Customer Reviews

Cisco-Linksys Network Magic Pro

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I used to be an IT manager of medium business and paid over $1K for software that does what Network magic can do. This software is perfect for managing your home network and "easily" sharing files/printers. A must have for any home with wireless router and multiple computers/devices.

This product (NMP500) was delivered on a flash drive with no access to an activation key that is needed for the use of all system features. Cisco support (by phone) could not provide an activation key and referred the issue to their customer service for resolution. They have not made contact so I'm still limited to partial produce use. I recommend that you DO NOT ORDER THIS PRODUCT FROM AMAZON.

UPDATE - Dec 21, 2010

While Cisco was no help, the original developer Purenetworks Customer Service (888-812-9402) advisd that the activation key was on a paper imbedded between the cardboard product packaging.

It is a good product and Amazon pricing saves a few bucks.

My kids have a way of sneaking on xbox and their computers when they're supposed to be sleeping. I installed this to manage my network and I can now set each device to only be allowed to be online at certain times. It works for everything connected to your network. I wish it came on a CD with the activation key on the CD sleeve. Instead the key is a bit hidden in the packaging and the software is on a thumb drive.

The software is absolutely awesome! And it can loaded on a flash drive which make it so easy to install on netbooks.

I was using this on my Vista network. When I upgraded to Windows 7, it no longer worked. Great product if you use XP or Vista, though.

I've been running an older version (pre-Cisco ownership days) for a few years, and when owned by Pure Networks, it was an impressive program. I installed this version on a relative's computer and it looks like it has now been 'Optimized for Linksys by Cisco'-guess this means if you have another brand router, they've cut some features/info out of the program? Both my and my relative have identical D-Link wireless routers-my old Network Magic gives tons of router info at your fingertips-this newer version tells you squat-guess it's a pressure tactic to get you to buy Linksys routers?

Hopefully this new version will work as well as the old despite the fact it's now more Cisco/Linksys specific.

I've used my older version to solve a few problems with installing some wireless equipment that was giving me fits using just router and the device being added controls.

I'd give the old version 5 stars-since it's now 'Optimized for Linksys by Cisco', I'm gonna downgrade it a star or two. Doesn't take long at Cisco's site to realize this program has been stuck on the back burner-I finally gave up trying to register it at their site!

If it hadn't been for the folks here telling where the activation key was hidden (between the glued cardboard on the blister pack) I'd probably never have found it.

Somebody at Cisco REALLY laid an egg with the location of the activation key on this one!

EDIT: Somewhere along the line, my relative's computer at least added their router link info kinda like the older version of this software did, although the printer, Blu-Ray player, etc are all still showing generic info. My older version of this software automatically added the maker of my printer, Blu-Ray player etc when I added 'em on the network.

I'm also wondering 'bout the 'wagon wheel' network display of this version-my older version has a ladder diagram/flow chart type of display showing all devices on the network. If my relative had as many devices on their network as I do, I'd think the wagon wheel display would get awfully confusing?

EDIT II: I'd probably upgrade my rating from 3 to 4 or 'maybe' 5 stars if possible, as over a period of time, the software has listed a lot of details of various devices I have on my network. Initially, the info wasn't there-maybe after a few reboots etc the info has trickled in?

After delivery I plugged it in to my PC and it popped up a screen telling me it was going online for an updated version. The version it installed was a 7day trial version and there was no code for unlocking the full bersion included on the physical package, the USB unit, nor any of the guides and email regarding it. All I have so far is a USB flash drive that does nothing to install the full version and a 7day trial program that I could have got online without ordering through Amazon.