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Recommendation for best small business VPN router
Hi Experts,
I have a client who wants a robust VPN solution for their small business. I have tried to use a Linksys RVS4000 and it is not reliable. After a firmware upgrade and using the latest QuickVPN software and obtaining a static IP on the WAN side of the office, the RVS4000 does not allow me to see the remote network, after disconnect the router needs a reboot in order to connect again. VNC works sometimes and others does not. Reviews on this router suggest dismal VPN service.
What I need is something relaible for one user to come through to the end point and see his network and not have to reboot the router every time you disconnect. What I mean by see his network, network browsing by host name even if we have to map netbios hosts to IP's in his host file. The price range is below 400.00, but we don't want to spend that much if a less expensive unit will suffice.
I have a client who wants a robust VPN solution for their small business. I have tried to use a Linksys RVS4000 and it is not reliable. After a firmware upgrade and using the latest QuickVPN software and obtaining a static IP on the WAN side of the office, the RVS4000 does not allow me to see the remote network, after disconnect the router needs a reboot in order to connect again. VNC works sometimes and others does not. Reviews on this router suggest dismal VPN service.
What I need is something relaible for one user to come through to the end point and see his network and not have to reboot the router every time you disconnect. What I mean by see his network, network browsing by host name even if we have to map netbios hosts to IP's in his host file. The price range is below 400.00, but we don't want to spend that much if a less expensive unit will suffice.
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Les Moore
Used PIX 501 off ebay might be another good choice within your budget..
try an old pc running openvpn or similar
ASKER
The issues we are experiencing with the RVS4000 is when we connect from home to the office where the router resides we cannot see any of the hosts on the network, although the firewalls are off. Sometimes we can ping them and other times not. Only once was I able to establish a VNC connection once the VPN connection was established to a host on the network. After we connect, the RVS4000 has to be rebooted in order to connect again or have the host on the remote LAN access the internet. It's very quirky and unreliable.
Firmware has been updated to the latest. The client software has been updated to the latest. Firewalls are off at the remote site.
Firmware has been updated to the latest. The client software has been updated to the latest. Firewalls are off at the remote site.
ASKER
Static - already offered that, thanks, but the client wants a hardware device, like a router, not software on a server or workstation.
I use the RV041 and RV016. So far these are the best in 'low cost' equipment I have run across for VPN and overall stablility.
Though the RVS4000 carries the 'RV' I suspect it is a much lower grade unit, it has faster networking and a price that is much lower than the RV041, about 30-40% less. It is probably more comparable to the Linksys BE series VPN routers which have a pretty bad track record in my books.
Though the RVS4000 carries the 'RV' I suspect it is a much lower grade unit, it has faster networking and a price that is much lower than the RV041, about 30-40% less. It is probably more comparable to the Linksys BE series VPN routers which have a pretty bad track record in my books.
Sonicwall makes several models to fit needs and budgets.
They work very well and can be bundled with av/spam/web filtering etc...
They work very well for small to mid sized businesses.
www.sonicwall.com
They work very well and can be bundled with av/spam/web filtering etc...
They work very well for small to mid sized businesses.
www.sonicwall.com
Nortel also make a great router for small office for around 350.00
http://products.nortel.com/go/product_content.jsp?segId=0&catId=null&parId=0&prod_id=43360&locale=en-US
http://products.nortel.com/go/product_content.jsp?segId=0&catId=null&parId=0&prod_id=43360&locale=en-US
ASKER
SonicWall is a well known name, but aren't they painful to try and setup, especially a VPN configuration?
ASKER
I appreciate everyone's advice, I looked at quite a few of them, but in the end lrmoore got me looking into Cisco and I ended up selecting a cisco 851 at 399.00, with Smartnet for 65.00. Very nice unit. Thanks again guys.