TRENDnet 4-Port VPN Firewall Router TW100-BRV204 (Blue)

Comment: MS built-in VPN server crashes all the time in spite of updating to the latest firmware. I also experienced a huge lag time on using my remote access connections through this router.

Comment: I bought this router after finally giving up on all things Linksys. So far, it has worked reliably and I love the PPTP remote access feature. (Be aware that this style of VPN is very insecure unless you use a strong password.)

The one objection is the configuration interface. Very unstable. I accidentally entered a PPTP key that was longer than allowed. No warning message, just some garbage on the screen and it never let me log in again. I had to do a hard reset and start all over, twice, before I realized what was happening. In fact, I'd like to tweak the configuration now, but it has locked me out and I'm just living with it as is, rather than starting over again for the third time.

If you get your configuration right, it works great. Compared to the junk Linksys is selling these days, it's a big improvement.

Comment: The VPN functionality does not work as advertised. I attempted PPTP but was not able to access LAN. Wasted many hours trying to get the problem resolved. Opened a case with Trendnet but they called me back in 4 days instead of the 2 days they promised. Once they do reply, they're not bad. One of the few companies that are still using onshore tech support (at least for the VPN part). The product guide is sketchy and does not contain problem solving help for this particular problem. The website has some FAQs but also does not address this problem. I managed to get the remote desktop to work. Still working with tech support on accessing the LAN. I nearly gave up on them. Let's see if they can get my problem resolved. They had me upgrade the firmware to version 2.

Comment: Beware buying this product from Antonline, they have a poor return policy:

Unfortunately, products with customer caused item, packaging or accessory damage; OR that are missing items, accessories or packaging; OR with activated software or intellectual property agreements; OR with missing packaging or accessories; OR that cannot be resold as new - exactly as you received the product are not eligible for return or refund.

Comment: I replaced a $400 VPN router with this one. Working from home with the original router I had a permanent IPSec tunnel into our main office as well as a permanent PPTP tunnel into a second office. This router started having problems so I looked for a replacement. Although I could find a lot of VPN routers which would do IPSec tunnels I could not find one at a reasonable price that would do the PPTP tunnel so I went with the cheapest VPN router I could find. With the Trendnet router I still have the IPSec tunnel into the main office but I have to connect an individual PC to the second office with the PPTP connection meaning that is the only PC which can see that office's network. However, I knew I would have that limitation when I bought the Trendnet router. I have now been running for a month on this router without a hickup. I have been very surprised at how well it has worked.