[NBLUG/talk] substituting DHCP/DNS in cheap routers

[M & J Tucker]

I concurr. Wrt firmware on linksys is great idea. Remember to adjust from
default settings as it will definitley make full use of the hardware.
Thorough tutorials online also.
On Jan 4, 2012 7:44 PM, "Mark Street" <jet at sonic.net> wrote:

>  Agreed, many a horror story I have heard with the DSL modem crap foisted
> on unsuspecting sheep out there.
>
> Since you are dealing with the consumer based hardware you might want to
> kick it up a notch and purchase your own device and install pfsense or
> tomato for the WRTG.  The consumer based hardware just does not cut it in a
> commercial environment.  Even the WRTG with Tomato is not strong enough
> IMHO.
>
> I like to build up the Soekris net 5501-70 -
> http://soekris.com/products/net5501.html  - Very easy to install pfSense
> 2 (FreeBSD based).  Very very secure and functional, nice firewall/VPN,
> DHCP box.  Solid as a rock.  These devices work well between your network
> and the crappy cable modems/ DSL modems, they work great as VPN endpoints
> and Dynamic DNS nodes.
>
> The sledge to the DGN1000 sounds like sound advice.... or at least limit
> it to a DSL modem endpoint.
>
>
> On 12/31/2011 9:34 PM, William Tracy wrote:
>
> This is involved Westell hardware from AT&T, but the same basic principle
> applies:
>
> I got a DSL modem that let me plug a computer directly into it, and the
> modem did DHCP and everything. That sort of worked. Then I got a Linksys
> switch (disclaimer: I used to work for Linksys' parent company) and stuck
> it between the computer and modem. All hell broke loose, until I went into
> the settings on the modem and told it to not do anything other than provide
> PPPoE. Then I configured my switch to basically do the work that my modem
> was supposed to be doing (log in to the ISP via PPP, provide connectivity,
> and provide DHCP for the local network). Then everything was hunky dory.
>
> The lesson I took away was: Don't let the hardware from your ISP actually
> do anything. Get the cheapest DSL or cable modem that you can, and plug it
> into a real network device. Basically, I'm now suspicious of any hardware
> that combines a modem in with a switch and/or access point.
>
> Also, check the reviews of any network equipment before you buy it. I
> found out the hard way that Linksys makes some *awesome* products and some
> *horrible* products. (For starters, the WRV200 does *not* work as
> advertised.) Forget brand loyalty and always look for reviews of the
> specific model that you are considering purchasing.
>
> Finally, look into DD-WRT: It's a third-party FOSS Linux-based firmware
> for a variety of networking equipment. (Think Cyanogen for routers!) If it
> looks like you could use the exctra functionality it provides (and can live
> without the manufacturer's warranty) plan on buying a product that it
> supports. (You can save a buck by getting some of the older and
> better-supported models of off Craigslist and/or Ebay!)
>
> That was longer than I meant it to be. I hope that some of that is useful.
>
> William Tracy
> afishionado at gmail.com
> Cell phone: (805) 704-0917
> Internet phone: (707) 206-6441
>
>
> On Fri, Dec 30, 2011 at 2:59 PM, Troy Arnold <ta at tsu.biz> wrote:
>
>> Also, if you do decide to add a separate device into the mix, the DGN1000
>> should have a setting for 'modem only'.  I'd try that.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> talk mailing list
>> talk at nblug.org
>> http://nblug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/talk
>>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> talk mailing listtalk at nblug.orghttp://nblug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/talk
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> talk mailing list
> talk at nblug.org
> http://nblug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/talk
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nblug.org/pipermail/talk/attachments/20120104/fad9329f/attachment.htm>