redundancy / wi-fi router / port extension

[11Blade]

I have some absurd requirements but am hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Currently I have a Linksys WRT54GL wireless router with 4 ethernet ports. The router has been the best wireless/wired router I have had in terms of reliability. I have multiple computers wired into the router including a freeNAS raid, VOIP adapter and 2 workstations.

There are multiple wireless devices on the network including the kids xbox, wii, my ps3 and two itouches, network fax/laser

Anyhow

I am moving to a dual FIOS + cable internet connection because of redundancy. I also need more wired ports since I have 2 more workstations coming.

1. Is there a dual connection wi-fi router as good as the WRT54GL that has 6+ ports?

2. If I want to stick with the current router until I get 2 internet connections, can I get a cheap ethernet switch and plug it into one of the WRT54GL ports to make more wired ports?

thanks for all your help

 

[11Blade]

scratch question #2 I just read a post with the answer - SORRY

 

[JackMDS]

There is very scant selection of 8 ports Routers.

They are Not necessarily good and their price is super inflated.

A simple 8 ports switch is very inexpensive get one and plug it to the current Router.

If you have computers with Giga NIC, get a Giga switch and enjoy faster Network (it works with the regular NICs too).

Example, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833156250

 

[11Blade]

Thanks for the link. Any suggestions on a dual source wi-fi router?
FIOS+cable?

11Blade

 

[kevnich2]

Best one I've come across for SOHO use in a decent price range is the Linksys RV042. I have two of these running at different places and both do what they need to do and haven't failed in 12 months.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: 11Blade
Thanks for the link. Any suggestions on a dual source wi-fi router?
FIOS+cable?

11Blade

You're looking for a dual-wan router. I don't know any models as I'm out of the SOHO arena. Then just get a switch and then just use your linksys router as an access point.

 

[Emulex]

cheap eol on ebay: xincom
same router more expensive still in production/support: EDIMAX.

separate your route - switch - wifi from each other.

 

[11Blade]

I appreciate everybody's responses. Very helpful!

Here is my plan

dual-wan router -> switch (for ethernet ports) <- linksys WRT54GL for wireless access

the switch allows me to get gigabit speed locally between the NAS and local workstations, and does not bottleneck WAN traffic or wireless traffic?

is this the best way to go about this? will the WAN router have all the functionality of the WRT54GL routing/filtering/firewalling functions?

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: 11Blade

is this the best way to go about this? will the WAN router have all the functionality of the WRT54GL routing/filtering/firewalling functions?

The basic functionality of all wired Cable/DSL Routers is rather similar.

For special needs you have to read the Data Sheets.