Need a some router advice please

[Jennifer]

Tommorow I'm going to get a 300gb Maxtor drive for my xbox. I want to get that local to save using mailorder. I have 2 pc's and a xbox to connect. I also have a cable modem plugged into my ethernet card.
I wanted to know which of these routers or switches would be suitable for my network
http://www.computerorbit.co.uk/items.asp?Cc=NETWORKING&Bc=
The only networking I've done before is using a switch which worked fine. Although it was a pain having to have one pc on all the time so the other one would connect to the internet.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[et00l]

Well if you have a cable modem, just pick any of the routers you are looking at. Just make sure you buy an ethernet router, don't think you need wireless unless I am wrong and plug the ethernet from your cable modem to the router and then have the router going to your pc or xbox via a straight-through cable. Thats about it.

 

[Catalyst]

The best bang for your buck is going to be a linksys switch/router

http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=34&scid=29&prid=142

It's pretty common so it's easy to find.

The good things about them are that they run NAT which allows multiple access for your PC's using only one external IP... so your ISP doesn't freak out. They are DHCP on both sides so it's pretty much plug and play... and they have built in firewalls so they're pretty secure. They're also idiot proof for the most part (no pun intended)

You really just set everything to DHCP, get a bunch of straight through cables and go.

 

[Floppy Mohawk]

Hey,
I like the Linksys and they are idiot proof. They come with a CD that has a step by step tutorial on the PC.

The D link's are good too. correct me if I'm wrong I believe they come with all the features the Linksys has:
http://www.computerorbit.co.uk/Itemdesc.asp?ic=DLDWL2000APP&eq=&Tp=

http://www.dlink.com/topSellers.asp

Floppy

 

[Catalyst]

Hey,
I like the Linksys and they are idiot proof. They come with a CD that has a step by step tutorial on the PC.

The D link's are good too. correct me if I'm wrong I believe they come with all the features the Linksys has:
http://www.computerorbit.co.uk/Itemdesc.asp?ic=DLDWL2000APP&eq=&Tp=

http://www.dlink.com/topSellers.asp

Floppy

Yeah... same same.

I haven't used d-link yet so I can't vouche for them... but the specs are similar... so I guess it's price. I do know that the linksys firewall is pretty nice. I don't know about the d-link parental control... sounds like it checks data above layer four, which might become a bottle neck. The linksys is clean... just like making ACL's.

 

[adb007123]

Linksys 802.11g/b wierless router is what I use and it is the best thing besides a cisco 2600 series router witch I also get to use at scholl for Live

 

[kkeith]

free and cheaper router

This is so cool.

I just found out from a friend that you can get free routers from many different companies form http://www.direct2deal.com

Tommorow I'm going to get a 300gb Maxtor drive for my xbox. I want to get that local to save using mailorder. I have 2 pc's and a xbox to connect. I also have a cable modem plugged into my ethernet card.
I wanted to know which of these routers or switches would be suitable for my network
http://www.computerorbit.co.uk/items.asp?Cc=NETWORKING&Bc=
The only networking I've done before is using a switch which worked fine. Although it was a pain having to have one pc on all the time so the other one would connect to the internet.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[lunghd]

I'm using a D-link DSS 5+ that set me back about $24 at OrificeMax. Runs patch or crossover cables with absolutely no set up... Plug the cat5 from your router into it, plug it in, plug the pc & Xbox cat5's in too... relax... yer done.