* Linksys releases two small-business VPN routers priced at $130 and $200
Linksys, which is known for making inexpensive networking gear, has two new small-business VPN routers that are remarkably inexpensive.
At $130 and $200, these devices offer secure remote access or site-to-site VPN connections, as well as other features that make them plausible gear for businesses with just a few employees.
The two models are called RVS400 and RVL200, both of which include four-port Ethernet switches.
The $130 RVS400 supports five IPSec tunnels from remote users with computers that have the Linksys QuickVPN client software running on them and each port can support a separate virtual LAN (VLAN). The switch supports 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet.
The $200 RVL200 supports five SSL VPN tunnels with remote users as well as a single IPSec tunnel designed to connect the device to another site via a second RVL200. The switch supports 10/100Mbps Ethernet and supports up to 16 VLANs. Each port can be configured as a secure network segment behind the firewall for connecting Web servers, for example. The device can also filter out designated URLs to prevent unauthorized Web surfing.
These devices lack bells, whistles and management of some other devices, but the overall purpose here is not to be a cutting-edge appliance but rather an office utility. They would not be suitable for mass deployment to many branch offices because they lack a central management platform, although they do support SNMP.
But they are a cut above the consumer boxes available in chain electronics stores and in fact are only sold through resellers that deal with small businesses. They might even be suitable for a larger business to install in a small office or even the home office of a key employee to address a particular limited need inexpensively.
