Router Advice

[MarkA]

I need a broadband router. Right now, I'm deciding between the Netgear RP614 at $64.99 and the Siemens SS2614 at $59.99, though I'm open to other ideas. What would you guys with broadband already suggest?

PS, I like the Siemens for the print server and I like the D-Link for the content filtering. Can anyone comment on how well these functions work?

[gcutler]

What is your criteria (price, does it have to include a printer server, does it have to include content filtering, etc) which criteria are more important than the others?

[James_F]

Where are you buying the netgear? Its $39 after rebate here in phoenix. I'd just buy whats cheaper, its all the same at that price point.

[gcutler]

I have never seen a Network Device that cannot change it's mac address (even the lower end stuff), so i'd bet that the NetGear can change the MAC Address.

How many PCs will you be connecting to the network?

Content Filtering is not so great if I think that is what you want. You can specify which sites to deny or which sites to allow, but it isn't like NetNanny that has all the adult sites blocked and updated (like an Anti-Virus does with Virus Definition). You would have to manually add an address to the Allow/Deny. For some parents they like this because if they manually have to "Allow" they know which sites exactly their kids are going to, but a kid doing their homework might end up asking for new sites to be added every 5 minutes.

The print server can be nice, especially when you don't want to keep PCs turned on that are usually connected to the printer. This way just connect to the Device and everyone has access. But now a days I just keep the PCs on and use the Energy Star setting to save electricity, so my need for the device was not as necessary.

[JBKing]

Zac, I've got a Linksys BEFSR41 Etherfast Cable/DSL Router that I no longer use (i'm wireless now!). Email me if your are interested. I'll guarantee it works, and that you will like the price. :)

[gcutler]

JBKing, Thats the one I use, It works great. But it is one of the most popular models sold. Zac, may want a less popular model just to be different :D

[Bogy]

JBKing, if you still want to get rid of the router, I'd be interested. I'm using ICS and have been considering changing to a router, and what you have is what I am interested in.

[James_F]

Just out of curiosity, why not share a printer connected to a computer rather than pay extra for a print server?

[gcutler]

Originally posted by Bogy
JBKing, if you still want to get rid of the router, I'd be interested. I'm using ICS and have been considering changing to a router, and what you have is what I am interested in.

Bogy, swapping out ICS for a real router will make life more pleasant, NO DEBATE!!! :p

[sorahl]

just putting my .02 in.
I have a linksys that I am very happy with. My brother in law has the siemens and the netgear. He bought the siemens first and had so many problems with it that he got a netgear. I also bought a netgear for my church (not that we have broadband) but it is also a WAP. It HAPPENS to have a printserver attached too. the most important thing is it works like a charm.

Next time I buy network equipment for myself, it will be netgear.

john

[Bogy]

Originally posted by gcutler
Bogy, swapping out ICS for a real router will make life more pleasant, NO DEBATE!!! :p
I'll agree with you on that one. :D

[JBKing]

Bogy, if I get my wireless setup going, we'll talk! :)

[Bogy]

Originally posted by JBKing
Bogy, if I get my wireless setup going, we'll talk! :)
Hey, I'm watching the other thread and really hoping you get it figured out. :D

[James_F]

Originally posted by Zac
"Just out of curiosity, why not share a printer connected to a computer rather than pay extra for a print server?"

Why not share a connection attached to a computer rather than pay extra for a router? It all has to do with convienience!

I guess I really don't understand your setup. I assume you already had that printer hooked up to a computer. BUT, if that computer might be off from time to time, then I see your point.

[raj2001]

Note that if you want to use some VoIP programs like MSN voice chat, you would need a router which supports UPnP. The newer Linksys ones do, I don't know about others. I know some of the SMC ones don't for sure.