DrayTek Vigor2820Vn

Larger businesses with logging infra-structure in place will appreciate the Vigor2820’s ability to record events to any Syslog server, helping you consolidate your logs in one place. If you don’t have a Syslog server handy, you can opt to log in plaintext to any USB drive connected directly to the router.

While the impressive “object-based” firewall draws the most attention to the Vigor2820, I must admit I was even more impressed by its Wi-Fi capabilities. The only proxy-free internet in our building is provided by the PC World test network. In addition to letting us download massive executable files for the DVD, it also proves popular among our local iPhone users and the occasional laptop-enabled guest.

With the Vigor2820, I was able to set up separate wireless networks for PC World users, iPhone users and visitors. Better still, I could set maximum upload and download thresholds for each. I don’t mind iPhone users streaming audio over our network, as long as it doesn’t impact my download speeds when I’m testing product or filling up the DVD.

If you use wireless around the office and find yourself giving out the password to every guest and mobile-device user alike, a router like this is really a must-buy.

The price is a fair bit higher than pure consumer models, but definitely reasonable for the features on offer. Also available are a wired only version (the DV2820) at $699 and a Wi-Fi version without the VoIP support (DV2820N) at $884 including GST. Unless you have a specific need for VoIP, I’d recommend saving yourself $159 and getting the DV2820N.