Netgear FVS318NA VPN Firewall Router with 8-Port Switch

Average customer rating: 3.0

Installation a snap!
Agree... Speed STINKS!
But the big flaw is low throughput
A good router/firewall: bad VPN
A good, stable internal firewall

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Netgear FVS318NA VPN Firewall Router with 8-Port Switch

Manufacturer: Netgear
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B00006B9HC

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Product Description

The Netgear FVS318 is a cost-effective way to utilize VPN technology for your small business. It provides you with 8 IPSec based VPN ports and features firewall capabilities, as well as true Denial of Service (DoS) protection. The FVS318 is also a switch & Cable/DSL router - giving you the complete networking package.

Customer Reviews:

Installation a snap!.......2007-03-13

Problems with the device itself, though.
Perhaps Amazon has a bad batch of these routers?
After returning one (a great experience, by the way) and getting my 2nd, Netgear recommended I get a third because the routers wouldn't hold a connex. Amazon would not send a third, but offered a gift. cert. for my trouble. Now I'm without one.. Perhaps looking for another source.

Agree... Speed STINKS!.......2006-04-03

I had four of theese units in place and they all got replaced by the FVS338. The main reason is the speed. I have a lab and we tested the max Internet throughput of the FVS318's at 1.2Mbps! This is unacceptable. Oh yes, this is with the latest firmware.

Several calls to customer service left me infuriated at the lack of comprehension of the problem. I contacted their legal deptartment the same day. Several promises were made on Netgears part wich resulted in them having another level 1 tech call me again to insist I reinstall my OS!

I have successfully sued to get my money back.

With all of my venting done, I would like to say that I am still a fan of the Prosafe line and will continue to use it. But Netgear be warned, I will be all over you until you get this product line properly supported.

But the big flaw is low throughput.......2006-03-26

Most reviews don't seem to mention a key spec - the throughput of a firewall. I just upgraded my cable connection to the new (up to) 30Mbs plan and bought an FSV318v3 firewall to use with it. Without the firewall in place, I measured about 25Mbs download speed. When I installed the firewall in between the modem and one computer, download speed went down to 6.5Mbs. I also discovered that if the "enable keyword blocking" checkbox is enabled, the throughput went down to 5Mbs, EVEN IF THERE WERE NO KEYWORDS!

This firewall is useless if you have a high-speed connection.

A good router/firewall: bad VPN.......2006-01-07

If you want a good router that is easy to configure, this is a good purchase. If you are looking for a VPN router, by a SonicWall. I wish I had.

I have 5 yrs exp as a intermidate network tech and 11 yrs as a software engineer. I've used a SonicWall before on a 10 server LAN while I was an employee, but wanted to save money for my new company when setting up a VPN for my home-to-office use. I have 2 of this model and I have never got the VPN to work. Called support, they couldn't get it to work, even though I gave them full remote control of both of my Netgear units! Then I knew it was not my fault...

The saying "you get what you pay for" applies here. Some people with more time and experience may be able to get it to work, but if you're anything like me (a consultant), time is not cheap and I didn't have a few days to spend on it (even though I spent a week on it).

A good, stable internal firewall.......2005-12-28

(NOTE: please see new info at the end of this review)

I have been running several (5) FVS318 devices, all versions, on my internal network for many years now. I have found them to be stable and reliable and easy to configure. They also play well with other networking devices such as firewalls from other manufactures (as in setting up and maintaining secure internal VPN channels between them).

VPN performance does falloff considerably with stricter encryption, so internally across trusted subnets and through wireless channels I move unclassified data using DES.
The FVS also streams telemetry via syslog, so its easy to keep track of everything. The device, however, does not have a secure local configuration option (remote admin is supported via SSL, though).

Remote (aggressive mode) VPN works fine with this device, with Netgear's VPN client software. The built-in VPN client in Windows XP Pro doesn't seem to want to play with the FVS318. The Remote Identity Type of FQDN or FQUN required for remote access don't match up with the options available under XP Pro. Really, it seems the FVS318 could have offered a Remote Identity Type of IP Address & allow IP Any (0.0.0.0) but alas it doesn't (perhaps to sell more client software?). Since I had the client software, however, I didn't pursue that option exhaustively. But off the cuff I don't see it as workable.

Overall, the FVS318 is a good basic internal subnet firewall.
I would not recommend purchasing the device online from anywhere as it is impossible to tell which version (1 - 3) that you will end up with. The differences are significant, and deal with the hardware as well as the firmware.
3 stars

UPDATE NOTE: for information regarding the various versions of the FVS318 including identification please refer to the netgear web site (netgear dot com), finding the fvs318 in the 'Product Finder' and then clicking on the 'Support' link (which is in the same panel as the 'Product Finder'). The product version information will be displayed.
Version is by serial number, and this serial number is found on the unit itself as well as on the external side of the retail box.

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