Linksys BEFSX41 and PL-100s

[Walderf]

Am a newbie here!

I’ve had 3 hard-wired routers over the last 8 years, all designed for 4-port LAN and single port WAN. The first two each “died” after about 3 years service. Currently using a Linksys BEFSX41 bought in haste to get our SOHO back up. WAN connection is via a Motorola SB5102 cable modem. Service is “Extreme-I” at up to 10 Mbps download, up to 1 Mbps upload.. A recent Network Magic connection speed test [to Seattle] claimed 9,439 Kbps down, 1,061 Kbps up. Running 3 PCs under Windows XP Pro SP3 plus a D-Link DNS-323 NAS box.

Question. Always looked for Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) in a router and activated it believing this to be an essential part of security. Am I out of date? Does it slow processing too much? I see no mention of it in How To Choose the Right Router.

Question. Now trying to replace one wired link with two ZyXEL PL-100 powerline adapters. No luck. Is the router the problem, or what?

[This latest effort is leading to replacement of one PC with an HTPC unit in the living room running under Windows Vista Home Premium X-64. I’ve built the PC. I will need the powerline link when I’ve got it working.]

Happy Holiday

[thiggins]

Welcome, Walderf!
Question. Always looked for Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) in a router and activated it believing this to be an essential part of security. Am I out of date? Does it slow processing too much? I see no mention of it in How To Choose the Right Router.
Virtually all consumer routers include SPI. My take on whether it matters is here (http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/26383/229/1/4/).

Question. Now trying to replace one wired link with two ZyXEL PL-100 powerline adapters. No luck. Is the router the problem, or what?
Depends on what "no luck" means? Link lights not lighting? Can't ping?
You should be starting with both adapters in the same room to check that they are working. Then move one to another room. The utility that comes with the adapters can also be helpful in figuring out what's wrong.