Rating: 
Summary: Everything worked right the first time
Review: If you're not sure what a router is for, it provides a DSL or cable modem user with flexibility and security. Flexibility, because in conjunction with a local area network setup (ethernet cards in your computers + an ethernet hub, or one of these wireless or phone-line based networking systems), it will allow you to share your fast network connection between several computers simultaneously (even if your internet service provider only gives you a single IP address). Security, because the default configuration keeps your network safe from external hack attempts. The router hides your networked machines from the outside world, so all an external hacker can see is the router (which they can't really do anything to). If you're running a network in your home with file or print sharing, and your machines are directly on the internet, you really need to get a product like this or turn off all of your file and print sharing.This product provides you with a lot of flexibility. You can either use their web-browser type interface to configure and control the router, or you can telnet directly into the router and use a simple but powerful text based interface. I work with computers, but I am by no means a hardware or networking expert. The manual that came (on cd-rom) with the router was relatively easy to follow, and reading it gave me the confidence to go for using the direct telnet interface. Like I said in the title of this review, it only took me one try to get absolutely everything running correctly.
Rating: 
Summary: Great, but...
Review: Just wish the tcp established parameter worked. Not sure why but that seems broken, so a portscan reveals some closed ports above 1024. No big deal but worth noting. From what I hear this box isn't as user friendly as it's counterpart, the Linksys but I chose it since it supports syslog accounting. It's stable, supports DDNS, cheap, and pretty configurable.
Rating:
Summary: RT311 User in Boston
Review: Most everything went OK. But if you get the ResourceCDVersion 1.1 - throw it away ! There is a alert from NetGear @[their web site] about a problem with a .dll file - Install this file may cause your system to take a page fault. You should download the new software from [their web site], and read the online information on how to install the software on to the RT311 After doing the setup, the only other problem was that I had to power cycle my cable modem, this reset the cable modem and I was good to go. The total amount time it took to get everthing setup and back on-line was about 35-40 min's. This is better than using software to do the same thing. This is a nice product for the home - when you have a small network.
Rating:
Summary: NetGear is great
Review: NetGear has been what i use for my networks and everything works great. and this just makes it even better
Rating:
Summary: This thing rocks!
Review: Netgear is slowly starting to invade my home network. all I need to do is change my router and it's pure netgear. The reason I wrote that is because Netgear is a good company, therefore one would think that this router would be a great product. Well, You're right! I had this set up in 20-30 minutes. no small feat for attaching a router. this thing flies, there's virtually no slowdown for the connection, with DSL it's great. overall, this is a nearly flawless product and in a world of plastic cars, computers and women, the metal case makes it that much better.
Rating: 
Summary: Netgear TS is unresponsive
Review: Netgear TS took too long to respond to my inquiry. When they did respond, the information they gave wasnt useful. I bought a Linksys product and had no problem.
Rating: 
Summary: Marginally OK ...
Review: Netgear's RT311 DSL/Cable Router has been touted as nothing short of impeccable. Unfortunately, that's not the whole story. Let me tell you the other half. I work at a Cable Modem opeartion. We dread customers who buy this product solely because of its many pitfalls. While the Router is competitively priced, consumers often fail to realized "You get what you pay for..." Problem #1. Netgear's RT311 DSL/Cable Router has DHCP renewal problems/issues. For Dynamically assigned IP customers, reset at 50% and 88% of IP expiration has problems reissuing IP due to default Firewall setting(s). Netgear support swears its a Windows issue. Problem #2. Difficult setup process. New users unfamiliar with setup and configuring a network Router will find Netgear's RT311 DSL/Cable Router setup process confusing and frustrating. Unlike the more simplified setup process of LinkSys Routers, the Netgear are overtly Technical when they don't need to be. Unfamiliar users have complained about Netgear's over-complicated technical manual and lack of step-by-step instruction. Problem #3. Little Netgear Customer Support. Really bad... Problem #4. Confusing Firewall configuration and Setting(s). This firewall really needs improvement to keep customers safe from hackers. Similarly, a better interface is needed to simplify the level of protection (see Problem #1). Home-based Routers are supposed to simple to setup, configure, and use. Unfortunately, the Netgear RT311 may not be the best product for every DSL/Cable customer. While the price is very attractive, the overly-complex documentation and little ease-of-use make the Netgear RT311 a choice only for those who are already familiar with Networking (and willing to take the time...). Try a LinkSys Router instead. They are simple for the common user and have fewer quirks than that of Netgear.
Rating:
Summary: Simple setup and installation - great performance
Review: Our company switched from ISDN using a Netgear RT328 to DSL using this RT311. Installation was easy, just plug it into the DSL modem, power connection, and LAN hub. Setup uses a browser based routine that is simple if you have all the necessary parameters from your ISP. It is much easier than setting up the ISDN router. Overall, from plugging it in to connecting took about 1/2 hour. I also tried checking the firewall by running Steve Gibson's Shields Up! utility, and the router was not penetrated. Performance is excellent, we are running it over our network with 6-8 users, and connections and upload/download is very reliable and quick. Overall, this is a great product.
Rating:
Summary: Netgear solves ADSL problems
Review: Running a network with ADSL via a hub was not working properly. The server computer always had to be on to get a connection. One computer could not send e-mail or load certain pages from the internet. After attaching the RT311 to the hub, my problems were over. Initially, there was a problem with connection the server. I took advantage of the 24/7 tech support and within 15 minutes they sent the upgrade file that was required by my ADSL service provider. Uploading the file upgrade to the RT311 was easy (the instructions from tech support were perfect). Now all computers can enjoy on-line gaming, e-mail and web-browsing. I would recommend the RT311 to anyone with ADSL network problems.
Rating:
Summary: One small detail
Review: The lack of any support, incomplete documentation, and the lack of features standard in other routers could be overlooked: if only the thing worked. It doesn't, at least the three I tried didn't. Neither the router I was replacing or the router I eventually used gave me even the slightest problem. I've done network administration for large scale multiprotocol LANs, WANs and VPNs. I didn't want to have to break out the toys for my simple home network. Each of the three Netgear 311s I tried simply refused to forward packets to the big WAN (Internet.) I can overlook that Netgear doesn't have any form of support that I could find. No email, no chat and certainly no phone support. I can overlook that their documentation assumes there are no other operating systems other than those from Redmond. Yet even with this level of concentration, it could not cover a small fraction the possible issues. I can overlook that, unlike most of it's competition in this price point, the 311 does not have a print server, multiple ports (incorporated mini-hub) or more than a rudimentary firewall (net translation only.) What I cannot overlook, though, is not working. Although I've been very happy with Netgear hubs and switches, I will not consider Netgear routers.
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