Extract From Byte Magazine - Nov 13 - Choosing a Router

[Steve Bildermann]

As Byte is now a subscription service I thought some people might enjoy reading some extracts.

Routers

If you have high speed Internet access, you need a router. It's your first and most important line of defense.

It doesn't have to be a very expensive router. The D Link DI 604 we use is quite inexpensive and so far has performed splendidly. D Link makes a whole line of comparable routers, including the DI 704P, which is similar to the DI 604 but with a printer connection: This router also works as a print server, so that all the machines on your system can access the printer connected to the router. <continued>

[Caustic Saint]

Good advice in this one about routers, but I question his choice of the D-Link 604 - but only for a "niche market" reason, PS2 gaming. The 604 had (and still has, to my knowledge) issues with the PS2 headset. It isn't configurable enough to open the ports needed to enable voice communication to make SOCOM playable. That caused a fair amount of headaches last year when that game shipped, as the 604 is a fairly common router.

That's not to knock D-Link though. I use a DI-614+ myself. 4-port 10/100 router with an 802.11.b wireless connection. It's nice and compact, works like a charm and is very easy to configure. D-Link's online support has gotten even better and they even have easy-to-follow instructions for setting the ports needed by specific applications - even SOCOM on the PS2.

[Steve Bildermann]

[American Oyaji]

I've been using the D-Link 604 for a few months.

No hassles or problems.

I forget I even HAVE a router.

And I use it to play Xbox Live ALL the time.

I think the reason you had problems with the PS2 headset is because DLINK 604 is certified Xbox Live compatible.

You know if M$ has their hand in something, there will be problems for those that don't "conform".

[Caustic Saint]

I think the reason you had problems with the PS2 headset is because DLINK 604 is certified Xbox Live compatible.

You know if M$ has their hand in something, there will be problems for those that don't "conform".

The 604 (as it was shipping last year - prior to the current firmware revision) was incompatible with the SOCOM headset. The game worked fine - just no voice.

I didn't have any problems since I had a Linksys router at the time. I got the D-Link I have now because I wanted a router with WiFi and this was the smallest (and cheapest) one I could find.

[Watcher]

My friend is having trouble finding an english Win2k pro OS compatible lan card driver for his IO Data lan card. He may give up on it and needs advice on what Lan cards are english OS compatible. Any help/recommendations? Thanks

[Big Booger]

http://www.iodata.jp/pio/os/2000/sheet/sheet_5.htm#LAN

Watcher,
Have your friend take a look at that page. Without knowing the specific model, there are many LAN card drivers for Windows 2000 listed on that page above.