Cisco Syst. Dual Ethernet Security Wireless Router ( CISCO851W-G-A-K9 )

We needed to set up a VPN to our remote hosting site, and this router did the trick. It's very reliable (we have gone through 3 Linksys WRT54G routers, I guess they're not up to non-home conditions), and uses the normal Cisco router commands. It also has a limited web interface.

This little router is packed with tons of features. My only issue is that the device does not support extra VLAN's and you cannot configure subinterfaces on the the 4 switchport LAN interfaces.

Great SOHO router with more features than you can ever use but not a great LAB router due above reasons.

I wouldn't suggest this device to users that do not know IOS.

I feel slightly bad having to torch what, featurewise, is a fantastic entry level small business router and that could work well for a IOS expert or business with an available IOS network consultant, but unfortunately what Cisco's packaged here is a subset of their higher end machines, only without being able to simplify the management of the machine.

I purchased this router because I needed to set up a reliable VPN connection back to a home office. I'd still have skipped this router, since as Cisco product, it would use IOS for management, except that Cisco advertised the wide range of "wizards" available for use in the product via SMD Express and the more advanced SMD. Big mistake.

SMD Express certainly hasn't been well tested - no easy-to-use setup wizard should ever be generating errors and textless warning dialogs on a first use. It also shouldn't be giving error messages involving non-visible aspects of the system (warning that actions will cause...Read more