Netgear FVM318 Cable/DSL ProSafe Wireless VPN Security Firewall

by Netgear

Product Details

Product Manual [630kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 5.5 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00007E6YC
• Item model number: FVM318NA
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,219 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 2, 2002

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Nothing outperforms Netgear's FVM318 ProSafe Wireless VPN Security Firewall for economical total office network safeguarding. The FVM318 delivers business-class protection and addresses the main concern regarding wireless LANs - security. The true, Virtual Private Network (VPN) firewall with an 802.11b wireless access point, is fully equipped and broadband-capable. With Denial of Service (DoS) protection and Intrusion Detection using Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), URL access and content filtering, logging, reporting, and real-time alerts, as well as new AES encryption capability, The FVM318 covers all the bases. This unique firewall supports up to 70 IPSec VPN tunnels simultaneously on the wide area network (WAN) and up to 32 VPN tunnels on the wireless local area network (WLAN) for a total of 102 tunnels, creating a security-maximizing barrier against wireless hackers, all the while reducing your remote access operating costs. With 8 auto-sensing, Auto Uplink switched LAN ports and Network Address Translation (NAT) routing, up to 253 users can access your broadband connection simultaneously. The rugged metal unit houses advanced, high-quality chip sets, and a 3-year warranty protects your investment.

Netgear's FVM318 also supports up to 70 IPSec VPN WAN tunnels simultaneously for secured connections to branch offices and your mobile workforce, plus 32 WLAN VPN tunnels to secure your wireless network. It includes Web page URL keyword filtering and 168-bit 3DES IPSec encryption capability. The FVM318 sends you e-mail notification of network activity - reporting and tracking of hacker attempts - as well as real-time alerts. A built-in encryption co-processor provides fast VPN tunneling speeds.

Netgear's FVM318 takes care of all your security needs with True Firewall, using Stateful Packet Inspection and Intrusion Detection features, DoS attack protection, and VPN pass-through for extra security. With SYSLOG and reporting you are enabled with thorough network monitoring. Using IKE authentication, the FVM318 provides peace of mind against unauthorized VPN network access and new AES (256-bit) encryption security provides one of the most impenetrable encryption methods available for 802.11b/g networks. The FVM318 can make a VPN connection to other VPN device or it can connect through client software.

Lastly, the Smart Wizard connects to your ISP quickly and the user-friendly Web-based configuration screen and Install Assistant greatly reduces setup time. With remote administration capability the FVM318 makes it easy to connect to multiple sites. It has an integrated 8-port 10/100 Mbps switch and is compatible with Windows, UNIX, Macintosh, and Linux O/S.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice box, needs better documentation, December 27, 2003

By 

crabjoe (Port Deposit, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Netgear FVM318 Cable/DSL ProSafe Wireless VPN Security Firewall (Personal Computers)

The documention that comes with the router is garbage. The client software that comes with the router is garbage, In fact, the documention and the screen shots didn't match what the router's web interface. Nor did the documentation match the client client software it comes with.

Aside from the problems with the documentation, once you figure out Netgear's logic, everything works. Well, atleast everything I've tried. I've been able to set up a client to Netgear VPN connection, and Site to Site. I've also tried all the other features and so far, everything works solid. The only thing I haven't used is the wireless.

Over all, I am happy with the FVM318. The only drawback is the documentation.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Netgear FVM318 - Solid AP & VPN, May 7, 2004

By 

J. Dlouhy (Dallas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Netgear FVM318 Cable/DSL ProSafe Wireless VPN Security Firewall (Personal Computers)

Specs are great - hardware VPN [3DES & 256bit AES], 100+ tunnels, dyndns support, Stateful FW, syslog, 8 port 10/100 switch, 7.5Mbps WAN-LAN on IP & 4.2Mbps using 3DES.

Ive experienced solid performance with very good 802.11b range and throughput. Remote access via available Safenet DialIP client and office-office tunnel to a Netscreen works well.

Very good documentation on the website for connecting this device to other manufacturers equipment - like Cisco, Nortel, Win2k, etc. Was able to bring up a branch office tunnel to a Netscreen [not documented] in about 30 minutes. Included WLAN client not tested, nor was the available full client [less than $30 per user] -- but its available!!!

Only negative - support. I forward a couple of ports to an internal linux box. That machine can not connect to the 'net unless I turn off the port forarding. This could be a 'feature' of the beta firmware v1.2b I'm running. But that code is required to use domain names rather than IP addresses for VPN end-points. After trading email with netgear support - nothing got resolved.

Overall - its a solid box with some rough edges.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bad product., May 4, 2004

By 

T. Nguyen (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Netgear FVM318 Cable/DSL ProSafe Wireless VPN Security Firewall (Personal Computers)

This product really sticks. I bought a couple days ago and then had to return it. I couldn't even set up the VNP because there was no proper documentation. I call Netgear and their support was no help at all. The router couldn't work wirelessly and wired simultaneously for the same machine... without reset the router... What I am trying to say is if you connected wirelessly to the router and then disconnected that wireless connection and then plugged into the router with your wired LAN cable... you would not have a connection. Unless you went into the the router wirelessly and resetted it manaully. The latest firmware upgrade they have for the router is a beta v1.2 - And if you have a a problem with beta versions of their firmware you cannot call them (Netgear).... you have to email .... [e-mail] or something like that. It does have alot of cool features but there are too many glitches. Hope this review helps.