Netgear RT314 Switched Cable/DSL Router $79+tax after PM and coupon

[Muffy]

Amazon has this router for $109, pricematch with Staples, use the $30 off. Not sure if this is a good router or not, or how it compares to that other popular low-priced linksys router.

 

[MontyBurns]

Keep in mind (and people never keep this in mind) that if Staples has the item in stock, they're going to add on Amazon.com's 1-day shipping rate before the price match.

 

[Muffy]

naw, I kept that in mind when I called, cause staples lists it as ships in 3-5 days, so they charged me the amazon shipping price of $2.49 which isnt bad at all.

 

[dman]

DSLReports Link

Practically Networked Reviews

These have come up in previous deals, I'd say even for $109 it's a good price. (Previously there were rebates from Netgear... which may have been updated.)

I have the RT311 which is the same unit as the RT314 w/o the 4port switch and slightly slower CPU (which has not affected my bandwidth at all contrary to some people's experience).

Anyway, This is the one to get if you are starting out (since it's very similar in BASE price:
SMC Barricade

Pluses: Port Ranging, Print Server, Ability to share a DIALUP Connection (for when your cable service fails).

For $40 less (after coupon) the RT314 is still a great device and I wouldn't worry about the decision!


Read the reviews AND FORUMS on DSLReports or Practically Networked to find out more. After that, search here on the model you are looking for, lots of info from the past.

 

[RONType1]

netgear is good quality equipment.. i got the rt311 and the 8-port switch for both $100+ when they had rebates and coupons.. they work flawlessly and provide excellent network performance! just check to see if there are firmware upgrades for the rt314... they run a little warm.. but it is a solid unit! that's a great buy... too bad i own the rt311 already or i'd jump on this!

 

[Siamskunk]

that's great deal...now if this only came before I had bought Linksys.

 

[gittyup]

link to amazon

link to staples

 

[lhplam]

I read that the smc barricade has issues with DSL service that doesn't assign a static IP.

any thoughts, y'all???

I'm ready to buy a router, I've been waiting for a good deal on the rt314 but if the barricade will do the trick then I might go that route.

 

[Fritzo]

Netgear rocks! They're actually Nortel routers with a different name (even says "Bay Networks" on the router). They make very high quality, inexpensive networking equipment. I'd even put them on par with Intel equipment.

 

[Cybordolphin]

I've been waiting to get a good deal on this one. Thanks.
Anyone have a link to the old rebate page? Has the time passed to send in the rebate? Even if it has... please post.

Thanks again!

 

[dman]

Like I mentioned above, I have the RT311 by Netgear and am very satisified with it. I have no need to change it. However, If I was making a new purchase and could get as good or better deal on the SMC I'd probably get it instead, just because of the extra features. If you dig deep enough they all have their problems.

The forums at DSLReports have good information (use link above and find the product and click opinion board). I would imagine any issues with static IP and the SMC would show up there, I didn't come across anything when I browsed it a few days ago... but I wasn't looking for anything in particular, so, I may have missed it.

 

[flungster]

My 2 cents on the RT314 - It's awesome. I've had it up and running practically 24/7 for the last 7 months without a hitch. I'm using it with Mindspring DSL and it works great with PPPoE. The only complaint that I have with it is it's limited support of IPSec on VPN. But luckily, I don't need to VPN to my company these days so it's no big deal. In any case, if you can get this guy under 100, I'd say go for it. Netgear has never disappointed me unlike other brands.

 

[DerProfi]

Are you sure these are simply rebadged Nortel or Bay Networks gear? I had a Netgear ISDN router a couple of years back that looks almost exactly like this pup, and it was a rebadged Zyxel. This one might be as well, since I don't think Nortel produces much of anything for the home market. Not trying to knock Netgear as I own PLENTY of their stuff and I love it, just wanted to help get the facts straight.

 

[lhplam]

as I understand it the RT314 is a repackaged/rebadged ZyXel prestige 314

 

[flungster]

Yep.. the rt314 is basically the ZyXEL router. A good review is on http://www.practicallynetworked.com/reviews/netgear_rt314.asp. Well as for Netgear equipment.. since it's owned by Nortel through it's acquisition of Bay Networks, you'll probably see a lot of Nortel or other outsourced OEM parts in there.. but yeah, I've never had an issue with Netgear branded equipment.

 

[Empire_DNH]

I owned one of this RT314 w/PPPoE and its awesome

Recommended

 

[junky]

Iphlam-

I found the following message on deja.com regarding the SMC router and PPPoE:

"I replaced my Linksys with the SMC 4-port router 3 weeks ago and have been very happy. I did it because I need multiple VPN connections, which the Linksys could not support. The SMC is much better than the Linksys at handling PPPoE (no dropped connections, compared with several per week with the Linksys). The print server works well, too. (Be sure your printer doesn't require bi-directional communication; the SMC can't handle it.)"

--junky

 

[dman]

FYI:

Old Thread on RT314 Deal

 

[CollegeGuy]

This is a great deal. I'm running a RT311, it is a great router. Wish I would have waited, I could have gotten this deal

 

[HobbyBoy]

Hi Everyone,
I am a newbie and need some advice. CompUsa will have their version of this on sale next week (99.99 with rebates). It is a Linksys 4 port Cable/DSL router. I am not sure which one to get, as STAPLES has the NetGear and the Linksys. Any suggestion? I just put together a simple network at home. Thanks in advanced.

HobbyBoy

P.S. Can someone post the link tot he old rebate for NetGear?

 

[namlook]

What is the advantage of the RT314 vs the RT311?

 

[flungster]

The RT314 adds a 4 port 10/100 switch and has a faster processor also. Go to www.practicallynetworked.com for a good review.

 

[The Sauce]

Ok, can someone explain why the SMC is the "one to have" if you are starting out?

 

[bowhuntr]

I just did this deal with a PM to Amazon and a $30 coupon. Staples called Amazon and confirmed availabilty and price with overnight shipping (14.99), so Staples would only PM to $124.98. They did still take the coupon code I gave, however they then informed me that it would not arrive till 1/26 (a full week from today)yet they insisted on still charging me the rate it would have been from Amazon OVERNIGHT!!! Total for me with tax came to $99.25, still not a bad deal and I don't really need it for another month or so anyway.

 

[mastarecoil]

Someone want to help me make my descicion. The netgear looks very nice, but the firewall is limited to 12 ports. That is not enough for me. Can I easily disable the firewall when I want to run the programs that I would not be able to open ports for?

Thanks
Garrett.