The used DLink 524 that I picked up from usedOttawa for $30 dollars is a pretty good buy. Having used this model before, I knew it was reliable. Decent wireless connectivity, along with all the other regular features like filtering, encryption, VPN and activity logging.

Setting up is a breeze, just plug and play.

One problem that I ran into was of setting up the SSID and enabling wireless encryption.

I went to 192.168.0.1, filled in the info and clicked APPLY.. and - NOTHING.

Here is how to solve the problem:

The folks at DLink optimized this page for IE! They didn't bother checking the script to work properly on Safari or Firefox... Thus if you're having a problem making changes to the router setting, use IE.

This is the only time I will ever promote IE.

So, now the reason why I bought the router...

I had the the Windows Internet Connection Sharing setup for my little home network. The connection went from the cable modem to my computer. I have 3 network cards in my computer, so the other two shared the connection to my Playstation 3, and one to my girlfriends' computer.

For the past year, my GF has put up with not being able to go online while I log onto VPN for work. Because the Windows ICS can't share while on VPN, she has had to come up with work-arounds for her internet access.

Now that I have a router and laptop, she can use my computer and be online.

Everyone's happy.