sglee
asked on
Router Recommendation
Hi,
I need a product recommendation from experts.
I have a site where they are about 10 PCs within the network and these users check their emails in Outlook and visit websites from time to time. They are not heavy internet users. In other words, they don't watch videos or play online music all day.
There is a Terminal Server on the network where about 10 users connect from outside of the network. They all use Remote Desktop Connection to the Terminal Server. Once they connect, then they run their business specific software. I currently have Linksys AC1900 router where I have set up a port forwarding (3389 to TS). Once every two weeks on average, I ended up rebooting Linksys AC1900 because remote users complains that their RDP connections drop or two slow to use. Of course whenever I reboot Linksys AC1900, all is fine until next "Jam". Before I installed Linksys AC1900, I had a cheaper Linksys router like E2500 model. But I ran into the same issue.
So apparently these two Linksys AC1900 and E2500 somehow can't handle the load that is created by these 8 users who are connecting from outside using Remote Desktop Connection program. We have Cable Internet with the speed of 50Mbps Down / 5 Mbps Up.
I think I need to go with more robust router such as CISCO routers. I talked to a CISCO expert this morning and he recommended 800 series router with WiFi capability. I like to have GUI interface like Linksys so that I can set up port forwarding on demand without having to call CISCO engineer. I don't want something like Meraki which is a subscription based product.
Having said that, can you recommend a CISCO product (around and < $1,000) that has GUI interface and that can handle about 10 simultaneous RDP traffic and that has wireless capability? Now WiFi is not a must. I can always get Access Point device. There is not much WiFi usage within the office as they all use desktop PCs for their work.
I need a product recommendation from experts.
I have a site where they are about 10 PCs within the network and these users check their emails in Outlook and visit websites from time to time. They are not heavy internet users. In other words, they don't watch videos or play online music all day.
There is a Terminal Server on the network where about 10 users connect from outside of the network. They all use Remote Desktop Connection to the Terminal Server. Once they connect, then they run their business specific software. I currently have Linksys AC1900 router where I have set up a port forwarding (3389 to TS). Once every two weeks on average, I ended up rebooting Linksys AC1900 because remote users complains that their RDP connections drop or two slow to use. Of course whenever I reboot Linksys AC1900, all is fine until next "Jam". Before I installed Linksys AC1900, I had a cheaper Linksys router like E2500 model. But I ran into the same issue.
So apparently these two Linksys AC1900 and E2500 somehow can't handle the load that is created by these 8 users who are connecting from outside using Remote Desktop Connection program. We have Cable Internet with the speed of 50Mbps Down / 5 Mbps Up.
I think I need to go with more robust router such as CISCO routers. I talked to a CISCO expert this morning and he recommended 800 series router with WiFi capability. I like to have GUI interface like Linksys so that I can set up port forwarding on demand without having to call CISCO engineer. I don't want something like Meraki which is a subscription based product.
Having said that, can you recommend a CISCO product (around and < $1,000) that has GUI interface and that can handle about 10 simultaneous RDP traffic and that has wireless capability? Now WiFi is not a must. I can always get Access Point device. There is not much WiFi usage within the office as they all use desktop PCs for their work.
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I pretty much install Cisco RVxx once and forget about them. For the volume you describe they will work. Of course, by all means use a different Cisco box. I think Cisco makes good quality boxes.
I also used RV082 machines a while back when they wore the Linksys label. The newer ones I use now are completely Cisco and modernized. Again - use what you are comfortable with.
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ASKER
@predrag,
Can you provide a specific CISCO part numbers? - like C891F-K9 for example.
I like to compare the router without WiFi and the one with WiFi.
There are so many products that CISCO makes and it is almost confusing.
Can you provide a specific CISCO part numbers? - like C891F-K9 for example.
I like to compare the router without WiFi and the one with WiFi.
There are so many products that CISCO makes and it is almost confusing.
Sonicwall TZ 105's are reliable and have site-to-site VPN if you want to change how you are doing some of the remote access.
ASKER
@notacomputergeek
We are not doing VPN currently as all users outside of the office connect to our Terminal server using Remote Desktop Connection. I just need a good router that can handle the traffic generated by about 10 users simultaneously.
We are not doing VPN currently as all users outside of the office connect to our Terminal server using Remote Desktop Connection. I just need a good router that can handle the traffic generated by about 10 users simultaneously.
You have specific numbers for some routers in this document at the end pages 13 - 14. And I know that Cisco is crazy with its naming and a lot of models. Check at least 3 times the same model before you purchase one!!!!
:)
Also be careful - universal image is nice thing, but what features you have available on router when you buy one - Advanced IP Services Image feature - is default image and probably is more than good enough - page 15.
:)
Also be careful - universal image is nice thing, but what features you have available on router when you buy one - Advanced IP Services Image feature - is default image and probably is more than good enough - page 15.
ASKER
@John
With RV series that you have deployed, are you users using Remote Desktop to connect to Terminal Server?
With RV series that you have deployed, are you users using Remote Desktop to connect to Terminal Server?
This can be done with IPsec with no worries. I use both RV042G/325 and Juniper Netscreen. Clients use a VPN application (NCP Secure Entry) to talk to and connect with any of these boxes.
@sglee - Thanks and I was happy to help.
ASKER
I used to use RV042 and RV082 back in the day and they are not really commercial grade.
I remember finally replacing RV082 with CISCO 1811. With CISCO, you install it once and forget about it.