I would not even touch a Linksys router for business use. Yes Cisco owns them but the router is less than subpar. The Netopia router is more business end but is harder to setup.

And yes you can buy firewall add ons for the Netopia. You can buy other add ons as well. Linksys you pay for what you get...... IMO when you buy a Linksys you buy low end junk. As you can see I have a bad taste when it comes to Linksys. I use a Linksys in a business environment with about 125 people and it could not handle that many people trying to get to the net. It would just lock up. And yes I carried it back and got another one. The Netopia has been running in that business since day 1 without any reboots or anything.

Spend a few more dollars and buy a Netopia over a Linksys, Netopia, Dlink or any other router unless you go high end.

ok ya sounds good im going to seriously consider the netopia one that you linked me to NT...

i also just got out of a meeting with him and the other owners... they said they want to be able to transfer large sums of money from bank to bank without having to go to the bank ... i know ill have to go visit the bank and see how they go about setting up something like this but im sure it will be something like a VPN i am guessing.

would something of this nature require a hardware firewall to help secure any transactions? or will the bank be able to help me and tell me everything i would need to do this with all the security and stuff?

Transferring from one bank to another is as simple as signing up for electronic banking and transferring that way. The bank ssl should take care of security. You whould not have to deal with a VPN period on that matter.

NT50 wrote:

I use a Linksys in a business environment with about 125 people and it could not handle that many people trying to get to the net.

That's right, because it isn't supposed to handle that many users. In that event, you would get a Cisco router. A few reasons I would get a Linksys router over a Netopia:

1. Netopia router is more expensive for less features
2. Netopia router does not support wireless AES encryption (WPA2)
3. Netopia is working with, or is now owned by Motorola
4. Linksys has better online support through user forums and web pages due to the popularity of Linksys

I will not debate / still this thread over Linksys / Netopia / whatever.

If you cold hard facts I will provide them.

Extreme....

He is right that Netopia does not have all the functions that Linksys does. It does not have WPA2. You can not program when the rotuer is on and off like a Linksys does when you want your kids off of the internet.
Remember you are dealing with a business though and not a bunch of kids.
You can also buy add ons that Linksys does not provide.



I am through with debating now..........period..................

I have stated some facts and I have knowledge with both of them. You need to make a "Business" decision, not a home network gaming system.

haha now now you two

thats good to hear that the bank will handle all that security wasnt looking forward to messin with the VPN stuff

and no i dont need to control what time people can no longer use the net

plus all the computers will be hardwired so no need for wireless routers anyways ...

NT would you recommend me getting a hardware firewall also for the company? or do you think it would be safe enough as it is ...

lol
I'm not mad
mnemonicj is actually a very good person

Depends on the security you want. There are several good firewalls on the market but I have been happy with the add on firewall in the Netopia.

NT50 wrote:

I will not debate / still this thread over Linksys / Netopia / whatever.

I just wanted to recommend Linksys. If you recall, you started the debate. No hard feelings, just wanted to provide another option.

I just wanted to add to my recommendation for you EXTREMEoverclocker (not debating) that I did have a lot of success setting up a network with a Linksys router for a small business (1 server, 10 clients, 3 network printers) a couple years ago. Also used a couple Linksys 5 port 10/100 switches. Sounds like it may be about the same size as your small business network. Again, just a suggestion, it is your call in the end, since you have to manage it.

NP mnemonicj
I value your opinion as you have been aroudn for a while also

NT50 wrote:

I have the Netopia setup at the law firm and only have two ports open, 80 and 21. 80 for internet and 21 for ftp.

are those standard ports for internet and FTP access?
or did you just decide those are good ones?

arnt there thousands of ports? how did you close them all but those ... haha sorry for the dumb questions ... networking this advanced is not my thing (only because i have never done it before) soooooo im trying to pick your brain cause yall are smart