Routers

There are so many options for routers around these days... I have different recommendations for everyone.

For those who don't really know what they're doing, get a major brand, generally Linksys, or D-Link, and run through the quick start guide ** DON'T JUST PLUG IT IN AND GO ** Leaving your device unconfigured can lead to a lot of security holes in your local network, so just don't do it.

For those who do know, I've used, and prefer dd-wrt. it's lightweight, works on router-specific hardware, and is remarkably fast. of course, your capability of using dd-wrt depends on what router hardware you're installing it on, so choose wisely. pick something that has the features and capabilities you need from your router, and then see if it's dd-wrt compatible. if not, find alternatives.

Also check the router compatibility, to see if any features are incapable of being used yet.

For anything larger than in-home, SOHO style, I would normally recommend independent router/wifi/switch setups, because if any one goes out, it's pretty trivial to figure out which.

I've also used Untangle, this is good for SOHO or small business setups where they need constant protection, that is centralized, away from user interaction and controls. Untangle requires some pretty heavy hardware so be sure to buy something appropriate for the job it's going to have to do, beyond that, it should be able to do just about anything you need it to... with few exceptions to that.

No matter which solution is best for you, whether listed here or not, be sure to read through the documentation to familiarize yourself with the menus and capabilities of the product.

Happy Routing.