J
Jim
Greetings!
I'm going batty reading and trying to decipher DSL router/switch specs
and features. I'm down to 3, the Linksys BEFSX41, Netgear FR114P, and
Microsoft MN-100. I will be connecting 3 PCs (1 XP Pro & 2 98SE) via
100mbp NICs to a peer network as well as to DSL. Important additional
dsl router/switch features for me are firewall, VPN, and possibly a
print server.
If you've had experience with any of those 3 I would like to hear
about them and I have a few questions about each if you know the
answers. Here's why I narrowed my choices down to those.
- Linksys BEFSX41
What I liked: I've read favorable reviews including a recommendation
by the fine folks at PracticallyNetworked.com, It has virtually every
feature I want except for a print server, but that's icing on the cake
I can live without.
What I'm unsure of: Some users insist this device requires expensive
crossover cables ONLY. Any truth to that? Also, "Supported transport
Protocols" specification only lists IPSec, PPTP, PPPoE. The other 2
also support TCP/IP, L2TP, and UDP/IP in addition. What's the
difference? NOT supporting TCP/IP really sounds suspect to me, but
I'm a serious newbie, so if anyone could please explain...
- Netgear FR114P
What I liked: Reportedly very solid company with top notch service and
support. This model even has the print server, but its specs say "VPN
pass through" where the Linksys says it's a VPN Endpoint. What's the
difference and why one over the other?
What I'm unsure of: A disgruntled user review says this model cannot
forward ports successfully. Is this true? If so, is it a feature I'd
likely miss? Why?
- Microsoft MN-100
Also recommended, but I can't find good info on this one at all. One
web site said it DID have a print server function, but no other site
(including MS) says anything about it. I'm doubtful. In addition,
how many PC's can it support. That seems conspicuously absent too.
Is this really a router/switch kind of setup like the above 2 that can
handle my PC networking or just a broadband router? If so, will I
need a switch or hub as well? Price is attractive, but lack of info
worries me. Anybody using one?
Many thanks,
Jim
I'm going batty reading and trying to decipher DSL router/switch specs
and features. I'm down to 3, the Linksys BEFSX41, Netgear FR114P, and
Microsoft MN-100. I will be connecting 3 PCs (1 XP Pro & 2 98SE) via
100mbp NICs to a peer network as well as to DSL. Important additional
dsl router/switch features for me are firewall, VPN, and possibly a
print server.
If you've had experience with any of those 3 I would like to hear
about them and I have a few questions about each if you know the
answers. Here's why I narrowed my choices down to those.
- Linksys BEFSX41
What I liked: I've read favorable reviews including a recommendation
by the fine folks at PracticallyNetworked.com, It has virtually every
feature I want except for a print server, but that's icing on the cake
I can live without.
What I'm unsure of: Some users insist this device requires expensive
crossover cables ONLY. Any truth to that? Also, "Supported transport
Protocols" specification only lists IPSec, PPTP, PPPoE. The other 2
also support TCP/IP, L2TP, and UDP/IP in addition. What's the
difference? NOT supporting TCP/IP really sounds suspect to me, but
I'm a serious newbie, so if anyone could please explain...
- Netgear FR114P
What I liked: Reportedly very solid company with top notch service and
support. This model even has the print server, but its specs say "VPN
pass through" where the Linksys says it's a VPN Endpoint. What's the
difference and why one over the other?
What I'm unsure of: A disgruntled user review says this model cannot
forward ports successfully. Is this true? If so, is it a feature I'd
likely miss? Why?
- Microsoft MN-100
Also recommended, but I can't find good info on this one at all. One
web site said it DID have a print server function, but no other site
(including MS) says anything about it. I'm doubtful. In addition,
how many PC's can it support. That seems conspicuously absent too.
Is this really a router/switch kind of setup like the above 2 that can
handle my PC networking or just a broadband router? If so, will I
need a switch or hub as well? Price is attractive, but lack of info
worries me. Anybody using one?
Many thanks,
Jim