Networking (Home/Small Biz)

Discussion in 'Technology' started by supersonic, Nov 7, 2012.

  1. I've had it with my router Cisco Valet M20. I don't think it was meant to deal with all the things it has to. I'm looking for recommendations on the best router for home use, I can possibly upgrade to small business quality router also.

    I have about 16 devices (mostly stupid shit like TV, tivo, phones) that are connected and it just can't handle it (i think). My PC is so slow most of the time because of it.

    I usually buy Cisco/Linksys but I saw Netgear makes Wireless AP/extenders. I would like to add some of those to increase my wireless range too.

    I don't know if it's just the CiscoM20 because my old WRT54G Linksys worked fantastic up until it died.

    Link me your stuff!
     
  2. Buffalo Airstation WZR-HP-G300NH:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162031

    It has DD-WRT based firmware pre-installed. It's wireless N with gigabit ethernet and a USB port for network attached storage. I can't imagine you needing anything more than that for a home office setup. I've had good luck with Buffalo myself. I'm currently using one of their wireless G routers.
     
  3. http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/Juniper-Networks-Secure-Services-Gateway-SSG-20-security-appliance/2749253.aspx
     
  4. The only thing I would say about the juniper option is that you probably need to know some back-end stuff to really use it. The front-end experience can be horrible and not very intuitive.
     
  5. I'm sure it would only take a week or two to figure out. :) I have about 600 of these in the field. Haven't had a problem with any of them. I'm not using the wireless part though so I can't vouch for it.
     
  6. I love hearing about ppl that suggest a wireless router without ever using the wireless part lol.
     
  7. Juniper seem to have a very good reputation with the network nerds, I was even recommended to use them by a HP network chap earlier this year. I suspect that if the network boffins like them then they have to be decent enough all round even if they are a bit fiddly to get working.
     
  8. I’m a big fan of the SSG20. Over the years I’ve had so many expensive Cisco switches and routers fail but these Juniper devices have been rock solid. I’ve literally have hundreds of them running for years without a single problem and that’s in less than ideal conditions. They can be a booger to configure but Juniper support has plenty of example configs. Anyway it’s probably not the best solution for a home user.
     
  9. I might drive to colorado to punch you in the face. A $1000 router? I'm not Mitt Romney.

    I will probably check out that Buffalo.
     
  10. I've used that Buffalo router before and it's fine. My brother has two of them at his place. I've installed them for people I know. I'll probably upgrade to one myself when my G router dies.
     
  11. I don't understand why these cheap low end routers always die. I think 2 years is the best I've ever gotten out of <$100 router. I have a Netgear now running Tomatoe and I’ve been really happy with it but I’ve only had it for about 1 year.
     
  12. Maybe it is a maintenance issue? Who cleans out their router? The cheap ones probably don't have very good heat dissipation systems in place and 24/7 running coupled with 2 years of dust getting in the vents probably burns them out.
     
  13. I've been running a netgear for about 3-4 years now, survived many a power cut. Also have a linksys wrt whatever with that ddt firmware that I rescued from death using the short out hack. use it as a bridge, been running at least 2 years with that
     
  14. I've had my current Buffalo since 2009. It's held up better than most of the consumer grade junk I've had in the past. The Linksys WRT routers I've had seem to die like clockwork right at the two year mark. I'm not sure why as routers seem like relatively simple devices.
     
  15. Re: Re: Networking (Home/Small Biz)

    I am not a network specialist like bfun but I wouldn't say they were simple. Even the cheapest router is constantly running DHCP services, a routing table, a switch, a firewall, wireless services and security. A routers processor is going to be pretty busy before you add any traffic.

    Low end routers are probably specced pretty badly and struggle when you give them too much work to do. For example going and buying a £20 4 port switch with 4 1Gbps ports doesn't mean you can push 4Gbps data across it. It would probably fall over pretty quickly if you try. Low end routers were probably not designed for the growing number of devices we are connectimg to them.

    You really get what you pay for in the world of networking hence bfuns $1000 juniper. The last HP switch I purchased at work is a modular one, we got it with 96 ports and the list price was around £11,000. Sure we could have gone and got two 48 port £300 switches but they wouldn't have had the throughput, features or management tools the higher end one has.
     
  16. I've been using the Netgear n600 wndr3700 since the end of 2010 and it's been rock solid, but I also paid $130 for it. Kinda hefty but it has been perfect.
     
  17. The Lyncsys WRT are the worst offenders. I have no idea why they get such great reviews. Sure they are fine out of the box but they don’t last.

    And grim is right about cheap switches. The ports might be 10/100/1000 but the backplane and processor can’t handle those speeds under load.
     
  18. I’ve read that the Apple Airports are good but they are also $180.

    I have the Netgear WNR3500L and so far I'd say it's the best router I've ever used. But time will tell if that holds up.
     
  19. my Asus router stopped working wirelessly once or twice. Rather it won't work with an encripted line. I had to spen days just resetting it and the modem over and over and suddenly it just worked! I've no idea why. Another thing that trips up my router is when I change the SSID. than I have to reset it over and over again again until I can synchronize it with the CORRECT SSID with all the connected PCs at once. Something like that. Other than those two issues my Asus has been running like a champ for 3 years! It's right about 100 dollars though. I had to splurge for the network usb port that I never use.
     
  20. Assuming I'm Mitt Romeny, which switch do you recommend? I was looking at this one, how can I find out about the backplane?

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122111

    Also, this is the router I'm probably going to end up buying:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320115