Best Router

[treads6464]

i am currently in the market for a new router. i would like to know what people have found best suits them in terms of features and affordability. Currently i have an old garbage Linksys. My current network is as follows: 1 server direct to router, 2 switches direct to router with anywhere from 2-16 users at a time (my wife, bless her, lets me have a lan party twice a year), 2 laptops which connect to router wirelessly. What works for you guys/gals?

[flyswatta]

I've been happy with my Linksys 54G w/ DDWRT.

Although, with that many connections, you may want to look on Craigslist for a 16 or 24 port 10/100 switch - they're going for around $15 in the Dallas area since businesses are upgrading to gigabit.

[pcostanza]

My Linksys 54G router is still running but most of what I'm reading lately has pointed to D-Link being ahead in the race. I feel it's a matter of opinion. I've got a bud who does small home/office networks who has started recommending D-Link and swears by their support. Of course, he's also pushing 'N' which for most is not needed.

[Spartan]

I've been happy with my Linksys 54G w/ DDWRT.

Although, with that many connections, you may want to look on Craigslist for a 16 or 24 port 10/100 switch - they're going for around $15 in the Dallas area since businesses are upgrading to gigabit.

My Linksys 54G router is still running but most of what I'm reading lately has pointed to D-Link being ahead in the race. I feel it's a matter of opinion. I've got a bud who does small home/office networks who has started recommending D-Link and swears by their support. Of course, he's also pushing 'N' which for most is not needed.

I have a Linksys wrt-350N which has 4 gigabit ports + N wireless and it absolutely rocks. I also have the DD-WRT firmware on it and absolutely love being able to VPN into my home network.

[-Oz-]

my favorite is by far the buffalo WHR-HP-G54; have 4 of them running a huge mesh network with dd-wrt.

Its so nice and the range is so.... long

[bogyver]

You could also build you own router out of an old computer, that what I use for my network, I use a P3 1ghz machine with a 512 cf card and pfsense, (derivative of m0n0wall) its fast and allows for 10 mega byte per second though put. It allows for vpn and custom rules, and is currently under active development you can also do wireless with an atheros based pci card
you can find it at http://www.pfsense.com and m0n0wall at http://m0n0.ch

[SKiFit]

Another vote for the Buffalo G54 w/DD-WRT firmware

[whurlston]

I am starting to shy away from D-Link. I have had too many issues recently with machines failing to connect properly to the wireless. Macs are especially susceptible to the issue.

Linksys routers are very susceptible to dirty power (brownouts, etc) and sometimes have to be rebooted. A cheap 350vA ups solves that issue.

Neatgear has been flawless for me. I wish the port forwarding options were a little more advanced though.

No experience with the Buffalo.

[jksmurf]

I've been happy with my Linksys 54G w/ DDWRT. .

Me too, two WRT54GS's with Tomato (and before that Thibor 15C HyperWRT).

k.

[BobBuilder]

Another vote for the Buffalo G54 with dd-wrt, WHR-HP-G54 to be precise.

The HP (High power) is pointless in my case, I have dd-wrt setting the signal strength right down so could have got away without the HP.

The open vpn on dd-wrt is absolutly great.

Bob