Security or Connectivity? Why not Both

By Michael Foley
iApplianceWeb
(05/30/01, 09:22:54 AM EDT)

NetGear, Inc. has introduced a router appliance that attempts to resolve the complications of broadband connectivity and security. Its new RO318 Cable/DSL Security Router includes broadband connectivity features and an enhanced set of security features, as well as an 8-port switch. The RO318 Cable/DSL Security Router is for the small business market.

NETGEAR's RO318 Cable/DSL Security Router provides security and network management through network address translation (NAT). It also has eight 10/100 Mbps ports for connecting multiple PCs or other devices on the Local Area Network (LAN) in addition to the Cable/DSL Ethernet port. The RO318 provides extra security measures with Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), static content filtering as well as logging, reporting, and email alerts. SPI technology prevents Denial of Service (DoS) attacks and malicious data packets. NAT as well as Virtual Private Network (VPN) pass-through are both supported as the base level of security against Internet intrusion.

Multiple Web content filtering options allow network administrators to establish restricted access policies based on time of day, day of week, Web addresses, or Web address key words. Regular browsing activity reports and instant email alerts notify administrators of policy violations and attempted hacker attacks. The RO318 also supports master user access, allowing network administrators to have full access to the Web while restricting the access of all other PCs on the network.

The router allows up to 253 users to share high-speed Internet access. The RO318 Cable/DSL Security Router also supports all leading client systems, such as Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and Unix.

The RO318 is available through NETGEAR's distribution partners, as well as catalog, retail, Web stores, and NETGEAR's Powershift value-added reseller (VAR) partners. Its MRSP is $240.00.