Router for dedicated game server

[swordclanhalo]

Hello. I have come here to ask advice for what router to buy that will be "strong" enough to have around 12 UDP connections for a game like Halo without dropping them.

I had bought a Linksys BEFSR41 EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch to split the ethernet connection to my Cable modem into 4 ports. Though the internet is successfully split and all the necessary ports are forwarded for the game, the clients connections to the server seem to be closed after about 4 minutes. I'm going to suspect that the router is simply overloaded with packets going to and from the server and just closes the connections temporarily.

I had spent around 2 1/2 hours with Linksys tech support today trying to fix the problem, but to no effect. Actually, the problem had just gotten worse after some time (The router would not accept any internet connection, I had to go through a lenghty reset process). Anyway, that has been fixed, though the server connection dropping has not. I have installed the latest firmware on the v4 of the BEFSR41, but still to no effect.

I am subscribed to broadband internet through Optimum Online by Cablevision. I use a Surfboard SB4200 that had come with the first internet subscription a few years ago. I am planning on upgrading to the SB5100 soon in order to accommodate an internet upgrade.

I am new to networking, though not to computers. I know that I need help selecting a router to use that can handle many simultaneous UDP and TCP connections associated with a dedicated game server. Any help would be wonderful!

[YeOldeStonecat]

You'll probably want to kick up to a SOHO/small business grade model..the only home grade router I can think of that's been doing well performance wise is the DLink 4000 series. Business grade routers...you'll be spending a few hundred bucks, unless you shop on fleabay.

If you're a bit adventurous....I'd recommend building a linux distro router, such as IPCop or Endian. Take an older PC...it'll handle anything you can throw at it.

[burwell]

I have a linksys WAP11 and have a very similar problem as sword. I only have 3 computers on my network and attempt at hosting with 1 of them and enable just the one UDP port and use the one computer. I've tried removing all of the computers from my network save for the single hosting computer, but like sword after about 5-10 minutes my network crashes and all needs to be reset. I cannot fathom that I need to upgrade just to host a stupid game.. or do I?
:crash:

[swordclanhalo]

http://games.dlink.com/products/?pid=371&#DGL-4100

Would you suggest I get something like that? Also, do you think that it would be able to take the traffic of the server without any network drops?

I'm sorry about these very specific questions, its just that I had talked with the computer networking technician from my school and he had told me that finding the right router is more or less a trial and error experience. I'd just like to limit the errors as well as too many unneeded purchases.

Edit: After researching more on the internet as well as consulting the internet god, Wikipedia, I am wondering if this might be better than the one I linked at the top. (http://games.dlink.com/products/?pid=479)

[trogers]

Here is a link on test comparisons among a few routers on performance for holding large number of simultaneous connections:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lansrouters/lanrouter-features/which_router_for_p2p

[YeOldeStonecat]

http://games.dlink.com/products/?pid=371&#DGL-4100

Would you suggest I get something like that? Also, do you think that it would be able to take the traffic of the server without any network drops?

I'm sorry about these very specific questions, its just that I had talked with the computer networking technician from my school and he had told me that finding the right router is more or less a trial and error experience. I'd just like to limit the errors as well as too many unneeded purchases.

Edit: After researching more on the internet as well as consulting the internet god, Wikipedia, I am wondering if this might be better than the one I linked at the top. (http://games.dlink.com/products/?pid=479)

Yes the DLink 4000 series that I mentioned above has shown to be one of the better home grade routers, performance wise.

The second link you had is just a switch..different purpose, you don't want that.

[swordclanhalo]

Just as an update, I can now run the servers without any drops and minimal lag. I am using a Netgear FVL328 8 Port Router with Firewall and VPN. I think I will end up buying one of the newer versions of the router, since the one I am using right now is borrowed.

On the other hand, I'll look into the D-Link 4000 series too.