Cisco-Linksys Network Magic Pro

by Cisco

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 5 x 7 inches ; 1.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0037Z6R9S
• Item model number: NMP500
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,681 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 1, 2010

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

No Networking Expertise Needed

Having trouble connecting your devices together and to the Internet, or printing from any computer? With Cisco Network Magic Pro 5.5, you can avoid lengthy, tech support phone calls, hard to navigate online forums and expensive on-site consultants. Network Magic Pro provides do-it-yourself tools for setting up, managing and securing your network.

Easy to Use

Intuitive interface includes network map, plus in-product wizards streamline networking tasks, taking the guesswork and effort out of getting connected, monitoring activity and repairing your network. 

Once your network is up and running, Cisco Network Magic makes it easy to see what is happening on the network through a Network Map which is a visual representation of all the devices that are connected to your home network, as well as possible intruders.

The map also provides additional details about those devices, including IP addresses, connection status, alerts about software updates, as well as easy access to any tasks related to each device. By utilizing the features of the map, you can view and control many aspects of your networked devices, without having to go to each device individually.

Connect and Share

Share an Internet connection with other computers and devices. Connect printers, cameras and DVRs in minutes. Connect storage devices to your home network to easily back up your data.

To share files with your other computers, simply click on “Share a Folder” and a software setup program known as a “wizard” walks you through the steps. If you want to see what folders are shared on one computer, or all of your networked computers, you can do that as well. Cisco Network Magic even puts a shortcut on your desktop, making it easy to access all the music, photos, videos and other files available on your networked computers.

With multiple computers in a household, it becomes very cumbersome and expensive to outfit each one with its own printer. If you want to share a printer among multiple computers, Cisco Network Magic has an easy setup process. The program will make the printer available to all computers on the network, and will even automatically install the printer drivers on the different PCs for you.

Network and Family Protection

If you’re like millions of concerned parents, you worry about the content that your children are exposed to on the Internet. Perhaps you would also like to control when your children have access to the Internet. With the Internet Access Controls in Cisco Network Magic, you can do all of this and more.

Cisco Network Magic offers controls that allow you to manage when and where your networked computers access the Internet. You can restrict Internet access to certain times of the day, making sure your kids are doing their homework and not surfing the web or chatting with their friends online. All of this can be done remotely, via a password-enabled tool so the controls you put in place stay there.

Manage your Network

One of the most frustrating aspects of managing a home network is troubleshooting when one of your devices gets disconnected. Your computer’s operating system offers limited solutions for fixing a problem with the PC, and no help for reconnecting other devices like game consoles or Internet-connected TVs.

Network Magic offers a variety of troubleshooting solutions for your network connection, as well as file and printer sharing. When your connection is lost, the Network Map will clearly show you where the break is. Click on the “Repair Connection” button from the map to have the software walk you through a step-by-step guide to fix your network connection. The “Troubleshoot Sharing” task will do the same when you have file and printer sharing problems.

Manufacturer note: Unlock Code is located on a piece of paper inside the firm cardboard packaging for the 512MB USB Flash Drive.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Product, Easy Repair Connection Button, 25 Character Key Provided for use on 8 PCs, YOU JUST HAVE TO FIND IT, March 24, 2010

By 

Kaushik Biswas - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys Network Magic Pro (Personal Computers)

Great Product. Supports up to 8 PCs. Unlock Code is provided in a small piece of paper securely hidden inside the firm cardboard packaging for the 512MB USB Flash Drive (containing the Network Magic Pro v5 software). At first, it seems that no "Unlock Code" has been provided because its just too hard to find the small piece of paper hidden inside, tear open the packaging and you will find it.

Installs without any problems, auto updates, and I love the "Add Wireless Device" utility, it really helps you to transfer wireless settings onto a memory stick without writing down SSIDs and encryption passwords.

Repair connection button is very helpful, if you encounter connectivity problems with your router.

Overall, seems to be a great software.

No Cons found so far.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who's on my network?, January 23, 2012

By 

J. P. "J.P." (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys Network Magic Pro (Personal Computers)

I love this product for the simple fact that I can see a network map letting me know what devices are connected and what those devices are. This product has also been great for correcting any network troubleshooting issues I have had and when adding new device this is fantastic. There is also the network "lockdown" feature which basically enables MAC filtering but I find it easier to use this interface than logging into the router settings directly.

I like other reviewers had a rough landing finding the product key but it is there inside the packaging just as others have pointed out. I would recommend this program for the DIY networker who wants the ability to see their network and mange it with ease.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Poor Instructions For Network Magic Pro, June 18, 2010

By 

Leroy Malphrus (Richmond Hill, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys Network Magic Pro (Personal Computers)

When my Network Magic Pro came I was excited. It did not look like the box version advertized, but was a thumb drive. Loading is easy. You just plug it in to a USB and follow the instructions. The problem was activation. I could not find any until I went to the comment section in Amazon under item review. It is hidden under a pocket inside the cardboard wrapper. You have to completely separate it to find the code. When you do find it, activation is easy. My big complaint was I lost over an hour. I even went to the Cisco site, but it takes up to 2 days for them to reply. I suggest Amazon put a not on the invoice to let customers know where to find the activation code. It is a fairly good product, but instructions suck.