New Wireless Router

[DMS]

I need to get a new wireless modem/router partly because my current Netgear DG834PN is temperamental and partly because I want something that gives me a bit more information about who is doing what. Ideally, I need something where attempted access to any blocked sites prompts a log entry which is then automatically emailed once a day. The log should be pretty specific about what site was blocked, the MAC address of the PC attempting access (IP addresses will not work for me as various people have occasional access meaning that using a static address for each PC would be impractical), date, time etc... My current Netgear should be able to do this but is a PITA to configure!

Oh, and it has to be at least full 11n compliant (300 not 150). Can anyone recommend anything?

[Phil@Dabs]

Sonicwall kit has those facilities, or you could look at the info that Draytek can syslog - to do a decent job with stuff like this usually requires kit in the "Far from cheapness" category.

[Cmdrx3]

Have you thought about using a custom firmware for your netgear router which usually adds features that the default manufacturer firmware doesn't have. I'd normally suggest DDWRT or Tomato but I don't think they support your router. You could check out DGTeams custom firmwares, they might make it less temperamental and give you the features you need.

http://dgteam.ilbello.com/index.php

[DMS]

Thanks, guys. My current Netgear also has a faulty power socket - which will no doubt cost more to fix than replace - so a new one is necessary rather than trying the firmware route. And, whilst I do like the Vigor stuff, the prices are, how can I put it, a little prohibative! I will probably try for the middle ground - something cheaper but with DDWRT support.

NB: what is Tomato?!?! No smart answers please....

[Phil@Dabs]

Custom Firmware - pretty comprehensive, but check router compatibility first

[DMS]

So... 6 months down the line and I'm still running my DG834PN and still looking for a replacement. I had a somewhat brief foray into the world of Belkin but the blasted thing kept dropping connection. It seems that my ISP doesn't like Belkin but has a fondness for the Broadcom chipset in my old Netgear - so it makes sense to stick with Broadcom if at all possible. My next option was to get a Buffalo AirStation but I have just found out that it has an Infinion main chipset (wireless is Atheros) so that puts paid to that idea.

So my shopping list now is:

Wireless N modem/router
Broadcom chipset
USB port (preferably storage and printer but just storage would do)
Dual band (would be nice)
Gigabit (would be nice)
QoS

Any thoughts? The 7800N is a possible but it is more than I want to spend and doesn't have a USB port.

[Phil@Dabs]

Ha Ha, I had major xbox live issues with my "Far from Cheapness" £200 router, but the DG834 worked fine, problem was, the netgear didn't have the facilities I needed (VPN, VOIP etc) - I got the Billion 7404VNOX (not broadcom based) which raised my broadband speed over 25%, ping times and latency decreased too, could not be happier now I can Forza 4 on Wednesday nights without having to swap routers.