Please recommend a good wireless router that can assign a static IP address based on MAC address

Question

I don't need any fancy functionality, but I need a reliable router and I also need to be able to have an ssh/remote desktop server running inside of ESXi 4.0 VMware server.

So, I need at least 3 features: 1) Good port forwarding, 2) Being able to issue a permanent/static IP lease (alow me to map MAC address to IP address manually on the router side). 3) Be G-compatible.

I mean static private IP address - as in 192.168.1.123, except that it has to be the router that sets it. I have a 1TB time capsule at home (1.5 years old) and it really sucks as a router - all but basic functionality. I have looked at 4 routers already, and none of them do what I want.

Hopefully it is otherwise decent as well. I'd like to spend roughly under $100 (in the US, < 100 euros in Europe) Please tell me why you think the router does satisfy 1), 2), 3). Do you own one, or do you have a link to the spec?

Regards, Axel

Answer 1

Not a programming question and WRT54GL w/Tomato

Answer 2

I have had the best luck with the Apple AirPort Extreme, it works better than any of the dozens of D-Link, Netgear, Linksys and other consumer grade and SOHO devices me and my friends who do network support have tried. It just works isn't a joke, it specifically works better with lots of Windows laptops, that only work intermittently with some of the ones mentioned previously, regardless of what firmware they are running.

Answer 3

Any of the Tomato supported routers. I have been using Tomato exclusively for a couple of years and could not be happier with routing, dhcp, nat, access control, filtering, etc, etc. Routers cost $40-$50, installs are easy and you get VASTLY more than with any manufacturer firmware. Linksys WRT54GS/GL series are most popular hardware with Tomato.

Disclaimer: there are other open source router firmware packages out there, I just don't know much about them. DD-WRT gets a lot of good press.

Disclaimer: my answer to any router-related question is always 'Tomato' :)

Answer 4

I do this on a few Netgear routers for clients - they support DHCP out of the box without requiring modification (which I am not saying is a bad thing!)