More Dual WAN Router Q's

[solmssen]

Hi all -

Looking for a bit of advice on a dual WAN router. I've been reading the reviews and the forum posts and I'm looking for something pretty simple here and wondering if I'm missing it.

I have a client with both DSL and cable connections into an old Watchguard FireBox. They have Dual ISP function enabled, but it's a simple failover, and nine times out of ten, it doesn't work. I'm looking for something really reliable with failover/failback, but I don't need VPN or network content management, VLAN or even wireless, just a dead simple NAT router that will stay up and running without constant reboots and let users on the inside browse the net and get e-mail without fuss. I think we'd spend $500 without thinking about it too much just for peace of mind on this one.

So far I've read about the Linksys RV's, the Netgear FVS's and the Zyxel USG100. I'm not thrilled with the way SonicWall nickels and dimes you feature by feature, user by user, but I could probably make a case for a TZ190 if I had to - but I don't want to have to.

Any thoughts? Love to hear some feedback...

 

[thiggins]

Dual-WAN routers usually aren't just bare-bones and typically include VPN gateway functions.

The Linksys RV's are generally well regarded by SNB Forum participants.

 

[rcassettyjr]

Given the situation you described, I would look at a Draytek unit. I am running a Draytek Vigor 3300 which allows 4 wans and 4 lans (overkill for most setups but very cool). They have smaller units that have dual wan and failover/load balance/connection bonding. They are 100% rock solid reliable and easy to use. They are not mainstream in the US but there are a few places to get them here. I got mine used from ebay but they rarely appear there. They almost never hit the used market as most people I know who have them never get rid of them. Here are a couple of options for you:

http://www.draytek.us/small-business/2930.html

http://www.draytek.us/enterprise-routers/2950.html

The main difference here is the first one (2930) is 10/100 LAN and the second one (2950) is gigabit LAN. The first one runs around $300 and the second one runs around $400 so both are in the price range you specified. All the routers like this will usually include VPN, VLAN, and such. If you don't need them, you simply just don't use them. Neither of these are wireless. These do not have per-user licensing so nothing to worry about there.

Good luck.

Bob

 

[medusakeith]

Yes, Vigor 3300 is the multi WAN router. They also release another migration model after Vigor 3300 which is named as Vigor 3300V+ with higher performance. My friend told me DrayTek is about to release a 5 WAN/or even 6 WAN router soon. They said it's not only a multi wan router but also with advanced bandwidth management.