Netgear Solves Broadband Woes

Solution providers will find a laundry list of features in the FVM318, making it a one-stop solution for most broadband-enabled networks. Many broadband ISPs frequently change the IP addresses of their sites, which hardens security but makes it difficult to remotely administer broadband networks and maintain connections. Netgear's firewall includes dynamic DNS, which solves that dilemma by assigning a common URL to the temporary address and updating the assignment whenever the address changes. The FVM318 supports Dynamic DNS from TZO.com, DynDns.org and oray.net. Solution providers will find the service easy to enable, but the unit lacks a test function or log entry, which would allow solution providers to check the Dynamic DNS status.

The FVM318 is designed to be the centerpiece of a small network, allowing it to share connections easily. Solution providers will appreciate the unit's integration of a 10/100 Ethernet switch, which should provide ample ports for most small networks. Additional connectivity is provided via the unit's integrated 802.11b (Wi-Fi) transceiver. Wi-Fi-compatible systems will be able to quickly connect to the unit.

Netgear strives to bring enterprise-level security to broadband-based connections, with the added bonus of full VPN support for both wired and wireless clients. Netgear has combined the feature sets of a Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall with a VPN server and a broadband router to create a secure entry point for both DSL and cable-modem-based Internet connections.

For wireless security, solution providers can employ WEP encryption or wireless VPN support, or they can filter connections based on MAC addresses. The wireless VPN option offers the best security and uses IPsec for encryption. Netgear includes SafeNet's SoftRemote Basic VPN client on the installation CD. SoftRemote Basic is suitable for securing wireless connections. Netgear's FVM318 can support as many as 32 WLAN VPN connections.

For smaller offices looking to control Internet access, the FVM318 also offers basic content filtering capabilities. Administrators can define who can visit particular sites on the Internet. The filtering capability can be driven by a schedule, allowing administrators to establish specific times of the day when access is limited. Content filtering can also be driven by key words or site URLs, or a combination of the above. Although the included filtering capability is not as robust as a dedicated content filtering solution, it provides a good starting point for businesses with less-than-critical content filtering needs.

Test Center engineers attached the FVM318 to a cable modem on the Optimum Online broadband service from Cablevision Systems. Initial installation of the unit was straightforward, aided by both a quick-start guide and an installation CD-ROM. Solution providers familiar with broadband routers should have no problem with basic installation and can probably get by without the quick-start guide or installation CD.

Solution providers will find the unit's browser-based interface intuitive for all of the basic functions. Interactive help screens guide administrators through the various management functions, providing all but neophytes with ample information to administer the unit. That holds true for most functions, except for setting up the VPN capabilities of the unit. Solution providers will find configuring VPN-based connections complex and may need to rely on the reference manual to navigate through the various settings.

The nature of the integrated VPN server, which supports a multitude of configurations, is the root cause of the setup complexity. Netgear could greatly ease VPN setup with the inclusion of a VPN setup wizard for the most common VPN situations or at the very least supply help screens with clearly documented examples which demonstrate VPN setup in concise steps.

For those who want to set up client PCs for remote access via a VPN, a VPN client is required. The FVM318 can support up to 70 concurrent VPN connections, and Netgear recommends purchasing an IPsec-based VPN client from SafeNet. Netgear could improve the product by outlining support for the VPN client included with Microsoft's various flavors of Windows.

All things considered, the FVM318 offers small broadband networks all the basics they need, while throwing in dynamic DNS support, wireless access, security and content filtering. The unit's low cost also helps up the ante in the burgeoning small-business router market.

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>NETGEAR FVM318 CABLE/DSL PROSAFE WIRELESS VPN SECURITY FIREWALL
PRICE: $299
MARGIN: 20 percent
WARRANTY: 3 years
DISTRIBUTORS: ASI, D&H, Ingram Micro, Tech Data
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

CHANNEL OVERVIEW: Santa Clara, Calif.-based Netgear provides frequent incentives, marketing support and government/education discounts. Joint sales and on-site training are provided, and an online training and certification program was recently unveiled. Netgear works with customers to plan installations before referring them to partners

Note: Vendors can earn up to five stars for technical merit and five for their channel program. If the average of these two scores is four stars or greater, the product earns CRN Test Center Recommended status.