Router advice for PCs and Alpha

[comarow]

On my cable modem, I have several PCs and alphas. The router keeps hanging, and cable company says it's not made for the load.

What is a router that will work well for this situation.

[Steven Schweda]

It won't help you much to know, but with my
DSL service, I have a Cisco 678, and it has
no trouble handling anything I do (seldom
more than five or six systems at a time).

When my friends get routers, they normally go
to Micro Center and get whatever's cheapest
(after rebate) this week. Everything always
works.

Assuming that your problem really is your
router, you might give the model so others
might learn what to avoid.

[Andy Bustamante]

Do you have

cable modem --> home router --> PCs/Alpha ?

Some older home networking equipment is known for "hanging" under heavy network traffic. More recent equipment "designed for multi media" reportedly corrects this. Amazon and Epinion reviews are a good check. I've just added 802.11g.

In my own configuration, I use a Linux firewall and hub on a DSL line. I've also used a Cisco 505 (firewwall plus 4 port hub).

Andy

[comarow]

I'd specificially like to know what works well with cable.

The cable company says wireless can be effected by phones.

[Steven Schweda]

> I'd specificially like to know what works
> well with cable.

Whatever works well should work well with
cable (assuming that you mean the cable
TV-Internet company, and not Ethernet cable).

> The cable company says wireless can be
> effected by phones.

And house wiring, and plumbing, and the
phase of the moon, probably, too. So? And
you believed more advice from the people
who say that your router hangs because of
"the load"?

When did wireless enter the picture? Perhaps
you should describe more carefully exactly
what you want.

[Andy Bustamante]

As Steven said, a better description of your layout would help.

Wireless adds another layer. Microwave and 2.4 ghz cordless phones can both interfere with wireless networks. Relocating your access point and systems may help. Replacing your 2.4 ghz phone with a 5.8 ghz model is another option.

For what it's worth, I just upgraded to a Netgear WPN 824 "g" access point. My network looks like

DSLModem
Linux firewall
+-> Hub --> wiredPCs/Alpha 400
+-> WPN 824 --> wireless (Laptop) and Tivo


I isolate the wireless/wired segments. This unit holds up for Tivo to PC transfers, which consumes a fair bit of bandwidth. I could replace the hub with a consumer "switch" but for a home network, this is doing the job.

And my cordless phone is a 5.8 model.


Andy

[comarow]

I've got two PCs, and an Alpha. I sometime plug a hub in for access to alphas in other room.

I turned of the wireless except when some domes home.

They mentioned there are N class and other class routers. Is there such a thing.

[Andy Bustamante]

I believe N refers to the next standard for 802.11x wireless standard. There isn't an N vendor out there yet, as far as I know. The unit I have is a pre-N. I upgraded from 802.11b for added range.

We're getting a bit off (VMS) topic here, if you check my forum profile you can make out my e-mail address if you'd like to trade rambling opinions about wireless networking.


Andy

[Thomas Ritter]

What works well as a router...?
You could use Mircosofts Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). Would require two nics on your PC. Connect a simple netgear switch to the PC.
You could use your ALPHA, but also require two nics.
You could buy a five port netgear router with integrated firewall. Really good. HTML access and exception notification.

So your host can perform the function of a router if you so desire. Best is to buy these new low cost integrated firewall routers and switches. IMO they are top value for money. Netgear and Bildon(?) work well.

Tom

[Ian Miller.]

NetGEAR 834GT works well for me and my VMS and PC home network.