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Three-Way Router Shootout

Posted Apr 12, 2001 by riggieri  

With the advent of broadband internet access in the home, there has been
more security holes opened by having always on internet access.  And
with more than one computer in many homes, a router just makes
sense.  We at PC Mechanic, have scoured the earth to bring you, our
readers, a in-depth look at three different routers.  Each of these
router includes a firewall, and built in switch.  The firewall to
protect you and you family/business from intruders who want your information. 
The switch will allow you to share you high-speed internet access
throughout your home/business.  Lets look at the
contestants!  

Linksys EtherFast 8-Port Cable/DSL Router

Features

  • 8 Port 10/100 Full Duplex Switch
  • SNMP Provides Port Security, Packet Filtering,
    IP Multicast, and Filters Internal User’s Access
  • Identify Up to Four Ports for High or Low
    Port-Based Prioritization

  • QoS Capabilities Based on 802.1p and IP TOS/DS
    Greatly Reduces the Chance of Data Loss Based on Weight
    Round-Robin (WRR)

  • Supports PPPoE
  • Full Wirespeed Layer Two Switching on All LAN
    Ports

  • 1K MAC Address Table Means Both Auto Address
    Learning and Aging

  • Configurable Through Any Networked PC’s Web
    Browser

  • Acts as a DHCP Server
  • Administrators Can Block Specific Internal
    Users’ Internet Access

  • Supports WinSock 2.0 and Windows 2000 Smart
    Applications

Connectivity

  • 8 10/100Mbps Full Duplex LAN ports
  • 1 10Mbps Wan Port
  • Port 8 Can be switched from either straight
    through or uplink
  • Reset Switch

LEDs

  • 1 QoS 
  • 1 Power
  • LAN - Link/Activity, Full Duplex/Collison, and
    100Mbps
  • WAN - Link, Act, Diag

Package Contents

  • Router
  • Power Cord
  • Documentaion

 

Netgear RT314 4-Port Cable/DSL Router

Features

  • Combination switch and router
    creates full-duplex back bone

  • 4-port, 10/100 switch

  • DSL or cable modem connection

  • NAT technology prevents hackers

  • Firewall security and control

  • Plug and Play convenience

  • Com Port Manager interface

Connectivity

  • 4 10/100Mbps full Duplex LAN
    Ports

  • 1 10Mbps WAN port

  • 1 RS-232 9-pin Manager interace

LEDs

  • Power

  • Test

  • LAN - Link/Activity, and 100Mbps

  • WAN - Link/Activity

Package Contents

  • Router

  • Power Cord

  • 1 CAT-5 Cable

  • Documentation and 
    Resource CD

 

 

Barricade 8 Port 10/100 Mbps Broadband Router

Features

  • Firewall security against hackers
  • Simultaneous Internet access for up to 253 PCs
    on the LAN using only one IP address
  •  LAN and IP addresses auto-assigned and
    easily managed
  • Connect to a cable modem, xDSL router, dial-up
    modem, ISDN or Ethernet backbone.
  • 7-port 10/100 Mbps switch versatility plus one
    port for WAN connection
  • All-in-one networking solution provides
    switching, IP sharing, print server, and firewall security
  • Print server access from any PC on the web. No
    need to keep one powered-up and dedicated, thus additional
    memory is available. Browser- based management and monitoring of
    server
  • IP routing supports wide range of popular
    applications
  • Dramatic enhancement of multimedia and gaming
    connections
  • Password protected browser - based user
    interface
  • Internet firewall security against hackers

Connectivity

  • 7 10/100Mbps Full Duplex LAN Ports
  • 1 10Mbps WAN port
  • 1 RS-232 9-pin COM Port
  • 1 Parallel port

LEDs

  • Power

  • M1

  • M2

  • Com

  • Col

  • Loop

  • WAN

  • LAN

  • LAN - Link/Act, 100Mbps, Full
    Duplex

Package Contents

  • Router

  • Power cord

  • 2 CAT-5 Cables

  • Driver and Resource CD

 

 

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