Suggestion: Router Forum

[Patrice]

Hi everyone!

What do you think of the idea to open a Router Forum, where people can go when they have questions about their routers? I personally would really appreciate such a forum and I'm sure that there are other people who think like me.

I hope there will be a lot of answers (pro or contra) to this suggestion!

Best regards!

Patrice

[the Tester]

I don't use a router.
But I think a forum for those that do use one would be a good thing.This could be helpful for newbies that start running a router and those people that are considering installing a router..

[FanJ]

Hi,

Awaiting the decision I thought I'd post the following links:

(already posted here (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=1031) ):

In case you would like to learn more about routers:
Tim Higgins has a good introduction on his new site Small Net Builder:


Hardware Router NTK - Introduction (3 pages)

http://smallnetbuilder.com/Sections-article17-page1.php

Hardware Router NTK - Terminology Guide (9 pages)

http://smallnetbuilder.com/Sections-article18-page1.php

[The Snowman]

OPPOSED !!!!

As a business person I would consider it a very poor management decision to open ANY new forums at this particular time OTHER THAN FOR VENDORS
In just alittle over one year this BB grew from a few hundred members to several thousand.....forums were added for LookNStop and Javacools products....new moderators were added......an all has gone exceptionally well. If something works...don't fix it!!!!
There are small towns with populations smaller than the size of the membership of this BB.....under the guidence on this BB's managers its continued operating like a fine tune engine.....no major breakdowns....no major incidents
An if continued progress is to be maintained present day progress must for be digested and maintained by good planning . Its far better for this BB to maintained its present number of forums providing excellent help.....then it would be to add more forums....spread itself thin..an provide less that the best help........future expansion should be of utmost concern when a BB has reach the size and scope this BB has reached. Otherwise, it could very easily become a frivalous website...shadowed with incidents...an lost of respect in the security community.\
New software vendors should be welcomed...such vendors wont come if they feel a website can not be managed pleasently...products don't sell in turmoil...also, the addage of new vendors brings new members further enlarging membership roles........leave room for expansion.

The Snowman

[Patrice]

Hi Snowman!

I really appreciated your statement! I'm a business person as well and I completely agree about your economical view. Sure you have to be careful about the growing of the forum. But if you are completely convinced of economical theory then it would mean, that we should do some reorganization at this forum, right? If I read your statement between the lines then I realize, that you watch the whole process with a suspicious eye.

The suggestion of the router forum is meant for beginners and people who have problems setting it up correctly. And it is not meant for Vendors or anything like that. Why? This platform need to be independent in this special case. Companies always (and I'm sure you know that) put their product in a very good light, even though the product isn't overhelming.

I'm pretty sure that there are many questions out there about routers and how to set them correctly. There are some forums about routers out there, but they don't have the power and knowledge Wilders has concerning security. In my opinion this would bring an additional benefit to the whole Wilders forums. Sure, it's possible to ask such questions in other forums like Privacy General or Other Security Issues, but it would make these forums slimmer and more efficient. Like that you would have some sort of reorganization, which perhaps is needed.

I'm looking forward hearing of you!

Best regards!

Patrice

[Douglas]

{QUOTE-> quoting: the Tester link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=0#55888 date=1050868677]
I don't use a router.
But I think a forum for those that do use one would be a good thing.This could be helpful for newbies
<-QUOTE}

Agreed

[controler]

Of course I have to dissagree ;D

To me a router forum is a much better time investment than say
cookie managment.
There is nothing to be affraid of. Anybody on broadband SHOULD be using a router pedriod !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even though it seem very simplistic for us experienced users.
The router issue is something not being addressed enough by
anyone and is of MOST importance. Is is however a scary issue for new users or those knowing they should be using a router but are affraid to. We don't have to sell or push any certian brand,
Although the most common seem to be Linksys, Cisco and Actiontec
I am fond of Actiontec because of it's wireless encryption for the network but I alsoi have used Linksys for along time a love that router also. There is no dought way more info written on Cosco or Linksys.
What we are shooting for is a hadware firewall combined with the best
software filrewalls that can be created. Oh yes and my favorite, a good e-mail scanning AV.

[meneer]

This is one section that I have missed at Wilders :)
So far we are very aware of all risks concerning the use of computer systems that we call PC's. And most of these risks are risks because we connect them to the internet.
Using a router between the two naturally lessens the threats.

In our contry there is a very lively forum dedicated to linux based routers (http://www.minddigger.com) , there is hardly an english language equivalent. Here's an opportunity :D

[spy1]

I have to weigh in on the "AYE!" side here - but only if we can get people willing to spend the time (and who have the knowledge) to actually make it fly.

The links given to the various "router help" forums/pages (if one is started) should be put in a sticky and be made required reading before posting questions (there's no use in starting over from scratch every time someone new pops in).

I don't use a router, myself, although I've often toyed with the idea - mainly because I have things pretty well set the way I have them, and I don't want any reduced functionality of what I already have - or any outright "conflicts of interest".

[Patrice]

Hi spy1!
{QUOTE-> quoting: spy1 link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=0#56151 date=1051032375]
...but only if we can get people willing to spend the time (and who have the knowledge) to actually make it fly. <-QUOTE}
{QUOTE-> quoting: spy1 link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=0#56151 date=1051032375]
The links given to the various "router help" forums/pages (if one is started) should be put in a sticky and be made required reading before posting questions (there's no use in starting over from scratch every time someone new pops in).
<-QUOTE}

I really liked your answer and have to say it's well thought! Yes, I completely agree about this issue, but first we have to wait and see what others are thinking about this idea. Unfortunately not many people are taking part in this poll, even though a lot of people are looking at this post... :'(

Thanks so far to all the valuable inputs & taking part in this poll!

Best regards!

Patrice

[JimIT]

With cable and DSL becoming so commonplace in homes/small bidnesses, it will become a necessity to have a forum to make sense of everything.

Wilders won't be complete without a "Routers Forum" soon. ;D

[Tinribs]

I admit my knowledge of routers you could write on the back of a stamp.

Does the average Joe with one pc surfing the internet really need a router?

Fine if you network a few together but what % of average users do?

I'll vote 'I dont know' because I dont know enough about it.

[Pilli]

Tniribs, You are correct ins aying.

Does the average Joe with one pc surfing the internet really need a router?


In the single user BB situation & as long as there are no file sharing allowed in the setup, probably no.
Consider please all those users with two or more "connected" computers then the situation is completely different.
A router becomes much more viable than a normal hub or switch with the added benefits of a hardware firewall albiet NAT. Yes. you will still need a software firewall but overall your security will be enhanced.
So, A single user does not need a router but networked PC's would surely benifit?

[spy1]

By "no file sharing allowed", do you mean music and video files via a file-sharing program? Or are you referring to Windows-type file-sharing?

(See, I'm dumb! :) But happy! ) Pete

[Patrice]

Hi spy1!

Pilli means, that there are no folders shared on your computer (printer and folder sharing of Windows). He doesn't mean shares of a file-sharing program.

I completely agree to what Pilli said, there's no need for one single PC to have a router in front of it. In this case a firewall will do. But as soon as you have two PC's, you can think of buying a router to improve your security.

Regards,

Patrice

[controler]

Here in the USA a small home network is becomming the norm.
Parents are tired of sharing their time with their children.
Many parents now have to wait till 10:00 PM to use their own PC
because of the children using it for school ect. Routers are now
taking into account some parents or even buisnesses don't want
instant messaging at all. Some don't want certian web sites accessable. These new routers make all that filtering possiable.
You are able to even filter out certian IP ranges alltogether.
Once again, this is why I like the new actiontec routers.

[FanJ]

Off topic:

I think that a person with only one PC, also has benefit of an hardware firewall, in particular when you are on cable or (A)DSL.
Such an hardware firewall has only one thing to do: to protect you.
And it runs not on Windows but on a special OS for that router.
Nothing is un-vulnerable but such an hardware firewall is less vulnerable than a software firewall on Windows. Think for example of Trojans with the capability to stop your firewall. OK, I know, you also should be defended by an AT, and some firewalls have some capability to protect you against it, but nevertheless I still think that an hardware firewall (or at least router with only NAT) gives more and layered protection. And there are Paul's famous words: don't put all your eggs in one basket ;)
The situation for dial-up users is different; as far as I know: not many choices, and/or expensive ones.

[UNICRON]

even the cheapest hardware firewall is pretty effective for home users; just know their limitations.

[Patrice]

Hi guys!

Please don't forget, that a hardware firewall can't give you the needed protection inside-outside! That's why you still need a software firewall, which blocks outgoing traffic which wasn't allowed til now. And besides a software firewall I suggest that you use TDS-3 against trojans as well. 8)

Regards,

Patrice

[Pilli]

Spy1, What I meant was file & print sharing in Windows set up. A software firewall IMO is imperitive when on BB or on dial-up if you have a fixed IP. It is not quite so bad if you are a dynamic IP'd dial-up user but you still need all the other layers though.
P to P File sharing software is another matter, then your need for layered protection should be on the lines of body armour! FW, AV, AT Spyware, Worms etc.etc. ;D

IMHO For what routers cost now, if you are on BB, it is worth having a router as an extra layer whether on a network or not, especially if one has a growing family!

[Detox]

After noticing not many people were adding to it (generally speaking) I added my "I don't know" vote simply because I don't know anything about routers except a buddy has one in Holland and he has to know what port we are playing on to use any online games that use directplay... So I'm no help but I'm here and reading :-)

[Patrice]

Hi Detox!

That's why we would like to open a router forum! For people like you!! So that you understand why a router brings additional benefit to your computer/network, and lots of other answers!

Best regards!

Patrice

[Detox]

Hmm well it might be nice actually; I hadn;t thought about the application but I've got my old puter sitting next to my nice machine but it has no access; I've got an extra ethernet card in this one b/c I planned from the beginning to connect 'em so the old one had net access as well... But never did.. Someone told me that just a cable between the ethernet cards wouldn't do the job... Maybe I do need to learn about routers... But I already voted.. hmph

[Pilli]

Detox, A simple network can be achieved by using an ethernet crossover cable between the two NICs There is a wizard in Windows 98 & above to set up the networking.
If you are on BB using a network card you will need two cards in the gateway PC.
You will also need a software firewall on the gateway PC or use software such as Wingate which will do the networking bit as well.

This could turn into a very long thread ;D

Others will add to this I am sure.

Another alternative would be to create a router from you old PC using linux .... Free BSD?

[Patrice]

Hi Pilli!

Yes, I hope so! If I wanna proof to the webmasters, that such a forum is needed I need a lot of answers! I mean we are more than 3600 registered users and thousands of guests are visiting this site daily...

We need more answers, people!! :P

Regards,

Patrice

[Detox]

Pilli - cool then.. I've got the ethernet card that's built in to the mobo and an extra in my mean machine and just the one int heold puter.. i assume the nice one makes the best gateway; win98 on old one and win2k on here- I have the cable and firewalls.. Guess I can just do it!
hmph!
Running Sygate on here and ZoneAlarm on the oldie

[spy1]

Believe it or not, someone gave me an old (really old) Commordore 64 computer (still in the box).

Haven't I read somewhere that even that could be used as a "hardware firewall" since it has NAT?

If so, how would one go about it? Pete

[The Snowman]

Spy 1

see if this will work:
http://www.netboz.net

[Detox]

Hmm there was another one somebody posted on this board once but I couldn't tell ya where; I've long forgotten!

[Pieter_Arntz]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Detox link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=15#56582 date=1051242091]
Hmm there was another one somebody posted on this board once but I couldn't tell ya where; I've long forgotten!
<-QUOTE}

Hi Detox,

I think you mean this one: http://www.freebsd.org/

Regards,

Pieter

[Detox]

Hm, I do believe you are right! There you have it Spy1 ;D

[JimIT]

Another choice is the Lichtenstein LEAF firewall, (which you guys may be referring to).

You need a min 486DX w/32mgs RAM (as I recall).

It boots from a floppy/cd, and assigns ip addys automatically!

Google a search on LEAF or linux embedded appliance firewall... ;)

[meneer]

Some more floppy based firewalls:

linux based products:
http://www.freesco.org
http://www.coyotelinux.com
http://www.lintegrate.nl (dutch mxstream adsl solution)

And how about this Freebsd based floppy:
http://www.closedbsd.org

Theu all require an old pc (486/p1) and min 16 mb ram. Great stuff :P

btw: I'm running an e-smith(.org) firewall/internetserver with lots of goodies.

Big advantage of these products over hardware boxes is the configurability and extra functions. Big disadvantage too :)

(edit: I stated that closedbsd was Openbsd based, but it's freebsd based :-[ )

[Metallica]

{QUOTE-> quoting: meneer link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=30#58848 date=1052212844]
http://www.lintegrate.nl (dutch mxstream adsl solution)
<-QUOTE}

meneer,

Do you have any personal experience with that one?
I would like to know if it is easy to reconfigure, if need be.

[Tinribs]

Well it seems theres plenty of discussion matter where routers are concerned, maybe a forum dedicated to them is needed after all! :)

[Paul Wilders]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Tinribs link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=30#58923 date=1052252576]
Well it seems theres plenty of discussion matter where routers are concerned, maybe a forum dedicated to them is needed after all! :)
<-QUOTE}

Discussion: indeed - contributors in this thread: far to less. No offense, but it'll take far more contributors then 14 (valued!) ones in order to consider starting up such a board ;).

regards.

paul

[meneer]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Metallica link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=30#58877 date=1052227677]meneer,

Do you have any personal experience with that one?
I would like to know if it is easy to reconfigure, if need be. <-QUOTE}

Yes, very positive.


Werkt prima, installeert lekker snel, vergt maar één aanpassing in een configuratiebestandje op de flop, namelijk gebruikersnaam en wachtwoord. Het werkte voor mij iets soepeler dan Freesco.

Ik ben overgestapt op e-smith om extra functionaliteit te krijgen (mijn eigen server en zo, extra logginganalyse mogelijkheden), dat vergde wel adsl4linux installatie, maar dat is ook niet echt complex.
Ik heb nu een BBNED verbinding, dat werkt nog makkelijker: in het geheel geen configuratie, alleen macadres validatie bij de provider.




-edit silly quote tags don't like the [landutch] tags, not xml compliant I suppose :-\

[Metallica]

I can read Dutch, so no probs here, but others might not be so lucky. We don't want your post removed for offensive language. ;) Thnx for the info.

[Detox]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Forum Admin link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=30#58995 date=1052297013]

Discussion: indeed - contributors in this thread: far to less. No offense, but it'll take far more contributors then 14 (valued!) ones in order to consider starting up such a board ;).

regards.

paul
<-QUOTE}


But I think we've got most of the cutest ones in here...

[Patrice]

Hi Paul,
{QUOTE-> quoting: Forum Admin link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=30#58995 date=1052297013]Discussion: indeed - contributors in this thread: far to less. No offense, but it'll take far more contributors then 14 (valued!) ones in order to consider starting up such a board <-QUOTE}

I completely agree to your statement! Unfortunately people read this thread, but they don't take part in the poll... :'( Like that it's not representative, I know. If I look at the huge number of the members, I begin to wonder, why they don't share their opinion with us.

Regards,

Patrice

[meneer]

Perhaps people don't know why to use a router ??? or for that sake a linux based first line of defense

I'll change my signature to indicate that I'm a huge 'router' fan
;D

[Finn McCool]

As the price of routers has dropped, I suspect that the main reason many don't use them is ignorance. I'm especially concerned about the folks relying on ICS when a router would be more secure. So I favor starting a forum even though it would build slowly from a small number of participants. Just the stickies would be a public service.

[LowWaterMark]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Finn McCool link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=30#59493 date=1052535766]... So I favor starting a forum even though it would build slowly from a small number of participants. Just the stickies would be a public service. <-QUOTE}

It is true that such a forum would build up slowly, and it is also true that a good set of stickies would be very valuable. In fact, the right content in such introductory and overview posts would be a big part in the initial success of such a forum, and a key to driving volume through it until it develops a good following.

But what would be in the stickies? Spy1 offered this:
{QUOTE-> quoting: spy1 link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=0#56151 date=1051032375]The links given to the various "router help" forums/pages (if one is started) should be put in a sticky and be made required reading before posting questions (there's no use in starting over from scratch every time someone new pops in). <-QUOTE}

That's a start, but what else? What would be useful to people out there besides references to other sites? What would be the topics (that people here would write ;) ) that would give us something to attract people to such a forum?

Perhaps those that favor the idea of a router forum could post some ideas on topics that could be developed here... And, maybe that discussion will get others to think more about the value of such a forum, which might get them to voice their support here. 8)

[Patrice]

Hi LowWaterMark,

good idea you have! :D So let's start with it:

For example, first of all the sticky posts need to explain shortly what a router is and what's the purpose of it. With a note like that, people know what we are talking about. Imagine, you can explain this very well with a little image attachment which shows the network with a router installed. As we all know, an image replaces 1'000 words...

Then you need some information about how to set a router correctly and where you can test it (for example PC Flank). Just the basic hints about what you should look at (like change admin password, upgrade to the latest firmware, use NAT firewall,...).

And it would be nice if we would give some links to nice logging tools for the routers. When I first came here, this was my main problem. Pilli helped me out. :D Would be great if everyone could use this information for his own router.

Like that people know what we are talking about, know about the advantages, etc. So they know about the basic stuff. The rest can be individual and don't need to be in a sticky note.

Any other good suggestions?

Best regards,

Patrice

[Pilli]

{QUOTE-> Perhaps those that favor the idea of a router forum could post some ideas on topics that could be developed here... And, maybe that discussion will get others to think more about the value of such a forum, which might get them to voice their support here <-QUOTE}

LWM - How about "Rules for dummy's" As most routers are configurable We have many newbies visiting this site as well as the more experienced. So Step by step rules settings would certainly ease the pain for many newcomers to routers.

I know that there are dedicated sites but they can be quite technical & to quote Mr Balze "Not Newbie freiendly" This could be as applicable to FreeBSD or to Linksys type routers.

Also those that use P2P configurations for work & play etc. This is an area that is sometimes difficult to find written step by step procedures.

Pilli ;D

[Detox]

Hey I wanna know more about this "linux router" thing I just don't get it with Windows...? I just don't know a thing about routers so... But this intrigues me!

[Pilli]

Hi Detox, Basically you take an old low spec pentium or even a 486 with as little as 16MB of Ram, put two network cards in it - one for you local network and the other as your iinternet gateway. Then load something like FreeBSD. Configure it, make sure it all works, stick out of the way and that's it ;D

I am sure others will add their bit. I use a linksys due to lack of room for another box in my little office. :(

[meneer]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Pilli link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=45#59587 date=1052584257]
Hi Detox, Basically you take an old low spec pentium or even a 486 with as little as 16MB of Ram, put two network cards in it - one for you local network and the other as your iinternet gateway. Then load something like FreeBSD. Configure it, make sure it all works, stick out of the way and that's it ;D

I am sure others will add their bit. I use a linksys due to lack of room for another box in my little office. :(
<-QUOTE}

And you can do it even easier:
the iron is ok, but just get yourself a freesco (.org) router on a floppy.
Later on you can experiment with other, more advanced options.

There's really nothing to it by using freesco :)

[Detox]

AHHH OK I forgot (duh) we were talking also about the old PC as a router... so I was trying to figure out how a regular hardware router would be either "windows" or "linux" ::)

But now I got it hehe

[donsan709]

::)i would love to see a fourm on the subject of routers i have been running with a 2wire 1100 series and never see any comments pertaining to that modle.just my two cents worth.

[eyespy]

Now having just purchased a router as of late, I would like to see a Router Forum ! :D

regards,
bill ;)

[DolfTraanberg]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Patrice link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=0#msg56241 date=1051083998]
there's no need for one single PC to have a router in front of it. <-QUOTE}
hmm, with all those people getting connected through broadband, there is often a possibility to have a choice of cable/adsl modems. Some of them have very good router/firewall functionality. So I should say even for a single computer you would have a benefit without investment (if you know how to configure it)
Yes, Wilders would not be complete without it.
{QUOTE-> quoting: LowWaterMark link=board=19;threadid=8620;start=30#msg59496 date=1052537736]
Perhaps those that favor the idea of a router forum could post some ideas on topics that could be developed here... <-QUOTE}
Well, my SpeedTough Commandline interface reference guide has nearly 300 pages and most of the possible configurations are just chinese for me.
Dolf

[Pilli]

As a part time domestic system builder, a router is the perfect enabling set up tool. I can build a new PC, power it up attached to the router, load the OS and update as the OS is loaded knowing full well that the NAT side of the router will stop any trojan access -

Should single users use a router? Yes, especially if they are on BB and do not have a clue about firewalls etc. I know most cheap routers only protect inbound but IMO that is more than half the battle as I can, at least, set up AV / AT / AdAware etc to run scheduled updates which adds further layers of protection especially for newbies.

Software firewalls are all very well but do require a certain amount of user education otherwise they can soon be made near useless by a user "allowing" everything because the firewall is felt to "get in the way" but still giving the uneducated user a false sense of security.

Rant over - Pilli

[kraeon]

personally, i think it would be a good idea...being that i am one of those people that need some help.

here's my question if anyone can help:

i recently aquired a hawking technology router. model pn9249. i am trying to install it on my computer. i am having trouble getting my pc to recognize it is there and working. i dont have any sort of setup disk or anything because it was a stupid hand me down. so any suggestions on what i should do to solve this problem....im not a genius about computers but i have some knowledge.

thanks.

[Marja]

I, too, would love to have a router forum, I am on dial-up and want more speed!

The main reason I am still on dial-up now, is I hear so many horror stories about broadband and routers and spyware, malware getting through easier - I want to know exactly what to do to avoid all that! There are other forums, of course, but I like coming here for my major info and changes.

So - YES! :)

[Blackspear]

{QUOTE-> The main reason I am still on dial-up now, is I hear so many horror stories about broadband and routers and spyware, malware getting through easier - I want to know exactly what to do to avoid all that! <-QUOTE}I would suggest a Netgear for Quality, Ease of Use and Warranty.

With Netgear it's as simple as typing into your browser (IE or Frefox etc) 192.168.0.1 it will then ask you for a Username and Password of which the Factory Default is "Admin" and "Password".

Next step is to click on the Wizard and follow the prompts.

It will ask you for your UN and PW (provided by your Broadband provider), and there we have it, you are connected at high speed behind a NAT Firewall able to have 1 or many computers connected at the same time sharing a single connection.

I'm not an expert, but I have set up dozens and dozens of Netgear Modem/Router/Firewall combo's. We tend to use and sell Netgear DG834.

And with your security and Wilders you should be fine Marja ;) ;D

Cheers ;D

[iceni60]

{QUOTE-> personally, i think it would be a good idea...being that i am one of those people that need some help.

here's my question if anyone can help:

i recently aquired a hawking technology router. model pn9249. i am trying to install it on my computer. i am having trouble getting my pc to recognize it is there and working. i dont have any sort of setup disk or anything because it was a stupid hand me down. so any suggestions on what i should do to solve this problem....im not a genius about computers but i have some knowledge.

thanks. <-QUOTE}
try going into device manager - right-click My Computer>Properties>Hardware>Device Manager and have alook and see what it says. if it is registered there you can try and update the drivers.

[ronjor]

http://www.hawkingtech.com/router.php

[Peter2150]

As one who is now facing getting into this networking issue, I wholeheartily agree. If fact it might be a bit broader to make it wireless.

Pete

[Acadia]

Just in case anyone might be interested, GRC has a couple of forums that you might be interested in:

http://client.grc.com/news.exe?cmd=xover&group=grc.security.wireless

http://client.grc.com/news.exe?cmd=xover&group=grc.security.hardware

Acadia

[Marja]

Now, wireless seems even more scary to a newbie at broadband! There are alot of forums for Broadband, but, most of the people on them are speaking Martian to most of us who don't have either a router or wireless!

IMHO

Marja8)

[benny bronx]

D{QUOTE-> oes the average Joe with one pc surfing the internet really need a router?
<-QUOTE}

Yes. I know many newbies who do not give one second of thought to securtiy and I think they are fortunate that their DSL gives them a router that often contains a FW. It is cheap, quiet, and it works. Props to JImi.

[ErikAlbert]

I could use such a forum for my router "D-link DI-604".
I bought it, I installed it, it has a very long log, so it's seems to do something.
Only one trouble : I don't understand anything of it.
A router forum could tell me how to configure my router properly in the first place and what everything means in plain English.

[Long View]

{QUOTE-> I would suggest a Netgear for Quality, Ease of Use and Warranty.



I'm not an expert, but I have set up dozens and dozens of Netgear Modem/Router/Firewall combo's. We tend to use and sell Netgear DG834.


Cheers ;D <-QUOTE}


More by luck than good judgment I bought a Netgear DG834 when I changed to broadband in Sept 03. Probably the best security decision I ever made. Although I am not recommending that people remove their software security I think it is interesting that I manage to get by with Firefox , Antivir and nothing else and when I do run on demand programs they find nothing.

[lodore]

a firewalled router is my first line of defence and i think it is for alot of people.
since getting my first firewalled router my software firewalls havent needed to do any blocking saving the cpu power for other jobs.
the first thing i got my next door neighbour to do is buy a nat router and i set it up for him.
they are quite cheap these days.
i support the router forum idea
lots of newbies have wireless routers but dont know how to set them up.
which means there neighbours can nick there internet connection.
so a stick made by one of the mods or members in the router forum for the most common makes of router would be very useful.
i know how to secure routers but not everyone does.
lodore

[gerardwil]

{QUOTE-> a firewalled router is my first line of defence and i think it is for alot of people.
since getting my first firewalled router my software firewalls havent needed to do any blocking saving the cpu power for other jobs.
the first thing i got my next door neighbour to do is buy a nat router and i set it up for him.
they are quite cheap these days.
i support the router forum idea
lots of newbies have wireless routers but dont know how to set them up.
which means there neighbours can nick there internet connection.
so a stick made by one of the mods or members in the router forum for the most common makes of router would be very useful.
i know how to secure routers but not everyone does.
lodore <-QUOTE}

Maybe I am wrong, but I remember you posted today/yesterday you couldn't login to your router ??? in some other thread.

[lodore]

{QUOTE-> Maybe I am wrong, but I remember you posted today/yesterday you couldn't login to your router ??? in some other thread. <-QUOTE}
you misunderstood me.
what i said is wqhen i use opendns as my dns settings it wont load my router page which is bthomehub.home
it shows the opendns search page instead.
but if i use bt's dns settings i browse to bthomehub.home and i can access the options.
i gonna replace the usb connection to my router with a ethernet one when i get my gigabit ethernet PCI card.
lodore

[gerardwil]

I am sorry I misunderstand ;)

Gerardo

[Huwge]

I agree that a Router section would be a good thing. I have only recently purchased one (well, around 6 months ago) as a direct result of posts at Wilders.

Just wish I knew why after a power outage I have to reinstall the damn thing half a dozen times before I can get online again >:(

[lodore]

what router do you have?
lodore

[19monty64]

{QUOTE-> I could use such a forum for my router "D-link DI-604".
I bought it, I installed it, it has a very long log, so it's seems to do something.
Only one trouble : I don't understand anything of it.
A router forum could tell me how to configure my router properly in the first place and what everything means in plain English. <-QUOTE}
I purchased the same router 2 months ago and it works great with it's default settings, but I too would benefit from being able to tighten up it's ruleset!

[ErikAlbert]

{QUOTE-> I purchased the same router 2 months ago and it works great with it's default settings, but I too would benefit from being able to tighten up it's ruleset! <-QUOTE}
I'm glad I'm not the only one on earth with the same router and the same problem. ;D

[Long View]

I know its fun to tinker and I would certainly like to know what all the options mean but my Netgear DG834 pretty much set itself up 3 years ago.

All I really know is that it works. I would rather have this firewall than any other available security software.

[Huwge]

{QUOTE-> what router do you have?
lodore <-QUOTE}

Sorry, only just seen the post. I have a Linksys WRT54GS. No other machine connected to it

[herbalist]

Instead of a forum section just for routers, Why not expand it to include other internet hardware, like DSL modems, hardware firewalls, etc. Pretty much anything to do with home networking. There should be sufficient form traffic for that.
Rick

[Rickster100]

{QUOTE-> Instead of a forum section just for routers, Why not expand it to include other internet hardware, like DSL modems, hardware firewalls, etc. Pretty much anything to do with home networking. There should be sufficient form traffic for that.
Rick <-QUOTE}

This is a great idea. Im all for this. :-X

[mercurie]

{QUOTE-> Instead of a forum section just for routers, Why not expand it to include other internet hardware, like DSL modems, hardware firewalls, etc. Pretty much anything to do with home networking. There should be sufficient form traffic for that.
Rick <-QUOTE}I too think this is a good idea. :)

[cthorpe]

Yes, I think a Router Forum would be helpful. I'd happily share my knowledge with others.

[coolbluewater]

If the mod/admin resources wouldn't be spread too thin here, then fine.
But dslreports.com seems to have that base covered quite well in their forums.

[AJohn]

Here is some information on why you may want to stay away from D-Link and Netgear: http://www.mntolympus.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=2684

I can not personally speak for anything but LinkSys which I have never had problems with.

Edit: It may be good to have two sections for firewalls: Hardware Firewalls and Software Firewalls