Opinions Of Netgears Fa311 Wanted

[ace]

Hello,

 

I have been using D-Link DFE-530TX NICs and have had mulitple cards with problems with the RJ45 connector. After a few plug ins a cable will not click in (or lock) So I am thinking about switching all my networked PC's to the Netgear FA311. Opinions would be appeciated Also has anybody else had the connector problem with their D-Link NICs.

 

Thanks so much for your opinions

 

Edited December 8, 2005 by ace

[Madmanmcp]

From a review here h_tp://www.neoseeker.com/resourcelink.html?rlid=500

 

This is a high-quality board with excellent silk-screening, good lay-out, and electrolytic capacitors rated at 105°C. The back and front of the board are almost solid with ground and power planes; an indication of good engineering. The RJ-45 jack is the best I've seen on any board. A CAT5 jumper cable snaps tightly into place.

 

I've rarely seen problems with a card or the RJ-45 jack except when the lock/release pin has been broken off. And this only happens from operater abuse

 

I've done a quick google search and have not had much luck finding the problem you describe, so not sure what to tell you.

 

As far as the Netgear FA311, I don't do much wired work anymore. With the price of wireless dropping its too muck work and actually more expensive wiring anymore.

[TCH-Bruce]

Not sure why you are plugging and unplugging your network cable. Maybe you have laptop. Could be time to consider a wireless card and router.

[Madmanmcp]

Not sure why you are plugging and unplugging your network cable.

 

That was my first impression...why would it need to be unplugged? I thought about the laptop but when I checked the actual card it was for the desktop so I tossed the laptop theory. The only other thing I can think of is its a "traveling" network...for conventions or shows. So it has to move from city to city and be boxed up and moved from place to place. This would put a lot of stress on the network gear and explain the need to plug and unplug.

 

If this is the case I would absolutely switch to a wireless setup!

[ace]

I unplug my computer from my highspeed internet when I fix other folks PC. (IE, install NICs, software upgrades etc.....(downloading)). I have unplug this particular card maybe 10 X.....

 

Thanks

[Madmanmcp]

I unplug my computer from my highspeed internet when I fix other folks PC.

 

Ok, so you use the card as a direct connect to the modem for Internet access. I have done something similar, I disconnect the wire to my wife's computer and use it to download Windows Updates on all the PC's I work on. I've done well over 100 computers and have not had the problem you have.

 

What I would recommend is you invest in a cheap 4 port router. You can then hang a wire to be used for your repair work and keep your home PC connected all the time. This will also give you a bit more security from the baddies on the internet because you will be hiding behind a NAT.

[ace]

Any opinion on the Neatgear FA311?

 

[TCH-Bruce]

22 people gave their opinion of it over at Amazon

 

Scroll down to the reviews.

[ace]

22 people gave their opinion of it over at Amazon

 

Scroll down to the reviews.

 

 

Thanks Bruce.......very good resource for reviews

[MikeJ]

The quality went down, imo, on the FA311 from the FA310 when they switched to a cheaper chipset, but it's still a decent home network card.

 

The fa310 used the DEC tulip chipset which I liked (and have one of these cards still in an old system).

 

I also have an fa311 or two and they do work fine... just they weren't as well supported by 3rd party drivers, at least when they came out.

[Deverill]

The fa310 used the DEC tulip chipset which I liked

 

Geek!

 

I guess even hardware has it's fans. Personally, I'm a software kinda guy.

[cajunman4life]

If you grow beyond a 4 port router (I can't be the only one...), switches are also available. I would recommend a router to start with as usually they double as a hardware firewall of sorts, which adds an extra layer of protection to your home network.