Wednesday, 31 January 2001
- If you've been trying unsuccessfully to get an SMC Wireless Barricade to work with an Lucent/ORiNOCO Silver or Gold card with WEP turned on, you're not alone!  This combination doesn't seem to work, not matter what WEP code is entered.  We've contacted SMC about a fix and we'll keep you posted!

- The Amazon.com $110 deal on the NETGEAR RT314 has gotten a little less sweet.  They've yanked the free shipping, but it's still a good price. [Thnx Daryl Biberdorf!]

- Looking for a free Personal Firewall?  Tiny Software has just released V2 (non-Beta) of their Tiny Personal Firewall. It's free for home use and $39 a copy for business users.

- NETGEAR has finally released new firmware to fix their PA101 USB HomePNA 10X adapter.  Go here for the update!

- Asante has released version 2.02 firmware for their FriendlyNET router.  Not sure what it does, since there's no release notes.  Download info here.

Tuesday, 30 January 2001
- We've been working on the Wireless Troubleshooting section again.  This time we've added info on choosing Lucent vs. Intersil PRISM based products, getting a Linksys WPC11 card to work with Linux, and links to AppleAirport articles and Windows configuration utilities.  Enjoy!

- An alert reader reports that the Linksys BEFSR41 4 port router is available at Fry's for $99... no rebates needed!

Monday, 29 January 2001
- A new version of Travis Watford's IPMailer is now available for download from the Tools page.  It now supports mail services (like Yahoo mail) that require POP3 authentication before they allow mail sending.

- Had a call with some folks from Microsoft's DirectX group last week.  They told us about the work they've done that eliminates port mapping headaches for players of their DirectX based games.  Check out the solution in our Gaming Help section.

- We've also added some additional tips to the Gaming Help section for users who are having problems with router lockups during game server list refreshes.

Friday, 26 January 2001
- Today's NY Times (1/25/01) has an ad from J&R computers offering the SMC Barricade 4-port router for $49: list $149 with $20 instant rebate from J&R plus $80 rebate from the manufacturer. [Thnx Art Goldhammer!]

- Buy.com has the D-Link DWL-1000AP Wireless Access point for $200! [Thnx Doug Schmidt!]

Thursday, 25 January 2001
Not so fast!
- A helpful reader let us know that WebGear may still be with us.  Their Web site is still up at http://209.109.222.234/ and although their 800 numbers have been taken down, their line at 925-551-5099 is still working.  We have a call into them and as soon as we hear what the situation is, we'll post it right here...

- Love those helpful readers!  Lastest tip is CompUSA's sale on the Linksys 4 port router.  $99.99 after rebates. Think it's this week only, so hurry!

- We brought D-Link's DWL line into the PracticallyNetwork test lab and got some surprising results from our testing.  Check out our triple-header reviews for the DWL-1000AP Access Point, DWL-120 USB Wireless Adapter(a first!), and DWL-650 PCMCIA Wireless and see for yourself.

Wednesday, 24 January 2001
- A helpful reader told us about Amazon's $20 off deal on the NETGEAR RT314.  $110 gets you the router, free shipping  included!

Tuesday, 23 January 2001
Webgear has left the building!
- We'd been getting reports of problems reaching Webgear over the past few weeks, so we did some checking.  The domain name doesn't have a registered server any more, and phones have been disconnected.  No advice on what to do if you're an Aviator or AviatorPro wireless product owner...sorry!  We've removed the review from our listings to avoid confusion, but added a Troubleshooting page with a link to drivers.

- Intel is having a sale on their Wireless Pro 2011 Starter kit.  You get an Access Point and two PC client cards for $700 (50% off List price). Offer is good until Jan 31.

Monday, 22 January 2001
- An alert reader noticed a new item on NETGEAR's online store.  The FR314 Cable/DSL Firewall Router 4port 10/100BT Switch's price is listed as $300 and is also listed on Pricegrabber at $230-$235.  It's not available yet, and NETGEAR isn't saying much either (and has also removed it from their store...)

- We've updated the Tools page with links to our page of free sharing programs, and also added two Linux based routers that you can use with that old X86 clunker that you've got lying around.

- The Wireless Help articles on WEP have been updated with info on handling products that have different ways of setting the WEP keys.  If you've been wrestling with getting an ORiNOCO or Buffalo Tech card to talk to an SMC Wireless Barricade, for example, it's a definite read!

Saturday, 20 January 2001 
- Linksys has confirmed a problem with their WAP11 Wireless Access point.  It will not support a 100Mbps-only hub or switch, just either 10Mbps or 10/100 autosensing.

- The Jan 19 issue of Scot Finnie's Broadband Report has an excellent review of Scot's experiences with the new StarBand Two-Way Satellite service.  If you've been thinking of trying out one of these puppies, you definitely should read his report!

- 2Wire has expanded their distribution for their HomePortal 100.  You can now purchase it at CompUSA stores or from their Web site.

- In the market for a HomePNA to Ethernet bridge and trying to decide between a Linksys HPB200 and a NETGEAR PE102?  Our review of the Linksys may help you out, and teach you something about mixed HPNA1.0 and 2.0 network behavior!

Friday, 19 January 2001 
- Looks like MaxGate's redone their Web site and put up some info on their newest UGate 3300, which integrates a 1 port 10/100 Ethernet-Ethernet router with an 802.11b wireless access point and bi-directional printserver.

-SOHOware is debuting their BroadGuard Secure Cable/DSL Router, which they say combines professional level firewall and networking features for under $200!  No press release or web page yet, so we'll post more info as it comes available.

- MaxGate is running a $40 off promotion on their UGate 3000 , and a $90 off promotion at Buy.com on their UGate 3200 until Jan 31. Go to this MaxGate page for the details.

- Since the SMC Wireless Barricade's twin (the D-Link DI-713) made it in here first, it got the big review.  Still, if you've been lusting after one of these babies, you should read our QuickCheck review, which points out a few important differences!

Thursday, 18 January 2001 
- Last time we reviewed Buffalo Technology's AirStation, it pretty much had the low-cost 802.11b market to itself.  We just tested their 4 port Local Router model, so see how it stacks up against other wireless routers!

- MultiTech has a $10 rebate on their RF500s RouteFinder router, good thru Feb 28.  See this page for details.

Tuesday, 16 January 2001 
- TZO has announced a DNS Forwarding service for Dynamic IP users. The new service lets users manage their DNS records for their own sub-domains on their own DNS server even when that DNS server itself has a dynamic IP address.  See their press release for more info.

- Remember the IPMailer utility we told you about yesterday?  Well, Travis Watford's changed it so that it now handles both the Linksys router series and SMC Barricades!  Go here for the download.

Monday, 15 January 2001 
- Farallon has announced their NetLINE WirelessBroadband Gateway, an 802.11b wireless router with one 10/100 Ethernet LAN port.  Due to ship in February for $399 list.

- Catch up day at PracticallyNetworked.  We've reorganized the ICS Configuration map pages, added a VPN setup example for the Asante FriendlyNet/SMC Barricade, and updated various other pages.

- SMC has posted the 1.90E Barricade firmware.  Sadly, Asante is still showing 1.88BETA as the latest!  Go here for the download info.

- Travis Watford has written the IPMailerForLinksys that will email you the WAN IP address of your Linky when it changes.  You can even email muliple addresses if you want.  It's available on our Tools page.

Sunday, 14 January 2001 
- The CES2001 report is finally done, with the final installment that includes broadband satellites, web tablets, networked multimedia devices, and a very interesting little product.  Read it!

Friday, 12 January 2001 
- In the third installment of the CES2001 report we cover developments in the powerline networking and Bluetooth wireless segments.

Thursday, 11 January 2001 
- The second installment of the CES2001 report is up.  We cover developments in HomeRF.  Check it out here.

- 2Wire has reduced pricing by $100 on their entire product line. This brings the HomePortal 100, which has USB, Ethernet, and HomePNA2.0 LAN ports to $200.  Go to their site to order.

-Linksys announced their EtherFast(tm) Cable/DSL & Voice Router (BEFN2PS4). It adds a built-in POTS (regular phone) to VoIP gateway to their standard 4 port router, allowing free Internet based calling within the US. It'll be available in about a month with on-line pricing running about $170.  The Press Release is here.

- If you've been wrestling with getting a NETGEAR PA101 HPNA USB adapter running, try the new driver which you can download by clicking here.

- Disappointed in the speed and range of your new wireless network?  Better read the new article in the Wireless Troubleshooting section.

Wednesday, 10 January 2001 
- Back from CES2001, and along with sore feet, we've returned with plenty of info on new networking stuff.  The first part of the report covers the new router and 802.11b wireless products that we found.

- Those wacky Linksys folks have released a newer version of their 1.37 firmware without changing the version number!  Go here for info on what they're up to.

- We've added a new SNMP logviewing tool for Linksys users.  SNMPLog will run on Win9X, NT, and 2000 and it's FREE!  Go here for more info and the download.

- Nexland is clearing the shelves for their new product line.  If you're in the market for a dialup router with good multisession VPN capability, you can buy an ISB100E dialup router for $99. Offer is good until they're gone.  Go to Nexland's online store to buy.

Friday, 5 January 2001 

- ZyXEL has confirmed that the Prestige 312 and new ZyWALL10 are the same product.  The 312 will be retired soon.

Thursday, 4 January 2001 

- NETGEAR has released BETA Firmware for their RT311/RT314 routers that is suppposed to fix the problem where the router hangs when the server list is refreshed playing the game Half Life. More info here.

-We've already updated the D-Link Wireless Router review since we compared it to the SMC Wireless Barricade, but neglected to point out that the D-Link doesn't have a print server! D'oh!

- We're steadily adding more articles to the Wireless Troubleshooting pages.  Check 'em out!

- Linksys announced a new Instant Wireless(tm) USB Network Adapter (WUSB11) (no pricing set) and set pricing for their previously announced Instant Wireless(tm) Cable/DSL Router + Print Server (BEFW11P1) at $299 (Wireless PC Card not included), and Instant Wireless(tm) Cable/DSL Router + 4-Port Switch (BEFW11S4) at $399.  Full press release is here.  

Availability on their WAP11 Access Point is still spotty, due to very high demand, according to Linksys. A Pricegrabber check shows the box in stock only at Buy.com.

Wednesday, 3 January 2001 
-It's been awhile since we've had a D-Link product here at PracticallyNetworked to dig into!  The drought is finally over, so see how the D-Link DI-713 Wireless Router Plus Switch made out in our review.

2Wire adds wireless!
If you've been looking for one box to handle your routing chores that supports Ethernet, HomePNA2.0, 802.11b wireless, and USB LAN connections, look no farther! 2Wire is rolling out the HomePortal 1500W ($700), which includes a DSL modem, and the 100W ($500), which has an Ethernet WAN connection. Both will be available this month.  A wireless version of their phone-centric ICS2000 will roll out in March 2001, priced at $1200. Go here to read the news release.

ShareGate wants your phone lines...
Similar to 2Wire's ICS2000, the Sharegate DSL2000 can provide both shared Internet connections and up to 4 voice-over DSL (VoDSL) phone lines from your G.dmt or G.Lite DSL connection. Priced at $700 for a 2 phone line version, it will be available in Q1 2001. Tuesday, 2 January 2001 

-AMIT has released version 1.90 of their firmware, which can be used on the SMC Barricade or Asante FriendlyNET routers.  If you're running dialup it looks worth the download. Go here for more info.

Nexland takes the gloves off!
We've previously reported that Nexland has a Patent Pending on their Multi-Session IPsec passthru technology.  They are now starting to defend the soon-to-be-granted patent and are contacting any companies that claim to have multi-session IPsec passthru capability in their routers to warn of possible patent infringement.  We don't think this means that the Feds will come busting down your door to take your router away, but we'll keep you informed as things progress.