Gettin DSL soon, now need a router...

[Hooterman]

Hey guys, I'm sure this has been a topic that has been asked many times before, and/or is more on personal preference. But I figure that you guys are the best to ask this, plus I dont have very much in the knowledge department on networks (yet)

basically here's what my setup will be:

1 computer running Win2k
and
1 computer running Win98

after the reviews I read the Linksys looked great but I saw that there is some difficulties with certain programs with it, i.e. ICQ, Napster, etc. (which I use a lot of)

anyways, thanks for any help!

[ 03-28-2001: Message edited by: Hooterman ]

[glc1]

I'd go w/ a Netgear or Umax.
As you have noted, the Linky seems to have a lot of issues.

[nightowl]

ya get the netgear RT314.....i've had mine for almost 6 months now and it works great

[ruger-dfw]

my SMC works great http://www.smc.com/smc/pages_html/products.html

[Matt615]

I have friends that have used the Lynksys and had no problems, but people here seem to have problems with them. ;)

[tekelberry]

no problemos with the linky here

[g-c0de]

i say negear rt311, get rt314 if you have multiple networks

[YeOldeStonecat]

The Linky has the most abilities, easiest to use web interface for admin, easiest firmware updates, and frequent firmware updates. I had one at home for a couple of weeks when I first got DSL to get me going until I got the NetGear. And I've installed near 30 of them on my job.

The NetGear is a bit faster, less features, but of better quality. You have to use the old fashioned telnet for the few advanced features that is has. But for the 3 months that I had mine, never had to restart it except once for a firmware upgrade. Rock stable.

If you're serious about hosting a game server, none of the above do well, you've gotta step up to a more midrange router like a Netopia (which I picked up a couple of months ago) The NetGear has a kicking problem, the Linksys had horrid graphic problems with UT based games, waiting to see if the latest beta firmware fixed that.

As to other programs, no matter what router you'll get, some software will have to be adjusted, or you'll need to forward ports in the routers NAT for that software. Napster works fine without doing a thing, ICQ works, you'll have to configure to use ICQ phone or ICQ file receive features, gaming as a client in most cases will work fine without any adjustments.