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Compex NetPassage 16 Internet Gateway Review - PAGE 1
Curtis Unger - Thursday, April 11th, 2002


Setting up a network in your home or office, and cluttering up the place with running wires and drilling holes everywhere? You've probably thought about using a wireless solution, as they are becoming more and more popular these days. Now that the technology has been around for a while, prices are dropping making it more affordable to invest in a wireless solution. Let's take some time to explore what the NetPassage 16 can do. It claims to take that mountain of cables and setup time from a normal "wired" network, and turn it into an efficient wireless network into a hassle free fun experience.

Features

  • Support external ADSL/Cable modem, V.90 56K analog modem
  • Integrated 4-port 10/100Mbps Switch
  • IEEE 802.11b Wireless LAN option
  • Load Balancing and Fail-Over Redundancy
  • Wireless Pseudo VLAN (Per Node and Per Group)
  • 64-bit or 128-bit WEP
  • Wireless modes: Access Point or Wireless Client
  • Virtual Server (Port Forwarding and IP Forwarding)
  • Time-based Access Control
  • IP Packet Filtering
  • Remote Management

    Technical Specification:

    Industry Standards
    IEEE 802.3 10Base-T, IEEE 802.3u 100Base-TX, IEEE 802.3x Flow Control CE Mark, FCC Class A, Gost, C-Tick, UL

    WAN Interface
    10Mbps RJ45 Ethernet (support external Cable/ADSL modem) RS232 serial port (support external V.90 56K analog modem)

    WAN Protocol
    Static IP, Dynamic IP, PPP Over Ethernet (PPPoE), RAS

    LAN Interface
    4-port 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Switch Type II PCMCIA slot for optional Wireless LAN Card

    Parallel Broadband
    Load Balancing & Fail-Over Redundancy

    Wireless LAN Mode
    Access Point or Wireless Client

    Wireless Pseudo VLAN
    Per Node or Per Group

    IP Addressing
    Classful or Classless subnet

    Built-In DHCP Server
    Yes

    DHCP Reservation
    By MAC addresses

    NAT Firewall
    Yes

    Virtual Server
    Port Forwarding and IP Forwarding

    Access Control
    Time-based IP Packet Filtering
    By TCP Port and Source IP

    IP Routing
    Static and Dynamic

    Routing Protocol
    RIP1 and RIP2

    VPN Client Pass-Through
    PPTP and IPSec

    NetMeeting
    Yes

    Management Interface
    Web-based, TELNET Command Console, RS232 Serial Console

    Remote Management
    Yes

    Configuration Backup and Restore
    Yes

    Firmware Upgrade
    Yes

    Environment Requirements
    Temperature
    Operating: 0°C to 50°C
    Storage: -20°C to 70°C
    Humidity
    Operating: 10%RH to 80%RH
    Storage: 5%RH to 90%RH

    The Netpassage 16 Gateway

    The first thing I noticed about the gateway device is that it is fairly lightweight. It shares the same size as most Routers/Hub’s in today’s market, but stands vertically with a slot along the top for inserting a wireless 802.11b PCMCIA Card. Because of this configuration, the unit does not use the wireless antennas that you find in most wireless routers on the market. The Netpassage 16 is a standard 4-port router with built-in DHCP server utilities and NAT firewall. The 4 port wireless abilities are optional, as you can use the 56k modem instead of inserting a wireless card, although a significant number of people would think of the 56k modem as a last resort for connecting to Internet. The device has, like most other routers; an easy to use web based management interface for setting up the gateway’s many great features. It supports static and RIPv1/RIPv2 dynamic routing so it’s pretty much ideal for running a large network for colleges, or even universities. Another good built-in feature is the time based access control which allows you to easily manage who gets Internet access on the network. The server has a firmware upgrade feature allowing for new patches and bug fixes for free. With the wireless features on the router you get up to an 11mpbs air transmission rate which is still interoperable with older standards (1-2Mbps). It has a large display of LEDs showing which connection is established and at what network strength (Highlighted by Orange (10mps) and Green (100mps)). The router allows for a Wireless Pseudo VLAN with the wireless connection which defines a single Wireless LAN into multiple virtual LANs. This is what separates the NetPassage16 from the wireless routers on the market today. It makes using Wireless VLAN technology easy to use.

  • next: Pros & Cons »

    Article Index

    1.Introduction, Features & Specifications
    2.Pros & Cons
    3.Pseudo VLAN, Security & Final Thoughts

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