Any suggestions on what router to buy!

[rockotman]

Looking for some valued input form the folks that hang out at this forum...

I currently have @home cable modem service. I share the cable connection on 4 PC's through a 5 port 3Com hub. Each machine has it's own IP, "graciously" provided (at $5 for each additional IP) by @home.

I am getting ready to purchase a router so that I can get rid of the additional IP's (that'll save me $15/month). I have looked at the low end Linksys, the SMC Barricade SMC7004BR and the new 3Com 3C510 Homeconnect routers. I was looking for input on what you guys think. Are there others out there that I should consider? How easy are they to set up? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Also, from what I can tell, I would need a router that supports putting multiple clients in the DMZ. Any suggestions?

[Dement]

There are good and bad stories about all the routers here. Linksys has alittle more bells and whistles then most and very easy to configure. I host and play games all the time. Some people say that the Netgear is better for playing games.

[glc1]

I've heard nothing but good things about the Netgear and Umax. The Linky seems to have an abundance of quirks and firmware problems. Personally, I'm currently looking into the BroadGuard (http://www.sohoware.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=58205&prmenbr=14716&parent=20209) SOHO router from SOHOware. See here (http://www.gamersdepot.com/hardware/networking/sohoware/nbg_800/001.htm) for a small taste.

[Biketec]

ok... here are some words of advice. GET THE LINKSYS CABLE/DSL ROUTER W/4-PORT SWITCH. i dont know what is with other people... but i have had no problems with it what so ever... it was the easiest to install and is the best. plus it looks cool next to my cable modem. i know like 4 or 5 people that have the router and all love it... no problems. have a good day

Jason

[FunK]

I have a Lnksys 4 port router (listed above) and I did have problems with it. One day it just stopped getting an IP from the head end. I have since upgraded to a Kingston 7 port router and it is great.
You cannot configure it to block WAN requests (nice Linksys feature) but I would rather have a router that works than one that doesn't. The firmware upgrade on the Linksys is what knocked it out. It was a good upgrade, but something went wrong a few days later.
Since then I let a friend use it and he has had no problems.
Take it for what it's worth, but I would avoid the Linksys.
To see what I mean, do a search for Linksys on this site and see what people have posted about it.
I am sure that you will see more negative posts than positive. Not to say that is bad. It is a very popular product and I'm sure that there are more topics about it based on the fact that more people own one.

FunK