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Netgear Support absolutely sucks, especially after 90 days of ownership. All they do is direct you to their premium phone support or to free email support which in turn directs you to their premium phone support. For top notch support go with linksys.
The Dynamic DNS they offer through works for short period and then generates DNS query error, good luck solving that. I would say that the firewall and security settings are a bit better then the $50-$90 dollar units.
To use the router as a VPN server for remote users, you need Netgears Client software. Windows VPN connection does not work, since it requares L2TP or PPTP termination which this router does not support. I think it will pass through those connections in which case you need a seperate VPN server like Windows 2000 Server edition OS.
If you decide to go with this router, please make sure you are ready to configure all the options you want this router to do (Dynamic DNS, VPN, Office to office connection, etc.). because if the support period passes you are on your own. Call the premium support and you have to pay nomater if they fix the problem or not.
The first unit lasted 3 weeks on a network of 4 users with a DSL rated @ 384 Kbps.
The tech service people refused to believe their unit could be at fault and blamed it on the ISP. I replaced this $450 router with a $50 one and all worked fine.
After a 2 hour wait for a Level 2 tech, I was issued a replacement unit. This unit, with serial # 4952, replaced one with a 125 serial # so I assumed the bug had been resolved. This unit died after 35 minutes of use.
I then called Netgear Tech Service people again and waited 2.5 hours for a Level 2 Technician. A recording came on telling me that they were too busy (after I waited for them for 2.5 hours) and told me to call at a later date and disconnected me.
I fired off a short letter to Netgear's Technical VP and CEO - which created a response. They offered to get me a new unit, stress test it, and send it to me. Then someone called and told me that it will take a week to get a suitable unit. I am still waiting - a week after the second unit died.
I had a very similar experience with their FVS 318 in Feb 2003 - where it took 3 units to get one that worked. I gave Netgear a second chance then. At this point however, I will no longer use Netgear equipment. I am an installer and I just cannot afford the labor associated with their faulty products.
As I told Netgear people - Stop rushing product to market before it is ready. The recall expense will hurt badly; the upset customers will go away. They did not heed my advice in Feburary and now, after I gave them an ample second chance, I do not intend to use Netgear routers again.
I strongly recommend you do the same unless you like to replace and replace and replace hoping to get something that works.
It is too bad for Netgear - but some people only learn the hard way. I guess they are one of them.
I wrote the above on Oct 10, 2003. It is now Feb. 22, 2004. Netgear does not have a fix as of today for this problem. They issued me a less costly FVS 318 as an interim fix in late October 2003 with the intent to have the FVL 328 repaired and restored. To date, there is no fix and this has been confirmed by an e mail to me of a few weeks ago.
I regret to take this harsh stance, I fully understand the technical problems in bringing a product to market and the unsuspected probems that can arise. However, the manufacturer is responsible for bringing a dependable product to market and this clearly did not happen in this case. For Netgear's sake, I hope they have overhauled their product introduction procedures or they will not survive with new product launch. For those considering a gateway router, I continue to recommend they not buy this one.
There was an old Indian belief that by making love on the hide of
their favorite animal, one could guarantee the health and prosperity
of the offspring conceived thereupon. And so it goes that one Indian
couple made love on a buffalo hide. Nine months later, they were
blessed with a healthy baby son. Yet another couple huddled together
on the hide of a deer and they too were blessed with a very healthy
baby son. But a third couple, whose favorite animal was a hippopotamus,
were blessed with not one, but TWO very healthy baby sons at the conclusion
of the nine month interval. All of which proves the old theorem that:
The sons of the squaw of the hippopotamus are equal to the sons of
the squaws of the other two hides.
You can get *anywhere* in ten minutes if you drive fast enough.
