I was originally using Microsoft's ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) for my regular home PC (WinME) and my laptop (Win98) and was getting a normal, basically fast connection to the internet with my cable modem connection (through AT&T, formerly MediaOne, RoadRunner.) However, I recently decided to check out the Linux craze and set up a third, older machine with Mandrake's Linux. Adding this third machine with a non-Windows OS made me decide to get a router. I picked up the LinkSys 4-port BEFSR41. Since setting it up, my internet connection has slowed to basically the speed of a 56k modem! Help! Anyone have any ideas why this is? I don't see any settings that can be changed related to connection speed in the web-based control panel for the router.

Unknow mystery as to why the "router" slows the connection down. This is what I have discovered..Depending if you have a static ip or play with a DHCP you can reset the route to original configuration and run DHCP either way. Last thing to do is purchase a cool 3com router instead..Problem solved.

It's actually not a real mystery why routers slow down the internet connection. Routers examine incoming data packets then switch them to the proper outgoing port. Any time you have a decision making process you will have increased latency.