Netgear ProSafe FVS318 VPN Firewall with 8-port Switch

Make Sure to get the third generation of this (v3).

Strengths: Easy setup, solid firewall, Works great when updated with latest firmware, Lots of features - domain blocking, logging, etc.

Weakness: None so far

I have read some of the other reviews and did not have any of the slowness that others have complained about. I have a 10 MB pipe from my cable company. I have a PowerMac G3, PowerMac G4, Two Laptops, Two printers, Two desktops and a Server running off of the router with no slowness issues reported. I don't know what version of the FVS318 that they have but version 3 has a faster processor which...
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I have read some of the other reviews and did not have any of the slowness that others have complained about. I have a 10 MB pipe from my cable company. I have a PowerMac G3, PowerMac G4, Two Laptops, Two printers, Two desktops and a Server running off of the router with no slowness issues reported. I don't know what version of the FVS318 that they have but version 3 has a faster processor which should help with the slowness described. Just make sure you know what you are buying. Also make sure you upgrade the firmware to the latest version for more functionality and stability. I have been using this router for about a week now and couldn't be happier. Haven't tried the VPN setup yet so no comment on that at this time. Previously used D-Link router and IPCop Linux based firewall.

By kaneohe7 - Nov 20, 2006

I had no trouble installing this...

Strengths: easy set-up

Weakness: Slow network performance

I had no trouble installing this product. My beef is that it has decreased my network performance significantly. Without the FVS318 in my network scheme, I was getting 4 Mbps form my cable connection, but with this in place, I get about 1 Mbps (i.e. 75% drop in bandwidth) even when I am the only device logged on to the network. I had expected a slight performance hit, but nothing like this.

By xray1 - Jan 14, 2004

I purchased this router for two...

Strengths: Supports multiple VPN destination (untried)

Weakness: Reliably freezes or drops all connections during downloads.

I purchased this router for two reasons. First to allow me to establish a VPN for remote administration of the company network from home. Second to have a little more control of ports for gaming. Well let me say thats its been a big step up in technology from my old SMC Barricade, and a BIG step down in reliability. It drops my very reliable DSL connection pretty much hourly - or more. Switch...
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I purchased this router for two reasons. First to allow me to establish a VPN for remote administration of the company network from home. Second to have a little more control of ports for gaming. Well let me say thats its been a big step up in technology from my old SMC Barricade, and a BIG step down in reliability. It drops my very reliable DSL connection pretty much hourly - or more. Switch back to the SMC and it works fine. So far its dropped the connection twice during the 20 I took to write this - requiring router reboots. Please note that it still drops connections (freezes?) just as reliably with the latest firmware (v1.3). Also its ability to add trusted services is way too limiting. Rather than being able to open a list of ports to a single IP, you open a single port to a range of IPs. The problem is when those IPS aren't close to each other you're just out of luck.

By sholling - May 12, 2003

I am using the FVS318 with my DLS...

Strengths: Very easy to install and configure. Works great in a home network. Great value for price.

Weakness: Slows down DSL access from what it would be without - but I am told this is common with Virtual Private Networks.

I am using the FVS318 with my DLS Modem as a router and VPN for my home network. I have three WIN XP Home based computers and two printers connected. Netgear's instructions were very easy for me. When I first read through them I was surprised that they gave a time estimate to install and was a little doubtfull about how long it would really take me. I decided to do the setup and install late in...
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I am using the FVS318 with my DLS Modem as a router and VPN for my home network. I have three WIN XP Home based computers and two printers connected. Netgear's instructions were very easy for me. When I first read through them I was surprised that they gave a time estimate to install and was a little doubtfull about how long it would really take me. I decided to do the setup and install late in the day based on these and was pleasantly surprised. Everything went exactly as documented and I was up and running within the time period given. The system works very well with what I have, although it does slow down the DSL access a little even with only one computer on it. My Systems Admin at work tells me this is normal when running a VPN. The only reason I do not give this product a 5 is because I have nothing to compare to. I would definitely purchase this brand again. It is great for a small network and you cannot beat the value and features for the price.

By its_wayne - Feb 15, 2003

For the VPN, I have gone through...

Strengths: Feels sturdy.

Weakness: Support is a joke.

For the VPN, I have gone through all the iterations that are possible with the most updated firmware available. I have two offices connected over shared T-1's. I've researched, talked to their tech support numerous times (not the best English), and would not buy this router nor another from Netgear. Recently, they have fixed some of their online documentation, but it doesn't help that the product...
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For the VPN, I have gone through all the iterations that are possible with the most updated firmware available. I have two offices connected over shared T-1's. I've researched, talked to their tech support numerous times (not the best English), and would not buy this router nor another from Netgear. Recently, they have fixed some of their online documentation, but it doesn't help that the product was already flawed and not capable of even acceptable performance.
I've gone to using Windows Server 2003 and PPTP is working much better. More money, but less hassle and if you can do it, go with that or a Linux based server.

By sjsperry - Feb 7, 2005