Broadband Tech > Networking > Router setup for small business?

Router setup for small business?

May help to get an inventory of all (networking) gear they have now, and to
know the make / model of it all before making a recommendation.

Also how big is their internet pipe they're feeding into the shop?

Regards

10mb/2mb cable connection.

They really don't have much for hardware. Your regular walmart purchase of a Cisco wireless N router, along with a cheap 4 port switch, all in a rats nest under the front desk.

I'd like to relocate the modem/router to a server room with one device that can connect them all, and to a device that doesn't require random power cycles to fix it self.

I would get a uSG20 or 50 by zyxel and wire the cisco to it but used simply as an access point switch. I am assuming the Cisco has some guest wlan capability? If not you can use the USG50 to setup a guest only wired and wifi zone firewalled off from an administration zone and even a third employee zone as well (keeping admin and other staff separate besides free of guest usage). In fact even the older zywall units could do this effectively, such as a zywall 5 or 35 if you can find any cheap as people get rid of them, would do the job for minimal coin.
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reply to ctech99
If that were my project I would grab an ASUS RT-N12 B1 ($50) and a Netgear GS108 ($60) or something with more ports if you want. (If the existing Cisco will run Tomato then I wouldn't even bother replacing the hardware, just the firmware.)

Install Shibby's Tomato firmware on the router and configure a vlan for the office computers and a separate vlan for the guest wireless, with no access between them. This is an absolute must to isolate untrusted hosts from trusted.

The problem with the router having to be rebooted is almost never due to cheap hardware (I'll make an exception for D-Link), but the poor firmware that ships with them. The RT-N12 (and your Cisco too, if it is capable of running Tomato) has plenty enough jam to handle this job when paired with a proper firmware.

As for the switch, I don't think you mentioned what you're using but the ProSafe line has been reliable for me. A decent switch shouldn't have to be power-cycled if it's not overheating.
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db

Thanks for the info, I'll have to get the model number tomorrow and see if that can run tomato.

I was in there today for another "no internet" call. The router lost WAN ip from the cable modem, power cycle and it worked..

Not sure on the model of the router yet, but its your standard walmart purchase of a cisco wireless N, as shown here.
»ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/2···300_.jpg

In view of the fact that its a automotive repair shop I strongly advise you to acquire a very GOOD UPS that can provide voltage stability etc. If this is a busy shop the network and computer gear, especially the ISP modem, the wireless router and switch will be subject to lots of voltage fluctuations which can cause the kind of symptoms you've described. Since you're moving the netwroking gear into a closet a good UPS should be able to manage the Voltage fluctuations easily providing the stability needed. Voltage fluctuations can damage the gear mentioned -- if after utilizing a UPS the symptoms persist I would replace the gear starting with the ISP modem. Others have provided good suggestions.
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David Mozer
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Good call on the UPS. Look for one with automatic voltage regulation (AVR).
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db

reply to clarknova
The router is a LINSYS/Cisco wrt52g2 v1

Would that work with Tomato? I didn't see it listed on their website.

I agree with the UPS - you probably could avoid a few of your calls if they didn't have power fluctuations. Depending on how "busy" this network is you might want to move out of the typical consumer level router. I've had some problems over the years with linksys/dlink/netgear types of routers locking up. A couple of years ago I started building Linux-based routers on small affordable ATOM-based pc's and they work great. If you're comfortable configuring things from a linux command line then do a search and you'll find several free, open source packages (I like clearOS) that you can use with a $100 net-top pc and have a very robust router.

reply to ctech99
You mean one of these? »en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WR···#WRT54G2

Tomato requires at least 4 MB of flash, so it looks like the v1 is out.
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db

reply to ctech99
Use DD-WRT Micro Generic... Works like a Champ.

reply to ctech99
If you don't want to play around with custom firmware and want something that is just going to work, look at the Netgear WNDR3700 line. This router is about $100 but has guest Wi-fi access, and you don't have to load any custom firmware on it.

You mention that the cheap hardware randomly goes out, and I am assuming that this is the existing hardware that you have. Do not reuse the same hardware unless you want the same issues. Obviously, this worked fine at the beginning, but it seems that this cheap hardware doesn't last very long.

My recommendation would be for you to get a nice router and call it good.
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