recommend this MOST highly to amateurs and experts alike!
I read all about the Netgear DG 834 on several well known review sites before buying, and it was consistently the most highly rated by users and techies alike. Like most people, the biggest factor was price. To get the 3 separate pieces of hardware offered here in one box here (a modem a router and a firewall) would normally cost hundreds of pounds.
The second thing that attracted me to it was the comments by people on how easy it was to set up. I can now confirm this (as described a few lines below).
I was also very impressed by how it seemed to do EVERYthing and all for what I think is quite a reasonable price. I got my broadband connection quite cheaply on the basis that I would set it up myself, and buy my own hardware. So this litte box has really saved me money.
With this package, you get a modem, AND a firewall (very important if you have broadband so that people can't attack your PC and "leach" off of your connection). What is more, you even get a router, which means that more than one computer can connect to the internet at the same time. It also lets share files and printers etc. between all the computers in your home.
I was concerned about setting up my own ASDL connection because although I am an avid computer "user" I can't really do all that technical twiddling stuff. I was most worried beacuse I have a PC and my girlfriend has an apple ibook, and so I imagined that there would be big trouble ahead.
But it was no problem at all. In fact, the DG 834 did all the settings by itself! I was given a long list of settings and configuration details by my ISP but ... all I had to do was type in my account and password details, and it just worked everything else out by itself! It was even easier than setting up a printer.
Now my PC and my girlfriend's apple are connected to the internet. You can leave them both on all the time without worrying about hackers. Or you can turn them on and off when you like and the connection is just there instantly. Nothing to open, or dial up. Just go to your internet browser and it's done. We can also send and receive files to / from each other, as the DG 834 has given us a proper network.
There is a downside, but it's very minor. You only get one splitter/microflter in the box. We have a second phone extension and so because this was not "filtered" we still had some "noise" on our phone line. Solution? Simply bought a second filter and all problems were solved.
Absolutely outstanding. I haven't been so impressed by a single gadget since ... well ... a very long time indeed.
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Thanks for that - I know this was written a while ago now, but I'm setting one of these up for a friend and I wondered if it needed a PC at the router end - or if it can be used as a stand-alone router just plugged into a BT socket, transmitting broadband to your only PC in the house? Thanks for any help you can give. All the best, Sal x
simcox1 10.12.2004 12:37
I am thinking of getting broadband now it is slightly cheaper and might get a good quality modem such as this one. I was considering the wireless version of this modem but would prefer to use a wired version if I can. I also have seen many good reviews of this and that is what attracted me to it. Thanks.
Deru 23.05.2004 13:29
Nice. How much would I look to pay for one of these? Also, is the router settings easy to configure? and umm....does this one have the network ports (where you plug in the network cables) or do you need an ethernet hub?
Four products in one, this multitalented firewall router combines an ADSL modem, router, ... more
four-port 10/100 LAN switch, and SPI True Firewall to deliver broadband access that's continuously available for sharing with all your networked devices. Simple to...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: stylish, robust, wide range of features, WiFi and wired connectivity Disadvantages: drops connection during lightning storms, manual slim on advanced features
May 22nd, 2004
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