need reliable router

[SageGk]

My linksys befsr41 seems to be on the fritz....anyone recommend a RELIABLE router that I can depend on? Wired is fine, as I plan on buying an wireless N upgrader to connect to it. Thanks.

[alfi33]

It's tough to beat a Linksys WRT54GL with either DD-WRT or Tomato loaded on it. You can do so much with DD-WRT and it's been rock solid for me for a couple years now.

[MattHelm]

I went with D-Link a long time ago, and have never had a ROUTER fail, and one router has run for about 9 months without anyone in the house touching it. Even the one at my house almost never gets reset, unless the cable company messes something up. I'm currently using the DGL-4100 at 2 locations.

BTW, D-Link isn't perfect. I had a D-Link switch kill 2 or 3 power supplies before I tossed it!

[SWKerr]

D-Link DIR-655
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127215

Had this since early 2007 without any problems. Wireless-N already. I use about 4 switches with my setup and everything works great.

I like this because I can setup an open wifi with just internet access for visitors along with another secure connection to my personal network. It is great for when my sons friends come over with their Nintendo DSi or when I have visitors.

[david1234]

I don't know if they still make it, but I've been running a dlink DI-604 for the last 7 years, only gets turned off if the power goes out

[evilpenguin]

Originally Posted by alfi33

It's tough to beat a Linksys WRT54GL with either DD-WRT or Tomato loaded on it. You can do so much with DD-WRT and it's been rock solid for me for a couple years now.

+1. Its like getting a professional grade router for under $30.

[davephan]

I also had a Linksys BESFR41 that has been getting flaky over the past couple of months, it lasted about 4 - 5 years. Before that I had a SMC Barricade 7008BR 7 port router for years until it went bad after a lightning storm took out along with another electric device.

I replaced the router with a Linksys BESFR81, which is working fine.

If you read the reviews on Newegg, some people find all of the routers bad for one reason or another, none of them have all positive reviews.

At least the price is pretty low for the consumer grade routers, so you can replace them after they go bad in a few years.

Dave

[Fuzzy]

Another vote for the Linksys WRT54 series. Have also been running DD-WRT on it and have had nothing but success for MANY years.

[limiter]

I had the DLink DGL4300 (Gamers Lounge Router) and two of my friends had them as well and after a few years all three would lock up randomly and require a reset. I will never buy a DLink router again.

I have an Apple TimeMachine (which is basically an Airport Extreme Basestation with a hard drive) and I have never had problems with it. Kind of expensive though. My second choice would be a Linksys, specifically the Linksys WRT54GL

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by alfi33

It's tough to beat a Linksys WRT54GL with either DD-WRT or Tomato loaded on it. You can do so much with DD-WRT and it's been rock solid for me for a couple years now.

Originally Posted by evilpenguin

+1. Its like getting a professional grade router for under $30.

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Another vote for the Linksys WRT54 series. Have also been running DD-WRT on it and have had nothing but success for MANY years.

+3 for this solution. I believe there are some Wireless N routers that can use DD-WRT or Tomato, but you better make sure if that is a must for you.

[matt91]

Originally Posted by sic0048

+3 for this solution. I believe there are some Wireless N routers that can use DD-WRT or Tomato, but you better make sure if that is a must for you.

I think that the ones you'll see recommended for N are Linksys WRT350N, 600N, and 610N. The installing DDWRT on the 610N is still a work in progress, although it seems to be working with specific builds.

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by matt91

I think that the ones you'll see recommended for N are Linksys WRT350N, 600N, and 610N. The installing DDWRT on the 610N is still a work in progress, although it seems to be working with specific builds.

Thanks for the update!

I know there was talk of supporting Wireless N with DD-WRT. But to be honest, my DD-WRT and Tomato routers are so bullet proof, I haven't needed to research any of this in ages, so I am behind the times as far as Wireless N support.

[Savage1701]

I've had great luck with HotBrick and Xincom. They are wired. More "prosumer" than most others but will support lots of options and dual WAN or more if you need it.

[davephan]

What are the main advantages for using a router that can use DD-WRT and Tomato?

Dave

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by davephan

What are the main advantages for using a router that can use DD-WRT and Tomato?

Dave

Two words - Flexibility and Stability.

They are many, many times more flexible than the OEM firmware - the features available rival $$$ industrial grade routers. They also are extremely stable. The only time my router and wireless AP go down is when the power gets shut off. Seriously - I go months and months and months without ever worrying about them. When I used the OEM firmwares, I would have to reboot often or at least have a less than stable wireless signal. Now I don't have either - period.

Reflashing the equipment to a non-OEM firmware is usually pretty easy. Tomato is extremely easy to flash to. You basically update the router as you would with an OEM firmware upgrade, but use the Tomato file instead. The DD-WRT firmware can be a little more labor intensive depending on the hardware you are using. But it is still pretty easy. If you are use to tweaking your Sage settings, I doubt you would have problems installing a DD-WRT firmware. Both web sites have very good step by step instructions you can use to flash the hardware.