Super router for a low price! (Netgear DG834G 54 Mbps Wireless ADSL Firewall)

Member Name: tomgibbes

Product:	Netgear DG834G 54 Mbps Wireless ADSL Firewall
Date:	03/08/08 (129 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, Good security, Loads of features, Stylish design

Disadvantages: Firewall sometimes blocks your applications

The Netgear DG834G is a ADSL Wireless router. This means it doubles as a modem for your DSL internet connection and a wireless router. However it also includes other features like hardware firewall. The router can be found in online stores at very reasonable prices now considering the quality of it compared to other cheap routers. However I obtained my router for free from AOL. I know for a fact that Sky also gives this router away free so it must meet their expectations in terms of price/performance. It is certainly a good router to be receiving from an internet provider, my friends have received own branded routers that have failed quickly from other ISPs.

Because I received the router free from AOL it was packaged in AOL packaging without the standard selection of peripherals. The router itself is very stylish. It is white and very compact. It reminds me of Apple hardware. I was pleasantly surprised as many cheap routers come is fairly ugly colours and square cases. The Netgear is rounded and sleek, it won't look out of place if you own expensive Macbooks and don't want a black box to lower the tone.

The firmware of the router (where you adjust all the settings) is found by entering the routers IP address into any web browser, this is the standard for most routers. The first time you use the router you can only connect to the firmware if your PC is wired to it by an Ethernet cable. However it is easy to allow firmware access wirelessly. The firmware covers everything you need to set up your router as well as some other interesting and useful features. One of my favourites is that if you configure it the router will automatically update your dynamic DNS on the host DynDNS. This is great if your ISP assigns you a new IP every time you connect to the internet and you want to run a server of some sort.

The DG834G has all the standard features you would expect from a modern wireless router. The firewall is effective and it is great to have an extra layer of protection, however expect to end up configuring it for a few minutes if one of you applications gets blocked by it. The DG834G offers all the security features you would need, WEP and WPA encryption and MAC address access lists.

In all my time of owning it I have also never experienced any disconnects. The router is extremely reliable.

Overall the DG834G is a super router for a low cost. It offers reliability and features without breaking the bank.

Summary: Great buy if you need a router.

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Ease of use:
Installation:
Variety of features:
Features: