Router with Firewall Please.

[Poppa_Meth]

I just set up Windows 2000 on an old PC for my mother and I want to add her to my Cable connection so I need suggestions for a good router with built in firewall for a decent price. I do use bittorent from time to time and I've noticed in a lot of reviews where several routers have issues dropping signal when used with such clients. Input appreciated.

[VenGeanCe]

@poppa try the dlink router with built in firewall
as far as BT goes just enable ports between 5000-65000 i think BT uses that
try this link mite help u
http://games.dlink.com/products/?pid=370

[Poppa_Meth]

Thanks.
The problem with BT is not with open ports its with the amount of connections it opens. Evidently when it opens multiple connection all at once a lot of the cheaper routers tend to drop signal and need reset.

[Poppa_Meth]

That's a bit more than I wanted to put into one. I'm looking for more the $50-$80 range. Doesn't have to be wireless either.

Couple questions while I'm at it. I'm assuming that when one PC is off all the bandwidth will be routed to the PC that is on. Correct me if I'm wrong there. Also I'm wondering if both are on does the bandwidth get split evenly or divided out to whichever machine needs it most? And is there a way to put a limit on the bandwidth one computer uses? My mother could do with using say 1/12 or 1/6 max on my connection. I'd hate to waste a bunch of bandwith routing to her while I could be using it downloading.

[redwudz]

I use a D-Link DI-704UP about $60US. Works well with 3-4 computers hooked up and I like the feature of being able to use the printer from any computer. The model without the print server (DI-704) is even cheaper.

With BitComet, using XP, I just open the one port UDP and TCP on the router and have no problems.

You can use Netlimiter to control the bandwidth from each computer if you need it. I never noticed how it shares the bandwidth, but I have never seen any problems there.

If your BT client is set at default you shouldn't drop the connection through a router. I've had more trouble with my ISP and proxy server dropping me than the router being overloaded when I upped my number of connections.

EDIT: Looks like the DI-604 is the next one down from the DI-704 (P or UP)

[Poppa_Meth]

I use bitcomet as well so thats good to know. I've been looking at that router as well as the Netgear fr114p. To many decisions to make.

[reboot]

SMC Barricade 7004VBR is another good choice.
IMHO easier interface than the D-Link's, and the same security as the rest of them.
NAT is easily configured if you want to run a server, or need a special port or two for online gaming.

The router will spread bandwidth as it's needed.
If you're downloading, while someone else is reading email, your download will only slow down a slight bit while she actually get's or sends a mail.
It doesn't just split it into half each.
If hers is off, you get 100%.

[Poppa_Meth]

Thanks again. That SMC isn't bad looking at all for the price. May have to research that one a bit further as well. I had hoped the router would split bandwidth as needed but I've never used a router before so I wasn't sure on it. Thanks for the info.

[Poppa_Meth]

Finally got my router. I went with the SMC model and so far so good. Only problem I had is the manual off their site says there is no login password by default which is not true. Of course the manual looks outdated for the firmware in it anyway. So far so good with it though. I'll have to see how it performs when I get around to hooking up filesharing programs again.