Router for a 100Mbit net connection

[localzuk]

Another question today.

 

If we get a fibre line in to the school from a commercial provider who don't by default provide a router, what sort of router would we want to look at for a 100Mbit connection?

 

BT include one with their solution, and Opal charge extra for theirs (a Cisco 3845).

 

Routers are one area I know little about, so any advice here would be good. Or, for example, could we use a Cisco 2621XM?

Edited February 1, 2011 by localzuk

[chrisbyrd]

As standard, we'd normally install a Cisco 1941 router on our 100M lines, but thats really only used for managing automatic ADSL failover

 

You dont necessarily need a router. Your firewall/filtering box might give you all the functionality you need

[localzuk]

As standard, we'd normally install a Cisco 1941 router on our 100M lines, but thats really only used for managing automatic ADSL failover

 

You dont necessarily need a router. Your firewall/filtering box might give you all the functionality you need

 

So, say, we bought a smoothwall box, that'd handle it instead? That makes it easier!

[chrisbyrd]

So, say, we bought a smoothwall box, that'd handle it instead? That makes it easier!

 

I'm not super familar with Smoothwalls, but if it'll run in routed mode and take care of your NAT etc then there's no reason why not

[robk]

Smoothwall UTM does indeed run in routed mode and can NAT etc. Assuming the Fibre is going to be terminated with a media converter and you can plug a ethernet cable in it Smoothwall box or simlar would be a good move, why install two units when it can be one.

[CISCODISCO]

As long as the router/UTM provides the required throughput and interface card you will be fine.

 

A Cisco 2600XM should be ok with a 100MB connection, that said if your running the firewall/IPS/VPN combined with a high amount of users....!!!!

[cpjitservices]

Layer 3 Switches would provide very good bandwidth over fibre lines - Nortel and Cisco do a good range of switches and you'd 100 Mbit no problem

 

Check out the Nortel 5500 Series or the 3550 series router by Cisco.