Product Description

802.11g Wi-Fi base station (also compatible with 802.11b) * when connected to compatible modem or network, provides wireless Internet access to up to 10 computers at a time * minijack output (analog and mini-optical digital) for connection to a stereo system or powered speakers (cables available separately) * USB port for connection to a USB-compatible printer * 10/100 Base-T Ethernet port for connection to a compatible modem or network * weight: 6.7 oz. * dimensions: 1-3/16"W x 3-3/4"H x 3"D * warranty: 1 year ... Read more

Features

• Enjoy your iTunes music library in virtually any room of your house
• Share a single broadband Internet connection and USB printer without inconvenient and obtrusive cables
• Create an instant wireless network on the go
• Access an AirPort Express wireless network
• Compatible with Windows XP or 2000; Mac OS X v10.2.7 or later

Features

• Compatible with the 802.11b wireless standard
• Ranges up to 150 feet indoors at 11 Mbps
• Provides tight security
• Use with an Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station for added functionality
• Compatible with AirPort-enabled Apple computers

Reviews (9)

life changing
The wireless revolution has seriously altered the way I work. It didn't seem like it was that big of a deal, to be able to work anywhere in the house on a laptop. And then I was home over Thanksgiving and tried my father's - it was incredible. So, soon after I had my own and I love it - I even ended up getting another one for my wife's laptop.

Whether it's browsing amazon.com late at night in bed, checking morning email in the kitchen while the kids run around, or being able to set up a writing desk anywhere in the house without worrying about an accessible internet port - the airport system is awesome. Even if you only have a desktop computer it's worth it - you can to put the computer in a place where there's no internet plug, without the 40 foot cord draping your wall to connect it. All in all, a wireless system may seem extravagant, but once you have one you'll wonder how you got by without it.

The airport card, along with the base station, allows you to connect several computers, even ones that don't have wireless cards in them (i.e., we have two laptops on the wireless system, and then one iMac that doesn't have an airport card is plugged directly into the base station). You can print, scan - anything - wirelessly, as long as those extra components are connected to the base station.

If you have a big house and the base station won't be centrally located, you may want to look into the antenna. I have a 2500 square foot house and the base station is at one end of it. I can get access from anywhere in the house without the extra antenna, though in one or two places it's a weak signal. My father's house, on the other hand, is over 5000 square feet and the base station is at a far end - you can't even get a signal on the other side of the house. However, he purchased the antenna and the signal is now very strong wherever you are. A warning - you should make sure your airport network is password protected, especially if you get the antenna. The signal will be broadcast through half your neighborhood and if not protected, people can get on and use your airtime, clogging up your bandwidth.

Make sure you get the right card! There's the airport extreme card and the regular airport card (I believe they are both compatible with either base station). Check Apple's website for direct compatibility between your computer and the two different cards. They are different sizes and will only fit in the right kind of slot.

One final word - I've heard from others that certain products from Net Gear or other wireless manufacturers accomplish the same thing as the airport card and base station for much cheaper. I can't attest to the validity of this, but it might be worth looking into. I'd exercise extreme caution, since if you go with Apple products it will be covered with tech support, even if it's more expensive. And putting third party hardware in your computer will likely void the warranty on your computer.

Watch out, this does not fit an Apple iBook G4!
Recommend and rating, hard to say. My intent is to make sure that people don't make the same stupid mistake that I did! An Apple iBook G4 can only accept an "airport extreme" card. I suspect that most of the latest generation ibooks, powerbooks, and powerpcs and etc can only take the extreme card.

Do your homework beforing buying the M7600LL card.

Adapter Comments
Just to clear things up a bit further on the adapter business. When Apple started selling Airport-capable systems and cards, the cards could be used with the CRT iMac or an iBook or Powerbook. Rather than build a special slot in the iMac that you could slide the card into, the card came with a little wraparound bit that had a socket on it which plugged into the iMac. If you were going to use the card in an iBook or Powerbook, you didn't need the adaptor, the card slides into a slot. I guess after awhile they decided to including the adapter was a bit wasteful if a large segment of the buyers weren't going to use it, so they made it an optional extra. The fact that their newer systems didn't need the adapter, and that sales of the CRT iMac were slowing down probably had something to do with it as well.

I've bought 3 Airport cards myself for various systems, and have been very impressed with the ease of use and reliability of the product.

it works like a dream
I am a recent convert and just got a new 12-inch powerbook. The retailer who sold it to me was supposed to have installed the airport card themselves, but they did not. The airport card came separately and I decided to install it myself. Not only was it the easiest thing to install in the world, it began working immediately. I'm impressed with how non-technical you need to be and how smoothly you can just do all these things that I would never have dreamt of doing myself in the PC world.

If only it worked
Switched to Mac? Switch back.

I built an 802.11b network for the PCs in my house. I set up everything and had it working and tested for a few weeks before tackling the Airport install. Since I'm not usually a Mac user, I thought I'd make sure everything else was working first.

Well, it was the right decision. 8 months later, my Airport card still does not work. I put it in our iBook, and it's recognized, but there is an error message that locks up all the wireless applications and configuration, so the Airport is useless. Yes, I have the right OS version, and I've gotten the latest drivers and applications, but nothing works.

I'll try again, sometime, but it's just really hard to get psyched up for hours and hours of beating your head against the wall, trying to get something to work.

Hey, it might work out of the box for you. If you have an older iBook, though, I'd prepare for a struggle. ... Read more

Features

• Exchange files or play multiplayer games at data transfer rates of up to 54 Mbps
• Compatible with the industry-standard 802.11b wireless networking protocol
• Range of up to 50 feet at 54 Mbps and up to 150 feet at 11 Mbps
• Join any of the thousands of Wi-Fi certified 802.11b wireless "hot spots" that are currently running in coffeehouses, bookstores, and airports
• 128-bit WEP encryption for secure connections

Features

• Weighted base and non-skid feet stay put
• Seven USB ports to connect up to seven devices
• USB 2.0 delivers up to 40 times the speed of USB 1.1
• Free FlyLight included
• Works with USB 2.0 and 1.1

Product Description

The Linksys Cable Modem is the easiest and most affordable way to get a blazing fast connection to the Internet ... Read more

Features

• USB or Ethernet connection
• Up to 42 Mbps download speeds, 10 Mbps upload
• "Always On" connection; no more busy signals or timeouts
• Vertical footprint makes positioning easy
• Fully compatible with Linksys routers to connect multiple computers to broadband internet

Reviews (142)

Comcast NJ users MUST call COMCAST with MAC Address
Just revising my previous review. I have been experiencing intermittent failures of internet connectivity over long stretches of constant online time like 2-8 hours. I called COMCAST and they said that since their DOCSIS 1.0 implementation they have some sort of software application that runs around the network making sure that the MAC address that is linked to their leased IP address MATCHES the MAC address in their provisioning database. Since my Cable Modem had not been provisioned through Comcast, this software application would disconnect me for about 5-10 minutes at a time. After registration of the MAC Address, Serial #, and Model number, Comcast assures me (wink!) that this will never happen again.

BTW, I had an old Motorola Comcast provided modem that was non-DOCSIS compliant and did not have a MAC address and ever since the DOCSIS 1.0 conversion I had been experiencing the same thing but the frequency has increased. Of course, I never thought about the lack of a MAC address until I got the new modem.

Anyway, still a great deal, but just make sure your cable provider has all the information that they need.

Comcast NJ User - Works out of the box
I am a Comcast HSI customer in NJ for the last 3 years with a rented modem at $7/month. I unboxed this modem, made all the physical connections, and it all worked without a hitch!! The directions state that it can take a little while for the modem to acquire a signal and it did. The modem took about 10 minutes to get a signal, and didn't, so I powered cycled the box and then it attain the signal within 5 minutes after that. I did not have to call anyone to enable it with Comcast. I started using it within 20 minutes of openning the box.

The download rates appear much faster and it worked seemlessly with my Linksys 4 port Cable/DSL Router which I highly recommend as well

Comment on Windows XP
I recently purchased this modem and I'm using it with ATT. My download speeds are near 2Mbps and I'm loving it. Just wanted to comment that this modem runs really well with Windows XP (what I have) contrary to what others have said here. I'm connecting via an Ethernet card (NIC), and I think most of the problems with XP are from those who are connecting via the USB port (Linksys has not yet released the USB driver for XP, hence the problems). Anyway, if you are connecting via an ethernet card, this modem is the way to go!

Bad Modem with AT&T
I love most Linksys products but after reapeated phone calls and trying everything imaginable, we couldn't get this modem to work with AT&T in the Seattle area. Swithed to an RCA DCM 245 and everything worked likea charm

A Superb AT&T Approved Modem Replacement
The replacement of this modem using AT&T(Tech Vincent)online
tech chat was done efficently, fast and mentally painless. During
chat I was provided a link to AT&T registration site and the
final phase using the AT&T desktop icon was a quick check list
walk through. The first stop on the cyber-speed way was Test My
Speed.com(496kbs). The second stop was PC Pitstop.com for download tests. A 500kb file at 1869kbs and 5000kb at 1344kbs,
download time was rated in ms. This is a attractive appliance
and the color scheme looks good next to my Iomega Zip. For the
capabilities and half the cost of other approved AT&T modems
this is really a good buy. ... Read more

Features

• 108 Mbps with Super G Technology (when used with Netgear WG511T PC Card)
• Smart Wizard gets you up and running in fewer than 5 clicks
• Over 10 security and privacy features including Double Firewall (SPI & NAT)
• 802.11g standard compliance; interoperable with existing 802.11b and 802.11g networks
• Compatible with Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, Mac OS, NetWare, UNIX, or Linux

Reviews (92)

Good...but not without problems
I purchased my WGT624 v2 from amazon.com. As soon as I pulled it out of the box it was constantly rebooting (dropping me off the internet both wired and wireless). I was able to fix it though and I will tell you how and what happened. When I had this problem out of the box, I called for netgears free 90 day support. They were horrible! They answered the phone without a long wait, but they knew very little about this product. They gave me an RMA and I received the new router. Unpakced the replacement and same problem. Updated firmward to latest, and followed all the troubleshooting on the netgear site and I still coudln't fix it. Just when I was ready to return it to amazon I found out how to fix the problem. There is a setting on the router for preamable and it is set to auto by default. Auto is supposed to detect if the card(s) support short preamable (short is usually only useful when there is a lot of interference from other wireless devices in and around the home and most cards don't even support it). I changed the setting from auto to long and that fixed the reboot problems. I have gone around to as many forums as possible to try and post the solution so that others can cure themselves of this problem. It works great now that I found out what the problem was. This is not a router for a novice computer user. If you are a novice I suggest you get a linksys product. This netgear has a lot of features for the price though, and this is just a stupid problem with the firmware.

Hrd2k

Poor Quality Hardware
I own the MR814v2 802.11b router. That is a very stable product, so I figured since I had a WG311 wireless card in my desktop I'd buy another Netgear router for 802.11g. Many of the reviews here were favorable, so I bought on the basis of that.

This product is simply not stable, at least for me. It has to be rebooted constantly. For sure it cannot hold a wireless connection more than 24 hours. I upgraded to the latest firmware, which at the time of writing is 4.1.11. No help whatsoever. I checked on-line, and sure enough many many people have reported similar problems with it (broadbandreports.com). I tried disabling the 108Mb features, but that also didn't help.

So in the end, I'm just returning it after a frustrating weekend.

Great Router
Set up easy. Read all reviews, and bought with some reservations as several negative reviews indicated problems. However, I believe Netgear has them fixed with the version shipping now. Excellent out of box set up, configured both WEP and WAP, settled on using WEP. Use a Netgear 511 wireless card and get 54MBPS thoughout house, about 24-48 outside. Distance of 50+ feet. I have an old house, lathe and plaster walls, hardwood construction and still great reception. Also, have the router in the basement, between an old brick chimney and the furnace. Still, great reception. Recommend!

Bad bad bad - stay away from this one!!!!
I bought this in the hope of setting up a fast network, but this is one worthless piece from Netgear. The router is totally incapable of holding a connection up to both wired and wireless connections on the network. I have v2 HW, and have tried 3 different firmwares. I am convinced that the only people who are happy with this one are the ones that turn their computer off after reuse. If you plan on leaving computers on forget this one.

Netgear's service is even worse. They finally agreed that this is a problem with the router, and that its not a first or uncommon thing for the router. The WGT634U is equally bad. The problems seem to stem from 108Mbps not being a stable standard yet. I would get a 54G router for now, and revisit 108 in a year or so when such issues may just be behind. For now I am returning this and if Netgear does not agree to give me another product in return or my money back, i am never coming back to their products again either.

Easy setup, good performance, no problems
I purchased the WGT624 and the WG511T as a pair. Installation was easy (followed the manual) and performance is obviously better than the 802.11b router/WAP this replaced. After getting everything to work I performed the autoupdate for the WGT624 with no problems. As expected, I don't get 100mbps performance, but with notebook in the same room as WAP I get solid 45mbps file transfers. I use this router in combination with some remote 802.11b WAPs. I configured two profiles for the WG511T (11b only and superG only)and apply the appropriate profile for the WAP I want - works great.
Also, the range is better than with my older 11b system.

I clearly haven't experienced the problems others have expressed - I'm completely satisfied with these products. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Switch provides an easy and flexible way to boost your network's performance while migrating to the power of Fast Ethernet. It is designed to meet the needs of small businesses, medium-size businesses, and small-office/home-office networks, and it allows you to run high-end video, multimedia, and other speed-intensive applications at blistering speeds.

With support for half- and full-duplex speeds, the switches allow your network to run at 10 Mbps, 20 Mbps, 100 Mbps, and an incredible 200 Mbps, which provides a cost-effective solution if you ever decide to upgrade your Ethernet network. The EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Switch eliminates data bottlenecks and bandwidth constraints, optimizing network performance while protecting your investment in your existing infrastructure. By migrating your entire network to 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet with the EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Switch, you will have the power to double your network's performance with dedicated, full-duplex bandwidth on every port. ... Read more

Features

• 10/100 dual-speed per-port auto sensing
• Perfect for optimizing 10-BaseT and 100-BaseTX hardware on the same network
• Uplink port for easy expansion and maximum scalability
• Reach speeds of up to 200 Mbps in full-duplex operation
• Eliminate bandwidth constraints and clear up bottlenecks

Reviews (49)

Best bang for the buck
First off, in case anyone out there doesn't know, there are a few advantages to purchasing a switch rather than a hub. The main advantage, for most users anyway, is that a switch provides optimal bandwidth to all ports, whereas a hub splits available bandwidth between all active users. This means that if you are sharing a cable modem for example with others in a house/office building, connection speed will not be reduced when multiple users connected to the switch are online.

Now, as for this little baby, as soon as I saw the price I grabbed it instantly. The Linksys name had been mentioned to me favorably before, and the going price was within a few dollars of most 5-port hubs. I have been using it for 5 months now to share the cable modem in my apartment, and I can honestly say I have never had a single difficulty. Setup was quick and easy, I was online in less than 5 minutes. The whole device is smaller than most alarm clocks, so storage is hardly an issue. Overall, this is a best buy hands down, anyone out there who needs inexpensive networking equipment, this is the way to go.

Worth the money!
Thinking of setting up a network? Wish yours would run faster? If so, this is the product for you. Installation is simple. If you can plug a network card into your pci slot you can have your network up and running in minutes. (If you dont know how to plug in a network card, it will take about 5 extra minutes) Anyway, Don't buy a hub. A switch is full duplex meaning it can send and recieve data at the same time. Also with a hub, all ports share the bandwith. ie a 5 port 100m hub w/ all five ports being used = 20m per port. while a switch runs 100m per port, reguardless of how many ports are being used.. And in full duplex mode 200m per port. Also if your looking for computer y on a hub, it must check each port until computer y is found. This switch will know that computer y is on port 4, so you will go right to it, and save time. all n all a great product, as are all linksys products...

Excellent Little Switch - Does What it's Designed For!
This switch does exactly what it's designed for, sharing an Ethernet connnection. Don't expect to be able to configure VLANs, multilayer switching, VLAN trunks, load balancing, etc. This does not have any routing, NAT, or firewall capabilities. You would use this switch when you already have a router between your internal network and the Internet, and you need additional Ethernet ports. This gives you a full duplex Ethernet connection at wired speed, and it delivers! Perfect for the home office/LAN or for technicians needing extra Etherenet ports for their workbench, as this is what I use mine for. Thanks for reading! Hope this helps!

Perfect little unit
I had been using a Linksys router for a few years before buying this switch. Then I changed to a new DSL provider (Frontiernet) whose modem is also a router, so I picked up this switch to split my connection to various computers in my home (having two routers on Frontiernet caused problems with TCP port forwarding). First, I was surprised by the compact size of the switch. I hooked it up and it was good to go - a slick connection and no messing around. It is a perfect companion to the Speedstream 5200 DSL modem, and probably many others.

great with xbox linked gaming
many people use this to connect there computers well if you own an xbox you can use it to link 4 xboxs without the need to connect to the internet with live making you spend 60 bucks instead buy this link. it lost one star for eing very bulky. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Want the utmost in network security for your office? Netgear's FVS318 ProSafe VPN firewall provides business-class protection at a NAT router price. This completely equipped, broadband-capable Virtual Private Network (VPN) firewall is a true firewall and provides it all--Denial of Service protection and intrusion detection using Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), URL access and content filtering, logging, reporting, and real-time alerts. Up to 253 users can access your broadband connection at the same time.

The router's Smart Wizard connects to your ISP quickly; the easy-to-use Web-based configuration screen and install assistant reduce setup time. Remote administration capability makes connecting to multiple sites a breeze.

Make a VPN connection to other FVS318 routers or through client software. Support for DHCP (client and server) as well as Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) allows for easy, widespread deployment. The router initiates up to eight IPSec VPN tunnels simultaneously, allowing for secured connections to branch offices and an on-the-go mobile workforce. ... Read more

Features

• Initiates up to 8 IPSec VPN tunnels simultaneously
• Stateful Packet Inspection Firewall with VPN pass-through and routing
• Eight ultra-fast 10/100 Mbps LAN ports
• Securely connects mobile workforce and branch offices to main office resources
• Easy-to-use Web browser-based setup, configuration, and remote management

Features

• Up to 108 Mbps to your desktop PC with Super G technology (when used with the WGT624 router), 10x the speed of 802.11b
• New antenna technology allows greater range than ever before
• Setup is quick and easy with NETGEAR’s Smart Wizard install assistant
• 802.11g standard compliance; interoperable with existing 802.11b and 802.11g networks.
• 128-bit WEP encryption, upgradeable to Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

Reviews (3)

The technology isn't there yet
I put this PCI card into my 900mhz AMD Atholon 256mb, and it crashed windows on its very first try. After spending 4 hours reinstalling windows xp it would crash and restart my computer every time.
The product worked ok on my Dell Pentium IV 2.4ghz. Still I'd rather use a wired rather than wireless because the connection isn't very stable. I did keep the Netgearrouter WGT624, for my laptop which works pretty good, maybe because it's a pentium wireless card in there. But for the near futures I'll keep 3 of my desktops wired.
Don't get this unless you absollutely have to.

Overall, I am very pleased with the performance of this card
-
I installed the NETGEAR WG3111T 108 mbps Wireless PCI Adapter while still utilizing my Microsoft MN-500, 11 mbps router. I find it easier to resolve any issues by taking things one step at a time. After the adapter card is operating correctly, I will then install the new NETGEAR WGT624 108 mbps router. I have Windows XP Home edition.

First word of advice, for this or any other piece of hardware: Go to the NETGEAR website (www.netgear.com) and check out the support area, and see if there is a newer version of the device driver and the utility software. If at all possible, download and install those BEFORE you install the WG3111T. It would have saved me a lot of time if I had done this myself.

Installation started smoothly. The Smart Configuration Utility setup the new network connection easily even while my old MSN-510 adapter was connected and operating. The utility listed my available network. I selected it and entered my encryption key. All I had to do was disconnect the old adapter and the NETGEAR WG3111T was up and going.

Then I restarted my computer... and I began losing connectivity. When McAfee VirusScan was installing, it would get "synchronization errors" and "VSMain errors". When AOL started up the network would lose connectivity and the IP address was getting changed to 169.254.120.96 or other variations of 169.254. The IP address was also getting changed when I uninstalled CyberSitter. If I ran the Smart Configuration Utility and hit APPLY, then everything would be fine until I restarted AOL. After going to the NETGEAR website and checking out the support area, I found a newer version of the device driver and the utility software. After downloading and installing these, everything is going just fine.

Since the antenna sticks out of the card, I was a little concerned about reception but the signal strength turned out to be a little better than with my Microsoft MN-510, 11mbs Wireless USB Adapter. I do have to remember to fold the antenna in before I move the computer around since I get the best reception by sticking the antenna straight out. (The computer is on third floor and router is in my basement ceiling.) The instructions tell you to point the antenna up.

After I installed the NETGEAR WGT624 108 mbps router, the WG3111T found the new network and was operating without any effort on my part. When the router broadcast channel was changed, the WG3111T picked-up the change automatically. The reception is consistently in the "excellent" range (and runs at 108 mbps), but it does drop to "very good" (and 54 mbps) briefly. Your reception will be based on the location of your router and receivers.

Fast and Easy
This card went in without any problems, setup was simple enough anyone could do it. I'm using mine with the WGT634U, which will have an external hard drive connected to it next. What more could you ask for? A fast setup, fast secure connection, and no operating problems, superior range, and a quality name brand. ... Read more

Features

• Use one USB keyboard, monitor and USB mouse to control two USB computers
• Share your multimedia speakers among the two connected computers
• Full support for Mac and Sun systems
• Supports special keys on Mac and Sun keyboards
• Port selection through convenient Hot Keys

Reviews (8)

Works ok, but audio is unusable
The unit seems to work as advertised, except for the audio. I bought one and couldn't get anything but very underpowered and very tinny audio to come out of my speakers. The speakers worked fine plugged directly into a computer. I spoke with tech support and they said it must be a defective unit. I returned to the store and exchanged it for a new one and have the same exact results. Based on other reviews here I'm of the opinion that this thing cannot pass thru a quality audio signal. I sent another note to tech support asking for the audio specs. If I get them I'll update this review.

Good Switch, Terrible Audio
I'm a Mac user who just bought a Windows PC for gaming, and wanted to keep my existing monitor/keyboard/mouse/audio setup. The Miniview looked perfect. Well, it's almost perfect. Hooking it up was no problem, and the switching works fine for everything but audio. Using their audio pass-through, I only got the left channel and the sound was really underpowered -- tinny and quiet. This confirms another review here at Amazon criticizing the Iogear Miniview's poor audio. Still, I couldn't find another unit that would do what this one does for the price, so unless you want to move up to a switching hub, this guy is probably your bet. In my case, I have an external amplifier for the computer speakers (the excellent Cambridge Soundworks Model Twelve), so I can just run a separate audio cable from the PC into the amp and then switch audio that way when needed -- not a great solution, but good enough.

Very Satisfied
One reviewer said that extra keyboard and mouse buttons don't work with IO Gear Micro KVM's. Well, with the GCS632U the extra buttons on my Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer and the extra buttons on my keyboard - which they're aren't alot on a Grandtec Virtually Indestructible Keyboard: power, sleep, and suspend - do work. I'm skeptical that the unhappy reviewer has actually tried the GCS632U model.

The mouse and keyboard input to each computer comes in via a single USB connection, which frees up an extra USB port if you need that.

I haven't tried the audio switching part because I'm not really interested in that feature.

Works perfectly on Macs
I did quite a bit of research before buying this model, and I am very pleased that this one works as advertised. To change keystrokes for switching on Mac you need to access numlock which you can do by typing option-clear. I have had no trouble at all with this switch and it works very fast since it emulates a keyboard and monitor at all times, so the disconnected machine doesn't need to wake up. A great product all in all (especially having suffered in the past with manual ADB switchboxes which gave all kinds of problems with slow mice etc).

Dishonesty
With IOGEAR MiniView Micro KVM switches such as GCS632U and GCS52U, you will lose function of the extra keys or buttons on your mouse and keyboard. And yet, you will have to try one to find out. ... Read more

Features

• Establish up to 70 virtual private networks (VPNs)
• Uses DES and 3DES encryption and authentication to secure your sensitive data
• Eliminates the need to install VPN client software
• IP routing supports a variety of popular applications
• Built-in firewall provides exceptional network security

Reviews (31)

Cheap VPN
I've been lookiing for a solid, inexpensive VPN solution for quite some time so I was pleased to find this little router. I had no problems configuring the unit to connect to a Watchguard Firebox II and a Nortel Networks Contivity 100S, both of which inhabit my equipment rack at the office. Configuring VPN's can be frustrating if you are unfamiliar with the technology but this product has a very simple interface and a bit of time spent educating yourself about IPSec will ease the setup.

Highly recommended.

Disappointing
I have and still use this product, but the problems with it are serious for the non-technical user and technical user alike.

There are problems with the firmware and the DHCP on the WAN side (for those who don't know, if you get your IP assigned to you on the fly by your ISP when you log in, you're getting a Dynamic IP using DHCP.)It will cease to update properly after a few days. The only way to fix this is to reset the router either by powering it off and on, or by forcing a soft boot of the router. Neither is a good option.

The VPN software will work with XP & Win2k but only if you have a static IP to go to. This too is a firmware problem. Also the event logging and SMNP reporting ceases to perform after only a couple hours at most.

The Linksys service people will not acknowledge there is a problem unless you point to the Broadband webside and all the regularly reported problems from others. Their immediate response is that it must be you or that specific box (it's not, it's the firmware).

I got this router because I'd had good experience previously from Linksys. Their other products are decent, but this one is heading towards the lemon pile fast.

I AM connecting still using this product, and the features for port triggering and other aspects of the products features do work, but I had to do a dramatic workaround to make one of my computers force a reset every 8 hours to keep it working all the time.

Look at other products first.

Do yourself a favor - get a NetGear FVS328
I've been using this router for almost 2 years. Recently it just stopped working - I think it finally burned out, probably due to all of the heat it generates while running. Besides that, I found that it was very slow, compared with other routers. Its VPN implementation works OK, but its slow also - I don't know why, since its hardware!!! I replaced it with a NetGear FVS328, I now my VPN connections are about 4 times faster, and my regular web browsing is a lot faster. Do yourself a favor get the NetGear!

Considering the price, it's pretty good...
I found this box when looking for an affordable firewall and vpn solution for remote users. On site, we're using Symantec products, including Velociraptor and their firewall V 6.5.3. The Symantec products are quite expensive (in the thousands of dollars) and count user licenses. Symantec support was absolutely horrible at a cost of nearly a grand a year. So, when pricing firewalls (especially with vpn) the linksys is absolutely dirt cheap.

When testing vpn solutions, I found IKE unreliable regardless of manufacturer, particularly when mixing different manufacturers (i.e., Linksys connecting to Symantec). I bought support from Symantec specifically to resolve VPN issues. The most intelligent comment that I received from them, is that VPN is still new to the extent there are not clear standards, so some products simply will not work with those from another manufacturer. In our organization, we have Netscreen 5xp (about $500 for a box smaller than the linksys) Sonicwall, Symantec (several flavors) and Linksys. The Linksys boxes are used remotely (in homes) only.

So, when working with IKE, I have some experience using different products from different manufacturers. I just don't use it. All tunnels are created with static keys. By far, the most difficult products for which to build tunnels are the Symantec products. The naming conventions are absolutely counter-intuitive, i.e., is it the integrity algorithm key or the privacy algorithm key that establishes the connection vs encrypting the data? The Linksys fields are much more intuitive, and similar to those of other manufacturers.

With the (also expensive) Sonic firewalls, it was not possible to build 3DES tunnels with the Linksys due to limitations with the Sonicwall. I'm able to use 3DES tunnels between the Linksys and Symantec products. I'm only able to build 3DES tunnels between the Symantec products and SOME Sonicwall products. This goes back to lack of a clear standard, restrictions on key length, some products allowing non-standard characters, and others not, etc. The Linksys is very configurable with these more expensive products, and it is the more expensive product that usually is the problem.

Regarding reliabiliy, I work from home on a daily basis, and the tunnel will remain up for months at a time. If the firewall service is restarted on the Symantec product, the tunnel drops until it is reset on the Linksys. This can be done by disabling and re-enabling, or simply rebooting the router. I simply do not worry about hacks to my home PC which runs 24x7.

Over all, the product is fantastic considering the price. For those who've been very negative, I can only say that I've not experienced it with at least half a dozen in service, and suggest that they try some other products to gain a more true comparison. I've also called Linkys support a couple of times, and consider it reasonably good. Perhaps they're not experts, but it was far less stressful than talking to Symantec (costing nearly a grand per year for the privilage) only to find a support tech that was overburdened and over stressed (perhaps from handling a complex and difficult issue for the gazzilionth time) and who made it absolutely clear that you'll come away feeling like a bumbling idiot each time you call. Consider that you get what you pay for, and paying allot is not a guarantee that all will go well. I'm a network admin for a small company.

A disappointment all around
I purchased a pair of Linksys BEFVP41 units to connect two office networks, and to provide for secure remote network access through VPNs to mobile users. While the units performed the former job adequately, the latter left a lot to be desired.

I should have known better when presented with Linksys' confusing marketing information. In one breath (from their web site) they say, "No IPSec VPN Client Software Needed," while in another say, "Mobile workers can also connect to a corporate network using an IPSec based VPN client software solution." As usual, there's a slight gulf between marketing spin and reality.

For PC-to-box connections, such as those with mobile users, it's true that no special client software is needed. Windows 2000 and XP users can, in fact, connect to the BEFVP41 without special software, but only if the computer has a static IP address. Whether on local networks or in a coffee shop hotspot, it's unlikely the typical desktop user will have a static IP address, which translated means that, in fact, VPN client software IS needed to make these units useful in that remote network access role.

That's because the BEFVP41 supports only IPSec. Commonly used Windows-based VPNs use PPTP or L2TP, both of which are built into Windows. But this unit (and most others) doesn't provide PPTP or L2TP support.

Back to the requirement, then, for aftermarket IPSec VPN software. The software is not inexpensive, and it adds considerably to the total cost of this Linksys solution. I tested the IPSec client from French company TheGreenBow, and it does work. The problem is that there is no DHCP or other types of dynamic addressing or DNS support; it's merely a "raw" network pipe. For most mobile users, this isn't going to be particularly functional, and that's especially true for users of networks that use Windows Active Directory. (Perhaps the other recommended option, the SoftRemote VPN client, addresses this, but either way, it's a costly add-on.)

All of this left me searching for ways to get PPTP support without buying other hardware. The suggestion widely made was to merely configure a Windows server behind the firewall to offer PPTP, and configure the Linksys BEFVP41 to pass PPTP through. Simply put, this doesn't work.

Linksys' web site features a tech note on how to configure this very scenario. However, had anyone at Linksys actually TESTED the tech note, they would have discovered it doesn't work. The tech note suggests port mapping ports 1723 (PPTP) and 47 (supposedly for GRE, a protocol necessary for PPTP to work properly). The problem is that "47" is NOT A PORT NUMBER, it is the PROTOCOL number of GRE. Mapping port 47 in the firewall has absolutely NO IMPACT WHATEVER on the GRE protocol. Whoever wrote the tech note clearly has very little understanding of the subject matter.

It is possible that some Linksys firewalls will work with PPTP pass-through, but the BEFVP41 clearly does not. Empirical evidence suggests that the GRE protocol is not properly handled internally to support the pass-through scenario. The connection can be made to port 1723 on a Windows server behind the firewall when passed through the Linksys, but without proper GRE handling, the VPN connection can't actually be established.

When you add to all of this a remarkably clunky web management interface, the Linksys BEFVP41 is a non-starter for me. Both units are on their way back to Amazon.com as I write this review. After a previous experience with the company where they took forever to update drivers to fix a compatibility issue; after seeing technically inaccurate tech notes on their support web site; and after adding-in this experience, I'll think twice before bothering with anything Linksys again.

My chosen replacement for the BEFVP41 (a pair of CyberGuard/SnapGear SG300 units) have already arrived, and have proven themselves to be far more flexible, more configurable, and more powerful than the BEFVP41. Along with their configurability, the SG300s provide PPTP and L2TP support directly (in addition to IPSec), making a total solution that (unlike the BEFVP41) TRULY doesn't require special software clients to offer a total office-to-office and mobile-to-office network solution. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

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 SPI firewall.

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. ... Read more

Features

• Supports up to two IPSec Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnels
• Protects PCs from "ping of death", SYN flood, land attacks, IP spoofing, and other DoS (Denial of Service) attacks
• Supports URL filtering and time filtering
• Blocks Java, ActiveX, and cookies
• Easily configurable through a Web browser from any networked PC

Features

• Up to 108 Mbps to your notebook PC with Super G technology (when used with the WGT624 router)
• 802.11g standard compliance; interoperable with existing 802.11b and 802.11g networks
• Setup is quick and easy with Netgear's Smart Wizard install assistant
• 128-bit WEP encryption, upgradeable to Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
• Compatible with Windows XP Home, XP Professional, 2000, Me, 98SE, and 98

Reviews (14)

Couldn't Be Happier
After reading some bad reviews, I was a little concerned, but bought the card anyway. I was glad I did!!! I have a two year old Sony Vaio PCG-R505EL with XP Home. Setup was cake. I plugged in the card, loaded the software, it found my wireless router, and total installation to online time took about 2 minutes. It has great range, even detecting what must be my neighbor's wireless network and when on the road, it has no problems tapping into hotel networks. And with it being Super G, I know the technology will last awhile. I don't know what went wrong with those other computers, but I can tell you my experience has been nothing but great. No heat problems, no range problems, no installation/software problems...I can't name a thing that has gone wrong with this card, it even looks great!

Fantastic card!!
I picked this baby up and have had no problems with it. Before I had this card I thought that there were only 2 wireless hubs in my apartment building, now that I have this card I know that there are 8 wireless hubs in my apt building. The reception on this card is incredible. If you are needing range and speed this is the way to go!! You don't need to have a super G router, it hooks up to my regular G router with no problems. It's great for Wifi spots too. I hit Panera and am on their wireless network in about 1 minute. It is expensive, but now that I have it, I think it's so worth it.

It works great
I dont want to repeat all the good things said about this product. I have always been a netgear fan, because they make solid network equipment. This is my first netgear wireless equipment, and it works great just like other netgear products.

One thing to remember though...you need to download and install the new driver in order to take advantage of the new WPA firewall security feature.

Awesome speed, range, and features.
This card is amazing. It works with 802.11b and 802.11g networks up to 108 mb/sec which is speeeedy fasst. The range is like three times as good as my old 802.11b network, and it is at least ten times as fast. It is easy to install and configure, and it looks nice. I have found no flaws. So buy it now.

Great 108 Mbps Wireless PC Card
My entire wireless network is now made up of Netgear components and this card works great just like the rest of them.
The main feature I like about the card is its ability to operate at 108 Mbps with my WGT634U router (in 108 Auto mode) while still allowing my other notebooks to operate at their 54 Mbps maximum.
The supplied software is just as great as the version that came with my Netgear WAG511 card. So setup and security was a snap.
I am using the card primarily on a KDS laptop running Windows Me (I know) which is a small wonder in its own right. It runs great without any problems or blue screens (knock wood).
From time to time, I use the card in my Dell Inspiron 8100 running Windows XP Professional. I have to interchange it with a Xircom NIC/Modem card I'm using though but still no major issues in doing so.
I originally got the WAG511 card because of its dual band a/b/g capibilities but it only achieved 108 with my router in 108 only mode which would not allow my other 54 cards to function. Hopefully, Netgear will release a new driver for 108 auto support like that of this WG511T card. ... Read more

Features

• Up to 54 Mbps
• Easy to Install. No Software/Driver Required
• 802.11b Compatible
• OS/Platform Independent

Reviews (9)

Too bad DLink dropped the ball.
I am usually a fan of DLink products but they really dropped it on this so called bridge. This is absolutely not a bridge. If you are looking for speeds slower than 802.11b this would be perfect but DLink insists on using terms like "turbo" and "extreme" Two tin cans and a piece of string communicate more effectively than two of these relatively pricey units.

Awesome Performance from such a Little Box!
Having this DWL-G810 Wireless Bridge is a great addition to any network ready device. I have this wireless bridge configured to connect to my network with 108Mbps speeds, and I can plug and unplug this into any network ready device. For example I've plugged it into my Playstation2, my computer in the garage when I want Internet access, a laptop when my friend came over, and even my Dad's PDA with Ethernet adapter installed.

The setup is rather simple, just follow the instructions, reboot the box and plug it into whatever you want. Just make sure it is within range, and sometimes fiddling with the antenna helps with the signal.

Working perfect (with right settings!)
OK. I have DI-624, DWL-G650 and DWL-G810.
I connected my KISS DP-500 Network DVD to the DWL-G810 and everything is working perfect, but you will need to work with settings for a few minutes.

DI-624:

Firmware - 2.42
Open System
WEP Disabled (#1)
TX Rate - Auto
Transmit Power - 100%
Beacon - 100
RTS - 2346
Fragmentation - 2346
DTIM - 1
Preamble - Short
SSID Broadcast - Disabled (#2)
802.11g only - Disabled
CTS - Auto
Super G Mode - Super G with Dynamic Turbo

DWL-G810:

Firmware - 2.12
Static IP
No Gateway Address (#3)
Infrastructure mode
WEP Disabled (#1)
TX Rate - Auto
Authentication - Open System
Super Mode - Super G with Dynamic Turbo

#1 - First you can try with security settings disabled and later you can enable security.
#2 - Guys: broadcast SSID is NOT necesary! No security issues!
#3 - this is the key!

Unplug both devices and it's done!

Doesn't even work with other D-Link Products
I purchased the product to use with a ReplayTV unit. I followed the instructions for configuring it (a pain; see other reviews). While the DWL-G810 would "see" my D-Link DI-824VUP (router with wireless access point), it wouldn't connect to it even with the DWL-G810 within a few feet of the router, using all default settings, and encryption turned off. I found D-Link's customer service to be unhelpful and ultimately returned the product. My D-Link router works fine with my wired network, but I would avoid their wireless products.

SECURITY PROBLEM -- AVOID
First of all, don't take my word on this, follow up by going to broadbandreports.com and search on DWL-G810. The security issue is that this device WILL NOT work unless you are broadcasting the SSID of your wireless network. This applies to the shipping firmware 2.0 and the newer firmware 2.12. This is the deal killer for me since I don't want to expose my network's SSID. I'm actually quite pissed off at DLINK over this.

By contrast, DLINK's "range extender" (aka wireless repeater) DWL-G800AP actually WORKS with SSID broadcast disabled, so one can see that DLINK could overcome this security issue.

The remaining issues are these:

(1) It won't support DHCP from your router to any PC hooked up to the bridge. You might think, hey, I'll configure my PC for DHCP and it will get the IP info from the router through the bridge connection. Wrong! It won't work.

(2) The router itself does not work for obtaining DHCP from the router EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THIS AS AN OPTION. This is outrageous and completely unacceptable. Confirmed on BroadbandReports.com and by DLINK's Level 2 support.

Bottom line is that, while it works, it's entirely manual in the configuration and the SSID broadcast requirement is a security vulnerabilit not worth enduring. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With Vonage, you can make calls through the Internet, potentially save on long-distance charges, and access a rich assortment of call features. Plans start as low as $14.99 per month, and the Premium Unlimited plan offers unlimited calling to the U.S. and Canada for only $24.99 per month. And it's easy to use: For making and receiving calls,Vonage works just like a traditional phone service; no special access codes or account numbers are required.

Easy Hardware Setup

All Vonage plans let you enjoy the call features you've become accustomed to—call waiting, caller ID, voicemail, call forwarding, three-way calling, call return, repeat dialing, and reliable long distance—plus other features that may be new to you. For example, you can receive your voicemail as an email attachment, and you'll have a phone number that travels with you.Visit http://www.vonage.com/amazon to see which plan is best suited to your lifestyle and budget. The low monthly rates are quite reasonably priced,in our opinion, and with them you may save considerably compared to traditional phone service. International calls are available for additional low fees, with one economical exception: calls from the U.S.to Canada are treated like domestic long distance calls, rather than international. Vonage also supports short-form emergency 911 services, where available.

This Vonage Internet Phone Service Starter Kit is quick and easy to install in your home or business. All you need is a high-speed Internet connection (cable or DSL modem) and a touchtone phone. Setup is simple: Just connect one end of the included Vonage-certified Linksys PAP2 phone adapter to your Ethernet router or gateway and the other end to your telephone. Then sign up for Vonage phone service. An extra port on the adapter allows you to attach an additional phone or fax machine.You'll have instant access to both phone lines, each with a separate number, and you can even assign them different area codes (subject to availability).You can still surf the web while talking on the phone or receiving faxes. The phone adapter includes a generous three-year warranty from the manufacturer.

What's in the Box
Linksys phone adapter, power adapter, user's guide on CD-ROM, network cable, quick installation card, Vonage Internet PhoneService Starter plan, support information and promotional offers, registration card

... Read more

Features

• Unlimited calling to the U.S. and Canada only $24.99 per month, other plans as low as $14.99
• All plans include call waiting, caller ID, voicemail, call forwarding, and many more features
• Voicemail can be checked online or by phone or forwarded via email
• Use your current phone; keep your existing phone number or choose a new one
• 2 ports for analog phones or fax, so you could have 2 separate phone numbers

Features

• Gigabit bandwidth for moving large files quickly
• Stylish Design- looks great flat or in provided stand
• Smart- honors 802.1p priority tags, great for VoIP applications
• Self-cooling, no-fan design means quiet operation
• Stand included

Amazon.com Product Description

Specially designed for PCs equipped with a USB port, the Proconnect compact USB four-port hub from Linksys offers instant connectivity for up to four USB devices. Plug in peripherals like digital cameras, Ethernet adapters, modems, printers, mice, keyboards, scanners, and portable data storage devices in seconds.

Ready to run, right out of the box, this compact USB four-port hub makes high-speed, low-cost expansion a snap. The hub allows four USB devices to be configured and ready for use as soon as you plug them in. Equipped with advanced hot-swap technology, the hub even lets you attach or detach USB devices while your computer is on, making it possible to switch devices on the fly!

The Linksys Proconnect compact USB four-port hub offers data transfer rates of up to 12 Mbps, which makes it perfect for speed-hungry multimedia, gaming, and Ethernet networking applications. For added expandability, you can daisy chain the hub to additional USB hubs. Use up to 127 USB devices at the same time. ... Read more

Features

• Access up to 4 USB devices simultaneously
• Offers simultaneous access to all devices
• Fast 12 Mbps data transfer rate
• Daisy-chain multiple USB hubs together
• Plug and play