ZoneAlarm Secure Wireless Router Z100G Discussion Forum
ZoneAlarm Secure Wireless Router Z100G Discussion Forum
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sofaware.infopop.cc SofaWare Discussion Groups ZoneAlarm Z100G Secure Wireless Router Z100G Bait&Switch = 5 Node Limit = true cost $300 Topic Closed|
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Junior Member |
This issue of the Z100G limiting access to 5 nodes is a real pain. I think it is basically a Bait&Switch marketing tactic. The user that would buy a firewall appliance would most likely need more than a 5 node license leading to paying the extra $100 for 15 nodes = $300 Z110G. I am sure Marketing voted for this 5 node limit approach and Engineering voted for a default 10 node limit. What do you think? Don't get me wrong. I think the Z100G is a great product but this Bait&Switch Marketing can kill it. The competition should be heating up before the Z100G gets an decent market share.
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Junior Member |
BTW = a work around is to reconfigure your network and then restart the Z100G so that it discovers the new configuration immediately instead of having to wait hours for it to timeout and reconfigure.
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Advanced Member |
I don't agree with you, respectfully of course. I have the unit and use exactly five devices including my work laptop. My networked printer and networked storage devices are not an issue because they are not connected to the internet. I would consider myself at the top end of a device like this.
Bait and switch is when you advertise one product at a reduced price then tell the purchaser the product is no longer available but you have another with either fewer features or more expensive. I read the sales literature before I purchased and it clearly said that it came with 5 licenses, so I don't understand where you think the switch is. What is surprising is that it jumps to 15 at the next level. I would back those who think that a 5-pack add on at $50 -$60 would be more reasonable for the home market. the rocket |
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Junior Member |
I might agree with you about the strict technical or legal definition of bait&switch. I guess it is just 'smart' marketing. I have my desktop and laptop, my wife's desktop and laptop, and my son's desktop. I would be very happy if I could run those five computers at the same time but I also have an Apple Airport Extreme Base Station and an Apple Airport Express Base Station with AirTunes for our legacy computers that won't do WPA2 plus for sending music from iTunes. These are part of my intranet that take node licenses and lock out my computers. Z100G advertising does indicate a 5 node license but does not indicate that a lot of things besides computers will use those. If you look at the postings here, you will see other unhappy customers bitten by the 5 node limit. I would also be very happy to pay $50 for an additional 5 nodes but I balk at $100 more. If I had know of this issue, I would have considered other firewalls, like the [EDITED] instead of the Z100G. Thanks for your respectful reply. Respectfully yours, OG
<<Post's have been edited - no 3rd party advertisements are allowed>> This message has been edited. Last edited by: Erez Kalman, |
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Advanced Member |
I've been reading the posts and I think the issue is that checkpoint underestimated the number of people that work from home (extra laptop in my case) and the use of PDAs. The iTunes Express is a great example of where the need to access the internet by a device other than a computer is becoming fairly common, so I think the additional licenses in a 5-pack would be great. However, you mentioned you would have gone with the SOHO 6, but when I priced that it was much more because you had to buy the services separate, and if you went over 10 you had to jump to 25.
Either way, I think the general consensus is that the 5-license limit is a sticking point. In fact I would suggest 8 seats as the standard, my reasoning being that the average household has four people and each will most likely have at least two devices. So, if you are lurking and listing Checkpoint people, send out an update that boosts the first level to 8 as the starting point. the rocket |
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Member |
OG:
Do you know how much the [EDITED] costs? It appears it is only available thru a limited number of authorized sellers. I agree it is worth considering. If doing things over what else might you consider? Thanks, Jim
<<Post's have been edited - no 3rd party advertisements are allowed>> This message has been edited. Last edited by: Erez Kalman, |
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Engineer Level Member |
The number of nodes that has been set when we where considering the price and feature list for the appliance was based on market research that showed that most home users use 5 nodes and under.
The number of nodes provided with the basic license can be heavily debated and some will say minimum of 6 should be provided and others 8 and others yet 10, etc... For most consumers 5 nodes is sufficient and this is far from "bait&switch" as we clearly state this appliance will support up to 5 nodes unless upgraded to 15 nodes via a one fee of 99 USD. Please also note that specifically for Z100 users the license engine is more flexible then with the Safe@Office appliance; nodes are only counted when passing to/from the WAN port (Internet) - unlike it's big brother. Starting from firmware 7.0.36 devices/nodes that do not need Internet access can be blocked by adding a block rule. |
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Junior Member |
For work I purchased a [EDITED]. I have seen lower prices advertised on the internet. A quick check reveals this: [EDITED]. I purchased fine wireless routers for $35 so I did not order the wireless version of the SOHO 6. The Z100G is more user friendly to setup and operate. A non-discounted Z100G with 15 licenses is $300. I would like to find other firewall appliances for comparison. Tech savvy folks can build a firewall appliance from an old PC or they can install the free VMware Player and a free software firewall appliance. I recommend to everyone I know that they purchase a firewall appliance to safeguard their home network.
<<Post's have been edited - no 3rd party advertisements are allowed>> Notice: further post's of this nature may result in a ban from this forum. This message has been edited. Last edited by: Erez Kalman, |
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Member |
Erez:
I can well imagine that "considerable discussion" transpired when selecting the default client limit ;-) I really admire the device, and will probably get one. Let me suggest that perhaps ZA consider a 5 client upgrade for $50 in addition to the 10 client upgrade at $100? Thanks, Jim
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Junior Member |
I completely agree that the usual home network user has less than five nodes. My Dad has only one computer on his network plus my laptop when I visit. The typical home network user leaves his network completely unsecured. Does not know how or care to secure his network and does not even know what a firewall or firewall appliance is. You are marketing a sophisticated networking device that only a few realize is essential in today's computing environment. If your marketing surveyed the most likely consumer of your product, i.e. a sophisticated computer user that understands the need for a firewall appliance, they would have discovered that this type of user probably has more than five devices that take node licenses. Don't get me wrong. I recommend to everyone I know that they should have a firewall appliance on their home network and I recommend your product. Soon the typical user will be like my brother, an airline pilot non-computer geek, married with two teenage kids. They have more than five computers active at a time plus a future station to stream music and movies and are very much at risk. Why don't you suggest to marketing that you sell additional licenses at increments of $50 per five? I would be the first to buy. You realize that this would improve your competitive position in the market and would increase revenue immediately. Trying to squeeze the consumer too much is counterproductive. Ask Marketing for a new survey and have it re-done every six months. The market is constantly changing. In six months we might be wondering what happened to that big company Microsoft that used to be such a player. Bill Gates understands. So does Steve Jobs.
OG |
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Engineer Level Member |
Thank you for your comments - we will take it under advisement and consider adding more licensing schemes. |
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Engineer Level Member |
Thank you for your comments - we will take it under advisement and consider adding more licensing schemes. |
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Junior Member |
OK,
First, Hi! This is my first post. Second, where did the $300 figure come from? My impression is the Z100G costs $150, and the 10 user pack is $100, = $250. Where's the extra $50? Third, for me, 5 users (device->wan connections) is just fine. But, if I even thought I might be exceeding that limit in the next 2 years, I would shop now for wireless firewalls in the $250 range -- and there is a fair list of strong competitors for that kind of money. However, in Check Point's defense, the $100 upgrade jump helps small businesses focus on more appropriate solutions, like their Safe@Office line. So, I will look carefully, and try to get a sense of whether the price point of the Z100G is really the value it appears to be. -Ken |
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Junior Member |
The new ZoneAlarm Secure Wireless Router will be sold as a standalone appliance, or bundled with five copies of the award-winning ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite software. Availability is expected in late November at www.zonelabs.com. List price for the standalone appliance will be $199. A special promotional rate of $149 will be available through December 31, 2006.
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Junior Member |
Thanks for the response, OG.
But, I'm still a little confused:
I'm starting to see OG's point: the more I look at this, the more uncertain I am about what is really being offered. So, my questions for Check Point are:
If Check Point is the up-front company I think they are, I'm sure they will provide clarifications. This is probably just poor ad copy on their part, with no intent to confuse or mislead. But, no one wants a muddled, unclear marketing effort blunting sales of what seems to be an exceptional product. -Ken This message has been edited. Last edited by: kismert, |
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Member |
Here's how I understand it:
"special" intro. price on router by its self is: $150 including one yr. of updates to firmware, this price seems to have been extended ... maybe it is permanent. The $50 listed is for lic. for 5 copies of ZA ISS client software ... this is a deal if you need them. The $150 base price of the router limits the the number of clients accessing the internet AT ONE TIME to 5. You can upgrade this "ceiling" to 15 clients for $100. In either case, after the 1st year of use, if you want to keep the firmware and signature files current in the router up to date you pay $70/yr. |
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Junior Member |
JimW,
While subscribing to the Virus signature files is certainly reasonable, I sure hope that isn't the case for the firmware. Firmware is typically provided free by this industry. The Z100G User Guide seems to imply this:
Check Point, please clarify this, too: are manual firmware updates free? -Ken |
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Member |
Sorry, by firmware I meant the parts of the firmware that require updates not for basic functional capabilities but for updated AV, spyware, parental control etc.
Like you, I "assume" that the basic firmware updates are at no charge if manually installed, for the supported life of the product ... whatever that turns out to be ;-) Jim |
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Member  |
I tend to agree 5 users is small number for a household purchasing the z100g.
Home Desktop Work Laptop Teenager 1 Teenager 2 Vonage Linksys Router Another router near the TV switching Slingbox Tivo I had it working for a while hide natting behind the extra routers in the house but then I lost some functionality like the rule based functions. |
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Junior Member |
Stan, looks like you were able to get your slingbox to work with the Z100G. I'm not able to see the device on my network after swapping out router for firewall. Any suggestions.
Tx, Larry Larry Goldstein |
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