Anyone use Cisco Cable Router, specifically WRT320N?

ajf

ajf

ajf

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I want to get a new 'n' router and was looking at the Cisco range.
Any thoughts on how they perform in general?
I used to have issues with couple older Linksys models, so have Cisco improved them?

One particular. the WRT320N looked nice spec as it also has gigabit ports.
I want to connect 3 laptops and 2 desktops, likely to stream videos through XBMC on at least the desktops - ISOs mainly.
 
If it says Linksys on it, its not Cisco, please don't call this product range Cisco.

Cisco haven't had much if anything to do with the consumer Linksys range, other than putting their badging on it.
 
Well, it actually says both....
They are marketed as Linksys by Cisco.
So, is it really a major issue to say Cisco?!

Andrew
 
It gets confusing - if you were to say 'recommend me a router from the Cisco range' then you wouldn't like the prices of what's being suggested.
 
Caged said:
It gets confusing - if you were to say 'recommend me a router from the Cisco range' then you wouldn't like the prices of what's being suggested.
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Exactly, I use a Cisco router for my VM 50Mb cable, but it's certainly not one you'd be buying from OcUK or the high-street.
 
lol - true!
I see the point but I thought if I said just Linksys I would get the opposite, they are actually now Cisco - and as said above it does actually show Cisco on the devices too.

Do Cisco (the real ones) actually do cable routers?
 
Cisco do routers, there isn't really any such thing as a "cable router". You configure one Ethernet interface as WAN and one as LAN, if you need ADSL then you buy an ADSL WIC/HWIC module.
 
paradigm said:
If it says Linksys on it, its not Cisco, please don't call this product range Cisco.

Cisco haven't had much if anything to do with the consumer Linksys range, other than putting their badging on it.
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That used to be true but isnt so much any more - they are phasing out the "linksys" stuff.

The Wireless Access Points, for example do not contain the same hardware and do not run the same firmware despite looking identical (linksys badge aside).
 
Nope, its a 2651XM, and as and when I can obtain an 1841 for reasonable money I'll upgrade to one of those :)

I also run two Cisco WAPs (1242s), a 3548 10/100 switch, and a 3524-PWR PoE 10/100 switch.
 
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paradigm said:
Nope, its a 2651XM, and as and when I can obtain an 1841 for reasonable money I'll upgrade to one of those :)

I also run two Cisco WAPs (1242s), a 3548 10/100 switch, and a 3524-PWR PoE 10/100 switch.
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Nice, not used an 1841 since the days of SDSL at our Blackburn office. Currently have a couple of 2851's. I'm looking for something cheaper at home. I have an 877 but that's ADSL enabled.
 
cottoneye said:
Nice, not used an 1841 since the days of SDSL at our Blackburn office. Currently have a couple of 2851's. I'm looking for something cheaper at home. I have an 877 but that's ADSL enabled.
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The 877 would "do" cable fine, but its throughput won't be adeuate for 20 or 50Mb.

Doesn't matter that its got ADSL, you can still set one eth port to IP NAT OUTSIDE ;)
 
paradigm said:
The 877 would "do" cable fine, but its throughput won't be adeuate for 20 or 50Mb.

Doesn't matter that its got ADSL, you can still set one eth port to IP NAT OUTSIDE ;)
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Thanks paradigm, I didn't think of it like that. Which one from the 800 series would you recommend which could handle 50MB well?
 
None of the 800 series have the throughput to deal with 50Mb unfortunately, which is why my old 877 sits here lonely :(
 
Look at picking up a Pix from the bay, that'll do 100mb of NAT no probs.

When you say 'router' you probably want more of the features that the Pix/ASA are good for than an actual router. I doubt you have much need for routing between several subnets and VLANs, just between your LAN and the internet.
 
It was my understanding that the ASA range replaced the PIX range and so will still be more expensive than their predecessor? Or i have got that wrong?
 
dave-lew99 said:
It was my understanding that the ASA range replaced the PIX range and so will still be more expensive than their predecessor? Or i have got that wrong?
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They did indeed replace the PIX line of products, but PIX's weren't ever highly regarded as particularly great devices, and I'm a devout Cisco brand whore.

Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a Cisco ISR, or Modular Service Platform router for a home connection. They will do pretty much everything your standard consumer grade product will do, and a hell of a lot more on top. The "firewall" you get in a consumer grade product is nothing more than some badly written NAT policies and some port forwarding rules.

I'm not saying that an ASA wouldn't be a good buy, just that you shouldn't dismiss a true "router" just because you might not (I do actually) use the inter VLAN routing of said product.
 
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I remember configuring a PIX 515E a few years ago and it did the job at the time however it was a pretty simple setup which is the only reason i managed it!

Paradigm would you please recommend a router and switch, as it's for home I don't want to spend a great deal. I'm not adverse to spending as I have an 877 which cost a pretty penny new when it was first released.

virgin modem > router > switch > home network < I assume

+ wireless access points, are the aironet's good for large coverage? I live in a victorian house so that would be vital

Thanks for your help
 
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