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4IPNET MSG100 Gateway

Author:	Jason Knappenberger
Date:	2008.04.13
Topic:	Networking
Provider:	4IPNET
Manufacturer:	4IPNET

4IPNET MSG100

Closer Look

The MSG100 looks like a great product on paper, but testing revealed a few problems. You should read multiple reviews before purchasing one. For example wi-fiplanet.com and wifipune.com both have the exact same review of this product apparently posted by a 4IPNET representative.
I can say that most of what I tested on this product did work correctly. However I have some problems with this product. For example, the interface is more than a little confusing. I managed to lock myself out of the product several times with my only fallback being to reset the device to defaults. Before you think it’s a PEBKAC error let me say that I have Microsoft and Cisco certifications and have been an IT Consultant for many years. 4IPNET lists “How to reset back to factory default?” as the very first question on their MSG100 FAQ, meaning I’m not the only one having problems. See the below screen shot where it tells me “HTTP 403 Forbidden” and “This website requires you to log in”, but it will never prompt me for login information.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger image.

I also think the interface could use a little work. I dislike like being double prompted to confirm things. See below screen shot where I had saved changes to the device and clicked “Restart”. I then got a page asking “Do you want to RESTART the system?” Why YES, that’s why I clicked restart. I then get another popup asking “Are you sure…….” Again that’s why I hit restart in the first place.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger image.

Conclusion

This product has a lot of functionality included. Almost to the point that they’re trying to put too much into a $500 piece of hardware. I think with a little more work it could be a competitor to the WatchGuard Firebox X series, SonicWall TZ, or Cisco ASA 5505. I’m not saying these products are better as I have issues with each, I’m just saying I’m not ready to recommend a 4IPNET MSG100 over one of the other, at least not yet.

Additional Resources

http://www.4ipnet.com/msg100_overview.htm

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