Need recommendation/advice for a wired 4 port router

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The Man - 30 Jul 2007 19:37 GMT

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting a wired router to connect an older iMac running
10.3.9 (not worth going wireless) to the Internet. My other Mac (a G4
Power Mac) is currently hooked up to a DSL modem and setup with DHCP and
runs great under OS X 10.3.9. I've researched 4-port wired routers and
all the major brands (Belkin, Linksys, Netgear, etc.) seem to have some
very positive reviews and some very negative reviews. I'm leaning toward
a Belkin model. I'm slightly network knowledgeble so I don't expect
problems but none of the router vendors appear to be very Mac savvy
should I need tech support. Any advice or recommendation would be
greatly appreciated regarding what brand to get (don't need VPN) and any
relevant comments.

TIA

The Guy

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Xeno Lith - 30 Jul 2007 22:14 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> The Guy

Any and all four port routers should work well with both your Macs. I
have a Netgear WGT624 router and the iMac G3 running OSX 10.4.10
connects to it without drama. I currently have the Mac plus 4 PC's
connected to it, the Mac and one PC via an 8 port switch. It is a
wireless router but, for the most part, that is turned off. I use
wireless only for when visitors bring their laptops round.

I don't think you will need to be particularly net savvy with respect to
the router (any router) as the DHCP server and firewall take care of
connection issues. No need even to fuss with modem drivers. I just
plugged the router into the modem via ethernet. My mac just connected
without my intervention as soon as I plugged in the cable.

In fact, if your modem has a NAT firewall and DHCP server built in, you
probably don't even need to get a router. Just buy a cheap 4 or 8 port
switch and connect it between the modem and all your computers. The DHCP
server in the modem should take care of the rest.

Xeno

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D. Kirkpatrick - 30 Jul 2007 23:06 GMT

In article
<chainyanker60-C880AA.11370530072007@newsclstr02.news.prodigy.com>,

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> The Guy

I've had success with a Dlink 604 but I don't know if that model is
still made.

I have a Mac OS9, 2 W2k's and one Xp on it. Works nicely. I have the
2 Win boxes taking to each other and using "Dave" I have the Mac
talking to each of those.

Never seem to have had any probnlem with it.

The Dlink picks up the net from a DSL modem supplied by my carrier.

DMk

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Clark Martin - 01 Aug 2007 03:20 GMT

In article
<chainyanker60-C880AA.11370530072007@newsclstr02.news.prodigy.com>,

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> greatly appreciated regarding what brand to get (don't need VPN) and any
> relevant comments.

Personally I'd go with Netgear or D-Link.

I have a Belkin and it works okay but they pulled a bone head move a
while back for that alone I won't recommend them. They produced a
router that redirected some web pages to ads.

Linksys doesn't support the Mac. Even though there is no difference.

If you aren't doing anything out of the ordinary just about any of them
should do. You might consider a WiFi router, just in case. You can
always disable the WiFi part until you need it.

Signature

Clark Martin
Redwood City, CA, USA Macintosh / Internet Consulting

"I'm a designated driver on the Information Super Highway"

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Mac Forum / General / Hardware / August 2007

Need recommendation/advice for a wired 4 port router