What brand of router to buy

[snydley]

I'm setting up a network in my house and barn with 3 computers and a Toshiba
cable modem,(Roadrunner). I was running just 2 computers and networking the
2 together with a crossover cable, and have decided to add a 3rd in my pole
barn/garage/music studio. I want to buy a wired router and tie them all
together to transfer files back and forth and share the Internet connection.
I'm not going wireless because the barn has a metal roof, and metal backed
insulation, and a lot of walls between the 2 in the house and the one in the
barn.
Can anyone suggest a good brand/model router that will work for 3
computers? I was looking on eBay and saw a lot of Linksys Etherfast BEFSR41
routers for pretty cheap, but that made me think that maybe people were
trying to "unload" them because they aren't very good, so I didn't bid on
one.
Does anyone have any suggestions on good brands/models , and brands/models
to stay away from?

Thanks,
Snyde

 

[snydley]

One thing I forgot, I also want to share 2 printers,(1 if I can't share 2).
A second thing, I very new to networks, but have been into computers for
almost 20yrs. so I'm not exactly a newbie. I just want to make sure I get a
good reliable, easy to set up router.
Thanks again,
Snyde

 

[Ron Martell]

I'm setting up a network in my house and barn with 3 computers and a Toshiba
cable modem,(Roadrunner). I was running just 2 computers and networking the
2 together with a crossover cable, and have decided to add a 3rd in my pole
barn/garage/music studio. I want to buy a wired router and tie them all
together to transfer files back and forth and share the Internet connection.
I'm not going wireless because the barn has a metal roof, and metal backed
insulation, and a lot of walls between the 2 in the house and the one in the
barn.
Can anyone suggest a good brand/model router that will work for 3
computers? I was looking on eBay and saw a lot of Linksys Etherfast BEFSR41
routers for pretty cheap, but that made me think that maybe people were
trying to "unload" them because they aren't very good, so I didn't bid on
one.
Does anyone have any suggestions on good brands/models , and brands/models
to stay away from?

I have found both Linksys and D-Link routers to be quite reliable, and
the prices are very reasonable compared to what they were just a few
years ago. A few months ago I purchased a D-Link DI-524 wireless
router at my local Staples outlet for $39CDN and it has performed
well.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Lem]

One thing I forgot, I also want to share 2 printers,(1 if I can't share 2).
A second thing, I very new to networks, but have been into computers for
almost 20yrs. so I'm not exactly a newbie. I just want to make sure I get a
good reliable, easy to set up router.
Thanks again,
Snyde

I've had good experience with Linksys products, but they do change,
sometimes significantly, from version to version with the same model
number. Thus, especially when buying from eBay, it's important to know
exactly what you're getting. I don't have any specific info about the
BEFSR41, but if you poke around at
http://www.linksysinfo.org/portal/index.php you should be able to find
the info you need. There is a forum there specifically for BEFSRxx routers.

 

[John Weiss]

Can anyone suggest a good brand/model router that will work for 3
computers? I was looking on eBay and saw a lot of Linksys Etherfast
BEFSR41 routers for pretty cheap, but that made me think that maybe people
were trying to "unload" them because they aren't very good, so I didn't
bid on one.

The BEFSR41 was actually a good router. However, I suspect a LOT of people
(like me) have switched to the WRT54G or WRT54GS to add the wireless
capability. If you don't use the wireless part right now, just turn it off.
However, it may come in handy some day...

Linksys and Netgear are the most popular.

 

[John Weiss]

One thing I forgot, I also want to share 2 printers,(1 if I can't share
2). A second thing, I very new to networks, but have been into computers
for almost 20yrs. so I'm not exactly a newbie. I just want to make sure I
get a good reliable, easy to set up router.

You can attach 1 printer to each of 2 computers, and share them as long as
the respective "host" computer is turned on. Otherwise, you may have to buy
a Print Server as well. They vary greatly, depending on whether you need
USB or Parallel connections.

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

People are “unloading” two kind of Routers.

1.. Wired only.
2.. Wireless that is 802.111b (quirky, slow, and less secure than current
Wireless).
There is very very little demand for Entry Level Wire only Routers, the
price differential between a Wire only and Wireless Routes is very small.
Buying a Wired only Router and making it Wireless later, means buying an
Access Point. Access Points are more expensive than a new Wireless Routers.
So most people prefer to buy Wireless Router even if they do not need the
Wireless immediately.

Currently one of the best deals on the market is this,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162173

It is stable as the devices mentioned above. However, it is less expensive,
and as is, out of the box it has much more flexible Wireless and it can do
IP perseveration within DHCP server.

As for sharing printers, the best approach is to buy Network ready Printers.

The generic printer servers that come with the Entry Level Device are not so
general and might not work well beyond simple one way printing.

Network Ready printers and All in One units can be found for less then $200.

Jack (MVP-Networking).

Disclaimer: I have No connection what so ever with any of the Hardware
providers or vendors that I mentioned above.

 

[John Wunderlich]

I'm setting up a network in my house and barn with 3 computers and
a Toshiba cable modem,(Roadrunner). I was running just 2 computers
and networking the 2 together with a crossover cable, and have
decided to add a 3rd in my pole barn/garage/music studio. I want
to buy a wired router and tie them all together to transfer files
back and forth and share the Internet connection. I'm not going
wireless because the barn has a metal roof, and metal backed
insulation, and a lot of walls between the 2 in the house and the
one in the barn.
Can anyone suggest a good brand/model router that will work for 3
computers? I was looking on eBay and saw a lot of Linksys
Etherfast BEFSR41 routers for pretty cheap, but that made me think
that maybe people were trying to "unload" them because they aren't
very good, so I didn't bid on one.
Does anyone have any suggestions on good brands/models , and
brands/models to stay away from?

I've used a BEFSR41 router for years and never had any problems. I've
not had any problems with any of my Linksys products.

One thing to watch out for: The maximum run length for a 10/100-Base-T
Ethernet connection is 100 meters. I hope your barn is close-by.

-- John

 

[Lem]

I've used a BEFSR41 router for years and never had any problems. I've
not had any problems with any of my Linksys products.

One thing to watch out for: The maximum run length for a 10/100-Base-T
Ethernet connection is 100 meters. I hope your barn is close-by.

-- John

If you do have to go over 100m and you don't want to get into fiber
optic cable, you might want to check out
http://www.netsys-direct.com/proddetail.php?prod=NV-200EKIT&cat=7

 

[snydley]

Do I understand that if I buy a wireless router I can just use it as a wired
router if I want to? I have no plans on wireless now, I have too many walls
and metal for the signal to go through, but things change. This is my 1st
dealings with networks, except for the I.C.S. I was doing with comp. 1 and 2
previously. I don't know the hardware or what I need, that's why I ask.
The 2nd computer will be in the same room as the main computer, and she
might want to print, as far as the computer in the barn,(comp. #3) goes,
I'll get a cheap printer for that one. Will comp. 2 be able to use comp. 1's
printer as long as comp. 1 and it's printer are on?
Thanks,
Snyde

 

[snydley]

The computer room is in the SW corner room of my house. The barn is approx.
15' north of the north end of my house. I'm gonna mount the Ethernet
connector in the middle of the floor on the second floor. My House is 40'
long, my barn is 28' wide, so I'm figuring it's 40' + 15' + 10'(height to
2nd floor) + 14' = 74'. I think I'll be ok. (famous last words)
Thanks,
Snyde

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
Wireless Cable/DSL Router have 4 ports for wire computers (that can be
extended for many more computer with simple switch), the Wireless part can
accommodate many more computers too.
As long as the computers are On you can share all the printers with all
network computers.
Usually that is the way it should look, http://www.ezlan.net/router.jpg
This page has a collection of links to instructions concerning setting and
Sharing, http://www.ezlan.net/Installing.html
Taking into consideration the distance and the size of your environment you
can connect the barn to the house with a cable. Make sure that the part of
the cable that would go outside is secure and is Not acting as a "Lightning
Collector" .
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Chuck]

The computer room is in the SW corner room of my house. The barn is approx.
15' north of the north end of my house. I'm gonna mount the Ethernet
connector in the middle of the floor on the second floor. My House is 40'
long, my barn is 28' wide, so I'm figuring it's 40' + 15' + 10'(height to
2nd floor) + 14' = 74'. I think I'll be ok. (famous last words)
Thanks,
Snyde

How is power setup between the two buildings? If they are separate structures,
and they're wired to code, they're on separate ground systems. Run copper cable
(Ethernet) between 2 ground systems, even if you run it below ground, you'll
have problems. Google for "ground differential" if you don't understand this.

 

[snydley]

The barn's electric is run from a 100A breaker from the breaker box in the
house. I hired and electrician to do the work,(didn't attempt it myself), so
I believe it'll be ok.
Thanks,
Snyde.