10/100 base t WAN port on router

[toomanylaptops]

I have an Internet connection provided as 500 kbs regulated over 100 Mbs data connection from ISP Cogent's Cisco router fast ethernet port, thru a media converter. They are the sole data provider in this building and were not open to changing the router eth port from their standard setup. The first router I could find to establish service is a Siemens speedstream ($30) which does have the required 10/100 auto-sensing WAN port, which seems to be unusual in a small router. The router was cheap, but appears to hang up during normal operation and when accessing certain menu screens.
I would be interested in replacing it with a Linksys to get their logging software, since the Siemens has minimal status reporting, stats and logging abilities.

The Linksys broadband routers all seem to have 10 base-t WAN ports only, which would not work with Cogent's setup, I tried some of this type on initial circuit turn-up.
I am wondering if I used an 10/100 autosensing ethernet switch between Cogent's 100 base t port and a Linksys router w/10base-t port, would it actually support a connection ? (used only for this connection)

Black box has a two port 10/100 Eth Sw which has 256 KB dynamic packet buffers, store and forward operation, etc which is advertised to match 10 and 100 base-t segments, this two port switch costs $866 !!! so maybe a generic LAN autosensing workgroup switch does not actually translate/reclock data between 10/100 eth frames, just enables connections between devices already using same speed thru auto negotiation.

Anyone knowing of other inexpensive routers w/ 100 Mbs WAN port?

 

[smah]

You might find some interesting information in this thread thread916-383293

 

[bcastner]

You do not need buffering on the switch.
A linksys 5-port 10/100 switch is around $20.

Internet @ 100 ->switch
switch <--linksys WAN port

Configure the Linksys as you would without the issue of 10/100.

The newer Linksys routers, which at the moment are all wireless with 4-port switches, have 10/100 WAN ports. You could substitute a WRT54G with 4 ports + wireless for what you have now. They go for about $130 at Amazon and other online sites, slightly more at retails sites.

 

[toomanylaptops]

Good options, we have two Linksys wireless Access Points working, they seem to freeze up also,once every month or so, whereas my Linksys wireless router at home has never hung in 1 yr plus (knock wood) so maybe buying one new Linksys to serve both purposes and simplify the setup is a good idea

I will also check out the Robotics unit for avail and price.
and post again when we have something new set up and some results.
Thanks!