How are you using your broadband with multiple computers?

[yotta]

Me, personaly, I'm using a dedicated Linux box.

[crewsor]

Wireless router, great to be able to wander to the deck with the laptop.

[cub4life78]

Linksys 4 port router here...

[sngx1275]

Windows ICS, it has a few disadvantages. But its cheaper than a router, and when you computer is as stable as mine....

[Dave]

I've got a debian box that's been running almost constantly as my firewall/router for the last 3 years (I only apt-get upgrade it every few months). The last time it went down was due to a few days without power (damn bush fires).

[-=BT=-]

Just using XPs version of ICS at the moment. Once upon a time I would have installed a software NAT router, but I can't see the point anymore when XP does it for me without having *another* program loading on startup. Sure, I don't get all the extra administrative options such as logging and restrictions etc. but I don't need them, this is only a small network of computers.

[darkure]

Currently I have a Linksys 4port/Wireless router. I know some people on this board have expressed a distaste for Linksys products but I have had no problems with it. It works exactly the way I want it too. THe only difficulty I had was getting WEP set up. Since there are two households living in my house we figured that we could get one broadband connection and split the bill. We went with wireless so that we would not have to install wires in the walls or have them running throughout the house.

[Banginblaz]

I use M$ Internet connection sharing through HPNA adapters.Talk about easy..... (and cheap) but it works great, I have not had a problem with it at all.

[fracturedmind]

Linux Router here, Redhat 7.3

[Realizm]

Regular netgear hub..

[madsenj37]

I have OS X and an additional ethernet card. I simply turn internet sharing on and teh other computer is connected. I voted for BSD based cause that seemed fair enough.

[limited]

For those with the knowledge and ability to do so, I would always suggest a DIY solution. Its much more flexible and inexpensive than a pre-packaged router. But when someone who doesnt know what TCP/IP is wants to use 4 computers on their RoadRunner modem- the simplest and fastest choice is to buy one.

[gamer715]

I have a D-Link DI604 consumer-grade router from BestBuy. Cost me $29, but it's a piece of crap. Overheats often due to the fact i'm running it at full speed all the time. Soon I'll have a DIY Slackware router (I hope)...

[yotta]

Originally posted by limited
For those with the knowledge and ability to do so, I would always suggest a DIY solution. Its much more flexible and inexpensive than a pre-packaged router. But when someone who doesnt know what TCP/IP is wants to use 4 computers on their RoadRunner modem- the simplest and fastest choice is to buy one.

Yup. For example, try port forwarding access to apps with hardcoded listening ports on two computers with a Linksys. Can't do it? Aw.... too bad.... My Linux box can. Your Linksys can't assign the same IP to your computers every time with DHCP? My Linux box can. My linux box also does traffic shaping, IE, I can play games without lag when downloading, and still have great download speeds when I upload files.

[Cynthetiq]

linksys 4 port BEFRS and I have an SMC Barricade wireless. i could have just gotten an access point, but it was just easier to use a left over from a customer upgrade.

Both are easy to configure. I have lots of spare computers, but I didn't want to be bothered with all the items of making it a router. I want simplicity in my technology... don't have the spare time to sit, tweak and play...

[fracturedmind]

Yotta what are you using to do all that? My current setup splits off to like 8 computers (im a student with 3 roomates), its really basic now, a few port forwards are setup, the box is also our web server. We were looking for a way to possibly limit download/upload to each specific computer, or limit our upload speed on a specific port... just wondering if you have any neat software you use.

[yodapaul]

I've got a D-link 4 port wireless ethernet router. Never had a problem with it, I think it's just great.

[silenced]

dlink 4port router+ printer server and a backup SMC 4port router

[Motry Latchman]

Have an SMC barracade. Wanted to set up the old 200MHz computer as a linux box to do this but the SMC was too quick and easy.

[wakelagger]

My Linksys has never completely failed me. When it does, I just unplug it, and plug it back in again and everything is back to normal.

[poof]

Holy crap! This turned into "mine is bigger", "I am a guru", post. Frikken wankers!

<b>wakelagger</b> Making the Linksys recognise the card(s) is better now. Do a firmware upgrade.

[y2ktenchi]

My Cisco DSL modem also does duty as a nat'd gateway/router.

[charliex]

dsl modem + cable modem -> nexland pro800 turbo router -> computers

the pro800 is ok for the "channel bonding" but it sucks elsewhere it can only do about 15-20 port forwarding rules, then it messes up.

[The_Dude]

i just finished this new pc and i think i'll get a router

[bodypainter]

I've got an old-fashioned Asanté 8 port hub that both our computers and the cable modem plug in to. We pay Comcast for an extra IP.

5 years ago when I got the cable modem, this was the best solution because we used several programs (eg CU-SeeMe) that use UDP and didn't play nice with NAT. Not the case any more but the inertia of a system that works has kept me from changing it up.

[ninety09]

I have a linksys router and it works great

[yotta]

Originally posted by fracturedmind
Yotta what are you using to do all that? My current setup splits off to like 8 computers (im a student with 3 roomates), its really basic now, a few port forwards are setup, the box is also our web server. We were looking for a way to possibly limit download/upload to each specific computer, or limit our upload speed on a specific port... just wondering if you have any neat software you use.

Currently I'm using Linux 2.4.20 (A minimal Redhat 9 install works fine) with iptables and a script to set up traffic shaping. I use the HTB version of the wondershaper, and a firewall script I created with Easy Firewall Generator, with some manual tweaks (multiple forwardings to internal SSH). The wondershaper could be modified to dole out bandwidth more or less evenly between hosts, giveing the spare to anyone who wants it. It will take some reading to do everything you want, but the power you will gain is WELL WORTH the time needed to read documentation. Stock setup, however will do some cool stuff, namly mantaining little or no lad while up/downloading. Also note, that the wondershaper works best with DSL/any line that provides a steady maximum bandwidth, but you will still see benifit on a cable modem.

[heyal256]

I use a linksys 4 port router like most people. I haven't had the time to use linux to actually try out some of the advanced things that yotta can do, but for basic internet sharing a router is the easiest way to go.

[DEI37]

Using a Link-Sys 8-port router here.

[rubicon]

Linksys. Better than my old SMC Barricade and better than the D-Links I've seen.

Waiting for Cisco to put IOS on the Linksys.

[yotta]

Oh, for those of you uncomfortable settin up a full-blown Linux router, try BBIagent

[krazykemist]

Started with just a 100' crossover thru the attic.
Next setup a p200 to run Freesco.
Moved on now to a Linksys Router.

[hrdwareguy]

I am using a combination of hubs and a router

[saberyo]

netscreen 5 firewall/router/vpn gateway

[Elitegibson]

You guys that use linux routers-

Do you use the linux box plus a hub or switch? Cause wouldn't it be more efficient to just have a regular router? I'm not really against linux, but it's like adding another complication that you don't really need.

I use a linksys 4 port router at home with 2 computers and a ps2 and a linksys 8 port router + 8 port switch for lans.

[munchini]

i just use the uplink port to connect to the cable modem and connect the rest of my pc's to the hub - its a generic netgear 4port10/100hub.. not switch.. can anyone notice a substantial difference between the two?

[Zotz]

I use a Speedstream 4 port router for my 2 computers. Its been working very well since I set it up about a year ago.

[trialzin]

netgear router and a switch, I used to run linux and share it that way but it was a pain in the ass when I took it down to add more toys and 30 seconds after power off I would hear " THE INTERNETS NOT WORKING!" hence the router

[Marse Bob]

I use a Linksys router-wireless access point

[yotta]

Originally posted by Elitegibson
You guys that use linux routers-

Do you use the linux box plus a hub or switch? Cause wouldn't it be more efficient to just have a regular router? I'm not really against linux, but it's like adding another complication that you don't really need.

Linux box + swich/hub yeah. The PC is cheap, just get a used pentium syste, and a 5 port switch can be had for $30. You can also pop extra NICs in the linux box, but that's kinda annoying to setup.