What is a good (or the best) SOHO router?

Question

I'm looking for 16 - 24 ports, 10/100/1000 (gigabit). Just to be clear I'll need it to have NAT and DHCP capabilities. Other protocols and stuff would be great but I cannot have it freezing up all the time. I don't want the device to have any wireless capabilities.

I currently own a linksys wrgsomething and the dhcp server on it constantly freezes and the only way I can fix it is to go phsyically unplug the device and plug it back in.

If you know a lot about this topic and don't mind give me one serious answer and one answer where money is no option.

Answer 1

Because you need 16 - 24 ports, you need a separate network switch and a router.

Your application appears to be above that of the typical home owner with recreational use.

I suggest you consider an Adtran Netvanta 2050, Adtran part 1202362L2. If you plan to set up VPNs to others and want the VPN to reside on the Netvanta 2050, you will also need the enhanced feature pack, an extra cost option. If you do not need VPN now, you can get the feature pack later (and download the firmware change from the Adtran web site later). This is a rugged, robust router. It comes with a 5 year warrenty and all firmware upgrades are at no cost for as long as Adtran supports the unit. I have installed many of these and they rival Cisco in reliability and are a lot less costly.

I have seen the problems you talk about with the household grade routers. I do not use them.

You will also need an unmanaged network switch. Adtran makes only managed switches. Take a look at 3 Com. Their baseline switches can be rack mounted, come in 16 and 24 port and some are 10/100 and others are 10/100/1000 speed. See this link

http://configurator.3com.com/3com/ASP/Mart/Selector.aspx?webroot=/3com/&user=guest&languageid=en&finder=switch

and get more info from there.

You can procure these products from Tiger Direct - VIP section at very competitive prices.

Answer 2

Hope this Buyer's guide to SOHO routers has the answers you are seeking:

http://www.networkworld.com/net.worker/reviews/2002/0603sohorouters.html