Netgear RT314 Internet Access Router Review

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(More customer reviews)First, a note on switches vs hubs. A hub shares the bandwith between connected devices. So, if you have one computer going through the hub to the internet and a second connecting to a third over the lan for a file transfer, they have at most 100mbs total between them. A switch actually routes a dedicated connection for each pair of communicating devices so that they can communicate at full bandwidth. If you've already got a switch, you might want to consider the somewhat less expensive RT311 which is the router/firewall without the switch. If you have a hub, on the other hand, I'd suggest going with the 314 instead, the hub can still be used to allow your network to grow beyond 4 devices (after all, two computers, a laptop and a network printer and you're tapped out with the 314 on its own).
Anyway, this is a great device. I pulled it out of the box, plugged in the wires and everything worked immediately. I'm sharing cable internet between a windows 2000 box and PowerMac (running OS9 and DAVE 2.5) with no problems at all.
It's 4 stars because the web interface is really quite useless. To properly configure this device (including the very cool dynamic dns capabilities) you need to telnet to the box. Not a *big* deal, but still a minor nuisance. There's no reason the web interface couldn't handle these other configuration options as well.
I had considered the Linksys box which is very similar in capabilities, but searching usenet archives revealed that the netgear is a much more reliable device.

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The Netgear RT314 combination switch and router creates a potent full-duplexbackbone. Share data locally or through the Internet. Usable by up to 253clients, this power-packed router with an integrated four-port 10/100 Mbpsswitch conducts your Internet connection so that multiple PCs can use your DSLor cable modem to surf the Web, e-mail friends, play games, or shop, without theneed for additional hubs or switches. You'll pay for only one Internet hookupfor shared broadband access, yet you can also limit Internet availability PC byPC. On top of that, the multifunctional RT314 can be configured as a DHCP(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server or client.

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