D-Link DIR-130 NetDefend VPN Firewall8-Port 10/100Mbps Switch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The DIR-130 was selected due to its support for incoming PPTP VPN tunnels that are compatible with the Microsoft VPN connector included with Windows. The upgrade to firmware version 1.10 has apparently resolved reliability issues reported by another reviewer. The DIR-130 allows me to access my home system securely and consistently. Over several weeks of regular use, it has performed reliably. Configuration is easy using the well-structured menus. The firmware upgrade changed the VPN user account management from the screens shown in the manual and permits many more users to be assigned in groups with individual passwords using different VPN settings (PPTP or L2TP/IPsec).
Performance of unencrypted data over my Bellsouth 3MBps ADSL connection seemed slightly faster than with the prior router, the Netgear WGR614. Due to the VPN encryption, the connection speed is however noticeably slower than non-VPN. Reducing the encryption level to 40 bits improves the speed compared with 128 bits.
There is a firmware bug (v1.10) that only occurs during remote management or managment over a VPN connection. Clicking on the "save" button, executes a script that tries to display the confirmation web page, but the address is invalid, resulting in an error screen, even though the action was successfully performed. Just log in again to resume remote management. This bug in firmware v1.10 has been reported to D-Link, without response. The bug does not occur when accessing the router over the LAN using a non-VPN connection.


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D-Link DIR-130 NetDefend VPN Firewall8-Port 10/100Mbps Switch

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Belkin F5D5231-4 4-Port Cable/DSL Router Review

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(More customer reviews)I originally purchased a Linksys DSL/Cable router because of a clerk's recommendation. It never worked even after I took it back and got a replacement. I then purchased a Netgear ProSafe router which sort of worked with the BellSouth DSL modem but still had all sorts of packet losses. I went back to the store and purchased the Belkin Cable/DSL router and it worked flawlessly right out of the box! I ran the set-up cd-rom, attached the cables, and I was on-line in 3 minutes. I then hooked in my wife's computer and laptop and they too worked after booting. If you have BellSouth DSL or any other "finicky" ISP, this router is the one to get, it saved the day!!

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Compatible with both Macintosh and PC computers, (and computers using Linux or Unix OS) this Belkin router lets you share your cable or DSL connection with up to four computers via a wired connection. It also provides top-level security and an NAT firewall, so you can restrict access to any or all of the computers on the network by others and/or configure its VPN (Virtual Private Networking) to allow remote access to the network by authorized users. The router includes an "Easy Install Wizard" so getting your other computers online is easy, and it uses its built-in switch to share files and peripherals and let you play accelerated multiplayer gaming. The router features a life time warranty and free 24 hour technical support.

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Cisco-Linksys BEFSX41 EtherFast Cable/DSL Firewall Router (4-Port 10/100 Switch / VPN Endpoint) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've used two SX41s for over three years on DSL and they are rock solid providing that I don't violate the cardinal rules of operation. The VPN tunnels are easy to set up if you follow the guidelines. First of all you must use a stable firmware. 1.45.7 is the most stable. The latest 1.52.9 is okay, but not as stable. Also you must NEVER set any of the Web Filters to deny or you will have reboots. Generally it is as simple as that.
There are also rules for flashing that must be observed. It doesn't matter whether you use a ver 1 firmware on a ver 2 router or visa versa. Thinking there is a difference is nonsense. What DOES matter is that the router MUST be reset to factory defaults (30 secs on the reset button will do this) before a flash or you risk bricking the router. When flashing with the Web page flashing tool, use IE or you will risk bricking the router. Use the TFTP utility for the SX41 obtainable from Linksys if you wish to use a Mozilla-based browser to flash. After you flash, you should reset once again to factory defaults. There are residual register settings carried over from the previous firmware versions that can cause reboots and other malfunctions.
Even the best flashing procedures can fail, but there are procedures for recovering from a bad flash at DSLReports.com. The recovery rate is probably better than 90% using those techniques. Guidelines for setting tunnels up are also posted there as well as access to the 1.45.7 stable firmware.
Successful operation of the SX41 requires modest intelligence, some networking experience, and following the operating rules. Linksys support hasn't a clue as to what those rules are so don't even bother with them unless you are trying for an RMA for a defective unit. Basically the router has gotten a bad rap from people who don't know how to operate it. Unfortunately they can't learn how to do that from the minimalist manual or from the so-called tech support personnel. Ask for operation help in the Linksys forum on the above mentioned web site if you are struggling with this router.

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The Linksys Instant Broadband EtherFast cable/DSL firewall router with 4-port switch/VPN endpoint is the perfect solution for connecting a small group of PCs to a high-speed broadband Internet connection or a 10/100 Ethernet backbone. The router can be configured to limit internal users' Internet access based on URLs and/or time periods (URL filtering and time filtering). For enhanced protection against intruders from the Internet, the router features an advanced SPIfirewall.
Use the cable/DSL firewall router with 4-port switch/VPN endpoint to create IPSec VPN tunnels, so you can securely connect to the corporate server from your home office--or from any location, when you're on the road. The router provides a dedicated port for DMZ hosting and acts as the only externally recognized Internet gateway on your LAN. With the performance and security features of the Linksys cable/DSL firewall router with 4-port switch/VPN endpoint, your network will take advantage of the Internet while keeping its data secure.
This router is compatible with Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, Me, and XP.
Note: All Linksys routers now include a special edition of Norton Internet Security! Claim your free CD-ROM by calling (800) 814-0180, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific, seven days a week.

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Netopia 3346N-ENT ADSL/ADSL2+ Modem & 4 Port Switch Review

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(More customer reviews)I was seriously considering this modem but prior comments about it not having a GUI interface for configuration sent me to the Netopia ("a Motorola company") website to read the actual product manual. Kudos to Netopia for making it fairly quick and easy to find this PDF file.
No kudos for its content, however. Having all Macs, naturally I turned to the section on Configuring TCP/IP in Macintosh computers and was absolutely gob-smacked to find it quite detailed with screen shots -- for Mac OS 9! You remember OS 9? The one that was last released in 2001? The one for which upward compatibility was finally dropped when Apple went to Intel processors in 2005, SIX YEARS AGO???
I'm sorry, but seriously? You haven't been able to update the manual in this decade?
No sale.

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Netopia 3346N-ENT Broadband ADSL2+ Router 3346NENT Routers & Gateways - Wired

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Dynex DX-E402 4-Port Ethernet Broadband Router - Router - 4-port switch - desktop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I made the mistake of having a coworker pick me up a router "while they were out". Gihugic mistake. In my experience - This thing is a hunk of junk with crummy support.
The router stops forwarding packets at least twice a day, requiring at least a reboot from the interface, at most a power cycle.
Contacting Dynex is an exercise in futility. Have a look at their site before you consider this unit: No firmware updates, no email support (strictly phone). When I phone them, they want me to reboot the router. Ok - reboot the router, it's working (duh. We've already established that) again for the moment - they say their brief good-byes and consider the "solution" acceptable. [Grrr!]
I have very little port forwarding (just two ports) and traffic is moderately low. Firewalling is disabled. So the load on the router is certainly not to blame.
Upshot? Junk. I guess I'll pick my own router next time. Live and learn. ;-)
Dynex Model: DX-E402
Hardware Version: DX-E402 V1 1001225B
Firmware Version: 3.5.1 Build 070621 Rel.59414na


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This 4-port Ethernet router lets you easily share a high-speed Internet connection with up to 4 computers on your home or small office network.

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TRENDnet 4-Port Broadband Router TW100-S4W1CA (Blue) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this Trendnet to replace an old Netgear router, which was still working fine, except it couldn't keep Outlook connected to its remote Exchange server. I suspected that the old router was too slow to handle the RPC over http (Exchange Proxy) connection that Outlook uses, but I wasn't sure. So I was looking for a new and ultra-low-cost router to see if it would fix the problem. This router solved the problem immediately - in fact Outlook connects faster from home now than it does at the office.
This router was easy to install and set up. At first I was reluctant to switch brands because I was already familiar with configuring Netgear routers (I also have a Netgear wireless router configured as an access point.) But I didn't have any trouble navigating the admin screens for the Trendnet. I connected my Netgear wireless router to one port of the Trendnet as a wireless access point and it works perfectly.
(Why two routers? My home office with its several computers is located at a corner of the house - a poor location for the wireless router. So the Trendnet router stays in the office. A cable runs from the Trendnet to a centrally located closet, where the Netgear wireless router lives. Some special configuration of the routers is required for this setup - it's explained on the Netgear web site.)
My only complaint about the Trendnet is the red flashing status light. According to the documentation that came with my router this light was supposed to be green, so I was trying to figure out what problem was causing it to flash red. Eventually I discovered that "OK" is now flashing red, not green. Personally I'd prefer a green light for OK - the flashing red can be distracting.
I hope that this router will prove as reliable as my Netgear routers have been.

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TRENDnets TW100-S4W1CA 4-port Cable/DSL Modem Internet Station provides the easiest and securest way to share your high-speed Cable/xDSL Internet connection. It has four 10/100Mbps half/full duplex switch ports that directly connect to workstations or uplink to another hub or switch. The TW100-S4W1CA also functions as a firewall for your PC, protecting your computer from hackers. It allows up to 253 users to access the Internet using a single ISP account. By sharing just one TW100-S4W1CA, one IP address, and one Cable/xDSL modem, dozens of network users can surf the Internet simultaneously. TREND-nets Cable/DSL Modem Internet Station is a feature-rich product that provides cost-effective functionality and an easy configuration.

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NETGEAR RP614 Web Safe Router with 4-Port 10/100 Mbps Switch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As other reviewers have noted, the router is very easy to set up. However, it has two major flaws which would keep me from recommend this unit:
1. The router randomly locks up several times a week. It requires a power off then on in order to start working again.
2. The router times out idle TCP session after a few minutes, and there is no way to disable or change this timeout. After the timeout the connection is dropped and has to be re-established. This is a *major* annoyance for people like me who use ssh or telnet to log into outside machines, but it can also cause problems with chat clients or other network applications if you are idle for a few minutes. This behavior has been confirmed by Netgear tech support, and they don't have a solution.
Between these two flaws, I recommend against buying this unit. Netgear's previous generation product (RP314) was rock solid, it's sad to see Netgear go so far downhill.

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The NETGEAR RP614 Web Safe Router with 4-Port 10/100 Mbps Switch lets you easily share a broadband connection by creating a secure network with double firewall protection.
Simple Setup NETGEAR has made setting up network devices as painless as possible with their interactive Installation Assistant that guides you through setup step by step. Configuration is done through an easy-to-use web interface.
Outstanding Performance and Security The RP614 features four auto-sensing 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports that will figure out each network connection without any need for manual switches. The RP614 allows for transfer of movies, music and photos at up 200 Mbps so the video and sound will be clear.
Two security methods are utilized to keep the network secure: Network Address Translation (NAT) and Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI). SPI safeguards against popular Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. For parents, content filtering allows you to set filters so that children are unable to reach websites with certain keywords or domain names, such as those associated with pornography. Web access can also be limited by the day of the week and time of day.
Styling That Fits In Your Home The RP614 has a svelte design with silver-and-gray styling that won't look out of place in your home.
The NETGEAR RP614 Web Safe Router with 4-Port 10/100 Mbps Switch is backed by a 2-year warranty.
What's in the Box RP614 Router Gateway, resource CD, power adapter, Ethernet cable, and warranty/support information card.

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Cisco-Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We have a PC upstairs, which is our primary computer, and a Mac downstairs in the tv room. I wanted both to be able to share our broadband Internet service. I looked at several routers, both wired and wireless. It came down to the Linksys (wired version) and SMC Barricade Wireless. I kept coming back to Linksys because a friend owns one and raves about it.
Besides the fact that it looks really cool, it almost took me longer to get it out of the box than it did to set it up. No kidding! Using the QuickStart guide, I was up and running in less than ten minutes. You hook up the necessary cables, restart your computer, log-in to the Linksys website to configure your router, restart your computer again, and you're good to go.
I wasn't as optimistic about setting up my Power Mac G3. However, I was pleasantly surprised and it took me all of about five minutes before I was doing some high-speed surfing on that machine as well. Fortunately, my Mac has an Ethernet port so it was just a matter of attaching the CAT-5 cable from there to the Linksys and setting the TCP/IP control panel to the Ethernet and DHCP options. I saved my configuration, opened up my browser and spent the next two hours high-speed surfing with no problems.
I have no problem recommending the Linksys, especially for its ease of setup on a PC and Mac network. While I would have preferred a wireless setup, they've received mixed reviews and I was concerned about Mac compatibility. After seeing how well my Mac performs with this Linksys, I'm ready to make ours a wired household!

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The Linksys EtherFast cable/DSL router connects multiple PCs to a high-speed broadband Internet connection or to an Ethernet backbone. Configurable as a DHCP server, the EtherFast router acts as the only externally recognized Internet device on your local area network (LAN). The router can also be configured to block internal users' access to the Internet. A typical router relies on a hub or a switch to share its Internet connection, but the Linksys EtherFast router channels this connection through the full-duplex speed of its built-in EtherFast 10/100 four-port switch. This combination of router and switch technology eliminates the need to buy an additional hub or switch and serves your network as a completely dedicated, full-duplex backbone. Now your entire network can enjoy broadband Internet connections supported by its switched backbone. This unit requires an external cable or DSL modem with an Ethernet RJ-45 interface. This product comes with a one-year warranty.

Note: All Linksys routers now include a special edition of Norton Internet Security! Claim your free CD-ROM by calling (800) 814-0180, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific, seven days a week.

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