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Umax/Maxgate UGate 3200 Cable/xDSL Internet Sharing Gateway
Page 2
Author: Tim Higgins Review Date: 8/14/2000
Virtual
Servers and Special Applications
(Port Mapping)
NOTE:
Opening holes in your firewall can compromise your LAN's security if done
incorrectly.
The UG3200 supports 10 single-port-number-to-LAN IP mappings,
called Virtual Servers. You no longer can specify TCP or UDP protocol
for the mapping (both protocols are forwarded) since MaxGate removed the
selection...most users didn't know what to do with it! You also
have oneExposed Host, (often called DMZ Computer on other routers), which puts one computer completely outside
the UG3200's firewall. "Loopback", i.e. the ability to
access a mapped server from a LAN-side machine using the router's WAN-side
address, checked out ok for a mapped HTTP server.
Port range mappings are supported via the Special Applications
feature. You can specify 10 port ranges, and each port range
has an associated port range trigger for the mapping (see this
page for an explanation of Triggered port maps).
Other
Features
Access control
is done via port filtering. You can define up to 6 groups
of IP addresses, and either allow all Internet access, deny all Internet
access, or block access for up to 30 single ports for each group.
Dynamic DNS The UG3200 offers one year of dynamic DNS service through
a partnership with TZO.
What this basically means is that after you register for the service and
properly configure the UG3200, you'll be able to access computers in your
LAN by name instead of by IP address. When the IP address issued
by your ISP changes, TZO tracks the change and automatically keeps your
computer names linked to the new IP address.
The main limitation is that your domain name must end in Ugate.net. If you already have your own domain name registered and want
to use it with the UG3200, TZO can handle that too, but that's not a free
service. If you'd like to explore this aspect of the UG3200 more,
try this
link to some on-line documentation.
Routing Dynamic RIP protocols are not supported, but you can set up to 20
static routes.
VPN The UG3200 will allow PPTP and IPsec clients on the LAN side to access
PPTP and IPsec servers on the Internet. You can also set the unit
to allow a PPTP server on your LAN to be accessed from the Internet, but
support for a LAN side IPsec server is not provided.
Throughput
The UG3200 has an entirely different circuit board and faster processor
than the UG3000, so the speed test results did not disappoint, and are
among the faster routers in this class:
FW
Version
Wan-Lan
Lan-Wan
3.04d
4.4
4.1
All numbers are in Mbits per second (Mbps).
(Details of the measurement method can be found here.)
Missing
Features
Here's what the UG3200 doesn't do:
filter content by URL
control user access by time period, password, or MAC address
act as a VPN endpoint
log traffic
Summary
The UG3200 is an evolutionary step in MaxGate's product line and if it
follows tradition, should be a solid performer. The pricing is fair
for what you get, i.e. a 7 port 10/100 switch and fast router in one box,
but more expensive than the other switched routers that have only four
ports. MaxGate has shown that it will competitively price, but as
a follower, not a leader, so don't expect any bargains until directly
competing units appear.
71.4% | 
28.6% | out of 63 reviews 
