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We configured the NetRouter 1040 through its three-part Web/applet-based configuration routine. The first step (after assigning a password for the first time) was running a Java applet that opens a communications channel to the router.

Once launching this background applet, we were able to run an HTML form-based configuration program, which let us quickly and easily configure the router for our corporate connection. Although the configuration applet was as powerful as the configuration utilit ies from both Ramp Networks and SBE, response times were much slower and the whole process of communicating with the utility and router was frustratingly slow and sluggish, even on our Dell Computer Corp. Pentium 90 machine.

Prone to Errors The interface is prone to errors in regenerating characters when dragging the scroll bar down the configuration page. The monitoring utility (which was a separate applet) was also buggy. The configuration data was delivered accurately and the router was easy to configure and manage, just the display of information was affected. Despite these problems, however, it still beats a command-line interface.

SBE netXpand ROUTEMAN XL
The netXpand ROUTEMAN XL's strengths came in its Windows-based GUI interface and performance, which was slightly better than the PACESETTER and much better than ISDNet's Ne tRouter 1040 for compressed transfers. Much like Ramp Networks' WebRamp EntrŽ, it was one of the easiest and quickest t o configure of the group. But like the NetRouter 1040 and ADC PACESETTER, its lack of advanced features put it at a disadvantage.

Like NetRouter 1040, the ROUTEMAN XL lacks support for POTS lines. Additionally, like the ADC Kentrox PACESETTER, it offers no DHCP services. We found this situation puzzling, given that the price of the ROUTEMAN XL was significantly higher than the other routers, but the product itself offered no significant improvement in SOHO routing features or performance to justify this higher cost.

The ROUTEMAN XL is built differently than the other routers we tested. Instead of a built-in ISDN port, ROUTEMAN XL offers a PC Card slot for installing an analog modem, Ethernet card or ISDN TA. We tested SBE's product with its ThunderCard ISDN Adapter--the reason for its inflated price. While we can see the benefits of the separate TA as a distinct point of failure in remote ISDN connections, we question its value given the average failure rates of this type of nonmechanical component; n ot to mention its price.

The design does make the router more flexible, so it can be used with a variety of interfaces. Should the network topology change and the ISDN circuit be replaced with frame relay, for instance, different interface cards could be inserted, and firmware could be installed to accommodate the new connection.

Jeff Newman can be reached at jnewman@nwc.com.