Router reccomendations

[Ki-tat Chung]

My router just died on me, and I need a new one. Simple enough

Prerequisites are ethernet ports, and a parallel printer port (print server). Wi-Fi not required, but I will consider it, for possible use in the future.

So, any ideas?

[Bomb Bloke]

Well, a computer has most of what you suggest there. Easier to add WiFi, too, if it's needed later on.

 

Will it require DSL ports or anything like that? If not, I'd seriously consider just plugging an old PC into a switch and getting that to do your routing.

[Kernel]

You can get router's with parallel ports?

 

What sort of internet connection do you have? Cable? DSL? ADSL?

 

I got a netgear router with wireless built in on my ADSL connection. It's never failed me so far.

Unlike my D-Link one... who's ADSL port died during a lightning storm.

[Kret]

As others have stated, what type of connection do you have? Do you need a modem-router or just a router? Regarding the pararel port, would you consider to use a separate device from the router for such purpose?

[Ki-tat Chung]

i currently have a cable internet connection (optus for those in aus). i've coonsidered using an old comp, but i've got space restrictions (only cable outlet is in the study).

if i were to go all out, i would consider the airgo chipset routers, namely Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router F5D8230-4, Netgear Pre-N Wireless WGM124, or Linksys Wireless-G WRT54GX. More likely would be the Linksys Wireless-G WRT54G or even better, Linksys Wireless-G WRT54GS. I'm currently leaning towards the Linksys Wireless-G WRT54GS, due to it's standards compliancy and the editor's choice. Any more opinions?

[Slaughter]

I have the WRT54G or GS (can't remember). I HATE IT! It's as useless as it's ugly!

 

Seriously though, I have a problem connecting to it using a ZyXEL wireless card. I tried updating it, but nothing changed. This might be the ZyXEL cards problem however (even if it's only a problem with this router), as everyone seems to recommend it. The largest Norwegian hardware site has it as one of it's recommended wireless routers for home users.

[Kernel]

Your aware that Linksys has been known for some rather LARGE security holes on their routers right?

[Mikal]

We have an early 1960s build house and find wireless a hindrance. So we now use ethernet on a DG834 router modem. The old 824 wasn't being patched and developed a problem.

 

Never ever heard of a parallel port on a modem router

[Ki-tat Chung]

Well you have now

They're basicly print servers built into the router. I had one built into my last one. As for the security holes, I havn't reaserched that far yet, but I'm thinking that since Linksys is a division of Cisco now, it'd be at least half decent. Not to mention the number of firmwares out there.

[Stun Grenade]

I use my Linux machine as a router It has two NIC's - one goes into the hub and one goes into my Cable Modem. I have a wireless access point connected to the hub so theres my wifi

[Ki-tat Chung]

Well, most of my problems are solved now. Someone we know had a router lying around they didn't need, mainly because of Telstra's annoying protocols, so they "lent/gave" it to us. It has Wi-Fi and four ethernet ports. It also uses Atheros's "Super-G Turbo" Wi-Fi. I guess I'll just have to leave my comp on for my dad to use the printer. Edited January 16, 2006 by Ki-tat Chung

[Matri]

My D-Link router has a parallel port and worked as a print server. Until the old printer died. Now the new one is USB and I can't for the life of me figure out how to plug it into the router to use as a print server...

[Stun Grenade]

Umm plug it into a server or a client PC and setup SAMBA. With me, my Linux machine is on 24/7 which means if I plug a printer into that and setup SAMBA, anyone in the house, even at 12am in the morning can do a print job

[Kernel]

if I plug a printer into that and setup SAMBA, anyone in the house, even at 12am in the morning can do a print job

 

I remember working with someone who had a friend in the US with a linux PC setup as a firewall with printer attached. My friend knew the passwords to the linux PC so we connected to it over the internet and made it print out all sorts of wierd messages in the middle of the night.

Messages like "We're watching you" and "We know what your doing". Then in the evening the guy I work with used to talk to his friend and wind him up even more. It was funny while it lasted but about a week later he discovered who it was by looking through the connection logs on the Linux PC. He was a bit annoyed to start with but I think he saw the funny side later on.