U.S. Robotics launches USR 8001 router for home and SOHO broadband networking

With software based on the hugely successful USR8000A broadband router, the new USR8001 router delivers reliability and a range of features in one compact, robust package. Users can network four PCs right out of the box and the integrated USB print server makes sharing a printer among multiple PCs easy. It is the only device needed to anchor a home or small business network.

"Once a home or small office has broadband installed, there is no need to wait to get online. With our new broadband router, everyone can share high-speed internet access, data files, network printers and even music or multi-player games," said Tony Field, EMEA Product Manager, U.S. Robotics. "To ensure data is kept safe, an integrated firewall, utilizing the latest technology, is designed to protect the networked PCs from hackers while maintaining maximum performance."

The USR8001 router comes packed with features, with multi-platform compatibility. The router is supported by universal plug and play functionality and configures with Windows, Mac and Linux. While delivering easy networking with features such as an advanced Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall to protect the network and Mac address filtering so users can decide which PCs can connect to the network, the router can also support up to 4 PCs or Ethernet devices and up to 253 with additional hubs/switches for easy and user friendly network expansion. The RS-232 serial port resident on the router can be used to create a dial-up or ISDN back-up system.

Advanced simple network management protocol (SNMP) for remote management of the device for mobile workers and operators is a key differentiator of USR8001. The router has the industry first, auto-detection and auto-switching functionality that automatically details 10/100 mbps connections eliminating the need for crossover cables.