Routers and performance?

[Sox]

Question-do routers help performance?I'm getting DSL soon,and I am not going to network(at least not now)and I'm not planning to set up a server.
I've seen a lot of posts that people here use routers instead of software,and I was wondering if it helps speed,or ping times.
Sorry if this is a stupid question.Thanks in advance!

[xport]

routers are usually used to break up network segments that you dont want broadcasts to replicate to. so if your using a router in a soho network small office home office, then it doesnt really help performance. but in a big network hell yeah routers are the way to go....

[lroberts]

Another reason for getting a router on your DSL is to add another barrier agasint Hackers. Some of the home DSL/Cable modem routers use NAT (Network Address Translation) and even permit DMZ's to be setup. The NAT is more important though because the internal IP addresses you use on your computers do not get out to the real world. Also you do not have to rent/lease IP addresses from a already limited IP World (Money & Grief saved).

Also most ISP's will only give you one IP address (most of them use DHCP for the distribution of these addresses instead giving each customer a Static IP address) each time you connect to their service. This way they maximize the IP addresses assigned to their pool of IP addresses for customers. Some of these low cost units such as Linksys's Cable/Modem Routers have all of these features plus a builtin 10/100 switch. They come in USB, 1-port, 4-port, and 8-port models and all of them have built in DHCP client and server features which work independant of each other. That means you can connect up to 254 computers to the system and never have to pay for IP addresses plus you will be compatible with most ISP's DHCP systems. Also most ISP's charge extra for extra computers connecting to their service. These units can clone a MAC address as well as the other features menstioned. They support PPPoE & IPsec. There are many other features it would take to long to mention.

Most importantly, Linksys has be creating new firmware to improve these models and add new features to existing models at NO Charge to the user. It's like buying a 50 horsepower car and the manufacturer coming to your home and replacing the engine in your car to give you a more powerful car. All at no charge to you. I love it. I'll always be a advocate of any company that stands behind its customers.

If it sounds like I like these units, well your right. I have five (5) of the 4-porters and one (1) of the new 8-porters. The 8-porter is under $200 and the 1-porter is under $100. That's a switch, router, DHCP Server & Client with MAC address Cloning, IPsec and PPPoE, DMZ, Port logging, Port Filtering, and on & on. To sum it all up, THEY ROCK!!!!

[glc1]

Originally posted by LRoberts:
They come in USB,The USB port on the BEFSRU31 is solely for configuring the router, so it's basically useless, just use the internal page and telnet.

Originally posted by LRoberts:
Most importantly, Linksys has be creating new firmware to improve these models and add new features to existing models at NO Charge to the user.They have to, their routers suck to begin w/. :D

Note: Aside from the security gained from NAT, most consumer routers also have firewalls.

[lroberts]

For the $100-$200 price, they're great. You cannot compare them to a $700-$800 Cisco entry level router. That's comparing frogs and horses.

Come on, let's have a little perspective. After all, that's what seperates man from beast.

[glc1]

Originally posted by LRoberts:
For the $100-$200 price, they're great. You cannot compare them to a $700-$800 Cisco entry level router.I wasn't. I don't own a Cisco and never worked w/ one. I opted for a Netgear RT314 instead of the Linky.