NETGEAR FWG114P ProSafe 802.11g Wireless VPN Firewall 4-Port 10/100 Switch with USB Server Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've applied the new flash upgrade, and performance is still quite good. Most of my comments from January still apply. Setup is quick, Citrix & terminal services work without modification, and I can connect to my main office via Cisco VPN client. Games are still working too.
As with most vendors, I suspect you'll have better compatibility if you use a Netgear WiFi NIC with this unit. I can get it to work with a Cisco Aironet NIC, but I cannot get WPA encryption to work. WEP (for what it's worth) works, but I'll probably have to spring for the corresponding Netgear NIC if I want to move to WPA.
The print server took a hit with the flash upgrade, however. Now it will only work as long as the PCs using it never reboot. If they do, you lose the connection to the print server until the firewall is rebooted. Tech support has been, um, less than helpful in resolving the issue. For that reason, my rating still stands at 4 stars. I strongly recommend you check the printer compatibility list on Netgear's site before you count on this as a print server.
A couple of other notes:
- The firewall is solid. I'm a networking guy, and I've tried to hack my way in a couple of times. Nothing's perfect, but this is a good solution in the home or very small business market. The worst I've been able to do against this unit is a denial of service, which disabled the Internet connection to my home network until I rebooted the unit.
- If you plan to use MSN Messenger 6.2 and/or Windows XP's Remote Assistance, you'll need to enable UPnP on this unit, which is a bit annoying, but more of a Microsoft issue.
- The e-mail logging is VASTLY improved over that of the previous flash. My logs are much more manageable, and the number of false-positive security alert messages is minimal.
- You can now create up to two remote access VPN tunnels with the new flash. I tried it and it works, although as a home user I can't imagine ever needing that feature. Difficult to set up, though, so unless you have a solid understanding of IPSEC VPN protocols, good luck.
Still, I believe this is a good unit for a home office. For me, combining the functions of print server, wireless access point, and hardware firewall into a single device make it worth the price.

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The NETGEAR FWG114P ProSafe 802.11g Wireless VPN Firewall 4-Port 10/100 Switch with USB Server is a mouthful to say but provides your business with a router, switch, print server, wireless access point, and firewall. Instead of multiple devices and a tangle of wires, the FWG114P is all you need.
Wired and Wireless Connectivity The FWG114P can connect up to 253 users onto the LAN, including 64 wireless users, to share a single broadband connection. Built in to the router is a 4-port 10/100 switch for up to four connections, as well as an 802.11g wireless access point. The wireless network supports speeds up to 54 Mbps and there is a detachable 5 dBi antenna included.
A USB port allows you to connect a printer to the network that multiple users can share simultaneously. An RS-232 serial port provides a backup connection in case the main network connection fails. A row of LED lets you know the status of the network at a glance.
High-class Security For more security than just a simple NAT router, the FVG318 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 FWG114P supports two simultaneous VPN tunnels to protect links between remote locations, encrypting the data between them. The wireless network is protected by 40/64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption as well as WPA.
Easy Setup Even with all the functionality the FWG114P provides, NETGEAR makes setup a breeze with the intuitive Smart Wizard that automatically detects the ISP connection and adjusts your configuration accordingly.
The NETGEAR FWG114P ProSafe 802.11g Wireless VPN Firewall 4-Port 10/100 Switch with USB Server is backed by a 3-year warranty.
What's in the Box FWG114P, AC power adapter, ethernet cable, installation guide, resource CD, warranty/support information card.

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SMC SMC7004ABR Barricade Cable/DSL router with 4-port 10/100Mbps switch and Integrated Print Server Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There are several items that set this SOHO router apart from its peers:
1. Support:
SMC actually tries to solve problems with the product in an expeditions manner.
2. Flexibility:
The 7004ABR can be used with a serial modem, a serial ISDN TA, or any Ethernet-based broadband interface. It can also be configured to AUTOMATICALLY switch from the broadband interface to the serial interface if the broadband loses its connection, and automatically switch back when the broadband problem clears up.
The unit also includes a print server so PC/linux users can convert that old parallel-port printer into a network printer. I can't meaningfully comment on that feature, as I don't use it.
3. Security:
Stateful Packet Inspection, and logging of attack attempts. This unit _could_ be sold as a firewall, not just a SOHO router.
Unit can be configured to be totally stealthed on the WAN side. (good)
Client filtering can be used to selectively control internet access based on client IP, and date/time.
4. Convenience and Reliability:
Changing settings does _not_ require rebooting the router. This is a unique feature among SOHO routers that I have tried.
Only operation requiring router reboot is a firmware upgrade, which is, btw, extremely easy from any modern web browser.
As a result, it is easy to achieve just about 100% network uptime reliability with this product, even when making changes in the configuration. Very cool feature.
This unit is a class act, and at (dollar amount), an absolute steal.

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The Barricade™ is an ideal all-in-one networking solution for home and small business users.This platform independent multi-functional broadband router combines a 4-port 10/100 Mbps dual speed switch, a built-in print server, an RS232 COM port for fail-over dial-up or modem connections, and firewall capability for security against hackers and other unauthorized users.The Barricade™ provides a WAN port as well as Network Address Translation (NAT), which translates your WAN IP address into private LAN IP addresses keeping your internal network hidden from the rest of the Internet. Barricade fully supports VPN tunneling via L2TP, PPTP, and IPSec pass-through allowing remote users secure access to their corporate infrastructure.Also, a feature known as Hacker Attack Logging has been implemented which detects, logs, and reports any potential hacker attacks to your network.The new broadband router also allows the connection of multiple users to the Internet using a single WAN IP address. LAN IP addresses are auto-assigned and easily managed through DHCP server capabilities, and the IP routing supports a range of popular applications.

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Belkin F1UP0001 Wireless USB Print Server Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I spent lots of time with old ethernet/parallel print servers that wouldn't quite work with GDI and other low cost printers.
I was skeptical that this would work.
I was impressed that this print server worked with an easy 5 minute guided setup on my Minolta 1250W GDI printer.
The range of the wireless (Im using B, not G) is fine (covers whole floor of large home).
This device is an excellent solution for putting 2 USB printers anywhere you want them without dealing with the 16ft limitation of USB, or having to run any ethernet or parallel wires.
(I don't have to cut and run any wires in my new home). Plus
you get added bonus of having a normal cheap ($100~) printer
become a networked printer for all to share. (and you don't
have to have the original host computer on to print, as you
would with USB.)

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The Belkin 802.11g Wireless Print Server lets you easily add two USB printers to your wireless, or wired network. It features 802.11g technology that makes sending print jobs faster than ever, and includes a memory buffer that handles your graphics jobs effortlessly.The Print Server is so easy to install, youll be printing in minutes. Simply load your printer drivers on each computer, run the Belkin Easy Installation CD, attach your USB printer to the Belkin 802.11g Wireless Print Server and you are now free to print wireless from around the home or office. It is also compatible with wired networks through its integrated Ethernet Port.Compatible with most USB, network-ready printers, and major operating systems, your 802.11g Wireless Print Server from Belkin delivers even your most data-intensive print jobs with maximum speed and reliability.

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Hawking HPS3P 3 Parallel Port 10/100M Print Server Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I tried to config this on a Linux only net but couldn't do it. Had to get a friend with a Windows laptop to make it work. Turns out the problem is that the HPS3P can't reassemble packets when receiving a GET request with authentication (always lost the authorization and kept asking for a password). Hawking tech support was responsive until I pointed out their firmware was buggy. I had used a Hawking PN7337 until it died and it was much easier to setup on a Linux network.

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NETGEAR WGPS606 54 Mbps Wireless Print Server with 4-port Switch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have a wirelss network w/3 pc's, one Mac Powerbook, w/netgear router, and now the WGPS606 netgear printserver (my motorola WPS870G was half the $$$ and easier to set up on my Powerbook, but got killed by lightning storm yesterday); I have an old laserjet & HP officejet d145. Contrary to rumors, you can get the WPS870G to printserve wirelessly from Mac/OSX through the network (i.e., powerbook is wireless, printserver is also wireless)
1-I set a dedicated IP address in my router to associate w/my printserver...To do this: in 192.168.0.1 (which is the router) I renewed IP addresses, looked into the router's assignment table, and figured out that the printserver was at 192.168.0.4, so I just assigned it to 192.168.0.4; to do the assignment, you also need the device (i.e., the printserver's) MAC address; that's the trick...the MAC address on the netgear printserver is called the "device" or "hardware" MAC address, and it's the number printed on the box itself; if you go to the printserver ip address (in my case, 192.168.0.4), you find netgear's set up pages for the printserver; the printserver has two mac addresses, the 2nd is called something like the `wireless' MACaddress; that wireless MAC address (which is only different by one digit at the end) is what you use when you set up a dedicated IP address for the print server; when you've done all this, you should probably go back into 192.168.0.1 (your router set up pages) try to renew ip addresses to see if the assigned printserver address (in my case, 192.168.0.4) shows up and shows up with the right MAC address
3- when setting up a new printer in printer set up utility, you select IP Printing + LPD/LPR, printer address is your new ip address that you assigned (192.168.0.4 in my case) and queue name is L1 (presumably L2 if you have a second printer)
btw, you may need to upgrade the driver (I needed an HPIJS driver for my multi-function HP d145); the original driver didn't even install from the cd


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With the NETGEAR WGPS606 54 Mbps Wireless Print Server with 4-port Switch, users on your network have the freedom to print wirelessly to up to two printers. It also functions as a wireless Ethernet bridge, allowing you to extend your wireless connection and connect up to four users to your wireless network.
Wireless Printing and Bridge The WGPS606 has two USB ports to connect two printers. Simply put your printers wherever works best and plug them into the wireless print server; a Smart Wizard will guide you through configuration in just seconds. Once configured, anyone on the network can print to either printer; business documents can be sent to the high-end laser and photos can be printed on the photo printer. No separate adapters are needed. The print server can print via Peer-to-Peer (PTP) and Windows LPD printing methods.
The print server also functions as a wireless Ethernet bridge, allowing you to connect a cluster of up to four PCs and laptops without dedicated wireless adapters.
Secure and Compatible Powerful 40/64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption and WPA-PSK keep your wireless network secure. The device is interoperable with 802.11b, 802.11g, and RangeMax (MIMO-G) networks, so you can be sure it will work with your existing wireless network.
The NETGEAR WGPS606 54 Mbps Wireless Print Server with 4-port Switch is backed by a 1-year warranty.
What's in the Box WGPS606 54 Mbps Wireless Print Server w/4-port Switch, power adapter, 2 USB cables, resource CD, installation guide, warranty/support information card.

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