What consumer router do you use these days?

Built a pfsence box from scratch using a E1200, 2 gig cheap ram, refurb Intel mb (Intel lan), and added two pci Intel nics. Wireless is a Trendnet TEW-637AP (On sale again 3 weeks ago for $25.00). Frys had a SLK1650 Refurb w/ ps for $25.00.

Total for a new pc ~ $180.00

Runs flawless. Wireless N for my T61p and internet is 'speedy' even with heavy torrent dl's.
 
I have a D-Link DWA-542 RangeBooster "N" Wireless PCI Adapter in one PC and a D-Link DWA-552 Extreme "N" Wireless PCI in my main rig. They both work and get 4 out of 5 bars for signal strength. I'm going to replace the 542 with a 552 at some point just to match things up.
 
LightningCrash said:
lol @ all the people who have told me about their PC-based routers
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Why is it funny? Once you use one for a while..and see all the performance it gives you..there is simply no turning back.

It's like getting used to driving a Cobra 427 or highest end Porsche or Lambo...and then having to switch back to driving a Yugo or a Chevette. Once you get a taste of it, you don't want to give up the keys.

Really easy to install, they have easy hand holding installation wizards
You don't have to know linux..they're managed via web browser just like a typical Stinksys or Nutgear or DStink router
Can run on rather inexpensive hardware...example...look at that Alix box from Netgate...a hair over 100 bucks. Or snag an old PC or old leftover laptop like I did.

You get the performance of a 5 or 10 thousand dollar enterprise grade router.
 
DD-WRT is available for the WRT600N and 610N. Been for a while.

I'm running a WRT600N with DD-WRT.



The DIR-655 was a great router. Excellent range (certainly better than my WRT600N), very fast w/ Atheros 802.11N card, but the 2.4ghz limit was cause for upgrade, especially when my 300mbps capable 4965Ns were only doing 125.
 
YeOldeStonecat said:
Onboard Intel Pro, and the 2nd NIC is a PCMCIA card.
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So it is connected to a hub/switch though?

I figured you'd have one built in and one using a PCMCIA card. Are you connecting the LAN side to a router, switch or hub?
 
Skillz said:
So it is connected to a hub/switch though?

I figured you'd have one built in and one using a PCMCIA card. Are you connecting the LAN side to a router, switch or hub?
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LAN (green) side goes to a 5 port switch. On the surface, that 5 port switch is actually a wrt54gl wireless router....but it's flashed with DD-WRT...and running in access point mode, with the WAN/Internet port switched to 5th LAN port switch mode.
 
YeOldeStonecat said:
Why is it funny? Once you use one for a while..and see all the performance it gives you..there is simply no turning back.

It's like getting used to driving a Cobra 427 or highest end Porsche or Lambo...and then having to switch back to driving a Yugo or a Chevette. Once you get a taste of it, you don't want to give up the keys.

Really easy to install, they have easy hand holding installation wizards
You don't have to know linux..they're managed via web browser just like a typical Stinksys or Nutgear or DStink router
Can run on rather inexpensive hardware...example...look at that Alix box from Netgate...a hair over 100 bucks. Or snag an old PC or old leftover laptop like I did.

You get the performance of a 5 or 10 thousand dollar enterprise grade router.
Click to expand...

Did you read the OP?
Or post #9?
 
Asus wl-520gu with DD-WRT, faster processor than the WRT54GL, better wireless, lower price, USB port. Would like a bit more flash and RAM space, but otherwise it's very impressive, being one of the cheapest routers.
 
LightningCrash said:
Did you read the OP?
Or post #9?
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I'm confused on why you would want a "consumer" router when you can (and do) use a router/firewall distro that will gives you more functionality.

I was using IPCop but have switched over to an ASA 5505.
 
Gott said:
I'm confused on why you would want a "consumer" router when you can (and do) use a router/firewall distro that will gives you more functionality.

I was using IPCop but have switched over to an ASA 5505.
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I stated in the OP what I use my WRT54Gv2 for.
 
I am going to buy a new router tonight. Cant decide between the DIR825 and the DIR655 though.
 
LightningCrash said:
I stated in the OP what I use my WRT54Gv2 for.
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Yeah, you stated in the original post that your WRT54Gv2 was getting old and wanted a replacement.

We offered you dropping $100 on hardware and loading a *nix distro. You can then use your aging WRT as switch/ap.

Done. The *nix box is handling NAT/DHCP/DNS while your stinksys is being used as a dumb switch/ap. I dont really see why you'd laugh at us for giving you a viable option.
 
Gott said:
I'm confused on why you would want a "consumer" router when you can (and do) use a router/firewall distro that will gives you more functionality.
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The thread title is "What consumer router do you use these days?" I'm not arguing one way or the other for consumer hardware or some sort of *nix but read the freakin title.
 
I prefer to use a router over a homebrew box because a router is silent, has a switch, and uses around 500milliamps of electricity.
 
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sdotbrucato said:
Yeah, you stated in the original post that your WRT54Gv2 was getting old and wanted a replacement.

We offered you dropping $100 on hardware and loading a *nix distro. You can then use your aging WRT as switch/ap.
Click to expand...

Can you please read the OP again before posting further in this thread?
 
YeOldeStonecat said:
LAN (green) side goes to a 5 port switch. On the surface, that 5 port switch is actually a wrt54gl wireless router....but it's flashed with DD-WRT...and running in access point mode, with the WAN/Internet port switched to 5th LAN port switch mode.
Click to expand...

So it's not running as a "router" at all(the linksys)? What about the wireless does the Linksys AP still use the wireless as well? The laptop/router you have setup handle the DHCP as well?

Sorry for so many questions, I have a WRT54G v2 that runs the DD-WRT software. I have two internet connections and I'd really like to get them setup on the same LAN with load balancing setup on the router. I used to have a Nexland Pro800 Turbo router back in the day, I still have it but a friend if borrowing it atm, though I would like to get something a little newer with better technology to handle it now, I got that router like 7 or 8 years ago. The thing is though I want wireless, but I'd rather not have to use a separate router for the AP, because then it'll make it another LAN within' the LAN, and I want it to all be on the same.
 
Skillz said:
So it's not running as a "router" at all(the linksys)? What about the wireless does the Linksys AP still use the wireless as well? The laptop/router you have setup handle the DHCP as well?

Sorry for so many questions, I have a WRT54G v2 that runs the DD-WRT software. I have two internet connections and I'd really like to get them setup on the same LAN with load balancing setup on the router. I used to have a Nexland Pro800 Turbo router back in the day, I still have it but a friend if borrowing it atm, though I would like to get something a little newer with better technology to handle it now, I got that router like 7 or 8 years ago. The thing is though I want wireless, but I'd rather not have to use a separate router for the AP, because then it'll make it another LAN within' the LAN, and I want it to all be on the same.
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The WRT54G can be configured as a simple AP and it will not IP masquerade or route traffic. You don't put anything on the WAN port. DHCP Server is disabled.
If you want to get cute I think you can log in via SSH and put the WAN port on the same VLAN as the other ports, then it's available as a regular switch port on the LAN side.

This is what I do right now with my WRT54G v2 running DD-WRT.
 
TRENDnet TEW-652BRP.

It was on sale at Fry's (huge electronics retail store) for $29.99. Turns out TRENDnet is just made up of old D-Link parts (TRENDnet is owned by D-Link). It's worked fantastically so far! No drop-outs or random disconnects, solid signal, etc. From what I've read, hardware-wise it's got the same components as the D-Link DIR-615.
 
For my ADSL2+ I use the supplied ZyXEL P2602HW-D1A (20/2 Mbit + 54Mbit WLAN) in NAT-mode for the craptop.
For my SHDSL I use the supplied ZyXEL P-700 (10/10mbit) in brigde to the PC in sig.
For my 3G WB I use the suppiled Huawei E-220 (7.2/0.384Mbit)
For VDSL2+ testing....sorry, not allowed to tell ;)
 
vsboxerboy said:
The thread title is "What consumer router do you use these days?" I'm not arguing one way or the other for consumer hardware or some sort of *nix but read the freakin title.
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LightningCrash said:
Can you please read the OP again before posting further in this thread?
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Both of you clearly don't know the definition of consumer. Let me drop some knowledge:
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/consumer-product.html
Let me make my point on why stonecat, gott, myself and many other posted in this thread. Is my Cisco 3745 not a consumer product? Does Cisco only sell enterprise equipment to businesses? No. This is a consumer product by simple definition, its obvious. They're solutions can also fall under this as its a computer, which is a consumer product, with software that would also be considered a consumable item.

If you want to get bitchy about people posting items that *you* don't think are consumer(wrongly of course, because you don't understand the proper vergabe) then change your damn thread title newbeh! :p A better title would have been "What SoHo router do you guys use, and im limiting you guys to posting about linksys, dlink, and netgear!"
 
xphil3 said:
Both of you clearly don't know the definition of consumer. Let me drop some knowledge:
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/consumer-product.html
Let me make my point on why stonecat, gott, myself and many other posted in this thread. Is my Cisco 3745 not a consumer product? Does Cisco only sell enterprise equipment to businesses? No. This is a consumer product by simple definition, its obvious. They're solutions can also fall under this as its a computer, which is a consumer product, with software that would also be considered a consumable item.

If you want to get bitchy about people posting items that *you* don't think are consumer(wrongly of course, because you don't understand the proper vergabe) then change your damn thread title newbeh! :p A better title would have been "What SoHo router do you guys use, and im limiting you guys to posting about linksys, dlink, and netgear!"
Click to expand...

Great, now trolling...
 
LightningCrash said:
Great, now trolling...
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Has nothing to do with trolling, you're actually trolling your own thread genius :p All I was trying to say was to open your ears and listen to others, and dont get on their backs for posting suggestions for CONSUMER products. Both of you... mmmkay?

Continue with posting your consumer routers...
 
batteriesnotincluded said:
DD-WRT is available for the WRT600N and 610N. Been for a while.

I'm running a WRT600N with DD-WRT.



The DIR-655 was a great router. Excellent range (certainly better than my WRT600N), very fast w/ Atheros 802.11N card, but the. 2.4ghz limit was cause for upgrade, especially when my 300mbps capable 4965Ns were only doing 125
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i am thinking of getting the lynksys stuff

what is DD-WRT?


and...
what is this?
2.4ghz limit was cause for upgrade, especially when my 300mbps capable 4965Ns were only doing 125

how does 2.4 gig limit u?

what is a 4965N ?

thamks


not much mention of the linksys 600 / 610 combo----but tests seeem good...reviews..

I could take an old box and put linux on it--hi tech router!
 
Friend recently picked up a TRENDnet TEW-633GR as per the sticky on this forum. Awesome performance!

Went from barely being able to handle 300KBps download on torrents to consistently hitting the ISP advertised cap of 1.5-2MBps.

Thanks for the great guide!
 
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