Networking Reviews

I think it's great except it's too big and bulky.

I received the home portal from SBC as part of their home networking kit. It was easy to install and I haven't had any problems with it. The software that came with it lets me monitor all the computers in the network, reset encryption keys, and change firewall settings. A couple of days later, I tried to help some friends with their Linksys router and it was such a pain, making me relieved that I spent the extra money for the wireless router.

I install networks in Dallas, TX and we have never found an easier more reliable system to use and install than 2Wire. All we had to do was plug it in, install the client software on any machine connected to the phoneline network and then type in a verification code and the settings for your dsl isp, then it was good to go, we have not recieved a single complaint from multiple customers of the homeportal unit being down for a single second. As a networking company we highly recommend it for home or even small business use.

Installed this card in minutes including all the software upgrades available on the Adaptec website. Instantly hooked up all the existing USB peripherals and all worked just fine.

Hooked up a USB 2.0 peripheral and experienced the high speed transfer rates.

Bottom line? Nice card from Adaptec, well worth a slight premium over cheaper models.

I recently purchased a 4 megapixel camera, and I found that it took much longer to download the larger picture files it produced than the pictures from my old 2.0 MP camera, (using a CF reader with USB 1.1). I was also getting more errors, like refusing to open a preview picture, and occassionally freezing the whole system. Since I do a lot of photo editing, I decided to upgrade to USB 2.0. I installed this card in a 866mhz P3 Dell w/512mb RAM, running Windows 98SE. Installation of the card and the software was simple, and it works flawlessly. Used with a new USB 2.0 card reader, the speed is unbelievable, even when uploading images to a website and downloading and editing photos at the same time, with no glitches or errors at all. I had purchased a similar card (Belkin F5U220) from a different vendor, but it caused numerous system crashes, and when I called Belkin tech support, I found the rep to be inept and surly. I highly recommend this Adaptec product, and Amazon's service was superb, as usual.

The card itself is nice and there's a lot of documentation and support available at the company, which is a switch from the generics that I normally buy. This card is replacing a generic which didn't function all too well and had no support.

The USB view software is amazing. I now can see a map of all of my legacy and 2.0 USB devices, including printers, drives, camera, MP3 players, etc.

One point on installation: I have Windows XP Pro. During Plug and Pray, it automatically installed NEC drivers, not the Adapatec drivers. This is likely Microsoft's fault. Download the latest drivers for the 3100LP card from the support website, they are dated Dec 2002. You will have to go to the Control Panel, to the device and update drivers. When it asks you, specify a location where you installed the new drivers to, and ensure you are installing drivers for this card.

I just got this for Xmas to replace my undersized Belkin 4 port hub and it looks great. It works fine for most of my peripherals but don't bother hooking up your Soundsticks to it. The music skips about once every 20-30 seconds. It also requires a powercord (adding to the already overflowing powerstrip) unlike the Belkin which will work w/ or w/o external power (in accordance with USB specs I may add). So, I have the soundsticks plugged in directly to my TiBook and then the hub in the other port to all of the other peripherals. I debated returning it but the blekins are not stackable and take up a greater horizontal footprint. Sometimes I just wish I could find one product that did what I needed...

I had an old USB 1.0 hub that was not activating some of my USB devices when I booted my system. I researched the available USB 2.0 hubs and selected the Adaptec XHub7. I am not sorry I did. It was a snap to set up on my Window XP Home Edition system. all I had to do was plug in the USB devices, provide power to it using the included power supply and every USB device connected with no hithches.

It also fits nicely on my crowded desk, and I have not any problems with it like the ones I had with my old USB 1.0 hub. I plan to purchase another one as my system expands.

Not much else to say... It connected as soon as it was pluged in, I've got all 7 ports full, and everything works every time (fast). It's the most attractive piece of hardware on my desk. Benchmarking software shows it to be as fast as advertised. I have no problem with plugging it into AC, as I'd rather not have a laptop power supply running my accesories. I'm buying more.

I have had little compatiblity problems with this card on games. Of course I have a top of the line computer from Falcon that is tweeked to perfection. On my other PC with the Audigy 2 I noticed that my 6.1 setting would revert to the primative 2.0 setting in some games, but that is no longer a problem with this card using the 6.1 speaker setting. I have not tried 7.1 yet as I am still raising funds for the Gigaworks speakers(aka robbing banks, bashing the heads of stupid rich people, steeling corperate info, ect.;).
This card does not come with Jedi Academy as the other reviewer said, however. I have been wanting that game and only wish it did! The only complaint I have with this card is that it does little to position sounds properly in some games. I cannot get the speech to come through the center speaker only other sounds but that is the game's fault I think. If you have EAX 3 on a game it will not position sound accurately, you must have an EAX 4 compatible game. Knights of the Old Republic does not position speech through the center channel for instance. My old card(Audigy 2) positioned sound perfectly.

I was going to pick up the regular Audigy 2 for about fifteen to twenty dollars less but when I looked at the bundle that came with this it was impossible to turn down.

I received the games (all full versions as indicated). The training tutorials on the game CDs are pretty good, which was a relief because as expected no manuals for the games.

Picked this up with a T7700 sound system and Far Cry (awesome game) if you have a very solid PC to run it... I am playing it at max settings with my new Geforce 6800 OC and the graphics are simply amazing.

By picking up the sound card, T7700 speakers and Far Cry I also get fifty later to spend on Doom 3 and a fifteen dollar rebate on the T7700 speakers...

Can't beat this deal and the whole package is a very solid deal for high quality sound...

This card includes 5 full version games (all prices are amazon.com prices as of 4/8/04)
1. Halo ($43.99)
2. Star Wars : Jedi Academy ($44.99)
3. Splinter Cell ($29.99)
4. Rainbow Six 3 : Ravenshield ($19.99)
5. Tomb Raider : Angel of Darkness ($19.99)

Just the games on amazon cost $158.95!! It also has built in firewire and 7.1 surround sound. Not bad for a card that costs 133.99! Excellent card all around!

Look -- I don't need a great hub. Obviously, this is definitely NOT something you'd want to support a major corporate network. When it comes to inexpensive home networking, though, this product is everything you'd ever need. Our 3-computer home network has never been jammed, we have never experienced any difficulties with the hub, and setup was a complete breeze. Just make sure you buy the right cables for the job (there's yellow patch cables, and regular ethernet cables -- talk to your local computer store representative to sort out this issue.. they'll know). I personally knew nothing about home networks before I decided to set up my own, but all in all I'm definitely glad I decided to use this inexpensive option to set up our network. You'll definitely appreciate the nice light up LED's which tell you when and where data is being transferred. Did I mention we even use the hub to give cable modem access to all 3 of our computers, with only one actual cable modem? Isn't that great?

I use this product to link 3 computers and a cable modem connection and it works like a charm. Very space efficient and the front panel LED's let me know each port's status. I have not had any complications with this hub and seems to work effortlessly. Great hub.

This D-Link hub is very easy to install and works well in a busy network environment. I run a small marketing business from home and this small DE-805TP hub networks 4 computers and a laser printer with no hassles. The best feature of this hub is its compact-sized shape. I looked at other brands and D-Link seems to offer everything at a better price.

I have it with me for about 3 months now and works great on my Dell Axim X5 running on PPC2002. It works on wardriving tools such as Pocket warrior and Air sniffer when using the Intersil reference drivers.

The card is based on the Prism chipset - it is supported
by Linux (e.g., Zaurus), and I believe most Windows versions.
The range was better than that of a comparable Linksys card.
A very good, easy to install, card.

Excellent support on Linux PDAs, specifically Sharp Zaurus. Tested in both an SL-5500 and SL-C760 and works like it's supposed to. ;-)

As others say, the device is small and easy on the eyes. I express caution with regard to critical purposes such as servers and IP telephony; we have experienced some weird problems with this. We have three (Netgear FS608 v2) in two locations; two connected to a 24 port Dell switch and the third I think connects to a Cisco 3524. They may intermittently refuse to forward frames from just one source to just one destination while allowing frames from that same source to other destination, weird stuff like that. Reset takes a power cycle OR just unplug the uplink cable and reconnect. It's a real nuisance if it means you have to drive to work on a weekend or an IP telephone call goes "blip" into la-la land. I'm sure they have a limitation on the size of the MAC address cache but I have not so far researched it. Beware using little switches on big networks! (That sounds like a grade b movie title!)

This replaced my 4-port Netgear Hub. Fast, great looking; it now matches my silver computer. My only problem is that now the cables are in the back, and the weight of them tends to pull the switch backwards and nearly off the desk. No big deal though.

I've had it for a month. It does what it should. No problems easy to set up. What I like is the tiny size compare to the previous generation of switches.

I have bought this router together with 3coms 11g wireless card (3crwe154g72). The combo is great as long as you use WEP or non encrypted.

When ever I use WPA, the connection establishes, works for an hour or so and then drops for 5-10 minutes. I need to reassociate with the router again. Sometimes I need to pull out the card and even (rarely) restart the router.

This WPA problem may be related to the router (supports WPA), the card (supports WPA ONLY trough the OS), or the OS-drivers them selfs (Win XP PRO). However it seems, that some products do not have this issue under Win XP, so this indicates that the problem is either the router or the card.

When the WPA issue will be resolved by for instance a firmware upgrade, I will give this product 5 stars.

Please note: alla the newest (6 april 2004) relevant updates for Win XP, the newest drivers for the card and the newest firwares updates for the router was installed!

BUY ONE WHILE YOU CAN FOLKS! Anyway, (3CRWE554G72) it comes with a Lifetime Warranty + WorldWide service support.

When you buy products from the best like, 3COM, Apple, or 2WIRE (Homeportal 1000W, or 1800HG) then you'll be safe from the rest! (until the next coming up 802.11i generation)

It was literally as easy as plugging the thing in, putting it high on my desk in my office, and attaching the (included) network cable from the cable modem.

Worst signal strength even upstairs was 54% (Good), which was just as fast as sitting in my office (84% - Excellent).

No software installation was involved. I connected to the IP address specified, through my old network setup... I probably could have just plugged in the USB from the cable modem, no network required. There was a 10 page web-wizard to 'Next' thru... I left all the default values.

10 minutes later, I had my 3com 802.11g wireless PC card plugged in, and was tasting my first wireless experience.

I've used it all weekend, over a dozen hours, at all hours, in all the rooms of my house, and the setup has been 100% reliable.

I've used 3com products for the last 7 years, and they've earned another 7 from me. I rarely give 5 stars, but no doubt here. (P.S. Check the 3com site for rebates - I got back an extra fifty bucks by buying my PC card at the same time)

Nice product - appears well constructed. I had no problems installing a 160gig Maxtor and getting it up and running real quickly.

Only problem was the outer covering material "slides" open to reveal the chassis - as it is supposed to. "Slides" - yes, but not easily! You've really got to tug pretty hard because of the close fit.

Also, note that in XP there is apparently a small bug in which it will not always recognize a removable drive in Explorer. Apprently will be fixed this summer in a maintenance release. You can go into computer management | Disk Management to see the new, removable drive and then Change the drive letter.

I was always able to see the drive in a CMD (DOS) box, too.

I just ordered a second unit of this Dual-Link

Pros :

1. simple to install HD. Used Maxtor 160 Ultra. havent tried DVD-R but looks like it can handle OK.
2. usb 1.1/ firewire (fast!) interface works. drivers not needed in XP.
3. cool case
4. has fan + external power supply

Cons :

1. a bit bulky.
2. a bit noisy.
3. no power switch in front (it has this in back).
4. some random errors in usb1.1. not advisable to use unless no option. go w/ firewire/usb2

overall a recommended buy.

UPDATE:

tried USB2 and works great, though its slower than Firewire. But
much faster than regular USB.

This is a great product, easy to use, and works as advertised. More importantly, ADS Tech stands behind their product with excellent support (although a toll call away.)

Easy to install either a new hard drive or dvd/cd-rom player and connect it to either USB-2 or Firewire port on your PC or laptop. (No support for systems prior to Win98SE).

Highly recommended.

I believe this model is the GCS14. It's been working for me so far. However, I can't get the Hot Keys or Autoscan to work.

IO Gear's technical support is hopeless. They never reply to your emails.

Here's a tip you should remember when you first use it. Be sure to power off all computers first, then connect them onto the KVM. Start by powering on the computer connected to Port A and once you have booted into the OS, move to the next port and power up the next computer.

Be sure to wait till the computer has booted into the OS before moving on to the next. Most computer BIOSes don't like it if there are no input devices (especially keyboard) installed on the computer. So if you power on the computer without switching to the port the computer will think there are no input devices plugged in and may just halt at the BIOS without booting into the OS. You should be able to turn this off in your BIOS. Windows also doesn't boot properly without any input devices in my experience.

Once you boot into your OS, Windows for example, it won't matter since the OS will take over and should detect the keyboard and mice whenever, wherever...

And here's another tip. Never buy a USB KVM! Plug-n-play takes too long to detect your keyboard and mouse.

This IOGear KVM is great! It works flawlessly for my computers. I'm running a mixed windows/freebsd environment. One thing that I noticed is that the mouse picks up really fast, almost instantaneously. Can't say the same for the Belkin KVMs I have worked with. I'm running mine without the additional power supply, it works fine without it. It is also very compact. I have mine vertical using the provided stand. This is a great product!

I just want to correct the previous reviewer about the GCS14. He probably has a defective kvm. Mine works flawless. One, I can boot any OS I want in any order. Two, the keyboard key combo (ctrl + alt + shift + "ID") works for me.

You don't need to have to monitor set to the booting machine. I recommend however that you do so when using any kvm machine. It help the operating system detect the correct devices (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) attached. If you don't, they OS will load the generic drivers for mouse, keyboard, and plug'n play monitor. This is perfectly logical.