Please let me hear your comments.

Pro:

Cons:

Pro #1: Blocks all the bad stuff. Nothing has got through to my software firewall and anti-spy since the Z100G was put into service this past May.

Pro #2: Easy for an experienced (but security-illiterate) PC user to install and set up.

Pro #3: Excellent technical support.

Con: #1: Didn't work properly with my satellite ISP until Tech Support tweaked it.

Like it very much!

ValleyDawg

From my point of view there are too many unknowns on what the router sends back to Sofaware, there is obviously a lot of info as the reports you get have quite a bit of information in them. But what else goes back that we don't know about? there is no easy way to monitor the Internet side of the router.

I did not find all the reports in the logs useful as there were several items that out of the box with no tweaks I could not see a reason for nor could I find an answer for.

I could not get some VOIP software to work correctly.

I did not like the way the router would download an update and reboot when it felt like it - I sometimes work from home and on more than one occasion I lost all the work I was doing.

There is also a cost to using the router which is not present on other hardware

In the main however it did what it was supposed to and I have to agree that the technical support was very good.

I still have the router but right now I do not use it.

Overall I am happy with the product. My only gripe is that there doesn't seem to be any active development going on with the firmware.

This device really needs more in terms of features/functionality, such as:

1. Webcam support via USB port (the ASUS WL-500W has this and allows for remote surveillance).

2. Support for firewall rule naming and ordering.

3. Support for USB attached storage devices (USB HDD's and memory keys).

Sadly, we have heard no recent news on any development. Hopefully there still is though!

I still dont think a router is a place to have a webcam... Sorry.. webcams should be either network enabled or attach to a client...(also im guessing how many drivers would you have to have IN the router to support *ALL* webcams*... Eugh.. )

Things Id like to see...
Optional UPnP support... I still have issues with an Xbox 360 refusing to host games through the sofaware box even *with* it in the DMZ..
Tivo's and even a WHS server could benifit from this.

Support for firewall rule naming and ordering is coming soon, as is the option to use Syslog..

Some documentation with setup information for common "Digital Home" devices... (That 360 comes to mind and the network issues I still have with my Sirius Stiletto losing the WPA key.. Not sure if its the router or the radio at this point)...

Some form of VOIP/Simple QOS support.. (True STUN support perhaps in addition or be able to assign *A* port to a VOIP device and have it with some priority over others...

Basic USB storage (memory or HD based) would be nice, even if its not a full NAS.. FTP and SMB perhaps?

I feel like noone has tried this router with Xbox Live or an network audio streaming appliance (that pulls from the net directly in addition to a LAN... )

Now for the Pros
I am more than happy with the protection this device provides from the outside world...

The reports, and the ability to use to use RDP from the router is extremely useful (if your machine is Windows Media center or higher (Pro)...

The built in print server works fine with an HP LJ4 with a USB to Parellel adapter from *Radio Shack* (not the best one out there by a long shot)... The online support is pretty cool.. they at least try to get things to work and usually do, but network devices seems to be a shortfall ...

Even though it uses node licensing they seem to be rather generous on releasing nodes for re-use... compared to a lot of buisness products (I love how people still compare a poorly made Dlink/Netgear/Linksys plastic box to a metal enclosure with a bit of processor power to it)..

I like it, and like it even more with the EA firmware..

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bugeek,

bugeek & all:

I am pretty much delighted with my Z100g except that I have had problems with it not releasing node licenses of WIRED connections as rapidly as is advertised (no issues with wireless connections). I have an open support ticket with Sofa... see:

http://sofaware.infopop.cc/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=500607236...471029944#3471029944

If you don't mind my asking, what is the "EA" firmware?

Thanks,
Jim

EA is early avalibility firmware.. Basically the firmware equivalent of beta, If youd like to give it a go, while online support is avalible, just ask for it... I havent seen any problems with it, but YMMV (your milage may vary)... it will take some time for it to be pushed to your router.... truth b told the last two versions of 7.5 have been around for a few months now. so its pretty well tested..

Thanks Bugeek!
I may do that.
I am having a problem with current firmware not releasing node licenses as quickly as they should be for wired connections. Node licenses used by wireless connections seemed to be returned to the available pool almost immediately while if I turn off a wired PC the node license is still held as "active" (in green) for several hours. The machine name disappears from the status page shortly after the device goes off-line, but the license gets held for several hours ....

By chance do you know if this behaves better in the EA 7.5 code?

Thanks,
Jim

I'm returning it. Unsolved problems after about 6 weeks of trying are:

1. No print capability from Mac O/S machines

2. Router hangs often for Mac O/S machines connected via WLAN.

No, not really. If I didn't get it free I would have returned it... It has some great advanced features but lacks some of the simple ones that cheaper routers have. (Snmp for example)

Also, for some reason sofaware can't even get daylight saving time settings right.

Additonally, the limit on # of users is too low.

This router has so much potential if Sofaware would just may a few (Minor) changes.

On the plus side I do like the fact that it has buit in auto firmware updates and virus scanning making my network a harder target.

But overall, for the price it retails for, as well as the cost of yearly support, I am a bit disappointed. We'll see what the future offers though.

To the person who was complaining you cant print from a Mac, you *CAN* print from a mac, it only supports one printer however (and the mac has to be of a current model ie,,, OSX*.

If your trying to run System 9 that might be the problem.