Look Mac, I'm just gonna tell you once - you have to back up to the web with XDrive Try it free
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miss your computer while away from home? Cheer up, GoToMyPC lets you access it from anywhere.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review
Created: May, 2000
Matrox is well known for its graphics
cards.
Not as well known is its networking division, which has produced
the iSwitch 8. The iSwitch 8 combines the functions of an Ethernet
switch, Internet gateway and print server. iSwitch 8 is an inexpensive,
feature-rich alternative for those with networking knowledge.
As a switch, it is what is known in the trade as a "concentrator"
and belongs to the same category as the probably more familiar
"network hub." For those new to using this type of product,
the choices and options offered by this product could be daunting.
This steel blue box is 9 by 6.25 inches and can handle 13 devices:
eight computing devices, four modems and one printer. Any external
modem, analog or ISDN, can be used.
The modems and printer can be shared with any device on the
network. Being a switch, unlike a network hub, data transfers
are directed at a specific port, eliminating data collisions
and maintaining maximum throughput.
Installing the iSwitch is not hard: unpack, get cables to hook
up machines and power up. Then the problematic part, configuration,
begins. The device uses a Web browser for configuration. An
attempt using Netscape 4.72 failed, giving the impression that
an inaccurate password had been entered. Subsequent attempts
using Internet Explorer and older versions of Netscape were
successful and did not show this problem.
The company says a patch for Netscape 4.72 is being worked on.
The layouts are confusing, with only three options (Home/Help/Log-off)
present on all pages. Once a menu item is chosen, there is no
access to others except by going back to the top, home page.
That home page has a graphic of the box, depicting all of the
ports and allowing immediate access to any one of them immediately.
There are many ways to design and group functions. The ones
chosen by the software team reflect a lack of full usability
testing.
Those unfamiliar with the box can get lost easily, even those
familiar with networking terminology. For example, the wizard
that helps configure the modems and Internet service provider
information calls the option that modifies the modem configuration
"Re-initialize Modem." Usually this would mean resetting the
modem. The Help screens are context sensitive but poorly designed.
Calling up help will bring one up one very long Web page detailing
the current menu, with the cursor at the appropriate menu item.
Links are provided to each menu item, with the links grouped
and repeated after the text for each menu item. Links to other
help resources are not provided. This is workable but not very
elegant. The on-line help makes numerous references to the user
manual. This thick, 366-page spiral-bound tome is complete and
thorough. It explains basic concepts and covers various ways
to set up a switch. Strangely, there is no diagram explaining
the lights on the box. More importantly, information on using
the switch is sketchy. There are quite a number of security
features.
A basic one involves the concept of the DMZ (De-Militarized
Zone). Each of the eight ports can be set as a regular LAN (local
area network) or DMZ port, allowing computers in the DMZ to
be used almost as sacrificial lambs. These computers are usually
for hosting services accessible from the public Internet and
are treated separately from other machines hooked up to the
box. The only limitation is that only one set of network addresses
can be set.
For those with truly high-end needs, options can be purchased
to add a LAN modem, including Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
and cable modems and VPN (Virtual Private Network) encryption.
If you understand networking and don't mind keeping the manual
handy, iSwitch 8 is an cost-effective alternative.
A beginner to network concepts will probably be confused and
frustrated by the choices and options it provides.
Reviewer's rating: 3 / 5 Comments: With the functions
of an Ethernet switch, Internet gateway and print server, iSwitch
8 by Matrox Networks is inexpensive alternative to networks
but not for beginners.
Specifications: Network ports: Eight RJ-45 10-BaseT ports
Connectivity: four serial, one parallel ports
More information: http://www.matrox.com/netweb/homepage/iswitch8.htm
Price: $399 US, $ 575 Canadian.
|
Adding RAM is easy, 