Ramp Networks WebRamp 700s
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Features
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The
Product
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- Built-in firewall
- NAT and DHCP
support
- Denial of Service
Attack Prevention
- Web Browser Management
- Multiple users
can share a cable or DSL modem
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Ramp Networks is a company that isn't often heard
of in the home-use network market. When I was able to get in contact with
them they were kind enough to send a couple of their products, one of them
being the WebRamp 700s. The 700s is aimed squarely at those who are concerned
about loss of data to hackers due to its built in hardware firewall. I found
the WebRamp 700s to be a worthy competitor in the small office network environment
with a couple of unique features that let it stand apart from its competition.
First Impressions
Once I opened the box
the first thing that caught my attention was that the unit is shipped with
two ethernet cables. Both cables are ten feet long and are color-coded. The
first cable was colored red and labeled as the crossover cable. The second
cable is black and only carries a part number identifier on it. Why are the
cables the first thing I mention? I can't tell you just how few networking
components come equipped with ethernet cables from the manufacturer. It's
become such a rarity that I really appreciate a company that takes the networking
beginner into consideration and throws in all the necessary components to
make their equipment work right off the bat.
The
700s is a compact 1.75" H x 4.5" D x 8" W. The front of the unit features
a few LED's: power, test, Link, Tx, Rx, and the hub LED's. Of notice there
is that the test light is designed to stay on for 90 seconds after the unit
is turned on. Once the startup diagnostics are done the light should turn
off. If it doesn't the manual simply states to reinstall your software. How's
about that for troubleshooting? On the rear of the unit are the connectors
for the power supply, WAN (Wide Area Network), and a four port 10BaseT hub.
The fourth hub port can be used to control another hub behind the 700s. The
instruction manual only lists the ability to control four computers via the
built-in hub and doesn't mention the total amount of computers the 700s can
support when another hub is used behind it. On the back of the box there is
mention of the ability to purchase a different license to upgrade from 5 users
to "25 to 100" or even "100 to 250" users.
Also in the box are the
wall wart power supply, the software CD, and a bracket that allows the 700s
to be wall mounted. I'm not sure too many of you will be wall mounting your
network equipment, especially since it makes the LED's so hard to read, but
to each their own. As you can see it's a very complete package in one box.
Kudos to Ramp Networks for including all the components many other manufacturers
consider "optional".
