NETGEAR FVS318 ProSafe VPN Firewall 8 with 8-Port 10/100 Switch Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been using the Netgear FVS318 router firewall for over a month now with not one glitch. For the money, this is an amazing bargain considering it is a true SPI firewall and a certified ipsec VPN endpoint for eight tunnels included with a eight port switch! The quality of Netgear products are also commendable.
We had it up and running in less than fifteen minutes. My son configured two ipsec vpn tunnels with his friends networks using Linksys VPN routers in short order and I have one configured to my Windows 2000 computer at work that is behind a nat router using Windows 2000 built in ipsec capabilities. All three of our ipsec tunnels have proven to be reliable. I also have no problems using remote desktop through port 3389 or going to my pptp Windows 2000 vpn server through port 1723 behind the FVS318.
We have not experienced any of the problems that other reviewers have, but we have experience configuring these kinds of devices. The FVS318 has fairly extensive built in logging though it does not store much information itself but it can be configured to transfer log information to another computer and can even send you an email alert if certain attacks are detected. It has configurable services based on ports and protocols that are used to create port forwarding to inbound services and block outbound services. However you are limited to 16 services. It can control outbound traffic which is very important to defend against undetected trojans or users [and kids] running things like file swapping or other unapproved applications that access the internet. Internet access can be even controlled by a day/time schedule. If your network is fairly simple, a default block all rule could be created [which must be at the end of the list] and then you can specify what outbound services are allowed. It is also possible to deny a computer or address range of computers from having internet access while allowing others full access. Though the block services is a great addition to this device, it is somewhat limited if you have more than a few variations of configurations compared to a more sophisticated [and much more expensive] soho firewall, and the services can not be configured to use certain ip address/subnet destinations for outbound control which should not be a big deal for most home/small office users. However inbound services/port mapping can be configure to come from specific ip address/subnet. That is an important security feature. For instance if you open an internal computer for remote managment, you can configure the FVS318 to accept connections from only one ip address, which will keep everyone else on the internet from trying to connect and guess your password!
I am very impressed with the Netgear FVS318. Being a true SPI firewall and ipsec VPN endpoint with all the other feaures it has in a quality package, I can highly recommend it to anyone that wants a bargain priced internet device that is a big step up from the consumer grade nat routers.

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The NETGEAR FVS318 ProSafe VPN Firewall 8 with 8-Port 10/100 Switch offers the small office a space-saving design combining wired connectivity, a NAT router, VPN appliance, SPI firewall, and an eight-port 10/100 Mbps Ethernet switch.
Wired and Wireless Connectivity The FVS318 has a built-in switch, with eight 10/100 Mbps auto-sensing, Auto Uplink ports. With Network Address Translation (NAT) routing, up to 253 users can simultaneously access your connection.
High-class Security For businesses that require more than just a simple NAT router, the FVS318 offers significantly more protection. It provides: a Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall to prevent Denial of Service attacks, an Intrusion Detection System (IDS), the ability to block Java/URL/ActiveX based on extension, and FTP/SMTP/RPC program filtering.
The FVS318 has eight dedicated VPN tunnels to protect links between remote locations, encrypting the data between them. IPSec-based encryption up to 256 bit is also supported. This lets you easily create secure connections to branch offices or mobile workforces.
Easy Setup Even with all the functionality the FVS318 provides, NETGEAR makes setup a breeze with the intuitive Smart Wizard that connects you to your ISP quickly. The web-based configuration screen is easy-to-use and requires no additional software. DHCP and PPPoE support makes widespread deployment simple.
The NETGEAR FVS318 ProSafe VPN Firewall 8 with 8-Port 10/100 Switch is backed by a 3-year warranty.
What's in the Box FVS318 ProSafe VPN Firewall, power adapter, category 5 ethernet cable, installation guide, resource CD, warranty/support information card.

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Cisco-Linksys BEFSR81 Cable/dsl Router with 8-PT Switch Review

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(More customer reviews)Due to the increasing size of my home network, I decided toupgrade to the 8 port BEFSR81 from the 4 port BEFSR41. The two areidentical in size. A Cable/DSL router is a MUST HAVE for those whowish to share a broadband connection. 99 percent of DSL providersutilize what is known as Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet(PPoE). This works just like a normal dial up connection where youhave a username and a password. Normally, this PPoE is done viasoftware installed on your computer. This has many limitations. First,the host computer must always be on for others to utilze aconnection. In that sense, each computer is not independent of theother.
The Linksys has PPoE software built into it. Each computerplugged into the unit can access the internet independently of eachother. Better yet, you never have to see a username/password screenwhen connecting to the internet.
In addition to allowing one toshare a connection, the Linksys also acts as a hardward firewallpreventing hackers from accessing your computers. A must have! Youcannot be secure enough these days!
The unit is easy enough to useNovice to expert. While they're are many advanced features, it is notimperative to set or configure them. The html based interface of theunit is extremely intuitive and easy to figure out. The unit itselfleaves a very small footprint.
The linksys supports DMZ which isknown as a demilitarized zone. It basically allows one local user tobe exposed to outsiders. It is used for such tasks asvideoconferencing and internet gaming where constant two waycommunication is essential. In addition Quality of Service (QoS) isonly offered on this 8 port model. It allows you to prioritizeinternet tasks such as http, ftp, telnet, etc.... Not really thatimportant unless you have many users on at once.
Many cable modemproviders utilize a system where they "lock" your cablemodem service to either 1 modem, or 1 network card. This is to preventyou from sharing or using your connection with other suchcomputers. They're is a hardware number encoded onto your network cardand modem. This is known as a "MAC" address. To circumventthis, the Linksys cable/DSL router has a box where you enter in theMAC address of the item that the cable modem service is locked to andit will emulate it. Very clever and works very well!.
One thing theLinksys cannot help you with is running cables throughout your houseto different rooms! Right now I have managed to run ethernet cablesthrough 5 different areas of the house. I have networked our homeLaser printer (HP LaserJet 2100TN)and have added a WirelessLAN setupso now with a laptop I can surf via wireless broadband!

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A simple and inexpensive way to share your one IP address over yourentire network, the Linksys EtherFast cable/DSL router connects up to 253 PCs toa high-speed broadband Internet connection or to a Fast Ethernet or Ethernetbackbone. Configurable as a DHCP server or client, the EtherFast cable/DSLrouter acts as the only externally recognized Internet gateway on your localarea network (LAN). The router can be configured via SNMP to filter internalusers' access to the Internet and serve as an Internet firewall againstintruders.
The router features advanced functions such as dynamic and static port routing,DMZ hosting, filtering, forwarding, and quality-of-service capabilities. All ofthese functions can be easily configured through any networked computer's Webbrowser.
The Linksys BEFSR81 router comes with a one-year limited warranty.

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NETGEAR FS608 8-Port Fast Ethernet Switch Review

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(More customer reviews)As others say, the device is small and easy on the eyes. I express caution with regard to critical purposes such as servers and IP telephony; we have experienced some weird problems with this. We have three (Netgear FS608 v2) in two locations; two connected to a 24 port Dell switch and the third I think connects to a Cisco 3524. They may intermittently refuse to forward frames from just one source to just one destination while allowing frames from that same source to other destination, weird stuff like that. Reset takes a power cycle OR just unplug the uplink cable and reconnect. It's a real nuisance if it means you have to drive to work on a weekend or an IP telephone call goes "blip" into la-la land. I'm sure they have a limitation on the size of the MAC address cache but I have not so far researched it. Beware using little switches on big networks! (That sounds like a grade b movie title!)

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The NETGEAR FS608 8-Port Fast Ethernet Switch connects up to eight network devices at 10 or 100 Mbps over Ethernet cables.
Sturdy and Reliable Design NETGEAR's FS600 series switches are designed for use in a home and small office, housed in a compact white case that blends into your home decor. A fanless design keeps operation both silent and more reliable, and ports are located in the rear to reduce cable clutter. Each port has status LEDs for link and activity. The switch can be placed on a flat surface or vertically on the included stand.
Simple Setup and Stellar Performance Plug in your Ethernet cables and connect a power cord, and you're ready to go. There is no software to install or settings to configure. The switch features auto negotiation, which automatically obtains the fastest possible connection, and Auto Uplink adjusts for the different types of Ethernet cables. There is no need for toggle switches or special crossover cables. If your network has existing 10BASE-T devices, they will work seamlessly within a higher bandwidth environment with each port achieving its full speed.
All ports deliver 100 Mbps speed. The FS608 has a 64 KB queue buffer, an address database size of 1,024 MAC addresses, and up to a 148,800 frames/sec max non-blocking, wire-speed frame forward rate for a 100M port (14,800 frames/sec max for 10M port). The switch uses store-and-forward forwarding.
The NETGEAR FS608 is backed by a 3-year warranty.
What's in the Box FS608 8-port Fast Ethernet Switch, AC power adapter, vertical stand, installation guide, warranty/support information card.

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