I need advice on selecting a Cisco router. ..

[rll7712]

I need advice on selecting a Cisco router. Currently I am using lower end products (SMC, D-link etc) and need a router for a bigger network.

I am new to Cisco products/models and find there are too many options & choices to go sort out.

I am looking for a router that can meet the following:

-16-24 RJ-45 ports (switch/hub)

- DHCP server

- firewall

- able to handle up to 100 WAN connections

- 8 Mb memory or more

Any advice would be appreciated.

[tcross3]

Any cisco router above 1600 will be a dhcp server. Any 2600 router will be a dhcp server and firewall. If you want to add LAN ports then you can add a 16port switch to any 2621 or greater. What type of wan connection are you talking about. 100 ports would be a very large router 12000 series. What are you exactly looking to do?

[scottchen]

Alternatively you can scale up a little bit to the 3700 series. This gives you the ability to have a WAN /LAN component in one chassis This will give you the ability to put in 36-port 10/100 switch ports. With this particular platform, you can use dhcp and enable the firewall feature with the proper IOS upgrade. As in other postings, you can also use lower end routers from the 1600 and up and connect it to a small switch. However with a 3700 it will not give you 3700 connections especially if they are all individual T1s. Sounds like the 100 WAN connections would require a 12,000 series router. What type of WAN connections will the 100 connections come in?

[enares]

Tha part of LAN ports an DHCP, it has solved, about the 1000 conecction I understand that are like a VPN/MPLS o FR Public network in which case the use of 3700 should be ok.

If you are thinking in a DS0 for conections all them in some T1s could be a god Idea use 7000 router or a couple of 3700 routers