Which router has good configuration options for schedules?

Question

Motivation

I'm using a DLINK DIR-635 router to connect my home network (ethernet and WLAN) with my DSL modem. I've configured some schedules to block internet access based on the mac address of my son's computer. During the 'allow' schedule web access is logged so I can check if he visits some inappropriate sites.

Problem

The configuration of the DIR-635 drives me crazy. After each change you have to answer the question "restart router now?", wait for the current page reloading, continue... It's no fun to configure an access rule on the fly ("OK, now you can use internet for one hour, then it's blocked again"). You have to create a new schedule, create a new access rule, later delete the access rule, delete the schedule.

Question

Does anybody know a good router that has a better configuration GUI, supports access schedules based on mac addresses and does log visited sites?

Answer 1

I'm going to have to recommend the WRT54G as well. It's a great router and it's compatible with pretty much all of the major third party firmware. From experience though, I know the MAC based scheduling restrictions is easily done in DD-WRT. DD-WRT is very feature rich, so I'd recommend it if fine tuning is your goal.

This is the access restriction and scheduling:

When you click Edit list of clients, you will see it can easily use the MAC address to control client access:

You can use WallWatcher to anaylze the router logs and view visited sites:

Answer 2

I use an old Linksys WRT54G with the Tomato custom firmware. I've done what you're describing a few times and the GUI to accomplish this task on Tomato is great.

The router itself: http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/support/WRT54G

The Tomato firmware: http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato

Here is a screenshot of the settings for access restriction: