I would like to get a refurbished Linux compatible wired router--what should I get?
I run Debian stable.
Thanks, Hearthstone.

Routers connect to the client machines using a standard Ethernet connection, so basically any router is Linux compatible.

Perhaps he means he wants to run linux on the router itself? I would checking on DD-WRT or Tomato -- these are linux-based firmware for wireless routers. I installed DD-WRT on an ASUS RT-N16 and it was super nice.

I suspected that it did not matter--just making sure; and if I don't have to access the router at all (from the Linux side), the happier I'll be!
My situation is this: I am getting (*am* supposed to be getting--am really getting only less then a tenth of it now, but this is being addressed) 10Mb down from a USACommunications cable modem that only has one RJ45 port--need a *wired* modem (don't like to add more radiation to my environment) so that I can use my MagicJack+, a great thing!, phone along with my box, but how do I access the tech support without a phone?, as the phone doesn't work at such low speeds, and I'd have to switch between plugging in alternatively and frequently both the box and the phone. Emailing them has not brought any response yet ... but it is still night, everybody still sleeping ...
Thank you all!
Hearthstone.

Ethernet only router? That runs linux or just bridges the gap between linux machines?

DD-WRT and other things that you can flash to some devices. Many devices are wired "AND" wireless these days. So it depends on what you want. You can build a desktop with multiple NIC cards to function as a router that runs linux. Although the power consumption of such things is far greater than many of the stand alone options. And you'll need cross over cables when going PC to PC. (Or do modern NICs compensate for that now?) Same connector, same wire, just different connection points on the opposite end.

I use an ASUS RT-N16 as the main router, with an ASUS RT-N12 option that predates it for connecting to the RT-N16 on machines with a quirky wireless device or an odd location that weakens the signal too much. But I haven't yet gotten around the installing DD-WRT on either. But I did reference that table of devices before making the purchase.

If you just need more RJ45 ports you don't need a new router, a simple network switch will do the job.

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TobiSGD is correct. If all you need is another port, then you could consider a switch.

If you are connecting directly to your modem with a computer, you might want to consider a firewall.

If you have a wireless router, you can always turn off the wireless signal.

Thank you all!
This is what I need: one RJ45 port for my computer (with firestarter installed) and one RJ45 port for my MagicJack+, plus one more RJ45 port for who-knows-what. Can one run more than one computer off a "switch"?
A switch? I will investigate. Forgive lack of sophistication!
Thanks, Hearthstone.

In that case a switch is what you need. You can see it as some kind of splitter, it will connect to the router with one port and gives you several ports to connect your other machines (or anything else with RJ45) to it. Yes, you can connect several computers to it, or even more switches, if you need so. I have 16 machines connected in our house this way to one router.

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You can even connect peripherals to a switch, like printers, although network equiped peripherals are usually more expansive than usb-only ones. This is rather common in professional corporate networks.

Got TRENDnet TE100-S5 Unmanaged 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Switch($7.99) and I am happy with it.
Thank you all!
Hearthstone.