easiest router to port forward

I currently have an SMC wired router for my desktops, and its no longer powered up (and consquently neither is my other pc) because I couldn't figure out port forwarding on it. I tried a million times to open my bit torrent ports, even changed them on my client, and then tried opening those in the router. The router even shows those ports as open. Yet my BT client still tells me i'm behind a router and that I need to open my ports, and my d/l speeds only goto confirm this. I am looking into a wifi router now, most likely a linksys.
Can anyone tell me which is the easiest brand to configure/play around with/set up port forwarding? The best would be a link to a website showing how to set up port forwarding with step by step images, I would then buy that exact router displayed!

 

I like Edimax routers. Their port forwarding is so intuitive that you don't even need to read the manual.

 

I think many are easy. Try getting ones that are upnp enabled. That way w/ SP2 u can enable it in windows. without actually going thru all the admin procedures.

 

thanks for the input,
I think will just get the linksys, its nice and cheap, and it should be upnp, if not, NBR members will always be there to help!

 

I have the Linksys WRT54G. I just d/l'd the latest Azerues (sp?) client the other day. I've got green lights across the status bar, but my d/l's are still awfully slow (5 concurrent d/l's, set to unlimited speed, and I have Comcast's 6Mb/s d/l), and forget about trying to surf or anything else while this is going on.

Is this normal? I stopped using Bittorent about 6 months ago because of similar problems.

 

I run bit tornado, I usually have at least two d/ls going, and they can range from 4mbps to 30mbps. But they never take so much bandwidth that I can surf at the same time... the reason I can't surf at the same time is bcuz bt takes too much syste resource, and my 128megs of RAM can't handle that.

 

Try the Autospeed plugin.

I the WRK54G with the range 49152-65535 forwarded (in case I need to switch ports), Comcast 6Meg, and Azureus 2.4.0.0 using the Autospeed plugin. I don't have the problems you're experiencing.

 

Thanks, I'll check out Autospeed when I get home tonight. Right now I'm getting on the average of 1-3 Kbps (sometimes dropping into the bps range) on 5 simultaneous downloads with the laptop in my sig, which should be able to deal with it. However, I only have the one port forwarded (14xxx-something if I remember correctly), though I shouldn't need more, right?

I'm also experiencing alot of disconnects from Comcast when running bittorents, and have to re-boot the modem (not the router) almost daily to clear it up...maybe I need a new modem...

 

No, you don't need to forward a range; I did that in case I want to switch the port without going into my router setup again. Also I agree with your thoughts on the modem; sounds about done for. I replaced the modem at my parents house twice in two years due to failure (they also have Comcast) which is why when I signed up for Comcast I chose to rent one instead of buying it.

 

Netgears are very easy to port forward. U can just tick a box making ur PC the default DMZ server, which will let u host etc

 

Putting your PC in the DMZ is not the same as port forwarding. You're basically putting the whole PC outside the router's firewall and exposing it to any incoming traffic from the internet.

Warlord - thanks for clearing that up. The funny thing is, the modem works fine 99% of the time I'm not using a bittorrent client. Oh, well, I guess I'll swap it out anyway. Can't hurt.

 

NP-The problem I had would be dropped connections and lag during Xbox live. Otherwise the modem seemed fine and regular browsing was great...a quick free modem swap fixed the problem.

The only time I used the DMZ was when I set my modded Xbox up so my friend out of state could stream movies off of it.

 

Never had a problem w/ Live, either... I'm going to give my buddy a call tonight. He's a network architect/engineer w/ Comcast, and he should be able to give me the skinny.

 

Yeah I'm thinking of getting a Netgear router Darbyjack. I bought a Belkin Wireless G Router and it was in a pain in the neck to forward the ports, I gave it back.