Linux Router
In an attempt to reduce clutter, and replace a broken SMC 802.11b AP, I decided to purchase a Linksys WRT54G router, and upgrade it to linux.
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Which firmware
There are many different 3rd party firmwares that will work on these routers; Seasoft, DD-WRT, and OpenWrt just to name a few. I think OpenWrt will be the best choice for me, as I am comfortable with configuring the router via the command line, and when I discovered OpenWrt had a package managment system much like Debian, that sealed the deal.
Linksys WRT54G
I purchased the linksys router from Amazon, and it showed up in a few days. I unpacked the router, only to discover that after an attempt to upgrade the firmware, it was dead. I called Linksys tech support, and they confirmed that I had a defective unit.
The unit I had recieved, was a WRT54G version 6, which as I learned from the Table of Supported Hardware had only 2MB of flash memory, and was running vxWorks. This meant I would have to jump through some hoops to get linux working, but it was possible.
Buffalo WHR G54s
While waiting on my refund from Amazon, I discovered from the DD-WRT recommended devices that the Buffalo WHR G54s was a much better value than the linksys model, and with 4MB of Flash, so I could run OpenWrt.
Update (8-11-2006)
The Buffalo router rocks :). OpenWRT works like a dream. I got snmpd, snort, and QoS all working in a snap thanks to the package managment. The only thing missing from this router, is USB support for external storage, but that doesn't seem to come untill your willing to shell about $100+ for an Asus WL-500g Deluxe.
Nifty things to try
Make a monitor port, like on those fancy switches.
