Wireless G: I need options with tight security and performance

I have a wired network in my house and would like to allow a new laptop to connect. The wireless products needs to act as a print server and have a least one local ethernet port to connect the laptop when near-by as it will be in my wife's office next to her printer.

I would like it to perform well, have decent speed, and be secure

I am overwelmed with the choices and Linkys and D-Link's websites are not helpful. I will consider all brands.

Please tell me the models I should be considering.

 

The Linksys WRT54GL is probaly the best one. Besides being a solid appliance, you can install DD-WRT to enable some neat hacks.

 

Will it allow me to connect a printer? Also, what kinds of hacks can you apply to it. I thought a router was pretty dumb and simply provided a few basic functions (conectivity and security)

 

Oops, I completely glossed over the printer part. This has USB ports for sharing a printer. I believe this Asus supports 3rd party firmware.

3rd party firmware enables neat hacks like broadcast power boosting (better signal), more powerful QoS, and the ability to run a RADIUS (security) server right on the router.

 

Any other options???

 

USB support for printers are a very hit and miss. And my luck with them has been very poor. If it's an HP printer, they make a print server that works with most all of there printers. The key is having a printer that was design to work on a network, for the needed drivers. Sometimes you install the printer locally, the change the port type (some have software that needs to be installed for this). But if you want 100% trouble fee you need to buy a network capable printer. These can be had for <$150 for a B&W Laser.

Most of the USB ports on routers are used mainly for attaching HD's.

 

So what is then the best way to connect the printer so we can print to it from the laptop. The printer is a Broter DCP-1200 Multifunction.

 

The best way is with a network printer. If the mfg makes a nic card option for the printer, it the best option. Your next best option is to setup a pc for sharing the printer. The PC can never going to sleep mode if you do this, in order for it to work.

Most all MF printers will loose the MF if connected using a print server. So connecting directly to a PC is the only option to have all functions. At the same time you might as well turn the PC into a FTP server/shared storage (NAS) too. So you will have storage space to retrieve your scan documents and faxes.

 

http://www.netgear.com/Products/PrintServers/WiredPrintServers/PS121.aspx

 

Okay - Then what is the difference between the WRT54GL and the WRT54GS.

Is the speedbooster important. Remember, I will be using a Dell Vostro 1500 with the Intel G internal card.

Thanks

 

the WRT54GL is designed to support Linux firmware, the WRT54GS is the same as a WRT54G but it has usb port for storage and more ram. this page has allot of info on linksys routers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G#WRT54GL

 

The GS is no longer the same as the GL on port performace. They cut the ram in it to. The GS model is the 108mbps unit of the WRT54G, with no USB support, on all of the units I have ever worked on.

 

So - which one do I get? The GS or the GL. I'm still confused.

 

You'd get the GL, but I thought you wanted printing over (W)LAN support - the WRT54s don't have it.