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4 Port cable/dsl router
from Belkin
Score: 2 out of 3
Review Type: Hands On
Reviewer: Chris Kaminski
Date: Oct 15, 2001
Firmware: 1.0
Belkin has a long record or producing good quality computer accessories. They specialize
in computer and networking cables, KVM’s, laptop cases, and PDA accessories. The
Belkin 4port Cable/DSL router represents their first serious push into Home Networking
beyond cables.
Belkin’s router is one of the more stylish on the market. The router is designed
to look good ON your desktop instead of under it. A Non-Euclidian design with strange
sweeping curves, warm oval status lights, and a rubberized transparent ‘circle’
(docking ring) sticking out from one side make this thing look like it look futuristic
without copying the exact style of the iMac or Sony.
A well-engineered vertical design combined with a series of vents on the bottom
and cleverly hidden vents on the top ensure airflow over the router circuitry.
Features
The router comes with a 4 port 10/100 Ethernet switch, a single Ethernet WAN port
and a reset button. It can provide concurrent Internet access to all the users on
your home network over your existing cable or DSL modem. Administration is done
using your web browser and includes a ‘wizard like’ interface for initial configuration.
Setup
Belkin includes a CDRom with a utility called Belkin NetSetup. This program helps
you prepare your computer to talk to the Router. In addition, Belkin provies handy
worksheets in their manual that provide an organized space for recording your existing
network settings – essential for getting your router properly configured. A good
starter manual combined with the NetSetup application should make the router installable
by beginner users.
Security
The Belkin router includes a basic NAT firewall. This will keep your LAN safe from
most TCP/IP based attacks. Traffic traveling from your LAN out to the internet may
also be limited but configuring ‘Client Filters’. These filters allow you to specify
ranges of ports to block for particular IP address. Note: The filters are tied to
IP address and not MAC address – this means they are very easy to bypass.
Conclusion
Having launched August 2001, I would have expected a few of the advanced
features that are becoming commonplace in other routers or at least a more agressive
price. Some of these missing features can be taken care of with a firmware update
- time will tell. Most notable is the lack of explicit NetMeeting support without
a DMZ, port range forwarding, better logging, and SPI.
The Belkin cable/dsl router will appeal to beginner home networkers because
of its ease of setup. Advanced users may be frustrated by some missing features.
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