Needing Help on Selecting a router

I am new to cisco and I am wanting to start off with at least one piece of equipment. I was thinking I should get a router to use as my internet access router. So I'm as I am trying to stay budget minded here what I'm looking for.

My internet speed is 15 down and 2 up. I running newsgroups which require full download bandwidth, several websites, and I want access to my network via vpn. All of this is for personal use only.

1. 2FE ports
2. IPSEC vpn
3. Firewall
4. Advanced Enterprise IOS support
5. SDM support.

If anyone has any idea or know where I can get something with these options cheaply. Or hey if you are willing to sell something like this on the cheap, Please let me know.

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Comments

Forsaken_GA

a 2611XM would be the cheapest thing that meets those specs, though the CPU's in them aren't terribly powerful, and you'd run into issues downloading at a full 15megs with alot of the extra security features active (I can pull down 8 megs on my connection, and when I'm using BitTorrent, the sheer number of connections that the router has to handle for NAT pegs the CPU to the point where I can't get any SNMP info off of it)

mikem2te

Forsaken_GA wrote: »

a 2611XM would be the cheapest thing that meets those specs, though the CPU's in them aren't terribly powerful, and you'd run into issues downloading at a full 15megs with alot of the extra security features active (I can pull down 8 megs on my connection, and when I'm using BitTorrent, the sheer number of connections that the router has to handle for NAT pegs the CPU to the point where I can't get any SNMP info off of it)

If you're ebaying, keep a look out for the 2621XM and 2651XM too, I have noticed they can be a bit cheaper, particularly the 2651XM as most people focus on the 2611XM and 2621XM models driving the price up a bit.

How do you connect to the internet? Is it via some cable modem or adsl modem?

EDIT : I just looked at the performance on the 2600XM series - the 2611XM is rated at 20000 packets per second, the 2621XM 30000pps and the 2651XM is 40000pps.

Krusty_47

I access the internet via Cable. Also Would I need to upgrade the router to get proper vpn service or would upgrading the IOS do that for me?

Forsaken_GA

The router itself can function as a vpn access server with the proper IOS image

Krusty_47

Ok I just wanted to double check that.

Jonk

Only thing is the 2611XM and 2621XM do not have 2 FE ports. The 2651XM does.

I just got a 2610 to handle internet, since it has two E ports but its just bringing a connection into my lab, not my home network.

mikem2te

Jonk wrote: »

Only thing is the 2611XM and 2621XM do not have 2 FE ports. The 2651XM does.

I just got a 2610 to handle internet, since it has two E ports but its just bringing a connection into my lab, not my home network.

The 2600XM range have fast ethernet ports.

This link has a good summary on what ports these routers have-

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/routers/access/2600/hardware/installation/guide/2600ch1.html

johnwest43

the 2610xm,2620xm have 1 fe port. the 2611xm,2621xm have 2 fe ports.

Jonk

mikem2te wrote: »

The 2600XM range have fast ethernet ports.

This link has a good summary on what ports these routers have-

Cisco 2600 Series Routers Hardware Installation Guide - Overview of Cisco 2600 Series Routers [Cisco 2600 Series Multiservice Platforms] - Cisco Systems

I meant I picked up a non-xm 2610, sorry for not specifying.

the 2610xm,2620xm have 1 fe port. the 2611xm,2621xm have 2 fe ports.

Woops, your right. Don't know what I was thinking when I wrote that before.

johnwest43

If you call cableandkits.com they will let you know what ios versions are on each router they have in stock. Their prices are fair and they have a 1 year warranty for most equipment.

Krusty_47

Would this be a good router to purchase or should I try for a 2651xm? I might as well get the most bang for my buck. I also see no reason not get to get max memory and flash out of it. So any ideas that you might have would be great.

mikem2te

Krusty_47 wrote: »

Would this be a good router to purchase or should I try for a 2651xm? I might as well get the most bang for my buck. I also see no reason not get to get max memory and flash out of it. So any ideas that you might have would be great.

It looks a good router, the extra memory and flash could be worth it if you continue with Cisco certs.

I'm not sure what the market is like in the US but it looks a bit pricey compared to UK prices. You should be able to get cheaper by looking around and biding your time, that said you know what you would be getting (extra memory, correct bootrom, CD with SDM etc) which takes a lot of the gamble out if ebay.

Krusty_47

Well that's what I'm wondering. Also I'm thinking about setting up a voice system also. I'm sure it's a bit out of my league but hey working towards a goal you can't complain. Plus my work is thinking about moving over to a Cisco phone system so the more I can learn as quickly as possible would be great. Although I'm not to sure how the 2621xm would handle that kind of load. Having CME running 3-4 phones being the gateway router of my network. I don't think I would be able to afford a 2800 series router along with all the extra equipment I would need to set it up. These are all just thoughts and I'm not sure what I really want to do. But any feed back would be welcomed.

CiskHo

Krusty_47 wrote: »

I don't think I would be able to afford a 2800 series router along with all the extra equipment I would need to set it up.

What about an 1800 instead of a 2800?

tiersten

CiskHo wrote: »

What about an 1800 instead of a 2800?

Only the 1861 does voice and that tends to be significantly more expensive than a cheap 2801.

tiersten

tiersten wrote: »

Only the 1861 does voice and that tends to be significantly more expensive than a cheap 2801.

2801 + the FXO/FXS cards etc... I mean