How to "open ports" on Belkin Pre-N router

Hi =)

I have been having trouble playing SL for a long time due to severe lag issues. Well I have recently narrowed the cause down to my router. I am using a Belkin Pre-N Wireless router, HOWEVER, I am using a cable with the router instead of going wireless. I found that when I connected the modem directly to my computer, omitting the router, the lag problem went away.

After combing through these forums I found one post that said his problems went away when he switched the router channel to 11. I tried that. I also have updated the firmware on the router. Neither have helped. I have also played around with the "preferences" within SL.

I read several posts about how people "opened ports" on their routers and firewalls and this has helped. I have searched on the Knowledge Base and through these forums on how exactly to do this with the Belkin router and couldn't find any specific answers on how this is done and what ports to open. If you know how to do this could you please let me know or direct me to a site that can?

I am even willing to buy a different router, but I want to be certain not to have the same issue... (slow rendering, when trying to walk my avitar floats through the world) so if anyone has suggestions on a FAST compatible router I would appreciate that too. We play several online games in this household and as I want to cure the issue with SL, I don't wish to create another with a different game lol.

Thank you very much for your time and input!

Triona

great website that helps with many brands of routers, walks you through the process, with screenshots http://www.portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm
hope this helps