Customer Reviews

NETGEAR VPN05L ProSafe VPN Client Software 5-User Licenses

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I used to be a big proponent of Netgear. Not anymore. First off, after reading the package on the VPN box, I believed the software client was included, but no. Once I figured that out, I bought the software, which costs more than the router. After a week of hacking, I finally got the software to work, on one out of 4 machines. One machine hard re-boots if you try any kind of network activity once the VPN is connected. I've disabled everything I can think of, it just won't work. It won't work with Vista either, no word from Netgear on a date. All other VPN software has to be un-installed, so forget using one machine to connect to a Netgear, Watchguard, Cisco, etc. vpn.

Very frustrating software.

The product I recieved from Amazon was a very outdated version. It was approximately two to three years old. The version was so old I was not able to get an upgrade to a version that works with Vista. Fortunately, I found a very nice representative at NETGEAR that sent me a link to an upgrade. DO NOT PURCHASE UNTIL YOU CONFIRM THAT AMAZON HAS THE LATEST VERSION!!

We purchased a Netgear FVS114 VPN Firewall and VPN Client package (VPN05L) from CDW on 25 Jan 2008. We are told by Netgear Tech Support that the BIOS was changed in the device and it is no longer "stable". The previous BIOS version is no longer available. They are unable to resolve the problem (netgear tech support case: 6614329).

I used to consider NETGEAR to be a quality vendor, but their failure to do any testing prior to replacing a firmware version demostrates a total lack of quality control and has lowered them to "also ran" status. We are very disapointed in Netgear's responce and their lack of concern with their products. Perhaps they will get this package working in the future but at this time (6 March 2008) it does not work.

Software is easy to configure and install, but don't assume that the default setting for the client software matches the default settings of your Netgear router. Mine did not. After about 2 hours of installing, and unistalling on the first machine, I finally figured out they were on different playing fields. Once I made that determination, the installation on other machines took less than 10 minutes each.

Called net gear for some fast help. The quick setup guide they sent me was great. I set up my utm, and then a remote workstation and it works very well and more importantly, very fast. Product works very well, and price point is acceptable. I definitely recommend.

If you are using Windows 7 (or planning on upgrading to Windows 7), this software is not going to work for you. This is old software (as others have noted). This software is VPN05L. For Windows 7 you need to buy the newer software VPNG05L. Fortunately, Amazon's return policy is very good so this didn't turn into an expensive mistake. However, Amazon should update the description so that other people don't fall into the same trap.

Amazon did a fine job of distributing this product, but sadly, the product and the support is a mess. I have very good IT support personnel who have spent far too many hours trying to manage this software and its associated hardware. Netgear's customer support, if you find a CS staff member who doesn't elect to hang up on you, seems generally unaware that they market a software product at all, let alone this specific product. Anticipate the level of support you could provide under those circumstances and act accordingly.

This is not Amazon's fault, it is Netgear's fault but this is an OLD version of the software: v2.10.8 though the box says it is 10.8 The latest version is 4.74.00 but Netgear in their infinite stupidity uses the same part number for this entire series of product: VPN05L (or VPN01L for the single license version) without indicating WHAT version of software it truly is. The image shown for this product IS that of v4.74.00, however you will instead receive an orange disk that is v2.10.8 There is nothing "wrong" with this version if you are using Windows XP, however it is incompatible with Windows Vista and Windows 7. Netgear support is horrendous... no one seems to know they even produce software and they keep hanging up on me in the off-chance I actually get a human being on the line. Netgear seriously needs to work on their customer relations and product descriptions - not a SINGLE vendor of this product indicates version number, its a wild goose-chase! Bravo Netgear... I'll purchase equipment from someone else in the future.

Stay away from this product. It requires a degree in network security to even understand its terminology. There's no "common settings" feature that would allow you to easily set it up with say, one of Netgear's own products, like the ProSafe VPN firewall that we tried to use it with. You have to understand every tiny detail of VPN operation to get it to work which we never ended up doing. And of course, the help is helpless.

If you need an easy, small office VPN solution, pay for the Himachi service from LogMeIn which doesn't require any hardware and was easy to get working.

This software was not what I expected. It was an old version and could not be used with Windows 7. However, Amazon was terrific and they refunded my money ASAP. Be sure this is what you need/want before you buy it.