NETGEAR FVS318 ProSafe VPN Firewall: features, specs and who it suits

The NETGEAR FVS318 ProSafe VPN Firewall 8 is a wired small-office networking device. It combines a NAT router, a VPN appliance, a firewall and an eight-port 10/100 Mbps switch in one unit. It is an older, wired-only design, so it suits a specific kind of setup.

What is in one box

NETGEAR describes it as a space-saving design for the small office. Instead of separate devices, you get:

• A NAT router, which lets many computers share one internet connection.
• An eight-port switch with 10/100 Mbps auto-sensing, Auto Uplink ports.
• A VPN appliance with eight dedicated tunnels.
• An SPI firewall and an Intrusion Detection System.

There is no Wi-Fi. NETGEAR calls it wired connectivity, so wireless devices would need a separate access point.

Routing and users

With Network Address Translation (NAT), NETGEAR says up to 253 users can simultaneously access one connection. DHCP and PPPoE support are listed, which covers handing out addresses on the local network and connecting to providers that use PPPoE logins. The switch ports run at 10/100 Mbps, meaning Fast Ethernet, not gigabit, so local transfer speeds top out at about 100 Mbps.

Firewall features

A Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall tracks connections and checks traffic against them. NETGEAR says it helps prevent Denial of Service attacks. The Intrusion Detection System is listed alongside the ability to block Java, URL and ActiveX content by extension, plus FTP, SMTP and RPC program filtering.

VPN tunnels

A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts the link between two locations or between a remote user and an office. The FVS318 has eight dedicated VPN tunnels for links between remote locations, and NETGEAR lists IPSec encryption up to 256 bit. It says this suits connections to branch offices or mobile workers. As with any network security product, follow the manual and keep firmware and settings up to date.

Setup

NETGEAR describes a Smart Wizard to connect to your internet provider quickly, and a web-based configuration screen that needs no extra software.

What's in the box

• FVS318 ProSafe VPN Firewall
• Power adapter
• Category 5 Ethernet cable
• Installation guide and resource CD
• Warranty and support information card

NETGEAR lists a three-year warranty. The unit measures about 7.1 x 1.4 x 9.95 inches (W x H x D).

Who it suits

It suits a small office or home lab that needs a wired router, a few switch ports and site-to-site VPN in one device, or someone maintaining an existing installation of this model.

What to check before you buy

• Speed: ports are 10/100 Mbps, so check them against your internet connection and needs.
• Wi-Fi: none is built in.
• Standards: the VPN and security features are those listed by NETGEAR; check that they meet your requirements.
• VPN partners: confirm that the device at the other end of a tunnel supports the same IPSec settings.
• Support and firmware: this is a long-established model; check the maker's support pages for manuals and updates.

The short version

• A wired VPN firewall with a NAT router and an eight-port 10/100 switch.
• SPI firewall, an Intrusion Detection System and eight VPN tunnels with IPSec.
• Up to 253 users through NAT; web-based setup with a Smart Wizard.
• Three-year warranty; no Wi-Fi.

Bloiq is reader-supported. Some links may earn us a commission; it never affects what we write. How we make money.