Introduction

OvisLink is a company better known in Europe and Asia than in the U.S., but it's been in business over a decade and has a broad line of wired and wireless products. Our on-going quest for unique networking products recently discovered its MU-9000VPN eLive Multimedia Server / VPN Router, which has a number of features that set it apart from the pack.

The 9000VPN is also available as the WMU-9000VPN, which adds 802.11g wireless capability via a Conexant PRISM-based mini-PCI card. All features in the 9000VPN are also contained in the WMU-9000VPN.

Basic Info

The 9000VPN is packaged in an attactive light blue plastic case that has the footprint of a typical hardcover novel and stands about 1.25 inches (30mm) tall. The enclosure has wall-mounting screw slots on the bottom, and isn't designed to be stood vertically on its side.

All indicators are on the front of the box, are bright and easily viewable from a wide angle. You get Link / Activity and 10/100 lights for each of the single WAN and four LAN ports, plus indicators for Power and Status and PPPoE. There are also two E-mail lights, whose function I'll explain later.

The rear of the 9000VPN is where things get a little interesting. In addition to the expected four 10/100 LAN ports, one 10/100 WAN port, power jack and Reset / Reset-to-factory-defaults switch you'll also find four USB 2.0 ports and a 6 pin DIN-style HDD Power connector. Note that all LAN ports are auto MDI / MDI-X, though OvisLink doesn't spec or mention this.