NETGEAR FWG114P ProSafe 802.11g Wireless VPN Firewall 4-Port 10/100 Switch with USB Server

The NETGEAR FWG114P offers: An all-in-one solution for businesses looking to create a local network. An 802.11g wireless access point. Stateful Packet Inspection firewall and NAT for security. Built-in USB print server.

A print server allows users on the network to share a printer. View larger.

A USB port allows you to connect a printer to the network that multiple users can share simultaneously. An RS-232 serial port provides a backup connection in case the main network connection fails. A row of LED lets you know the status of the network at a glance.

High-class Security
For more security than just a simple NAT router, the FVG318 offers significantly more protection. It provides: a Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall to prevent Denial of Service attacks, an Intrusion Detection System (IDS), the ability to block Java/URL/ActiveX based on extension, and FTP/SMTP/RPC program filtering.

The FWG114P supports two simultaneous VPN tunnels to protect links between remote locations, encrypting the data between them. The wireless network is protected by 40/64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption as well as WPA.

Easy Setup
Even with all the functionality the FWG114P provides, NETGEAR makes setup a breeze with the intuitive Smart Wizard that automatically detects the ISP connection and adjusts your configuration accordingly.

The NETGEAR FWG114P ProSafe 802.11g Wireless VPN Firewall 4-Port 10/100 Switch with USB Server is backed by a 3-year warranty.

What's in the Box
FWG114P, AC power adapter, ethernet cable, installation guide, resource CD, warranty/support information card.


Product Description
Includes: Ethernet cable, power adapter, resource CD, & manual. Netgear FWG114P ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Router with USB Print Server - Perfect for an office environment, this router supports up to 253 users on the LAN, including up to 64 wireless users! Wireless users connect to the network via 802.11g or 802.11b protocols; and have the ability to wirelessly access files and share a single broadband Internet connection. Everyone on the network also benefits from the security of having a built-in firewall, as well as the convenience of sharing a single USB printer via the built-in USB print server. NAT Intrusion Detection - including logging, reporting, & alerts Filtering - Port, IP Packet, JAVA/URL/ActiveX Blocking, & URL Keyword Smart Wizard browser-based administration Remote management by IP Administration Address using SSL DHCP Server, WAN DHCP Client Port Range Forwarding Exposed Host (DMZ) Enable/Disable WAN Ping DNS Proxy, PPPoe login client support MAC Address Cloning NTP Support Save/Restore Configuration Files Diagnostic Tools - ping, trace route, & more Requirements - (TCP/IP Networking) Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, NetWare, UNIX, Linux / (Print Server) Windows 98, Me, 2000, or XP

However, and it is a BIG however, the Print Server (which was the main reason to spring for the total upgrade) does not support my HP PSC 2410 nor my EPSON Stylus CX5200. Those two things in themselves make it impossible for me to recommend the router overall. None of the Netgear products support this, and it makes no sense, since most people buy small multifunctions for their homes now.


Good Home Office Firewall   January 14, 2004
20 out of 20 found this review helpful

I've applied the new flash upgrade, and performance is still quite good. Most of my comments from January still apply. Setup is quick, Citrix & terminal services work without modification, and I can connect to my main office via Cisco VPN client. Games are still working too.

As with most vendors, I suspect you'll have better compatibility if you use a Netgear WiFi NIC with this unit. I can get it to work with a Cisco Aironet NIC, but I cannot get WPA encryption to work. WEP (for what it's worth) works, but I'll probably have to spring for the corresponding Netgear NIC if I want to move to WPA.

The print server took a hit with the flash upgrade, however. Now it will only work as long as the PCs using it never reboot. If they do, you lose the connection to the print server until the firewall is rebooted. Tech support has been, um, less than helpful in resolving the issue. For that reason, my rating still stands at 4 stars. I strongly recommend you check the printer compatibility list on Netgear's site before you count on this as a print server.

A couple of other notes:
- The firewall is solid. I'm a networking guy, and I've tried to hack my way in a couple of times. Nothing's perfect, but this is a good solution in the home or very small business market. The worst I've been able to do against this unit is a denial of service, which disabled the Internet connection to my home network until I rebooted the unit.
- If you plan to use MSN Messenger 6.2 and/or Windows XP's Remote Assistance, you'll need to enable UPnP on this unit, which is a bit annoying, but more of a Microsoft issue.
- The e-mail logging is VASTLY improved over that of the previous flash. My logs are much more manageable, and the number of false-positive security alert messages is minimal.
- You can now create up to two remote access VPN tunnels with the new flash. I tried it and it works, although as a home user I can't imagine ever needing that feature. Difficult to set up, though, so unless you have a solid understanding of IPSEC VPN protocols, good luck.

Still, I believe this is a good unit for a home office. For me, combining the functions of print server, wireless access point, and hardware firewall into a single device make it worth the price.


Better now that there is a firmware upgrade   December 24, 2003
Eric J. Fridman (Baltimore, MD United States)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

Back in November, I tried version 1 of this product. And I wrote a review saying that many of its features just did not work.

In addition I wrote that Netgear tech support never responded to any of my email requests for support, and that was six months ago. Their website said allow one day.

Anyway, they have now released a firmware update. And all the problems I previously complained about are gone now. For example, it now works with Citrix and the error messages are now in "better" English

Product seems to work fine out of the box. No complaints. I give it 4 stars and not 5 because the print server part of this product is pretty useless unless you happen one of the few printers it supports. And because of their continued horrible tech support.


Didn't work for me   January 30, 2005
Dan
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

I purchased this router to replace my Netgear FR314 (the features are similar, but this router has wireless).

After installing it, I could only get about 32Kbps download bandwidth from the internet (the FR314 gets about 3Mbps down). I called tech support. For the next few frustrating hours they walked me through all kinds of "stab-in-the-dark" settings changes. Nothing helped. They told me this router is defective and to return it. I got a new one and it had the same problem as well.

I don't know what the issue is, but their tech support and knowledge base were completely useless. This router just didn't work. Luckily I still have my FR314 and it works great.

If you buy this router and have issues, just do the following in this order:

1. Reboot the router
2. Adjust the MTU up or down by a few hundred
3. Reboot everything (PCs, cable modems, etc)
4. Upgrade the firmware
5. Do a factory reset (put a paperclip in the hole in the back of the unit)
6. Randomly change other settings and see what happens
7. Try to find a reason to blame your ISP, network configuration, or PC
8. Declare the router defective

If you do this, you will save a few hours on the phone with their clueless tech support because that is all they know how to do.


poor printer compatibility   January 26, 2006
fish (Victoria, MN)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I would like to comment on a few models of printers I have tested. Unboxed off the shelf, I tested this unit's print server capability and found it incompatible with all 3 tested models:
- HP OfficeJet K60
- HP DeskJet 3650
- HP DeskJet 1220C

I then upgraded the firmware and retested the print server capability. The HP DeskJet 1220C is now supported.

FYI to new buyers, be sure to check the printer compatibility list before purchasing this product if you plan on utilizing the print server function.

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