[Novalug] frustration finding the ultimate home server router/firewall

[Ken Kauffman]

It sounds like you want an out of the box solution.  Not the WRT54GL 
with OpenWRT/DD-WRT flashed.

I love my DLINK DGL-4100 (wireless is 4300).  It costs more because it's 
geared for gamers.  However, those features work fantastically for 
managing traffic.

Off the router I have:
-linux server (linux)(port forward configuration)
-multi OS client (linux/solaris/windows)
-windows client (wife) :)
-multi OS laptop (linux/windows)
-Broadcom wireless AP/Bridge
-Sony PS2 Game Console (wired network)

I have a Linksys BEFVP41 that I had to restart all the time after doing 
  distributed sharing (torrent).  Also the UPnP features would die after 
high traffic utilization.

I have had literally zero problems with the DLINK.  I've run throttled 
torrents, UT2004 online and the server simultaneously with no issues. 
The Linksys used to lock up.  The server is fairly light load, but does 
handle quite a bit of personal E-mail and a web based image gallery for 
family and friends.

The DHCP server also allows you to "static assign" based on the MAC of 
the cards your using.  So in essence, you can run every box using DHCP 
and just set up a rule mandating that the machines always get the same 
address.  This is a little "nicety" over always going through the 
exercise of static configurations.  It's particularly more convenient 
for people who like plug and go.  Most DHCP OS configurations will also 
distribute the default gateway and DNS settings as well.

A few points of interest. The router can get warm, so put it where it 
can breath.  Mine is at the point of entry for service, so I never see 
it.  The router has **BRIGHT** blue LED lights on it.  In the same room 
as your work -- it may be annoying.  Again, mine is out of site anyway.

The web admin interface works just fine in Firefox.

Ken


Paul wrote:
> Anyone now of a dependable usable home router/firewall for home server
> use?  I've been using the Linksys BEFSX41 which has a great web interface
> that actually works, but seems to have intermittent connects from WAN to
> the LAN server.  This may have something to do with the latest firmware,
> but I've tried re-flashing, but no go.  I even have another spare of the
> same model and have the same results.  I also have a Dlink DI-604.  This
> works great from WAN to LAN with no drops, but it doesn't like LAN
> re-directs for clients behind the router on the LAN.
> 
> My latest venture in a different router is the Netgear FVS114.  I really
> don't know how a company gets away with selling garbage like this.  I also
> should have researched more.  I can't seem to access it from a windows box
> for some reason, the browser interface seems wacky, even from firefox.  It
> works somewhat better with a linux box with lots of patience.  Then it
> only allows a pre-defined set of forwarding ports and no customizing at
> all.
> 
> Anyhow, can anyone tell me a good router/firewall that is dependable, will
> actually pass packets and has customizable port forwarding?  I guess I
> could just get a cisco of ebay, but I just need something small and
> portable.  Thanks.
> 
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