Belkin (F5D5231-4) Router

Pros: easy
Cons: n/a

This router is the easiest router I have ever owned! I love it I have had it for 6 months and not on ...

Pros: Ease of setup and lifetime guarantee
Cons: too cheap to believe (no real cons yet)

Years ago I was lucky enuff to be able to get DSL and dump the dial-up. Recently, I took the plunge ...

Pros: Cheap with rebates
Cons: Requires regular power cycling

With a coupon for 5$ off in the store, a sale, and a rebate coupon this router only cost 5$ total. ...

Pros: easy setup for novices power features for power users can also be configured via browser
Cons: delay after authentication when logging in to manage the router, but doesn't need much management

This product from Belkin should convince anyone who thinks they can't afford, or don't need to bother with a hardware-based firewall that now is the time to get one. Provides NAT (network address translation) between your network and the Internet.

Provides both 'wizard' style installation (which I didn't use), that can inspect an already-configured pc that's communicating with a cable modem, for example, and configure the router to work correctly in-between.

Alternately, can be configured through a web browser, say, for folks running other operating systems (not just Windows, Linux and Mac, but also UNIXes, etc.).

Includes both dhcp client functionality toward the cable modem, if your modem can server as a dhcp server, and dhcp server functionality to provide IP addresses to your client machines.

Pros: IT WORKS
Cons: IT DOESN'T PROTECT YOU

I suppose if your looking to hide behind something that does NOT stealth out all of you ports and which also doesn't offer any remedial setting for it, then this is your router. If you have this type of router, just go to "Shields Up" internet vulnerability tester and you'll find out you have your pants down. Ports 0 and 515 are consistently exposed to hacking threats no matter what types of changes are made in the routers configuration. I also found that the MAC address filter does not work at all. It is merely a counterfeit page on the routers config with a button that says "apply changes". Well, unfortunately no changes were ever applied because I got on my LAN with absolutley no problem with my laptop whose address was NOT included in the MAC filter list. A sham devised to create a sense of security in technically unexperienced customers looking for a router as Belkin cashes in on fake Hollywood sets? Probably. This router is OK, but the fact that some of the functions are completely bogus has got me wondering about the integrity of the company itself.

Pros: Very easy to set up and great security
Cons: none

I'm using Windows XP and sharing my DSL connection with a Windows ME based computer. I tried Microsofts ICS and it wouldn't work. This router had my network up and running in about 10 min. The router comes with a vertical base that makes it a perfect fit next to the DSL modem. Small footprint but big results. After I installed the router I tested my security at a well known test site and got a "stealth" rating on a normal scan and on a scan of 1056 ports only one was open.

Pros: Both NAT and SPI firewalls. Easy set-up. Good price. Lifetime warranty.
Cons: really are none.

I originally wanted to buy a $49 Linksys router until the sales person told me that the Belkin had not only NAT but also SPI firewalls. For $60 I couldnt be happier with it. Using the set-up wizard CD set-up took about 5 minutes. The nice thing about this router is that once you load your account info via the CD into the router it and the DSL modem automatically connect at power turn-on. You simply open a browser and go (no messing with a dialer). I've had no glicthes so far using it in all situations on the net. It mounts on a vertical stand that saves space. I have the DSL modem and Belkin router standing vertical taking up no space at all. I love the fact that I can connect to the router with my browser and check the security log to check for hacker attacks.