22Oct/105
Cisco Syst. 851 Ethernet SOHO Security Router ( CISCO851-K9 )
Cisco Syst. 851 Ethernet SOHO Security Router ( CISCO851-K9 )
- 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet
- 4-port 10/100 Mbps switch
- FRWL, IPSec VPN Support
The Cisco 851 secure broadband router is a part of the Cisco Integrated Services Router portfolio. Designed for small offices, the router provide secure WAN connectivity. Easy setup allows the Cisco 851 to be deployed at small remote offices and small businesses, and remote management features enable IT managers and service providers to provide better support at remote sites. Main FeaturesManufacturer: Cisco Systems, IncManufacturer Part Number: CISCO851-K9Manufacturer Website Address: www.cisco
Rating: 
(out of 6 reviews)
List Price: $ 399.00
Price: $ 267.29
October 22nd, 2010 - 11:47
Review by A power home user for Cisco Syst. 851 Ethernet SOHO Security Router ( CISCO851-K9 )
Rating:
As a home user, after upgrading my broadband to 6.0mb/s from Comcast, both my netgear and linksys routers were overwhelmed and couldn’t cope up with all the activities for the 5 computers, Xbox360 and Slingbox in the house. After researching all the business class routers, including Netgear, Linksys, Sonicwall and others. Finally, I’ve decided that Cisco is the best product that would solve my problem. Knowing that this is a sophiscated product, I ordered the most basic router without wireless access (hence less variables to configure). Amazon has the best price among all the websites though you certainly don’t get any type of technical support from them. As expected, the router requires some professional knowledge to configure. Being a home user, I only changed very few settings through the SDM software that came with the router and it worked very well within my network. The performance of the router is impressive and I am getting the same download speed if I connect my PC directly to the modem. With all the loaded activities in the house, the CPU usage was just around 40%. This router certainly is of professional quality and doesn’t even warm up after leaving it on all the time.
On the flip side, I found that the user interface (SDM) to manage the router is a little over complicated. It could be much more simplier but is still acceptable. The command line interface through the console port is definitely for professional who knows exactly what they are doing. Through the command interface, you can get almost all status and configuration from the router. I dare not to modify any configuration using the console interface because I’m not sure what I’ll be changing. In addition, this router is 4 times more expensive than the ones you can get from local retail stores. Overall, I would recommend this router if you need the quality and performance. Otherwise, stay with the consumer products from Linksys or Netgear.
October 22nd, 2010 - 12:07
Review by Albert K. Lee for Cisco Syst. 851 Ethernet SOHO Security Router ( CISCO851-K9 )
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I am a software engineer who sometimes thinks he’s a network engineer too. I run one commercial and one private system from home, with DNS, web, and e-mail service for each, and have a commercial broadband connection through Verizon Online DSL with 5 static IP addresses. After spending days reading specs and reviews of various pro-consumer routers, SOHO routers, and enterprise routers, and after having experienced downright horrible router software and performance from home/consumer routers, I decided on going with a Big Name and it’s been a WONDERFUL investment.
I am comfortable working on all kinds of UNIX systems, so I am very comfortable with setting things up using a command line through telnet and ssh or by transferring files with scp. This router uses standard Cisco IOS software and there was a real wealth of documentation available on the web, and I was able to get up and running without purchasing any additional books. Once everything was set up, it never needed to be touched, and the router has been chugging along with no hiccups and at full speed.
What I had was:
– a pool of 5 static WAN IP addresses from my ISP
– an internal 192.168.x.x network
– web/email/dns/ntp/etc. servers on the internal network
– ethernet connections for everything (I have a separate DSL modem)
I wanted a router that:
– was straightforward for a competent network engineer to configure
– could implement NAT the way I wanted to
– was totally silent (no fans!)
– would not flake on me
– had a firewall
I got more than I wanted. This router also:
– stores its identity/configuration in a single file, which I can archive
– supports SNTP (only), so it gets its time from my local NTP servers
– does a lot more than I need/use
All in all, I am writing from the point of view of an advanced user, and this advanced user finds the router to be very solid, straightforward to configure, and powerful enough in terms of both functionality and processing power for my uses. I do have one gripe having nothing to do with the router per se – I have spent hundreds of dollars looking for a good wifi access point, and I wish I spent a bit extra for the Cisco 851W instead after my experiences. Right now I’m using a D-Link DGL-4300 which is working really well though, so I’m not as regretful as I was before I found the 4300.
October 22nd, 2010 - 12:40
Review by PooBear for Cisco Syst. 851 Ethernet SOHO Security Router ( CISCO851-K9 )
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This is my first Cisco, everything before was Netgear, DLink, and Linksys. My home net has several systems and sub-nets, and I needed something facing the Internet after my DLink died.
It took me about 4 enjoyable hours to get my bearings with this Cisco, and pages of notes. In that time I examined Cisco CP Express (the web config inside the router that’s even more simple minded than anything else I’ve worked with), Cisco CP (CCP, which is a most excellent graphical configuration tool. CP stands for “Configuration Professional”, btw), and the command-line interface (CLI).
You install CCP from the included CD, but it won’t install on a server (Like Windows 2003 or 2008 Server). It has to go on a simple computer. The CD has well done video showing how to use it. Awesome!
I was really concerned about the interface after reading the comment that it looked to be designed by a monkey. I found it to be intuitive and logical, well laid out and perfectly reasonable. That was a relief! I suppose it is all personal preference.
I also made a trip over to Radio Shack for a serial cable to connect directly to one of my PCs. The 851 has a serial interface and a command line, and I checked that out, too. It was pretty easy to get the hang of. Later I discovered that CCP has a command-line window built into it, but hey if I shut myself out of the network I can still get in with the serial interface I suppose (and really destroy things).
As for the command line, well, I haven’t found anything yet that I can’t also do in the graphical CCP, and I have high security, VPN, DNS forwarding, Syslog, etc going on now. But still, the command line is fun : )
I’ve had the Cisco now for 4 days, and its sweet. The thing I like most about it is that when something doesn’t work its been my fault. That’s very unlike, say, Netgear, where you run into bug after bug until you are a screaming mess, or surprised by advertised features that aren’t actually in the product (and never arrive via updates, updates that tend to degrade the system even further).
My main system has multiple monitors so I have the serial console terminal program running off in a corner, to explore the Cisco IOS command-line. It’s a server machine, but serial console programs don’t care and come with them anyway.
Overall, if you are pretty savvy with gadgets, know or grew up with computers, and know how to cram study for a final exam, you will ace this Cisco hands down and make it sing and dance within a few concentrated hours of cramming…and thats if you’ve never even seen a Cisco before.
The payoff over consumer-grade trash is something to experience, and I highly recommend this device to others like myself who have never used a Cisco before and have had it up to here with Netgear, et al.
October 22nd, 2010 - 13:05
Review by David Beidelman for Cisco Syst. 851 Ethernet SOHO Security Router ( CISCO851-K9 )
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The 851 router works rock solid after you get it initially configured. The web interface is poor. No brainer if you know Cisco IOS. Keep in mind, the internal switch is layer 2 so you can’t build separate segments on each port. I’ve got a /29 CIDR address block from my ISP that I router through the 851. VPN and PPP work completely as expected. The firewall doesn’t offer anything more than you would expect from a low cost SOHO solution. I’ve got a Check Point UTM-1 Edge firewall behind the router that provides much more flexibility. Best part about Cisco, the gear almost never breaks.
David Beidelman
October 22nd, 2010 - 14:01
Review by geddys for Cisco Syst. 851 Ethernet SOHO Security Router ( CISCO851-K9 )
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My old Linksys router broke after 5 yrs of use and I had a hard time finding a good replacement unit that works w/ my wireless router acting as AP. I went with this entry level Cisco because I figured Cisco would give a good warranty and product. Well, it has 1 year warranty so don’t expect the 3+ yrs warranty coverage (ie some D-link / Netgear routers still have that kind of warranty).
It comes with a CD with the graphics interface software to configure the router. I don’t think it’s compatible with Vista because the words in the menu would not show up fully. Luckily my brother was able to use command line to configure the router to work.
In short:
Pro – fast router when you’re not using Vista. Lots of options to program this thing if you know how to do it.
Con – not sure if the software is Vista compatible. Kinda expensive if you ask me.