|
Pros:
|
Cons:
|
- Small size and
interesting design
- Built in hardware
firewall
- One IP address
shared by all computers
- Easy installation
and configuration
|
The
Uplink port and port 1 are shared |
Conclusions:
With spiraling
increases in cost to add 4 ports at a time you would be better off considering
a large switch 8,12, or even 16 ports right off the bat if your network is
that large. For the home user the 4 port design of this unit is great. I hooked
up my old 5 port hub behind it for testing and found I had no problems whatsoever.
I simply entered the browser based setup program and told it to create more
ports.
The design
is well laid out and details such as the power cable received consideration.
I liked the ability of the unit to be stacked one on top of another to save
space and the fact that they could not slide off each other when stacked in
such a way. I would have like that the Uplink port and port 1 were not shared.
When using the Uplink port you will have to move your ethernet connection
from port 1 to port 2. Port 1 will no longer be usable with the Uplink port
used. If that is the cost of having such a good switch installed in the unit
then I can certainly learn to live with it.
The inclusion
of the built in firewall technology is a great feature. I use a software firewall
for each of my computers, but the extra layer of protection that the Cable/DSL
Router provides is invaluable. I use to get about 10-100 port probe attempts
a day. I haven't recorded any since I began using the Cable/DSL Router. The
vast majority of port probes are benign. They usually originate from web ad
servers or web sites where your IP address has been recorded. This firewall
technology also allows me to hide how many computers are hooked up to my cable
modem. What I would have invested in purchasing IP addresses from my ISP I
spent on this router. I feel that is money far better spent than simply buying
each computer its own IP address.
Because
of its well thought out design, ease of installation and configuration, and
firewall/IP address sharing capabilities I have given the Linksys BEFSR41
Instant Broadband EtherFast Cable/DSL Router the TargetPC editor's choice
award. A switched network is a vast improvement over a conventional hub network
and what was only available to commercial and industrial users has finally
come to the home broadband user.
Victor
Oshiro
00/06/22
