Cisco 1603 - router

Advantages: Fast, Secure and Efficient Internet Connection
Disadvantages: High level of Technical Expertise needed to setup more advanced features

...The Cisco 800 Series Routers provide a solution for high speed, secure and above all reliable Internet connection. The 857 model is specifically designed for connecting small office / home office (Soho) networks to the Internet via ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) or "Broadband" technologies. For those of you who know little of Broadband (ADSL), it is a new technology that allows more data to be sent over existing copper telephone lines at higher download rates. Typically home users connect to the Internet via a Modem, often supplied by there internet service provider. However, this solution of internet connectivity is far from ideal in a mission critical environment. If you don't know what a router is, it is unlikely you need one. However, if you wish to connect to the internet in a fast and secure manner a router is the only... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Very Cheap, with lots of features
Disadvantages: Will help with CCNA, but may stuggle with CCNP

...I bought one of these routers off ebay to help with my upcoming (Cisco) CCNA exam. These are by no means cutting edge routers, and are obsolete now as they only support 10Mbps via their AUI (lan) port and support a limited amount of protocols. The router itself has one AUI port, which when used with a transceiver can connect to either another router or a switch (at 10Mbps); 2 serial ports which can be configured with a routing protocol such as frame relay to connect to another switch or ISP data terminal equipment, a console port to configure the router itself, and an AUX port for modem connection. Though well past it's sell by date, the switch is perfect to get to grips with Ciscos IOS (internetwork Operating System) and set up simple routed networks in conjuction with other routers and switches. One thing to be aware of when buying... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Router & Modem in one box.
Disadvantages: User interface, documentation, functionality.

...a comparable Linksys - but far cheaper than a Cisco offering.) It is sensible to consider buying a device like this if you have more than one computer and a single ADSL enabled telephone line and you wish to access the internet from any computer. Each computer requires an Ethernet interface (which comes as standard in many modern PCs) and an Ethernet patch cable to connect each of a maximum 4 PCs to the router. The Dlink 504T is connected directly into a standard ADSL “micro filter” which you will need to buy separately to separate telephone signals from data signals. More expensive competing products support wireless connectivity but the DLink 504T only supports wired Ethernet connection to PCs. If you only require support for a single Windows computer using ADSL then an alternative option may be to use a USB ADSL modem: the benefits of a USB... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful