Cisco ASA 5505 Security Appliance 10 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Pros:
* Very stable. Many home and even business grade Firewalls will occasionally start acting up and have to be rebooted, but the ASA is completely solid.
* 8 port switch w/ 2 PoE ports is great for things like IP Phones and Wireless Access Points.

* AnyConnect SSL VPN with 2 client licenses included is a great value. This lets me access my home network from work, despite them requiring a proxy server.
* Supports Spanning Tree and Rapid Spanning Tree, allowing you to build redundant uplinks to STP compatible switches.
* 256 MB RAM and 128 MB of flash is plenty of Memory for future software.
* Tons of VPN options - Straight IPSec, DMVPN, L2TP, SSL, AnyConnect, etc. The IPSec VPN is support on the iPhone, so it's pretty cool to be able to access my home network from my phone.
Cons:
* High learning curve, especially if you don't have previous experience with Cisco PIX or routers. Even using the Java-based ASDM, it can take a few hours of training to find your way. Also, ASDM is not compatible with the latest version of Java (you'll get an 'unconnected sockets' message).
* Only supports 1 internal VLAN with default license. This is fine for most setups, but disappointing since the Cisco routers will do at least 2 VLANs. It prevents, for example, having separate VLANs for voice and wireless, or creating a DMZ.
* No built-in Wireless option. Check out the 870 or 1800 routers if this is important. Adding a Wireless AP is easy though, especially with the PoE ports.
* No support for DHCP reservations. I like to configure Servers and Printers this way, and can't find any good reason Cisco wouldn't support it like they do on their routers and Layer 3 switches.
Summary - A great value as a SOHO Firewall and VPN Appliance. The ASA 5505 is priced the same as the PIX 501 was, but adds 2 PoE ports and SSL VPN Capabilities. The biggest drawbacks I can see are the high learning curve, no built-in Wireless, and lack of DHCP reservations. Before purchasing, you'll probably want to take a look at the 870 series routers since they may be a better choice depending on your requirements.

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Businesses today require high-end networking capabilities, give it that ability with the Cisco® ASA 5505 Series Firewall Edition Bundle. The Cisco ASA 5500 Series Firewall Edition enables businesses to securely deploy mission-critical applications and networks in a highly reliable manner, while providing significant investment protection and lower operational costs through its unique, modular design.

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NETGEAR GS116NA Giga Switch 16Pt Metal Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Netgear is supposed to have a 5 year warranty (2 on the power supply).I had one of these for about 18 months. Over the last months it's been increasingly flaky, every week or two it just hangs and needs to be unplugged and started again. It doesn't matter how much it's in use (it's done it when we've been on vacation with minimal network traffic).
I called Netgear to get it replaced, but they told me that it's not meant to be plugged in all day, so they won't fix it.Unless you actually unplug all your network equipement when you are not actively using it (I didn't think so), then I highly recommend avoiding Netgear products.

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Netgear Giga Switch 16Pt Metal

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Cisco-Linksys WRV54G Wireless-G VPN Router Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this item from Amazon even though the reviews I read were less than stellar. I just assumed most of the problems were user configuration errors. After all.... it is easy to mess up a VPN configuration, especially if you are using Windows IPSEC policies because the UI for setting that up can be a little misleading.
However after setting it up in my home lab I discovered that... it just didn't work as a VPN device. I connect with a VPN client called SSH Sentinel (it is a little dated but works on every other VPN I have used). I could get a connection fine but it refused to route traffic inside the LAN at all. Even setting up the route recommended by Linksys it still would not work.
So I decided not to give up yet and searched out Google groups for people who have solved this issue and I found... no one. Everyone complained at the constant problems with each firmware release and the inability to VPN into the router properly. I was surprised because quite frankly all the other linksys hardware I have work great. I rarely have any problems with their print server, kvm switches and other routers... why in the world would Linksys drop the ball on this product.
Well it seems this particular router is different than any of Linksys's other routers because it is running an embedded version of Linux. It would seem that Linksys and this Linux vendor are having some big difficulties getting this thing to work and perhaps it got pushed out the door too soon.
Well I went out and bought a cheaper BEFVP41 VPN router from Linksys (it is not wireless but I had a spare WAP-G) and I was able to get a VPN connection the first time.
So.. if you buy this router to VPN into your home network you will have some serious problems. I also had some flaky wireless problems with it but I must admit... after reading all the problems with this model I put the thing back in the box and bought something else that works...
I hope this isn't the end of Linksys putting out good products and being responsive to their clients...

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Linksys WRV54G Wireless-G 54Mbps VPN Broadband Router all-in-one Internet-sharing Router 4-Port 10/100Mbps Switch and 54Mbps 802.11G Access Point with Built-in VPN endpoint capability and advanced security features.

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Netgear FVS318G PROSAFE® 8-PORT GIGABIT VPN FIREWALL Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I wanted to upgrade my network to gigabit as well as improve security over my current WRT54Gv8 router. After much research I settled on this unit, its really one of the only vpn/firewall with 8 port gigabit and was excited when I received it. I've configured many routers and never had issues like I did with this router. It was so bad I may have received a defective unit. Ultimately I returned it.
1. The connections are on the front, not the back the way Amazon photo shows. I knew this but just wanted to share so you have less surprises.
2. UPNP is broken and is well known error. As a pro level router UPNP isn't a priority.
3. The netgear forums that will let you know just how many problems this router has, are locked to the public, and only when you have the router and register with the serial number can you actually see the vast complaints. The forum is locked as this is a pro level router.
4. Dropped connections regularly and was completely unstable
5. Required frequent reboots and seemed to take 2 minutes or so to reboot.
6. Would lock up my cable modem and require even that to be rebooted.
On the upside
1. the firewall is very nice and configurable. All ports open as expected and is very flexible.
2. The level of control is so superior to the WRT54gv8 I'm currently using - if only it was stable.
3. QOS worked as it should and was not a gimmick like my current router.
I'm content with 802.11G speeds so I planned to use this vpn router and have the WRT54Gv8 be an access point. In the end the constant instability forced me to return it. I put the lowly consumer router back in service, updated the firmware for good measure, and returned to the stability I had prior.

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Netgear ProSafe FVS318G Firewall FVS318G-100NAS Network Security & Firewalls

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NETGEAR RangeMax WNDA3100 Dual Band Wireless-N Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The WNDA3100 would timeout for 4 seconds approximately every 25 seconds plus other random 5-6 second timeouts. Was using latest drivers. Tried with 2 WNDR3700s in two different locations (one location had no other 2.4ghz channels in use.) Worked with Netgear on issue.
The problem was instantly fixed when I obtained and installed a WNDA3100v2, which has the same model number, although it uses a different chipset and has a light and button which are shown on the packaging. Because it has the same model number, you will need to buy it locally so you can tell the difference.
Returned the WNDA3100 (version1, 1 star) and kept the WNDA3100v2 (works, much better range, 5 stars)


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When you're ready to connect your desktop or laptop to a wireless hot spot or new Wireless-N network, the NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter (WNDA3100) will get the job done with outstanding speed, minimal interference and robust connections. Featuring the latest dual band Wireless-N technology, the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter delivers exceptional range and speed of new Wireless-N devices while still offering backwards compatibility to older Wireless-G networks. This adapter will connect you to a Wireless-N network and let you surf, email, stream HD video, play on-line games, and even make Internet phone calls--simultaneously! Less Interference, Increased Range and Superior Performance When you use the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter to connect to a Wireless-N network, you can take advantage of the new technology's outstanding range and performance. Utilizing the latest dual band Wireless-N technology, when used with Wireless-N networks, can deliver more than 10 times the range and offer a throughput speed of up to 15 times greater than existing Wireless-G networks. Another notable advantage of dual band Wireless-N is that it works with up to 23 channels that operate on the 5GHz band. Wireless-G networks, on the other hand, operate on the 2.4-GHz band with only 3 channels, which is also home to some cordless phones, microwaves, and other devices that can cause interference. 5GHz Wireless-N avoids the interference that can interrupt Wireless-G networks, giving you greater reliability and performance. The RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter turns your computer into a new dual band Wireless-N device, letting you connect securely to all new Wireless-N gateways, routers and access points. While the adapter is backwards compatible with any Wireless-G network or hot spot, its performance is optimized for use with the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router (WNDR3300), HD/Gaming 5 GHz Wireless-N Networking Kit (WNHDE111/WNHDEB111), RangeMax Next Wireless-N Routers (WNR834B, WNR854T Gigabit version).USB Connectivity for Immediate Performance Offering better speed and range than other USB Wireless-N adapters, the RangeMax Wireless-N Dual Band Adapter--when used to connect to a Wireless-N network--lets you wirelessly surf, email, stream HD video, on-line game, make Internet phone calls--at the same time! Depending on your Internet connection, the adapter can provide you with enough bandwidth to support quick music downloads, file sharing and HD multimedia applications. This convenient and highly portable adapter, which weighs less than an ounce and is about the size of a lighter, is designed for your Windows XP or Vista notebook or desktop PC and simply plugs into any USB port. What's in the Box RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter (WNDA3100), installation guide, resource CD, and warranty/support information card.

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Cisco-Linksys WRVS4400N Wireless-N Gigabit Security Router - VPN v2.0 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I should have known better. I'm a geek (I've owned more than 20 computers/servers in my >10 years as a software engineer and I've setup >10 wired/wireless networks for friends and family), so when I read all of the bad reviews on this product, I just figured it was people who couldn't figure out what they're doing. I was wrong, so wrong. The WRVS4400N is totally worthless - don't make the same mistake as I - BUY A DIFFERENT ROUTER.
The problem is that every 24 hours or 36 hours (on the exact second) this router stops sharing the internet connections to all computers on the network. It must them be unplugged or rebooted via the web interface and then the problem goes away. So far their tech support has been unable to resolve the problem they keep sending me new routers. After this last one, they told me there is nothing more they can do and it will have to be reported as an issue to their product development team. My internet connection is fine as evidenced by plugging in a laptop when the router fails and they have reported no compatibility issues with my cable modem. And furthermore other people are experiencing the exact same problem.
This router does offer a great set of features for the price, but be careful - they're implemented poorly. So you'll likely turn them off.
The IPS (special security features that this router offers) features are worthless - if you want to FTP anything, you'll need to turn them off. And even with them off, I still can't connect to several of the FTP servers that I routinely connect to, which I could with my last router - for example Google Base FTP servers and Yahoo's webhosting accounts.
The QoS (quality of service) features are extremely hard to configure and there is NO documentation on line, include with the product or in the help section of the administration tool, which explains how to actually configure it.
The range of the N wireless network isn't very impressive. It's only slightly better than the G router from Linksys that it replaced. Both routers were placed in the same spot in my basement.
I haven't tried the VPN connectivity yet, but you're only limited to 5 clients connecting, which is a limitation that's not published on this product description, nor easy to find on Linksys's site.
Now, I've been a long time buyer and recommender of Linksys products, but in the last two years their product quality has plummeted as evidenced by the ratings they get her on Amazon. They keep sending me these survey's every time I contact their tech support and I share these same complaints, but they don't get any better. If anything they're getting worse.
Linksys's phone technical support is horrible. This unit isn't serviced by the "home" area of Linksys's tech-support staff, you must go through the "business" area and their level 1 support staff aren't even trained, so you go right to their level 2 support, which you'd think would mean you'd get good support, but not from Linksys. They have no idea how to solve problems with this router. Several of the tech support people have given up and made excuses to get off the phone - my favorite was to reapply the same version of the router's firmware, waste an hour reconfiguring it, and then wait 24-36 hours to see if the problem came back; and sure enough it did.
Linksys's phone customer support is horrible. After my last tech support tech's manager determined that I have yet another defective router and I should get a new one, I was transferred to their customer service department so that they could process an RMA. It took them 43 minutes to process the RMA. The customer service person, who could barely speak english, said he had to read everyone of the case notes in order to process an RMA. Then it took 24 minutes to get transferred to his supervisor to complain about him.
So to reiterate my review: While this router looks like a great set of features for great price, you'll need to turn off much of those features to be able to FTP, and you'll need to reboot your router every 24-36 hours if you want it to router internet service to other computers on your network. And if you have to call tech support or customer support, you'll be in for some horrible experience. So don't make the same mistake as I did. Don't buy this router.

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The Cisco WRVS4400N Wireless-N Gigabit VPN Security Router, formerly part of the Linksys Business Series, is designed and built for small businesses. It combines wired and wireless network access with switching capabilities in a single affordable device to keep your employees safely connected to the resources they need to be productive. Strong security features include a proven firewall with intrusion prevention, VPN capabilities, and an optional service that scans email to help fight spam, viruses, and other threats. An integrated 4-port Gigabit Ethernet switch allows up to four devices to share high speed connectivity in the office.

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