Need an okay wired router

[Mysterio]

Hey, I was thinking of buying wired instead of going wireless now because of the phone's signal. I was thinking of buying linksys wired router or maybe something else for $40 - $60 or even lower or higher.

I have SpeedStream 5200 as my internet connector for my main computer

I was thinking of buying it maybe on Canada Computers Canada Computers - Your Neighbourhood Computer Store and Service Centre - PC Systems and Hardware Components, Notebooks, Electronics, and more., BestBuy BestBuy.ca or Future Shop FUTURESHOP.ca

So, if anyone can help me find an average wired router, that'd be great, because I don't have enough time to do stuff on computer yet.

[carpenator]

I have had really good luck over the years with the Linksys routers. Just make sure that you update the firmware and it should be good. One place to look is at Amazon.com since that is a great repository of product reviews. Pricegrabber.com is also a decent place for reviews and prices.

If you have anymore questions, please post them and I am sure one of us will have some useful feedback.

[screwballl]

I just went through 2 RMA's for wired Linksys routers, returned it for a refund from newegg and went with an SMC which has worked perfectly for $10 less. It is the SMC7004VBR. Also had an SMC router previously (SMC7004B I think) that ran perfect for over 5 years.

Neither has a lot of options in its setup but it just works great and uses built in NAT firewall. That plus I use ZoneAlarm or Sygate Firewall.

[Mysterio]

The SMC one, I can only find wireless near my area, I can't use any online shopping for 5 months because someone used too much money.. and my bank card.. no idea where it is yet..

I was thinking of going with Canada Computers - Your Neighbourhood Computer Store and Service Centre - PC Systems and Hardware Components, Notebooks, Electronics, and more., but I am not exactly sure..

I've looked at couple of sites, and what I want to know what does it mean by "Hubs/Switches"

Do I look at broadband section or router section?

[screwballl]

you need a router, not a hub or switch

[Mysterio]

I think I found one that I would like...

Canada Computers - Your Neighbourhood Computer Store and Service Centre - PC Systems and Hardware Components, Notebooks, Electronics, and more.

[stinger608]

Well lets see here.

A hub: That is just nothing more than a multiport network. It allows you to take one network cable and plug in, and allow several other computers to connect to that same hub. Hence the name hub. But, the thing about hubs is, if your ISP will allow using a hub. It will not assign separate ip address to the connected computers.
Before delving into a hub, you have to check with your ISP and see if you have multiple IP addresses with the service you have.

Now the switch: Most of the modern switches will be "auto sensing" and be able to apply a separate IP to the connected computers. Much like a hub, it is pretty much a gateway to connect several computers to a network. Now the nice thing about a switch, is it will include software that enables you to connect to the switch much like a router does. But there again, some ISP's do not allow such equipment to be installed on there service. Many ISP's, even though they really don't tell you, will only allow one computer to be connected to the internet

The Router: This is one of the best inventions to screw the ISP!!! Even if your ISP only allows one computer to connect to the internet, you can install a multiple connection router and plug several computers in and have internet access!
One of the big differences between a switch and a router, is a router has a built in firewall where a switch does not.
There is a lot of ISP's that you can just install a switch and plug many computers into the service, but some will not support using a switch. If the later is the case, then you have to use a router to connect more than one system to the internet.

I hope this kind of helps you understand the differences between the equipment.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by Mysterio

I think I found one that I would like...

Canada Computers - Your Neighbourhood Computer Store and Service Centre - PC Systems and Hardware Components, Notebooks, Electronics, and more.

That is a VPN router!!! That is for Virtual Private Network. It may work ok, but I would consult a local network tech to make sure before spending the $65.00!!!!

[Mysterio]

I have the money.. but I just don't like wasting that much unless it's for a good reason... lol?

Anyways, I am looking through bestbuy and I was thinking.. of... http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...85&catid=21111

When I read the system requirements, it says it need SP2, does it mean it only needs it on the main computer who has the d-link, or both?

[Quakindude]

Here's my suggestion.

It has 4 ports for wired computers and you can leave the Radio Broadcast turned off so there's no way to connect to it wirelessly. It has SPI and NAT hardware Firewalls and VPN pass-through capability.

If you go with this one, I use the exact same one, and you buy a laptop later on and want to go wireless, this router has B/G wireless with WEP and WPA-PSK 128 bit encryption along with MAC address filtering. For a fairly inexpensive router, the range is outstanding.

For the same money, and this received numerous awards to included Consumers Digest Best Buy, why not get a wireless router and just leave the wireless portion turned off?