This article describes our original test procedure for Hardware Routers.

We often hear from people who have two (or more!) routers in their LAN and are trying to get Microsoft File and Printer sharing running among all their computers. This ProblemSolver will explain why this doesn't work by default and provide some suggestions for working around the problem.

This article describes our test procedure for VPN Endpoint routers.

Sonicwall is well known for their premium-priced, but easy-to-use wired IPsec-based Internet security products. With the SOHO TZW they now enter the world of wireless LAN security, a place known to bring strong LAN administrators to their knees, heads hurting from the ever-increasing barrage of new acronyms and security methodology. Did Sonicwall really succeed to making wireless security a setup-and-go story? Read our review and find out for yourself!

A quick blurb about Ixia's handy free network performance test tool.

Information on our HomePlug product test procedures.

The RP614 is basically an RP114 in a sleek new package, with Setup Wizard and new interface.

VPN version of popular Barricade router with SPI based firewall and PPTP / IPsec VPN endpoint, but no printserver or dialup WAN support.Will probably do better with PPTP vs. IPsec-based VPNs

Our test procedure for SPI+NAT routers

Review of Linksys 4 port SPI-based router with two tunnel IPsec VPN endpoint. Has dedicated LAN DMZ port.

Microsoft's official entry into the consumer networking hardware business has been met with mixed reactions from industry watchers. Some say the line of wired and 802.11b wireless routers and network adapters is priced right, and has the advantage of Microsoft's Support organization behind it. Others say it's a ho-hum offering, with little to differentiate it from the slew of established products from Linksys, SMC, D-Link, NETGEAR, and others.

With Windows XP well into deployment and more manufacturers starting to beat the drum on how wonderful life is with a UPnP enabled router, I thought I'd see whether UPnP is something that you just won't want to live without in your Internet sharing device. If you don't know what UPnP is, or even if you do, you may want to read our UPnP FAQ before diving into this NTK, since the basics and background of UPnP are covered there. Also, if you're the impatient type and just want the bottom line on what I found, you can get it here.

Dual Ethernet WAN SPI-based router. Inexpensive alternative to Symantec VPN 200, but without dialup/ISDN backup ports, and less sophisticated load balancing and failover.

Fast 4 port 10/100 switched broadband router with SPI-based firewall & street price around $40.

New version of popular Barricade router with SPI based firewall, but no printserver or dial-up WAN support

Netgear's FVS318 is an 8 port SPI based router with built-in IPsec endpoint for up to 8 tunnels. Also has content filtering and email hack alerts.

One of the "lessons learned" from our testing of higher speed (>10Mbps) network adapters is that you don't always get what you think you're getting, i.e. higher network speed. Things that didn't matter at lower network speeds come into play when using products such as 100Mbps Ethernet adapters and even the newer 802.11a wireless network adapters.

Review of Linksys' PLEBR10 HomePlug compatible power line to Ethernet Bridge

The past few months have seen a number of introductions of consumer priced routers with built-in VPN Endpoints. Although this kind of product has been around for awhile, they've tended to be pretty expensive ($500 and up) and out of the range of most folks (unless their company was footing the bill!). So how can a company come along and do the same thing for under $150? Well, that's what I wondered, too, so I took a pair of Linksys BEFVP41's into the lab and had at 'em. You can see how they did in the resulting review.