Wireless router or router plus access point?

[timg]

My wireless router is dying. It seems to be having some serious issues with the built in switch.

Anyway, in my searching, I can't find anything comparable in the new models. I have a D-Link DI-824VUP router that has VPN and a print server. I use both features extensively.

Does anyone know of a comparable wireless router? Or should I start looking at getting a wired router with the features I want and adding an access point to cover the wireless needs?

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http://www.apple.com/wifi/

[mattkime]

vpn support isn't something i've considered but here's my summary regarding the current generation of routers and the features they offer -http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,900977,901268

[space-time]

timg, how do you use VPN? do you access the network from outside? is it easy to set up? Thanks

[timg]

Yes, I use it to access computers at home from outside. It was very easy to setup on the D-Link.

[MikeF]

D-Link DIR-655. USB port for printer.

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The D-Link doesn't have VPN.

I've done some more searching and it seems that the Netgear WNR3500L can do pretty much everything I need once it's flashed to DD-WRT firmware.

Anyone have any experience with that combination?

[mattkime]

I don't have experience with that model but if you go with dd-wrt then the particular model doesn't matter as much. i'd check the dd-wrt forums to verify the stability of the build for that model

[timg]

It seems pretty stable from what I can find. Netgear actually sells it as an OpenSource router.

[mattkime]

huh, that does look nice.

the main compromise is that it doesn't do the 5Ghz band in addition to 2.4Ghz but thats reflected in the price.

give it a spin and report back!