| Netgear MR814 802.11b Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router |
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Model: MR814NA
Brand: Netgear
Manufacturer: Netgear
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 716
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b
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| Features: |
Connect to a cable/DSL modem and get wired or wireless Internet access for all your computers
Compatible with most 802.11b wireless networking devices
Firewall, 128-bit Encryption, Parental controls
Smart Wizard automatically detects ISP type, Port Range Forwarding, Exposed Host (DMZ), URL Content Filtering, E-mail Alerts, and Wireless MAC Address Authentication
Compatible with Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, Mac OS, NetWare, UNIX, and Linux |
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| Description: |
| The Model MR814 Wireless Router provides continuous, high-speed 11 Mbps access between your wireless and Ethernet devices. Also, the Model MR814 router enables your entire network to share an Internet connection through a cable modem or DSL modem that otherwise is used by a single PC. With minimum setup, you can install and use the router within minutes.The Model MR814 router provides multiple Web content filtering options, plus e-mail browsing activity reporting and instant alerts. Parents and network administrators can establish restricted access policies based on time-of-day, website addresses and address keywords, and share high-speed cable/DSL Internet access for up to 253 personal computers. Network Address Translation (NAT) protects you from hackers. |
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| User Reviews (716 total): |
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So easy, so ..., So Great, April 30, 2003
By Anne (Durham, NH United States)
I was alittle weary about setting this up in my home because i'm not exactly a computer genius. But I just took it out of the box, plugged everything thing, and had it working in matter of minutes. The directions were easy to follow. I put it in the center of my basement, and I didn't even have to fool around with the rabbit ear. I get great reception all the way up to the second floor. I would definitely recommend this product if you want wireless in your house, especially at such a low price!
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Wireless!!!!, April 27, 2003
By Michael J. Tian (MO)
I don't see the need to purchase the more expensive models. This unit supports upto 11Mb per second, and my cable modem is running at a fraction of this speed. By the time you can actually use the 54Mb per second models, the prices will inevitably come down. This is practical and it works GREAT. I love it.
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Extremely easy to set up and configure., April 26, 2003
By cjlarue (Phenix City, AL USA)
Extremely easy to set up and configure. Hard wired a Windows ME box first without any problem. Followed the instructions in the booklet supplied. Then set up an XP Pro box just as quick. Completed the home network in about 30 minutes.
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PPTP in Europe works fine, April 26, 2003
By unknown
Just a word about using PPTP. Another review said that it doesn't work with PPTP protocol used in Europe. When I did the installation using the wizard on the CD, the MR814 determined that the ISP here uses PPTP and just asked for the user name and password. I think that the installion worked flawlessly
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Wireless made easy and inexpensive, April 25, 2003
By unknown
After reading many reviews I purchased the Netgear MR814 to serve as the center of my first wireless home network. I connected a Mac and a PC to the router via wires, and ran the setup wizard on the router to share my DSL connection. The router's settings pages are very straightforward, with lots of helpful descriptions. The computers were able to share files and access the internet after completing the wizard. I then tested out the wireless functionality from a PC with a Netgear MA311 wireless PCI card installed in it. Without changing any settings, the PC was able to access the network and the internet via the router. The router has a robust set of security options, and it was easy for me to set the router not to broadcast the SSID, restrict wireless access to my one wireless card (via MAC address filtering), and turn on 64-bit WEP encryption. After setting the network options on the PC to match those of the router, I was able to play games online with ~100ms ping times (~50 without WEP). I haven?t been able to test the signal range, but my experience so far has been nothing but good.
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Finally the right router....., April 24, 2003
By geogirl1 (Hattiesburg, MS)
This was my third attempt at trying to set up a wireless network. If this hadn't have worked, I would have given up. The first network I tried was a D-link card on my school's wireless internet. I never could get it to work right, so I wrote it off as a bad connection (even though that card didn't support XP). I tried D-link one more time at home with the wireless router and card. It was a pain to set up and didn't work well once I had everything right.How is this for easy....I got my Netgear router and card, plugged the router up with my existing ethernet connection, turned the computer off and unplugged the router and cable modem. Plugged them back in and turned the computer on and it worked!!!! For the Netgear card (401), I plugged the card into my computer, put in the disk, and without pressing anything, it installed itself and worked. Range is wonderful. I had no idea that wireless connections went up to "Excellent" because I've never gotten anything over "Very Good"!! I'm excited about my new purchase. If you need easy, affordable, and functional wireless network equipment, add this to your cart immediately :-)
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need some wireless for your titanium powerbook?, April 23, 2003
By Edward Prete (New York City)
Look no further. I realize this is a bold statement coming out of the starting gate, but let me tell you how good the reception is with this router. 4 bars consistently as I sit on my living room couch with my TiBook. Anyone that knows a Ti knows they never get this kind of signal... I got this initially to replace an Asante router that failed and was sent back under warranty. I figured that while I waited I would test this and sell one of the two upon the Astante's return. Well, even though this doesn't have a print server like my Asante, the signal alone makes it worth it's weight in gold and I am pretty certain this is the unit that I am keeping. Setup was a breeze taking all of 2 minutes and not even having to enter any settings whatsoever. It picked up the cable signal instantly. For a simple, easy to use wireless router that works cross platform, it doesn't get any easier.
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No problems mostly, April 23, 2003
By bulahee (Davis, CA United States)
I have just setup my home LAN with this netgear wireless router. No problem with MSN messenger, ICQ, FTP, Telnet, Exceed (Xterm) and Windows File Sharing. Though it's difficult to evaluate the effectiveness on the wireless reception (depending on the card you got), it nevertheless works fine. Unless you're performance oriented, this product definitely works fine in a casual setting. Some application requires extra steps to set them up right, (i.e. FTP server, Exceed, Windows Neighbourhood), but they can be done. For all these, I give 2 thumbs up for this product.
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Robust enough to handle my needs, April 22, 2003
By unknown
I already have a home network and DSL connection and wanted to add Wireless networking without re-configuring anything if I could help it. I already have a router handling NAT and DHCP and simply wanted the 4 port LAN and Wireless functionality from the MR814. I've found with many devices which provide a number of services turning off bits and pieces sometimes isn't straightforward. Fortunately, Netgear provided me with the ease of flexibility to turn off the features of the MR814 that I don't want while keeping the ones I do want.I'm not using the 'Internet' port at all and plugged the current network straight into one of the 4 LAN ports, this lets me use the 814 as a simple hub. I also turned off the DHCP server since I have another device providing the service. I only had to assign a static internal network IP to the box so that I could reach the web based configuration page (and change the default password of course). The wireless configuration was trivial and after enabling WEP and forcing MAC authentication for wireless connections I'm comfortable networking over the airwaves. Presto, I've now got a simple 10/100 hub and wireless access point at a great price.
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Easy setup, incredible technical support, April 21, 2003
By jryskamp (Gilbert, AZ USA)
I bought the MR814 along with the MA401 wireless PC Card. The setup instructions were easy to follow, everything worked great, and I had my wireless network up and running in under 10 minutes.I did have an issue while trying to install the wireless card on a 2nd laptop, but I was able to connect with a Netgear technical support rep almost immediately after dialing their toll-free number. They walked me thru the easy fix and I was up and running again. (Make sure the Driver Signing options are set to "warn", not "block," in your XP Device Manager...) Range is also great - I get strong signals all throughout the house and in the front and back yards. I can't tell a difference in download speeds between the wireless computer and the hard-wired one. Overall, I can highly recommend Netgear.
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Easy WEB like administration, very good documentation, April 21, 2003
By Gizz (Houston, TX United States)
I purchased this router to protect my computer from unwelcome IP messages. It worked great to this extent.
I also wifi my laptop 60ft away with reasonale reception. The good think about it is it allows VPN to be created.
The documentation is very clear and allowed me to configure all features very easily. The web site from Netgear also provided firmware updates and nice technical support when I needed to install a webcam.
Good by with good maintenance.
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Fast to set up, no problems with XP, well documented, April 19, 2003
By Ken (Groton, MA)
Bought the MR814 router, two MA401s (for laptops) and one MA311 (for desktop). Was able to get all three computers connected wirelessly in less than 30 minutes. No problems what so ever with XP..any issues in syncing with router was solved by restarting computer. Documentation was decent and clear to follow...There is additional comprehensive documentation on the resource CD that is excellent and makes it a breeze to setup security for your wireless network. I was amazed at how well everything worked out of the box. ... Netgear has delivered and lived up to its stellar rating.
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Simple Setup, April 17, 2003
By M. Milio (Annapolis, MD United States)
This was just too easy to set up with the MA401 wireless card. No problems after 3 weeks.
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Just perfect!, April 17, 2003
By Role Model (San Jose, CA United States)
Ordered the MR814 for use with a new DSL installation. Also purchase Netgear PCMCIA cards. Installed the router and cards on both Win XP and Win 2k laptops, get wireless and WEP going in one evening after work. Clear directions, nicely packaged, good range within my house. Well done Netgear.
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Great product, April 16, 2003
By David Santana (Carrollton, Tx United States)
I was expecting both hardware and software Challenges but much to my delite it was very easy. I plugged it into a running DSL system, and off it went no problems. Setting up the router was extremly easy. You simply run what ever internet program you want, use the I.P. address they provide to talk to, and then answer a few simple questions on their web site, and the router is set up. The firewall software that came with the CD was also very easy to setup.
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Best sub [money amount]Wireless Router, April 16, 2003
By Cubanx (Dacula, GA United States)
I was a little skepticle of the performance of this wireless router when I purchased it last year becuase of the low price and at that time no reviews but after going through a SMC router and a Siemens router this one is the best and was the least [spendy]. My SMC needed to be rebooted on a daily basis and my Siemens intermittently but this Netgear unit has operated fine since last year no problems. The DMZ works correctly unlike certain Linksys units. The NAT addressing works good for basic privacy and their are setting th mask your MAC address with the router's. No problems with online games except with Westwood online were you have to use a DMZ or set-up port forwarding due to EA's obsurd netcode. Work's with Charter Pipline service and a Motorla 4100 modem no problem. Recommended for those not needing an active firewall for protection.
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Router and its firewall, April 8, 2003
By Suresh ramamoorthi
rotuer and its wireless PC Card works fine and good. but the firewall software screwed up my Windows 2000 version, such that I need to uninstall it.
Otherwise the hardware is good.
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Incompatible with Windows Messenger 4.7, lousy support, April 7, 2003
By unknown
Easy to set-up and has broadcasts for a wide range. But incompatible with the video conferencing features of the latest Windows Messenger -- even after upgrading the firmware to a new version the supposedly supports UPnP. I have literally spent over a month trying to converse through email (apparently the only way to interact) with their support staff. Responses are extremely slow. Get a different person every time which results in going in circles revisiting prior solutions that have been tried and failed.
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Netgear MR814 802.11b, April 6, 2003
By unknown
This product has exceeded my expectations in every way.
The setup process is pretty straighforward, and the tech support staff are quite helpful, and not to mention knowledgeable.
A word of caution: If you are planning to use this product with Windows 2000 and Pac Bell DSL (now known as SBC Yahoo DSL), you will run into issues with DNS addresses. Pac Bell DSL typically refuses to help with routers unless the router has been supplied by them.
I set up the same product with Windows 98 and Pac Bell DSL, and it works beautifully! I have 2 laptops with Netgear's MA401 wireless card.
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Looks nice, works great, April 5, 2003
By T. Lee (La Habra, CA USA)
The router worked well right out of the box. I tested the range and thought it was slightly better than my friend's Linksys AP. The signal was strong and went though walls pretty well. I thought the setup layout was great. It thoroughly explained most of the functions and what it does. The only problem I had was that the WEP didn't work as well as I'd hoped. Thus, I gave this product 4 out of 5 starts. I tried the WEP with both a Netgear PC Card and a Linksys USB wireless adaptor. The router refused to connect with the Netgear PC card unless WEP was turned off. WEP partially worked with the Linksys wireless USB. THe linksys was able to connect to the router, but had trouble connecting to the internet. After a good 5 minutes, the internet connection was fine, but it took a while for the linksys to connect to the router using WEP. This happened every time I restared the computer. Thus, I just turned of WEP and used the Netgear router's MAC address filter instead and it works great.
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