Home > Consumer Reviews > UGate-3200 Cable/xDSL Sharing Gateway with 7-port

I originally purchased the LinkSys 4-port Cable/DSL router and used it for a month or so before demoting it to my home network router/firewall and purchased the UGate-3200 to replace it at work.

The UGate-3200 costs a bit more, but the spiffy shiny copper box with 7 ports are great to have especially if their is potential to hook up more computers in the future. The built in software is slick and easy to use.

However, as with most routers out there in this price league its VPN capability is really supported one way (ie as a client VPN connection not as a VPN server pass-thru box). Yes, they say you can put your VPN server in the DMZ zone (or in their special apps port mapping) but I found I got consistent connection losses and slow performance. But I have found this is the standard for this price range. They all claim VPN/PPTP capability, etc. but remember, its likely as a client only. This is the second time I have fallen for such general advertising.

Like the others in this price range, their support pages are aimed at people who want a basic router/hub/firewall and they are trying to deal with their problems first (the majority of buyers so you can't blame them). Linksys is definitely no better... I don't know how many times Linksys notes that they won't support "this advanced feature" in their manual, I lost count.

In a nutshell, if you need a sharable router/gateway that acts as a firewall and also might have a need to be a VPN CLIENT then this is a good buy (considering the 7-ports). However, if you are planning on putting the server internally to the LAN connected to the box, then you are going to wish you paid up and purchased a box that truly supports VPN server pass-thru. The time expended on getting it to work will not be worth the cost savings. Everyone else who doesn't need VPN server pass-thru, this is a good 7-port box.

Been shopping for a broadband router for sometime now. IPsec was a requirement so the early models didn't cut it. I had been running a software router (Sygate, also a great product) but wanted to be able to boot up any machine independently. Also using a brand new Buffalo Airstation in the mix. I opened the Ugate, upgraded the firmware and was up and running in about 10 mins. The WAN MAC setting feature is nice so I didn't have to sit on hold with MediaOne to explain a MAC change. The only complaint I have is that there are no holes on the back to wall mount the unit. It sits in my basement and it would be nice to attach it to the wall near the electrical box. Oh well... Other than that, a great product and a worthy hardware replacement for my beloved Sygate.

Please take my previous review Offline. I fixed the problem!