Wired router suggestions

I have two computers that already have the same type of ethernet card installed and I can switch the broadband cable from one to the other and all is fine but now I need to move one computer to another room and I want to hard wire them together thru a router. I had considered wireless but I have been reading some less than satisfactory results from some of the folks here.

So...I need suggestions for a good, reliable wired router. I have looked a little bit on Newegg, but there are too many choices and I don't know what features that I need.

I have been using a LINKSYS BEFSR41 model for about 8 years.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124001

I am on my 3rd router. Barebones so to speak, just remember to keep your software firewall enabled.

Train..a lot of the reviews were very negative...dropped connections a lot & such...I'm assuming that you have had good luck with the ones that you have used...not sure what to make of that..:confused: .

The RJ45 cable...that's the type cable that goes from the router to the ethernet card ( probably one of those obvious, silly questions...but I really don't know...:o )

Yes it is.
And your right, I have had very good luck with mine not dropping conections once I learned that raising them up so air can circulate and keep them cool.

What modem do you have? It could be the modem already has a router function inside and in that case all you'd need is a switch.

:cool:

Dr. Bob brought out a good point. What modem do you have now?

Hey guys...long day at work...my cable modem is a Terayon with just a single connection for a computer. It also has a usb port. I have no idea if it has a router function but I can call the cable people and they can tell me.

So...first I need to determine if the modem has a router function and go from there?

That would be a good start. But you want to avoid using the USB function if at all possible.

It probably doesn't have an in-built router but you may be able to use both the Ethernet and the USB connection at the same time depending on which model it is. The 700 series should be capable of it but you'll probably need your cable company to assign an extra IP address.

If it works you can save yourself the expense of a router. You can use the USB connection for the computer close by the modem and the Ethernet connection for the one in the other room.

:cool:

Terayon TeraPro cable modem
Home Access FAQ
http://www.terayon.com/tools/static_...00&cat_id=8.12

Quote:

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13. I have recently installed a USB cable modem on my system, however when performing certain tasks it completely freezes the system.

Unfortunately, cable modems are bandwidth hogs when it comes to USB. It will not share with many USB devices (e.g., printer, scanner). Either have the modem be the only USB device or connect via Ethernet (which is preferred).



15. Can I connect one PC with USB and another PC with Ethernet at the same time?

No – A hub or router is required to connect to multiple PCs at the same time, and you must use one method of connection or the other – not both.



16. Is it better for me to connect with USB or with the Ethernet?

USB is a shared connection. The ethernet is not shared and is generally a faster connection.



19. I was wondering whether my recently acquired Terayon TJ 210 had a config screen I could access through my browser?

There is no web interface for the configuration of this modem.

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You are quoting a general (and therefore almost certainly incomplete/out of date) FAQ. Read the manual of the 7000 series and you'll see that using both Ethernet and USB is possible with that series.

:cool:

Dr. Bob...I have the TJ714X Terayon modem. I went to the site that you gave and didn't see the manual to d/l. I might just try and use a usb cable and see if it works on this 2nd computer here on the desk and see what happens.

Can I assume at this point that I probably just need to get an ethernet switch and some cable?

That is a 700 series, so you need the router and cables.

Here you can download the installation guide of the 700 series. In the FAQ section (which is now specific to this series) on page 18 you'll read:

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Q. Can I have more than one computer attached to a Terayon modem?

A. Yes, Terayon cable modems provide this capability. Terayon TJ 700x Series modems
provide a feature called Ethernet-USB Bridging. It allows you to connect two PCs to
the modem without having to use an additional hub. One PC connects to the
modem via an Ethernet connection (see Making Ethernet Connections on page 8).
The second PC connects to the modem using a USB connection (see Making USB
Connections on page 10). Note that you must arrange for this service with your
cable service provider. Some service providers limit the number of computers connected
to the modem.

If you have more than two computers you wish to connect to the modem, or your
computers are not equipped with USB interfaces, you will need to install a hub into
your system. You must also arrange for this service with your cable service provider.
As previously mentioned, some service providers limit the number of computers
connected to the modem.

Q. Can I connect the Terayon cable modem to a hub or switch?

A. Yes, you can connect the Terayon cable modem to a hub or switch. Buy a cross-over
cable and connect the port labeled 10Base-T on the modem to one of the ports on
the hub or switch. Note that many newer hubs and switches have an uplink port
specifically designed for cascading. Connect this uplink port to your Terayon cable
modem and it should work without a cross-over cable. Connect your PC to another
available port.

IMPORTANT: While you may be able to successfully complete a physical
connection to a hub or switch indicated by a green PC LED, you cannot obtain
additional IP addresses unless your subscription allows for more than one IP
address. Contact your cable operator for more information.

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So you'll probably need to check with your cable company whether they are willing to assign you a second IP address but if they are you not only have the possibility to use the USB/Ethernet combination but also have the option to connect both computers through an Ethernet connection by merely buying a simple switch which is much cheaper than a router.

If you can't get a second IP address you'll need a router. Since apparently both computers get internet access when attached to the modem that could mean you wont need to set up a router to use 'MAC cloning' but keep it in mind anyway.

:cool:

FWIW, wired 10/20/100/200Mbps broadband ethernet routers start at $15.99 (USD) at newegg.com:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE

And ethernet switches start at $8.99 (USD):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE

Goodness gracious these router prices have come down haven't they.
Does anyone have any experience with these things regarding features and quality/reliability?

:cool:

Newegg.com usually has Customer Reviews for many of their products. For example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833180041

Here's a link to Encore Electronic's specs for that particular router: http://www.encore-usa.com/product_it...pgid=10&pid=31

Thanks for all that info, Dr. Bob & SpywareDr....so it appears that I could connect, if I wanted to, both computers with the modem; one with the cable and the other with a usb cord, provided the cable co. assign another IP address for the usb connection.

Alright...learning new stuff here...:)

I would still prefer to connect both with ethernet for the speed factor so I will try and talk with the cable co. next week and see what I need to do...maybe just a switch...maybe need an extra IP address...I will find out.

I have looked at some of the switches & routers at Newegg...the reviews sure are mixed...some really like a particular switch and/or router while others have had bad luck...even with some of the more popular makes...interesting...but the reviews have to be taked with a certain, and sometimes rather large, grain of salt. :rolleyes:

So...whichever way I go, it will be easy to set up and I look forward to getting this 2nd system in the other room.

Thanks for the education !

Hit your isp's support pages and see what they recommend.

Comcast tells us how to use a router so the to keep the extra ip numbers for expansion that way.

The extra IP #'s cost more normally, be darn if I want to pay full freight for a 2nd number!

I like the high-end Netgear stuff, with a serious hardware firewall. My exact model (DGFV338) is not available in the US, but there are many other similar models. You get a lifetime guarantee with them too, which shows how confident Netgear are of them. I also have a Netgeat gigabit Ethernet switch, and the two devices simply exude quality :)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...me=Netgear+Inc.

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Originally Posted by stevejr

Thanks for all that info, Dr. Bob & SpywareDr

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You're welcome. :)

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Originally Posted by stevejr

I would still prefer to connect both with ethernet for the speed factor so I will try and talk with the cable co. next week and see what I need to do...maybe just a switch...maybe need an extra IP address...I will find out.

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A 4-port router allows you to share a single ISP-provided IP address with up to four separate computers. (No need to contact your ISP).

On the back of a 4-port router there will be five RJ45 (ethernet) jacks. One will be set off by itself a bit and then four more grouped close together. The one by itself is where you plug in your internet connection (from your modem). You can then plug in one or more PCs into any one of the other four closely-grouped ports. The router takes care of directing internet/network traffic to, from and between the correct PCs.

Well....check this out...I hooked up the 2nd computer via the usb port and it works...I can get online...neat.!

I also have both computers hooked up to a kvm switch and that has been a nice thing to have, but now I don't have to keep changing the cable from one to the other.

So....how long of a usb cable can one get? For basic surfing, I can't tell any difference between cable and usb so if I can get a long enough usb cable I will go that route.

Thank you again for enlightening me...and saving me some money...at least for now..:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stevejr

Well....check this out...I hooked up the 2nd computer via the usb port and it works...I can get online...neat.!

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Cool! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stevejr

So....how long of a usb cable can one get?

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6' & 10' long are fairly common.

USB Cables, Connectors, and Networking with USB

Q1: How long of a cable can I use to connect my device?
A1: In practice, the USB specification limits the length of a cable between full speed devices to 5 meters (a little under 16 feet 5 inches). For a low speed device the limit is 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches).

For more information, like restrictions read http://www.usb.org/about/faq/ans5

Thanks for the read, Train.

I was thinking about using the usb to go to the 2nd computer which I am gonna put in another room, but since I haven't seen any difference in performance ( yet), between ethernet cable and usb, then I think that I will use the usb for my own system; which will have the modem next to it; and run an ethernet cable for the other one.

So far, so good....:)

Edit: I forgot to say that when I plugged in the usb to the other computer it had me put in the Terayon cd and it d/l'ed what it needed...simple.

There is, however, the icon in the tray that shows that there is no cable connected but I'm not concerned about that...it's working just fine with the usb.

Great.

I was silently hoping your ISP would automatically assign an extra IP address. Maybe they use IPv6 on their network and they don't need to be stingy with IP addresses but I haven't checked whether your modem supports it. But if there are cable companies that charge for extra IP addresses you'd better check the conditions of your contract. Maybe there is a clause there that says that you not only automatically can get more IP numbers but that you also will get charged more equally automatically. Best to avoid unpleasant surprises.

I don't expect the USB connection to be the limiting factor for the speed you'll get but it's easily tested. Select a test site close to you from this list. Test one computer at a time. Ethernet cable is definitely more suited for longer distances although I once have used two 5m USB extension cables giving a webcam an extra 10 meter and that worked without problems.

The systray icon reporting no cable connected when you use the USB connection is normal and is nothing to worry about. It simply states the fact that you have pulled out the Ethernet connector.

:cool:

Dr. Bob....I hadn't thought about automatically getting charged for extra IP addresses...I will definitelyfind out about that...if they do, I sure hope it won't be much.

I'll check the speeds...good idea.

Yea, I knew that the icon was there from when I was using the cable...it doesn't know any better...it's just a dumb icon..:p

What kinds of work or applications would I need to do or have, to see any appreciable difference between usb and cable?

The point is that most likely your cable connection speed is the bottleneck. As long as both USB and Ethernet connections are faster than your cable speed it doesn't really matter which you use and with what.

:cool:

You are limited by your ip, both will have the same speed.
The problem with USB is going into the regs and removing things when USB goofs up. Had to have the isp talk me through getting rid of them with several clients rigs. A REAL pain.

Yep...both the usb and the cable have about the same d/l and upload speeds....it varies a little bit with every test, but within the same ballpark.

Ohhh...don't like hearing about usb and the registry...:eek: ! Can you tell me some more about that situation...maybe I need to re-consider going with a router and cables.

Since you already have installed the USB driver and it works it's probably best to leave it alone and not mess with it. Just use it and enjoy it.

If it ain't broke....

:cool:

I finally got around to calling the cable co. and they said that I will not be charged for having more than one computer hooked up...said that I can have as many as I want. :D

I suppose that you're right, Dr. Bob, the usb 'puter is working fine. It's just that when the word 'registry' is mentioned, I tend to get a bit jittery..:eek: :)

Leavethings alone for now.
But I do suggest researching the benefits of having a router for possible future use.