?which router to test next?

[scsijon]

I'm willing to buy a router to use as a "testbed" for Gargoyle releases. It will eventually connect me to the outer world via satellite, but for now will be available.

The question is which types do you want me to try to get one from

?Eric? or another of the team?

Over to you.

[DoesItMatter]

http://www.gargoyle-router.com/phpbb/vi ... ?f=8&t=366

See that thread.

If you're up for testing, Gargoyle should run on any router
that OpenWRT 8.09 branch supports.

That being the case, I'm thinking most of the newer wireless-n
routers are not supported right now.

[scsijon]

OK, if I read the message properly then I can pick just about anything.

What about the Belkin F5D8231au4?

All I seem to have to deal with is if I can get a revision1 or revision 2.

scsijon

[DoesItMatter]

http://oldwiki.openwrt.org/Hardware(2f)Belkin.html

Nope - that router is not supported by OpenWRT
Neither is it supported by DD-WRT

Remember, you have to check and see if its supporte by
the 8.09 stable version of Open WRT

It should be an Atheros or Broadcom chipset as well.

There are some new RaLink chipset routers that are in the works.

Try to stick with Linksys, Buffalo, D-Link, Netgear routers if you can.
They seem to have much more support and funtionality than
the Belkin line of routers. Also avoid Trendnet.
Belkin and Trendnet are good, just not as favored for 3rd party
firmware modding.

[scsijon]

Tracked down a belkinof the right type. Talked the salesman into opening the packing up and found it's up to v4.0 software, which is in no-ones list. Also found the three Antennae for the v4 are fixed, not removable, so couldn't wire one if them out for "another area location" anyway, therefore no good.

Also
OK thanks DoesItMatter, more hunting to do.

on we go

[scsijon]

and on we go

Now looking at a Dlink DGL-4500 as my gbyte switch died yesterday and must be replaced asap. Supplier of the old switch says they will sell one of these below cost as can't replace the old switch.

have looked at OpenWrt's hardware list and not listed anywhere.
have added messages in both port's of OpenWrt without answers so far.

have until next tue to decide as will have to pickup on wed.

can anyone provide some assistance please

thanks
scsijon

[DoesItMatter]

http://techgage.com/article/d-link_dgl- ... ng_router/

At the bottom of the page lists the chipset info.

Does not sound familiar at all. I don't think this will be supported
for a while, maybe at some point by DD-WRT ?

[scsijon]

thanks DoesItMatter

damn!

Ok any idea of anything that meets anything like these requirements

-1 wan port (for my satellite service when hooked through)
-4 gigabyte lan ports (3 workstations 1 server)
-1 usb port (1 HP 600mm widecarrage roll printer)
-2 or three antennae that screw in (two buildings with a tripple brick and double brick wall between so a cable connection is a must).

sugestions anyone?

thanks in advance
scsijon

[scsijon]

OK, Unless deflated again, I'm now seriously leaning towards Netgear's SRXN3205-100AUS

So far the basic specs I have gleaned are:
16Meg Flash
64Meg RAM
300Mhz processor
1 WAN (Gigabyte)
4 LAN (10 / 100 / Gigabyte)
2 5dbi (dipile) & 1 3dbi (patch) SMA removable Antennae
SPI Firewall
5 dedicated IPsec VPN tunnels
SSL and IPSec
Wireless access security features including WPA, WPA2, and 802.1x with RADIUS support
and a whole lot of other bits to play with

I know it's overkill, but......

The only thing I couldn't find was a mention of the Processor type anywhere, so have mailed Netgear, asking for some details and other questions.

Especially as this box WILL do for a project i've been asked to take on, and they are willing to pay for one to "play with" if it looks promising.

regards
scsijon

[scsijon]

Now i've done it

I've come across on Whirlpool (www.whirlpool.net.au) a lovely beastie

Specs are:
CPU: Broadcom BCM4718 533MHZ
RAM: 128MB (2x 64MB)
ROM: 32MB
ETH: 4x GIGABIT (LAN) 1x GIGABIT (WAN)
USB Ports: 2
Wireless N 2.4 gig

Seems to do more than I want and at a decent price.

Even OpenWrt compatable

a hunting I will go, a hunting I will go, hey ho the .....

regards
scsijon
ps for Eric, Prophesy: That you'll hate me for asking questions before this ends. But we will have a "magic" machine on the list!
===========================
Attachment

REF:
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-re ... 73035.html

---------------------------------


Key Features

wireless N, throughput of 300Mbps , 3 x external antenna , 2.4~2.5 GHz
Output power

* n mode: 15.8~19.5dBm
* g mode: 15.5~16.5dBm
* b mode: 15.8~19.5dBm

4 x giga port ethernet , WAN x 1, LAN x 4 RJ-45 for 10/100/1000 Base-T, Supports Ethernet and 802.3 with max. bit rate 10/100/1000 Mbps and auto cross-over function (MDI-X)

2 x usb ports ( hdd / mem stick / print server )

CPU: Broadcom BCM4718 533MHZ
RAM: 128MB (2x 64MB)
ROM: 32MB
ETH: 4x GIGABIT (LAN) 1x GIGABIT (WAN)
USB Ports: 2
Wireless N 2.4 gig

Download Master provides up to 300,000 sessions

Torrents / http / ftp download direct to an attached HDD ( not supplied )

--------------------------------


Modes of Operation

The ASUS RT-N16 has 3 modes of operation, Gateway mode , router mode and access point mode , this selection is found in the advanced / Administration section.

------------------------------------------------------
Home Gateway

"In Home Gateway mode, the RT-N16 connects to the Internet via ADSL or cable modem, and clients in your network share the same IP to ISP.

In this mode, NAT is enabled and WAN connection is allowed using PPPoE, DHCP, or static IP. It also support UPnP and DDNS features that are useful for home users."

This would be the most common mode used , once the RT-N16 is connected to a modem , you select the connection method and authentication method and away you go connected to the internet

Note : if connecting to an ADSL modem it is recommended that the modem be set to full bridge mode to avoid dual nat and forwzrding issues.

Bridge mode , adding a wireless router

-------------------------------------------------------

router mode

"In Router mode, we suppose you use RT-N16 to connect to LAN in your company. So, you can set up routing protocol to meet your requirement in office.

Explaining with technical terms, router mode is, NAT is disabled, static routing protocol are allowed to set. "

I would guess this mode would be used for those wanting to bridge subnet's within a company etc.

-------------------------------------------------------

Access point mode

"In Access Point mode, four LAN ports in the RT-N16 and other wireless devices are set up in the same local area network. The WAN related functions are not supported in this mode.

In this mode, NAT is disabled and four LAN ports in the RT-N16 and other wireless devices are bridged together. "

In access point mode , the RT-16N becomes a transparent wireless N access point and a 4 port giga switch , no extra setup is needed as once this mode is selected the RT-16N will ask you for a wireless SSID and security password and thats its , pure simple wireless N access point.

Hard reset via the reset button is required to reset the router to gateway mode.

--------------------------------------------------------

Wireless connectivity

The wireless on the RT-16N is strong and reliable , reaches to my known black spots in the house and stayed connected over the 24hr test period without loss of signal.

Throughput testing wireless N to Ethernet was very impressive with 15.5 MB/s @ 3 meters ( tested under windows vista transfer gui ).

Wireless signal strength tested with net stumbler at 3 meters = -38dBm

Throughput testing N to N yet to be completed.

Note wireless testing was done with full 2T3R wireless adapters that connect at 300M , results will differ if users us 1T1R usb adapters that can only connect at a max 150M.

Throughput testing was done using a single 700M video file .

-----------------------------------------------------

Ethernet connectivity

The RT-16N has 4 giga bit Ethernet lan ports and one giga bit wan Ethernet port .

Throughput testing was conducted with 2 vista based desktop computers with giga ethernet adapters ( both pci based ) , both comps have 2 gig ram , are dual core Pentium's , and HDD's are 7200 speed 32 meg cache sata drives.

Throughput results maxed out at 79MB/sec in both directions , this seemed to be the max my comps where capable of , so its possible faster speeds could be obtained .

Throughput testing was done using a single 700M video file.

-----------------------------------------------

UPnP Media Server

The RT-16N is equipped with a built in UPnP Media Server which allows for the router to stream content directly to media devices such as the xbox 360 etc

---------------------------------------------------------------

USB Application

The RT-16N is equipped with 2 usb ports , one or both can be use to attach an external usb HDD up to 1000 gig , and formatted in any format that windows accepts including NTFS.

The hdd can be set into one of two modes.

Network Neighborhood Share – where the hdd becomes a shared folder in your lan's network neighborhood , allowing it to be used as a media server and avoid having a computer left on.

FTP Share , share ftp both internally and externally and have your own ftp server available anywhere on the internet via the aidisk feature .

Both these features work great , initial testing of streaming from the connected usb HDD see the throughput @ around 7.5 MB/s , so multiple streaming should not be an issue .

Notes on HDD :

Maximum Number Partitions = 6
Max HDD size = 1TB

max file size

2GB (FAT16)
4GB (FAT32)
8GB (EXT2)
8GB (EXT3)
8GB (NTFS)
4GB (EXT2)
4GB (EXT3)
4GB (NTFS)

Disk Format
FAT16
FAT32
EXT2
EXT3
NTFS(RO)

Note : ReiserFS format is not supported

A print server is also available on one or both ports.

---------------------------------------------------------

Download Manager

ASUS supply utilities that include a download manager , the download manager allows the user to select one of the following 3 types of downloads,

HTTP

FTP

Bit Torrent

Notes on BT :

the max concurrent bt files both seeding and downloading is 6

Once selected and started the hdd and router will continue to download even if the computer is shut down , allowing for true computer less downloading .

-----------------------------------------------------------
Firewall

The firewall is ok , if a little thin on features , but more and more these days the firewalls in routers are left off as they generally cause more issues than they solve.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Conclusion

The RT-16N is in my opinion the best wireless router available on the domestic market today , with its pure power and feature set the RT-16N will be seen as the router to emulate by all its competitors.

Ease of use and setup will see the network beginner and hard core user rave about how good and how easy this unit is to use.

Once again its hard to see anything that comes close to the feature set and pure power of the RT-N16 .

----------------------------------------------------------

Features Rating

Wireless, 5/5 – Best wireless radiation and throughput of any device i have tested.

LAN, 5/5 – As i have suggested pure power and speed , couldnt lag this unit no matter what i threw at it.

USB , 5/5 – with ftp and samba windows sharing , and a print server to boot the RT-N16 covers all the bases and needs for those that want computer free downloading and print sharing alike.

------------------------------------------------------------
Overall Rating

Reliability: 5/5 – Test period over a few weeks saw the RT-N16 stay connected to both its wireless and over the wan without issue.

Usability: 4.5/5 – With the asus gui look and feel , anyone should be able to manage the RT-N16 with ease , intuitive and clear obvious graphics used to indicate the state of the wan and lan.

Longevity: 4.5/5 – with all the latest features and pure power to boot the Overall Rating the RT-N16 should be in use for a long time to come.

Functionality: 4/5 – almost all the features the home user could need.
/end of attachment