Introduction

The world is looking for more security and corporations are moving all external access to VPN-based networks. Although routers with VPN capabilities have been around for awhile, you faced a choice of either expensive (>$500) solutions with per-user licensing, or less-expensive products that only handled pass-through based VPN.

Linksys changed the economics of Internet sharing a few years ago with the lauch of their "BEF" series of Cable/DSL routers and it looks like they're out to this time shake up the VPN router market with their BEFVP41. Let's see why

The Basics

The VP41 comes in the signature purple and gray stackable Linksys cabinet, with all connectors on the rear. All indicators (Link/Activity, Full Duplex/Collision, and 100Mbps for each of the four LAN ports, Link, Activity, and Diag for the WAN, and Power) are on the front. You don't get any cables, but you do get a printed User Guide, and "Creating a Tunnel", and "Quick Installation" sheets. A copy of the standard Tech Helper CD is included too.

The VP41 doesn't support UPnP, or the optional PC-cillin / ZoneAlarm bundle that you can get with their older four and one port routers, but comes with all their other goodies.