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gottabekd · 07-14-2008, 09:32 PM

I'm not familiar with any specific models--so won't offer my opinions. But some thoughts...

It probably would be best to buy a router with only a couple of ports, and then plug that into a switch that will feed your patch-panel. I'm not sure if you can buy routers with a plethora of ports.
Do you do a lot of intra-office file transfers? Are you (or will you be) wired for gigabit speed? If so, you'll need a gigabit switch. And even if you are just wired for 100 megabit speeds, you might want a beefier switch so that the 100 mbit bandwith isn't bottlenecked by your switch. Or if it is just for casual Internet use, maybe not such a concern.
Are there any features you want from the router? Special filtering/monitoring of traffic? VPN connection somewhere else? The fancy smancy ones will do things like inline virus scanning. But I'm not sure if that is realiable/good/etc.
Then there are always other questions like whether you want it rack-mountable, or if it will just be sitting on a shelf in a closet somewhere. Keep in mind these things can output a fair bit of heat.

As for places to buy them...well, http://memoryexpress.com sells suitable products. I've used http://www.tigerdirect.ca/ before without any problems, but some people don't like them.

07-14-2008, 09:32 PM	#4
gottabekd Powerplay Quarterback Join Date: Mar 2006 Exp:	I'm not familiar with any specific models--so won't offer my opinions. But some thoughts... It probably would be best to buy a router with only a couple of ports, and then plug that into a switch that will feed your patch-panel. I'm not sure if you can buy routers with a plethora of ports. Do you do a lot of intra-office file transfers? Are you (or will you be) wired for gigabit speed? If so, you'll need a gigabit switch. And even if you are just wired for 100 megabit speeds, you might want a beefier switch so that the 100 mbit bandwith isn't bottlenecked by your switch. Or if it is just for casual Internet use, maybe not such a concern. Are there any features you want from the router? Special filtering/monitoring of traffic? VPN connection somewhere else? The fancy smancy ones will do things like inline virus scanning. But I'm not sure if that is realiable/good/etc. Then there are always other questions like whether you want it rack-mountable, or if it will just be sitting on a shelf in a closet somewhere. Keep in mind these things can output a fair bit of heat. As for places to buy them...well, http://memoryexpress.com sells suitable products. I've used http://www.tigerdirect.ca/ before without any problems, but some people don't like them.