Another 'Which router' thread... but I want a good one!

Bossk128

Bossk128

Bossk128

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Hullo,

I'm trying to get my hands on a decent ADSL modem router, but I've got some specific requirements listed below in descending importance. I know spec sheets tell you most of this, but I'd rather trust users opinions on the first two points. There'll be a max of 6 computers on this simultaneously. I've a budget of £100, but could stretch to £120 for something braw.

--stable (and preferably fast) ADSL MAX performance

--decent CPU/RAM grunt so torrents do not make it fall over

--Quality of service, for Skype + games, or browsing whilst DL'ing

--UPnP (and hopefully good NAT rules entries, where you can specify port ranges and convert external ports to internal ports if they differ)

--Wireless (but nothing fancy, up to 54Meg is fine plus WEP and WPA)

--IGMP multicast support

--4 port switch (only 100Meg required)

--USB print server port (now I'm just picky, not bothered about this :p )


Cheers!


edit: added IGMP
 
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OK, my bad, I forgot to put IGMP multicast as something cool too. I'd like a router that I won't have to change for a couple of years and after the BBC multicast trial I think I'll use my PC for streaming telly more.

However, IGMP is not a deal breaker, so I'll look into the Draytek. I've thought about getting a 2600 before but heard they weren't so hot with torrents- I thought they were overpriced if they couldn't manage a number of connections.

Cheers.

Just thought to double check, 2800 does do IGMP, listed as a LAN protocol. Will this work over the WAN port too?

And how is the QoS configured? By IP/port, or can it 'sniff packets' or something?
 
Ironman, I take i this method is utilising some other source as an ADSL modem? If I use a router, then it is still managing all the net connections (eg, bittorrent, game server browsing) - not really solving my problem. I had previosly looked a bit at Smoothwall.org, any comments on this distro vs the two you posted?

I guess this would work if I found an internal ADSL modem, PCI style. I've haven't seen these for a while, IIRC they were about £20 - this would replace one of the net cards.

Anybody have experience of internal PCI ADSL modems, and if there are any good ones to look out for, or bad ones to avoid? Specifically, does the ADSL modem need to support things like UPnP or IGMP, or would the *nix firewall look after that?
 
Firewall/router takes care of all of the above, not the modem afaik. IPCop is a code branch of Smoothwall GPL resulting in a quite public and rather unfortunate split. I spent a few years using smoothy and have to say it's a very high quality product but it lacks the range of additional mod's that IPCop has now. Monowall is unknown to me so I can't comment with any authority but those I know who have used it seem to rate it quite highly.
 
OK, I'm thinking maybe a Billion 7402G. Seems to have the right stuff apart from USB print server, oh well :)

Opinions on this part are appreciated.

If it turns out that Bittorrent brings this router to it's knees, then I'll have to explore the M0n0wall/Smoothwall/IPCOP route.....
 
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