From TNPC issue #4.11...

Home or Small Business Gateway

by Lee Hudspeth
May 31, 2001

Let me make this very plain: I really hate messing around with my networking setup. Hate it. Which is why I truly love the HomePortal from 2Wire.

The product is one of a number of broadband gateways that have come onto the market this year. It supports Ethernet, home phoneline, and wireless networking architectures, and has a built-in firewall. HomePortal also has the requisite IP address masking feature needed to allow your network to share a single broadband connection across all your networked PCs, without needing to pay extra fees to your ISP.

What stands out in 2Wire's implementation is that its software really works.

Pop the CD-ROM into your PC, and a wizard takes you step by step through the startup process, including generating the electronic address of the portal that your ISP will need to connect you. (The wizard literally tells you to call your ISP and give them this number.) When it is done, the portal is working and your PC is on the network.

The software provides for file, printer, and Internet connection sharing. To add additional PCs to the network, you run the same software on them. Whatever network settings might have been present before installation are saved as a "Work" profile and the new settings are designated as a "home" location. With two clicks and a reboot, you can switch from the "home" to the "work" network settings. This allows you to bring an office computer home and hook it up to your home network without messing you up when you take it back to the office.

If you only want to share the broadband connection, and don't need the file and printer sharing, you can even skip the HomePortal software installation. Any supported networking method will still get Internet access through the HomePortal.

2Wire makes the HomePortal in four versions: the 100 is a phoneline and Ethernet gateway; 100W adds an integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless access point; HomePortal 1000 is phoneline and Ethernet plus a built-in DSL modem, and the 1000W adds Wi-Fi to that. Prices range from $200 to $600. You pretty much pay for the set of features you need.

Any Wi-Fi or HomePNA 2.0 networking card or USB connector will work with HomePortal. 2Wire's own $50 PC Port USB/phoneline adapter is not required, but it is a very tidy unit that compares favorably to competitive units.

Don't be misled by the "home" terminology. HomePortal will be more than adequate for a small office. If I have any complaint it is that I would have liked it to support more than one Ethernet connection without having to add on a hub.

Overall, though, it is an excellent product. Networking is a pain, but HomePortal is easy.
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/411/tr.cgi?al1

You can reach Al Gordon at:
mailto:al@TheNakedPC.com

Return to Top

TNPC Hot Tips:

• Email out of control? Spam filling your inbox? People trying to steal your identity? Same here - until I applied these tips. You can too in a new multimedia e-book. Tame Your Email.

• DO YOU MAKE THESE MONEY MISTAKES? Do you know that trying to pay off your high interest rate debts first and/or paying extra on more than one debt is the SLOWEST way to get out of debt? Don't make these same mistakes. Learn more at by clicking here...