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Rating: 
Summary: If you don't need VPN, this is the router/firewall to buy!
Review: ZyXEL makes a full line of VPN firewalls that go by the name ZyWALL, and are generally considered the best products out there for the SOHO and small business market that needs VPN (Virtual Private Network) communication with remote offices or individuals. The Prestige 324 is a full SPI firewall with a 4-port switch that provides virtually everything that their ZyWALL product line does, only without the VPN circuitry. As a result, it is perfectly suited to most home users that want industrial-strength security for their always-on DSL or cable connections. It supports X-Box, Instant Messenger, UPnP, and virtually every Internet game out there. If you want to, it also provides all the settings that you will need to set up servers, web sites, etc.The firmware that controls the product is taken directly from their enterprise level products. Because of this, it is subjected to a level of testing and evaluation by networking professionals that no consumer product would ever get. As such, the product has evolved to be virtually "bullet-proof". I've used, tested and discarded every competitive product that I could find while searching for one that actually did what the marketing people said it would, but there was always some fatal flaw. The search ended when I met with some networking professionals. They unanimously suggested that I leave the department store brands and get into a professional product, especially since it was actually less expensive than most of the consumer-quality products. Finally, it looks great too -- it's not just an old tin box that is better suited to a laboratory than a home. All-in-all, this is a winner! Amazon.com seems to carry the product on an inconsistant basis, but when it's available, their price is generally the best around, if you get the free shipping. I have a few friends and relatives waiting for it to come back into stock so that they can order one for themselves.
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