From: jed@privacy.net   
      
   Hi,   
      
   I am currently using two NetGear FVS318 VPN routers to connect my home with   
   my office.  I'm accessing SMB-mapped drives at the office from my home, and   
   the performance is terrible.  I have a broadband connection on both ends,   
   and normal internet performance is quite good, so I attribute the poor   
   performance to the slowness of the VPN.   
      
   The NetGear site states that the FVS318 router uses software encryption, and   
   can achieve a max throughput of 1.2 mbps for 3DES.  Their FVS338 router   
   technical specs state that hardware encryption is used, and that it can   
   achieve VPN throughput of up to 60 mbps for 3DES.  I don't know whether to   
   believe that number.  It sounds too good for the money, and my broadband   
   connection is only a few megabits per second.   
      
   I have a few questions:   
      
   1.  What is the likely source of the slow performance over the VPN?  Is it   
   the software encryption in the FVS318?   
      
   2.   Is there an economical (e.g., under $300) VPN router alternative with   
   good VPN encryption speed?   
      
   3.  I am concerned about all the negative FVS338 router reviews that I see   
   on the web.  Is it really that bad?   
      
   Thanks,   
      
   Ed   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)