ROUTER

[soimcrazy]

I just subscribed to broadband (Adelphia Powerlink)....WOW, what a difference from dial-up !!
Right now I have 2 computers in the same room. I want both to have the broadband. Whats my best choice in routers? I dont really want wireless.
And what about FireWall ? I have Nortons software, but what about a hardware firewall?


THANKS

[stiltman]

Personally, I like FreeSCO and this Linksys Router/switch for the average user that is. I have used them both, but now use a real router (2505)

You'll get a lot of opinions on what people like. Try here for more info

[soimcrazy]

I dont want to spend a fortune on a router, but I dont wat just, and I dont want something thats going to slow down my broadband.
And what about an external firewall...how does that work?

[redwudz]

I've been using a D-link DI-704 for several years with my broadband setup. It is a router/switch. Cheap and easy to set up. It operates as a hardware firewall and makes you fairly immune to hackers. There is a newer model now. There are quite a few inexpensive router/ switches that work as well. What's nice about it is that once it's set up, you never have to mess with it again. Have as many computers (I have 4) tied to your ethernet lan as you want with only one address. I have a broadband setup that used to work at 3MB/Sec and it kept up just fine.

[gcutler]

Most routers at CompUSA by Linksys or Dlink or whatever are probably all your need and will act as a firewall good enough for most people. They will allow you to connect multiple machines to your broadband connection and protect you from the outside world. The only performance hit will be that you and another family member might be accessing the internet at the same time and thus sharing the same "Bandwidth".

But you will also need to make sure that you have other SW like Anti-Virus, and firewall SW to protect your machine from being hit by places you intentionally or accidentally visit. One typo and you visit the wrong site and a virus can get thru or changes can be made to your Browser config. Anti-Virus and Firewall SW will protect you from that stuff.

Also apply all security patches that get released (setup Windows, and your Anti-Virus and your Firewall SW to auto update any new patches). It may cost you to subscribe to anti-virus or firewall updates, but it is a necessity.

[Ripper2860]

Ditto the D-Link recommendation. I use a 704P router/firewall and it is excellent.

Another option is a Linksys. They have switch/firewall models that interface directly with ZoneAlarm (software based Firewall) and provide excellent protection by seamlessly integrating hardware and software firewall. No matter what hardware you go with, you will still want a software firewall and ZoneAlarm (free) or ZoneAlarm Pro are excellent.

BTW -- A feature you might want would be a built-in print server. That way you can attach a parallel printer directly to the router and print via any computer attached to the switch. Beats using print sharing under Windows, as the PC w/ the printer does not have to be turned on.

[Roundabout]

And after you get your router, if you want to check and see if the firewall is working properly, go to http://www.grc.com/default.htm and scroll down the page to "Hot Spots" and click on "shields up!". This will take you to a webpage that will explain more about ports and such, and you can test your firewall after you click on "proceed". On the next page, click on "all service ports" to make a complete check of your system's invisibility (or not). You may find you have ports open or not stealthed, and you might need to change some configuration on the router. I also have Adelphia Power Link for several months now, it's O.K. so far (and cheap - $24.95/mo. for 15 months). I download 24/7 from eMule and it seems to stay online for the most part. I've been downloading 20 - 40 GB a month and they (Adelphia) haven't complained (yet)
I've been using a Netgear router, see the other thread in this forum that shows some of my router config screens to give you an idea - take a look here: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=195112
I like this router personally more than the Linksys one I had before that kept crashing and dying on me. I may have just gotten a lemon (I returned it), and I went out and got the Netgear MR814 router for $30.00 and have been very pleased with the performance.

[soimcrazy]

I only have 2 computers in the same room that I need to link together.

I just need something simple.

That netgear in the link you provided looks sophisticated !! ...is it?

I just want to plug & play !!

[iooi]

Mmm, Plug and Play not really router territory. You will have some network setting up to do.. Pretty easy to do, so long as you read the manual first...
Any that runs in NAT mode will give you very good protection without the need to run a software firewall hogging your resourses. Just run a virus scanner everyday and something like addaware or spybot once in a while to keep your system clean.
They look scarrery but are like a pussy cat once running...

[soimcrazy]

whats the chances of these routers messing up...or crashing?

[Roundabout]

I only have 2 computers in the same room that I need to link together.

I just need something simple.

That netgear in the link you provided looks sophisticated !! ...is it?

I just want to plug & play !!

Don't worry, the settings I showed in that link were to set up the router to do port forwarding for eMule ( a P2P program similar to Kazaa ). You probably won't need to do that unless you install something like eMule. If you just want to run the router, it comes with "quick start" instructions and is easy as pie to set up. It will act as a router and a firewall, and just like iooi says, you won't need a software firewall because the NAT function of the router will block attacks. You only need the normal antivirus programs running and you're all set! Nothing to worry about. Almost any brand of newer router will work for what you want, double check to make sure it has NAT ( Network Address Translation ) that will hide your PC's IP address from the internet - I think virtually all of the newer ones have this function but you should make sure before purchase. The Netgear has that and SPI ( Stateful Packet Inspection ) as well, and only costs $30.00 after rebate quite often, at Office Depot or Office Max ( check your Sunday newspaper ads ), or check www.tigerdirect.com or similar sites for a price close to this.

[mujahid7ia]

I have a DLink 614+, wireless, but a nobrainer to setup, just use the 5pg manual!

[soimcrazy]

I went to BESTBUY and got the NETGEAR RP614.

wish me luck !!

[Roundabout]

This router looks almost identical to mine, except mine is 4 Port Wired + Wireless-B. I suspect the interface is almost the same, so if you need any help I'll try to answer your questions. Don't know if I can answer everything, but I'll give it a shot. It comes with a simple set up booklet that should make it easy for you.



However, I'm almost done on here tonight, so if I don't get back to you till tomorrow, sorry. I'll check in tomorrow morning and see if you have any questions, or maybe someone else can tell you what you need to know.

[soimcrazy]

well...I just realized I dont have an extra ethernet cable, so I can only use one computer right now.
I turned off both computers, unplugged the modem, and hooked up the router and one computer.
I plugged the modem and router, turned the computer on and I have a good connection...the broadband still works.
I tried to configure it like the manual says...went to http://192.168.0.1 and followed the setup wizards directions (and the manuals directions) but the wizard said that I already have a valid internet connection...so I left it alone !!

I'll buy another cable in the morning and try computer #2

[Roundabout]

Great! See, we told you it was easy
Like I mentioned earlier, you might want to go to the GRC website and check your status to make sure all ports are invisible.

[elmotheteapot]

Dlinks routers are some of the best and cost effective hardware firewalls, ive got a 624 and a 624+ both are excellent

[soimcrazy]

bought another cable for the other computer, hooked it up,...everything looking good ...so far

[soimcrazy]

And after you get your router, if you want to check and see if the firewall is working properly, go to http://www.grc.com/default.htm and scroll down the page to "Hot Spots" and click on "shields up!". This will take you to a webpage that will explain more about ports and such, and you can test your firewall after you click on "proceed". On the next page, click on "all service ports" to make a complete check of your system's invisibility (or not). You may find you have ports open or not stealthed, and you might need to change some configuration on the router.

I went to that website..heres what I got:
Your system has achieved a perfect "TruStealth" rating. Not a single packet — solicited or otherwise — was received from your system as a result of our security probing tests. Your system ignored and refused to reply to repeated Pings (ICMP Echo Requests). From the standpoint of the passing probes of any hacker, this machine does not exist on the Internet. Some questionable personal security systems expose their users by attempting to "counter-probe the prober", thus revealing themselves. But your system wisely remained silent in every way. Very nice.
GRC Port Authority Report created on UTC: 2004-01-05 at 02:17:06

Results from scan of ports: 0-1055

0 Ports Open
0 Ports Closed
1056 Ports Stealth
---------------------
1056 Ports Tested

ALL PORTS tested were found to be: STEALTH.

TruStealth: PASSED - ALL tested ports were STEALTH,
- NO unsolicited packets were received,
- NO Ping reply (ICMP Echo) was received.

[Roundabout]

Fantastic! Then you're all set - you're invisible to hackers and the router is set up properly.

Cheers!

Roundabout

[soimcrazy]

thanks for your help !!

[mujahid7ia]

But, if u need to open ports for specail apps, then you'll lose that TruStealth award , rite?

[Roundabout]

But, if u need to open ports for specail apps, then you'll lose that TruStealth award , rite?

I don't think so, because the port is still stealthed. All unsolicited incoming packets are dropped. Though the port is open, if your PC did not initiate a request from that port, then any other incoming packets will just be refused, if I understand correctly. If what you said was true, just having port 80 http open would blow your stealth cover. But it's not, for the same reason: when you request a web page, you have the packets coming back in that you requested, but only those you requested. All others would be dropped. That's why port scanning would show nothing, as you did not request those packets.

[mujahid7ia]

OOOOOOO! i thought "Trigger Port" meant that when any activity to/from the port it would be opened, but I guess that would be pretty bad...

Running a virtual server for some apps blew my cover i guess..