Home Routers - complex demands

[Deleted]

So home routers... and to you wise-asses - you know what I mean.

I'm in somewhat need of replacing a DIR-655 currently as its no longer as stable as it should be for the workload. Unfortunately, the network its used for is of higher complexity than most others - the reasons I've tracked to being why it sometimes fails.

In short, I need a router thats capable of maintaining in about 40 connected devices, with upwards 30 of them active at once - connected via either Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Naturally N is a requirement, as is Gigabit ethernet (3 switches). IPv6 compatability is also preferable (or I might need to replace it again in a while) - albeit not a current requirement.

I'm a bit curious if anyone has any knowledge of a router thats capable of maintaining above average networks while also fulfilling above requirements - or if I'll have to resort to the 'final solution' of assembling a PC just for that task. (And probably simultaneously have it replace the NAS)

[ispano]

It wouldn't be cheap, and I honestly would say build something. I used one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-233-_-Product and made a linux router. Once you have it set up properly it should outperform most anything else. You also don't need something that expensive either, I just wanted a small form factor and Intel NICs.

[noteworthynerd]

That is asking A LOT out of a home router... If I were you I'd check http://www.cablesandkits.com/cisco-routers-c-50_84.html, you can buy gently used and/or new commercial routers there for fairly cheap.

[Deleted]

You also don't need something that expensive either, I just wanted a small form factor and Intel NICs.

I'm actually scheduled to replace my old Core2 - and was considering just using that instead - but I'm not sure when I'll go about doing that (strongly considering waiting for the SB-E series). Case will be a bit large due to the full ATX motherboard, but should hopefully not be much of a problem considering the thing is stored in a locked away rarely accessed area where space is of little issue. Plus might help with all the ethernet cards you can stuff in that way. And should in addition be beneficial for maintaining a larger storage server (more drives).

That is asking A LOT out of a home router...

Indeed, hence the question from someone that might've run into something similar. I'm not a network hardware specialist.

[ispano]

Mine is only a router, with stuff like apache for personal use, small vent server. Nothing much beyond that just yet.
I have a different system with a 24 Port SAS/SATA RAID card for storage.

[noteworthynerd]

Indeed, hence the question from someone that might've run into something similar. I'm not a network hardware specialist.

Well, I've got a Bachelor's Degree in Networking, but I wouldn't call myself an expert... But like I said, it may be cheaper (and easier) to buy a commercial router.

[Zakamutt]

You could try replacing your router firmware with something else using somewhat arcane procedures (I'm not really sure if this does what you need or not, but it might...):
http://lifehacker.com/?_escaped_frag...o-a-600-router
http://www.hackerfactor.com/blog/ind...nd-DD-WRT.html
http://www.hackerfactor.com/blog/ind...011/01/06.html
That could brick the router though, still worth researching though I'd say.

[Cyanotical]

You could try replacing your router firmware with something else using somewhat arcane procedures (I'm not really sure if this does what you need or not, but it might...):
http://lifehacker.com/?_escaped_frag...o-a-600-router
http://www.hackerfactor.com/blog/ind...nd-DD-WRT.html
http://www.hackerfactor.com/blog/ind...011/01/06.html
That could brick the router though, still worth researching though I'd say.

um no, a his needs are beyond what a home router can do

I would suggest a mid-low range computer with twin Gbit NIC's, running server 2k8, connect your devices through a gbit ethernet switch

modem>computer>switch>devices

this will give you much better control over your network then a regular home router would, and would certainly be cheaper then an enterprise level router

also, depending on what you are doing with all 30 devices, you may want to up your internet connection to a fractional t1

[chaud]

also, depending on what you are doing with all 30 devices, you may want to up your internet connection to a fractional t1

Why would anyone still pay for that when Business Cable / DSL are much faster for less?

[ispano]

Why would anyone still pay for that when Business Cable / DSL are much faster for less?

If the other companies are any way similar to Comcast in how they do a Business class connection, it's the same as residential.
The hardware and line is all the same here, they just give you better service, access to static IPs, and the "cap" while not stated as existing, is far higher. What I mean by this, is they still do not guarantee the speed. So even if the T1 was slower, you should be getting that speed near 24/7. Comcast(and other cable/DSL companies probably) do NOT guarantee the speed.

[Chronius]

Seems the guy is from Sweden =) they've got fiber connections coming out their as**s, dirt cheap aswell.

[Asera]

I would build a Linux gateway, or if you have access to MSDN Academic Alliance (or someone you know does), you could also build a Windows Server 2003 box and run ISA2006 on it like I do.