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SMB Networks /
Home Networks /
Net Results
By James Gaskin, Network World Global Test Alliance
Network World, 06/10/02/02
 |
3.5
Rating
|
Efficient
5930
Business Gateway |
3.5
Rating
|
NetGear
FR314* |
|
 Company:
Efficient Networks, (877) 937-5273, www.efficient.com
Cost: $700 Pros: Complete installation package, forces
password change, offers security “scripts” during setup, modem backup.
Cons: Must make DSL connection before setting local networking.
|
Company:
NetGear,(888) 638-4327, www.netgear.com
Cost: S$200 Pros: Complete installation package, forces
password change, automatic hacker protection. Cons: Administration
screen sometimes needs a reboot during changes. |
3.1
Rating
|
2Wire
HomePortal 1000 |
3.0
Rating
|
ZyWall
10* |
|
Company:
2Wire www.2wire.com,
(877) 349-3304 Cost: $200 Pros: Stylish, space saving
design, complete installation package, gameplaying profiles preconfigured.
Cons: No forced security password or activation, little depth
to firewall settings.
|
Company:
ZyXel Communications, www.zywall.com,
(800)255-4101 Cost: $550 Pros:Complete installation
package, automatically guards against some attacks, forced password
change. Cons: A few extra clicks for firewall setup. |
2.8
Rating
|
Cisco
827 |
2.1
Rating
|
Lucent
CellPipe 50 |
|
Company:
Cisco, (800) 553-6387, www.cisco.com
Cost: $650 Pros: Complete installation package, Web
interface to router information. Cons: Changes require commandline
knowledge, security settings hidden.
|
Company:
Lucent, (866) 582-3688, www.lucent.com
Cost: $750 Pros: Firewall setup via point and click,
store up to three configurations on router. |
|
 |
Efficient
5930
Business Gateway |
NetGear
FR314* |
2Wire
Home
Portal 1000 |
ZyWall
10* |
Cisco
827 |
Lucent
CellPipe 50 |
| Security
Control 40% |
3.5 |
3.5 |
2.5 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
| Management
Flexibility 30% |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
| Ease
of use & Installation 20% |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
| Documentation
10% |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| TOTAL
SCORE |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3.1 |
3 |
2.8 |
2.1 |
|
| Individual
category scores are based on a scale of 1 to 5. Percentages
are the weight given each category in determining the total score.
Scoring Key: 5: Exceptional showing in this category.
Defines the standard of excellence; 4: Very good showing. Although
there may be room for improvement, this product was much better than
the average; 3: Average showing in this category. Product was
neither especially good nor exceptionally bad; 2: Below average.
Lacked some features or lower performance than other products or than
expected; 1: Consistently subpar, or lacking features being
reviewed. *Denotes router-only products. |
|
Back to review: Secure SOHO routers
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