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Need a new router for work
    #13626342 -

Just seeing what everybody recommends. I need at least a prosumer/professional grade router with all the latest features. This is for work. We have two servers, and access files remotely. We all use Apple computers here. The reason I say that, is some routers require a serial cable to connect, and nobody here has that or will ever have that. My boss is not very good with the command line, so I really need something that is powerful but with a quality interface. I should be able to easily open ports and set static IP's and get email alerts from the firewall. It would be nice to have one the can remind me to change the password every so many days. I don't even know if any do that now, but that would be nice.

Basically, what is the best commercial grade router I can get for a small business. We don't need any Cisco rack or anything. 4-8 ports would be plenty. I don't want wireless. We already have an Apple Time Capsule for backups and a wireless router. We have to restart the router at least once a week for whatever reason, probably due to the large amounts of traffic. When we restart the router the server go down (obviously) and the new router would allow us to restart the thing without affecting the servers.

I am looking for something in the $100-$300 price range. I have googled this a lot, but it's hard to find a natural conversation on the topic that isn't biased and tailored specifically to my needs. Any info would be appreciated.

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Re: Need a new router for work [Re: daytripper05]
    #13628876 -

you could grab something like a Cisco 871. it has both a 4 port switch and wifi (but you can turn it off if you dont want it).

set up the SDM (Security Device Manager) and you can access it through a web UI like you would any consumer level router.

you may need to use a usb-to-console cable to set it up initially but after that you should be good to go.

when you first turn it on it will ask you if you "want to enter the initial configuration mode". this will just ask you a series of simple questions to get you up and running. youll have SSH access (so there is no need for a console cable) and be like 2 or 3 commands away from setting up the SDM. although depending on how they ship it, the SDM may already be running.

its really not hard at all. and you have pretty much any option you can think of since it is the full cisco IOS.

an advantage is that there is TONS of cisco information out there to let you really tweak anything you can think of.

here is a wired one on ebay for $150:
http://is.gd/iI5xw

ebay will probably be your best bet. buying directly from Cisco they are around $700-$800.


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Re: Need a new router for work [Re: frith]
    #13629941 -

Cisco really annoys me, so I seldom recommend them, even though they are the industry leader.  Their lack of support and tiny limited warranty, without buying a contract, are the nail in the coffin.  If you buy Cisco, be sure to read the fine print on how long the hardware is under warranty.  Many (most?) of their products only offer a 90-day warranty.  If I'm paying thousands of dollars for equipment, I expect there to be a three to five year warranty, not a three month warranty.

I've not used it, but the Netopia R910 is an option (~$200).

Other companies to look at are linksys (now owned by Cisco), dlink, netgear, dynex, belkin, trendnet, sonicwall, barracuda.

I don't know anything about dynex or trendnet.  In my experience, Belkin is rebranded chinese crap.  I've not been happy with netgeart, but d-link has always been solid (on their switches that I have used).  3Com used to make some stuff, but I believe they were purchased by HP a while back and I have dropped out of sight.  I'm not sure if sonicwall or barracuda make routers; I have used both of their network security products.


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Just another spore in the wind.

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Re: Need a new router for work [Re: Seuss]
    #13630206 -

actually ive been hearing some good things about Vyatta lately. they use all open source software on their routers.

something like a 514 or whatever would probably work.


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Re: Need a new router for work [Re: frith]
    #13630325 -

> actually ive been hearing some good things about Vyatta lately

Cool.  Thanks for the heads up.  I'll have to remember.  Opensource is always a bonus (to me), especially on network hardware.  http://www.vyatta.com/ for anybody wanting to read more about them...


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Just another spore in the wind.

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Re: Need a new router for work [Re: Seuss]
    #13630623 -

Seuss said:
> actually ive been hearing some good things about Vyatta lately

Cool.  Thanks for the heads up.  I'll have to remember.  Opensource is always a bonus (to me), especially on network hardware.  http://www.vyatta.com/ for anybody wanting to read more about them...


agreed. open source is huge.

im tempted to pick up one of those little 514s to just see what theyre like. im sure they are a hell of a lot cheaper than cisco gear.. that shite is bloody expensive.


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Re: Need a new router for work [Re: frith]
    #13632804 -

I looked into the vyatta and its a little out of our price range, even thought our needs probably warrant the cost. It looks pretty sweet though. Too bad it's almost a 1000 dollars

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Re: Need a new router for work [Re: daytripper05]
    #13633705 -

commercial grade routers arent cheap. you dont seem to need a whole lot of features though.. a highend consumer level router may work just as well.

basic port security would be a nice thing to have but if its a small office and you trust the people who will be accessing the network not to connect other equipment (switch, wireless ap, etc) then you could probably do without it.

enterprise level equipment has the ability to change packet encapsulation types, change the routing protocols for communicating with other routers (assuming you have a multi-router setup), manually set default routes to the destinations (usually based on speed), etc.. i couldnt even begin to guess how many configuration combinations there are out there.. millions..

if all you need to do is open a port or two youre not really asking for much.. hook up a nice Buffalo router with DD-WRT and you should be fine. if not.. there is always a return policy..

heres a good looking one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162031&cm_re=buffalo_router-_-33-162-031-_-Product


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Re: Need a new router for work [Re: frith]
    #13635654 -

Thanks for the info, I really don't need a lot and thing a consumer grade router should be sufficient. We only have 4 people that work in our office, and clients with limited wireles access on a guest network, so no we are really basic at this point. Nobody has any restrictions and no one needs any, we are the furthest thing from a corporate office as you can get.

My biggest concerns are security, but that usually has to do with the strength of the password and how well the logs or monitored for threats, and then how often the passwords are reset.

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Re: Need a new router for work [Re: daytripper05]
    #13636237 -

just set reminders in whatever calendaring application you use to change it.

you definitely dont sound like you need an enterprise level router.


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