NetGear RP614 4 Port Cable/DSL Router with 10/100 Mbps Switch review: NetGear RP614 4 Port Cable/DSL Router with 10/100 Mbps Switch

The Netgear RP614 cable/DSL Web Safe router gateway, part of the company's new platinum line of home-networking products aimed at families and first-time users, exudes simplicity in everything but name. It hits its target audience head-on with a dizzying array of help docs, electronic guides, and setup information. It has a sleek, new, space-age design and features four 10/100 Ethernet ports for sharing a cable or DSL connection. It also comes with some appealing features, such as Web-content filtering and a free one-year subscription to Zero-Knowledge Systems' Freedom Security and Privacy Suite. But unfortunately, the RP614 joins the growing list of products that make you register to activate the warranty. The Netgear RP614 cable/DSL Web Safe router gateway, part of the company's new platinum line of home-networking products aimed at families and first-time users, exudes simplicity in everything but name. It hits its target audience head-on with a dizzying array of help docs, electronic guides, and setup information. It has a sleek, new, space-age design and features four 10/100 Ethernet ports for sharing a cable or DSL connection. It also comes with some appealing features, such as Web-content filtering and a free one-year subscription to Zero-Knowledge Systems' Freedom Security and Privacy Suite. But unfortunately, the RP614 joins the growing list of products that make you register to activate the warranty.

Networking as home decor
As the number of broadband subscribers increases, so does the need for affordable, easy-to-use, and aesthetically pleasing home-networking products. The $107 RP614 achieves all three by offering a thin and lightweight design with sleek, silver-and-gray styling. Underneath its shiny exterior, however, the device looks and acts like your standard router. On the back of the Netgear, you'll find an Internet port to connect your DSL/cable modem and four Ethernet ports for computer hookups. Netgear also includes one Cat-5 Ethernet cable in the box along with a hard, rubberized stand, which lets you position the RP614 vertically to save desk space.

Netgear has done its homework
Netgear has gone to great lengths to make the RP614 user-friendly; in fact, the sheer volume of help can seem overwhelming. Smartly, Netgear presents this information in a well-planned and efficient manner that will appeal to a broad range of users. The meticulous, by-the-book user will find an easy-to-read, 13-page, printed installation guide. An interactive Installation Assistant, found on the included Resource CD, will greet those who skip the guide and head straight for the hardware. If you need more in-depth information, the electronic reference manual has a basic troubleshooting section, a brief overview of networking concepts, and a glossary.

Because configuring the router can be one of the most difficult tasks for a lot of first-time home-network users, Netgear simplifies the process considerably. The Resource CD contains a direct link to the Web Configuration Manager, which appears as a split screen. On the right-hand side of the screen, you'll find a brief definition and explanation of each of the settings on every page. This unique feature sets Netgear apart from its competitors and spares you from flipping through the manual every five seconds. At the top of the page, you'll also find a Smart Setup Wizard that can save you headaches by detecting your ISP type automatically.

Do you know where your kids are?
As its name implies, the RP614 keeps kids safe by letting parents filter or limit access to the Internet. The Content Filtering section of the configuration manager puts several tools at your disposal. For instance, you can block certain URL keywords or domain names (such as those associated with sex and porn sites) or limit access to the Web by days of the week and/or times of day. The RP614 also keeps a log of Web sites visited, and you can have alerts sent to you via e-mail if your child attempts to access a restricted site.

The RP614 also offers good performance and security. In CNET Labs' tests, the Netgear delivered throughput scores of 88.4Mbps, which is comparable to Wi-Fi routers from SMC and HP. For security, the RP614 uses NAT, and you can also set up one PC as a DMZ. Plus, the RP614 includes support for dynamic DNS and port forwarding. As an added bonus, you can download a free, one-year subscription of Zero-Knowledge Systems Freedom Security and Privacy Suite. After that, it will cost you $69.95 per year.

The RP614 comes with a lengthy three-year warranty and toll-free, 24/7 phone support. But there's a catch: To activate the warranty and obtain technical support, you must register your product within 30 days--or at least that's what the documentation says. According to Netgear, even users who fail to register can enjoy the company's support benefits. However, if that's indeed the case, we think Netgear should clearly explain its policies in print and stop misleading its customers.

If you have little or no networking experience but want to wire together a few computers in your home, the RP614 is an affordable and easy-to-use solution. It offers the most comprehensive collection of setup help of any device we've tested. It also comes with features that parents will appreciate, such as content filtering and instant e-mail alerts. We just wish that so many networking companies didn't make you work to get a full warranty.