFVP41 (http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=914450) clearance item for $54, regularly $117 (http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/specs.aspx?EDC=355881)

[YeOldeStonecat]

Honestly you're the first "happy with" person I've seen with that Network Everywhere router. For years, it's been the most troublesome router I've seen on various forums, I can't even find the relationship between that and Linksys.

For the average home user, most routers from Belkin, DLink, and Linksys do fine.

[ghettoside]

Honestly you're the first "happy with" person I've seen with that Network Everywhere router. For years, it's been the most troublesome router I've seen on various forums, I can't even find the relationship between that and Linksys.

For the average home user, most routers from Belkin, DLink, and Linksys do fine.

no kidding Stonecat?

"I can't even find the relationship between that and Linksys"
huh? what? not sure I understand that comment...

Stonecat, it is made by Linksys...Although I just looked at the box again, sure enough it has no reference to Linksys on the package except for a picture on the back where it's showing connection setup to a Linksys BEFCMU10. However, the installation guide is clearly labeled Linksys, and there's some other literature inside too that's Linksys material. On the router itself is also Linksys and their logo. (as well as Network Everywhere) That's kinda why I bought it, I've never had problemns w/ Linksys products, and it was $20 less than the one I originally intended to buy (and 17 miles closer to where I live)

maybe they bought out Network Anywhere? You did say "...for years", maybe they bought them out recently.
I'll have to google it up later today and post.

would you please pm me some links to some of those other forums, I'll search them myself (unless you can easily find the threads you're talking about), just would be faster to know what forums you've seen it on. I'd like to read up on those problems, so far I haven't had any.

And don't get me wrong, I don't doubt you Stonecat- I have the utmost respect for you and know you wouldn't BS. (I think you already know that!) It's just, Oh God, I hope I haven't bought a piece of junk...need to research this...hope they bought them out...please be going on old information Stonecat... lol

I used to have the Linksys BEFSR41, was excellent. Until I lost it moving a couple years ago...

you made me choke on my coffee Stonecat...

MR62167- better take that into consideration. I'll definately post something later here.

[theciscoguy]

Linksys WRT54G. Hunt on ebay for the previous hardware version.

Perks:
Custom firmware (DDWRT etc)
G Wireless
Firewall
Low Cost $$

[YeOldeStonecat]

Stonecat, it is made by Linksys...Although I just looked at the box again, sure enough it has no reference to Linksys on the package except for a


Yeah they've been around for years....I know it has the name on there...but if you look at www.linksys.com...never a reference to them, no firmware, nothing. Yet look at www.networkeverywhere.com and the website is sort of similar in design to the OLD style Linksys site they used to have years ago.

If you've had good luck with it...more power to ya. But Google up the thing and hit a few forums...such as dslreports.com or even here on this site...people have had a tough time with them.

Actually I never thought to ask my regional Linksys rep...I'll send him an e-mail now to see what the relationship is.

[ghettoside]

Yeah they've been around for years....I know it has the name on there...but if you look at www.linksys.com...never a reference to them, no firmware, nothing. Yet look at www.networkeverywhere.com and the website is sort of similar in design to the OLD style Linksys site they used to have years ago.

If you've had good luck with it...more power to ya. But Google up the thing and hit a few forums...such as dslreports.com or even here on this site...people have had a tough time with them.

Actually I never thought to ask my regional Linksys rep...I'll send him an e-mail now to see what the relationship is.

yup, I googled it search terms "network anywhere nr041 problems" got 720 results, both on linux and win systems. I peeped several forums, hopefully I got the 1 out 1000 that isn't a lemon. Like is said in the pm, it's not like me to be lucky in anything, so I'm surprised this one is working good for me. I've only had it a week...
I'll make a metal note not to recommend it to anyone in the future and thanks for posting that info Stonecat.
Please let me know what the linksys rep has to say, I'm eager to get the scoop on it. Thanks.:thumb: