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 Review by mencken 
member for 11.7 years, 187 visits, last login: 6.1 years ago
lodged 11.6 years ago
 Tallahassee,Leon,FL
 Contract price not specified.  "Zoinks! ZyXEL make me happy" "Me want GUI." "Modem/Router in one was just what I needed"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
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Product Name: ZyXEL Prestige 641 ADSL Internet Access Router
Wan Interface: One RJ-11 (your DSL line)
LAN Interface: One RJ-45, 10/100baseT Ethernet jack
Terminal Interface: One DB-9, male interface
Size (LxWxH): 9"x6"x1.5"
Administration: Via Telnet, terminal port, or Prestige Network Commander (GUI)
Maximum Number of Clients: 32 DHCP clients, unlimited static address clients
Throughput: WAN: 8mpbs down, 1mbps up. LAN: 10/100mpbs.
DHCP Server: Yes
DHCP Client (on WAN port): Yes
VPN Client Support: PPTP
VPN Server: No
PPPoE Support: Yes, can act as PPPoE client.
Firewall bypass: Can open up to 7 ports to individual addresses on the LAN side. Can also specify "default" address for all ports.
Access Control: ?
Price (List/Street) $300/$315
Basics
The Prestige 641 is capable of acting as both a bridge and access router. The built in ADSL modem is compatible with Alcatel DSLAMs. My C.O. uses Lucent Stinger DSLAMs and the Prestige works fine with them (don't know if they use the Alcatel chipset.)
The Prestige seems to be unique in including both the DSL modem and access router capabilities. To use it as an access router for sharing with multiple PCs you will need an Ethernet hub/switch. If you are only connecting to one PC, you can use an Ethernet crossover cable to connect directly to your PC's NIC.
Mindspring is shipping the Prestige 641 to its Mindspring Max DSL customers (recently changed to the Prestige 642M- a bridge only version), configured to run in bridge mode only, bypassing the built in PPPoE client and NAT capability. For the rest of us (and adventurous Mindspring customers) it is an excellent option for replacing PCI or USB DSL modems if you want to use a hardware router to share your connection. I purchased the Prestige 641 to replace the Speedstream 4060 USB modem I received with my DSL installation. I wanted to use a
hardware router for connection sharing, but didn't want to buy a new modem and a new router.
If purchased directly, the Prestige 641 ships with the following:
- PRESTIGE 641
- RJ-45 CROSSOVER CABLE
- ETHERNET CABLE
- CD ROM
- QUICK START GUIDE
- USER'S MANUAL
- PACIFIC BELL PHONE CABLE
I'm not sure what materials are included from Mindspring when shipped to
its customers.
The Prestige 641 supports the following standards:
. ADSL physical connection supports ATM AAL5 (ATM Adaptation Layer type 5)
. ATM Forum UNI 3.1/4.0 PVC
. Multiple protocol AAL5 (RFC 1483)
. PPP over AAL5 (RFC 2364)
. PPP over Ethernet (RFC 2516) for dynamic multiple services selection
. PAP (Password Authentication Protocol)
. CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol)
. Microsoft CHAP
. IP routing supports RIP-1 and RIP-2
The user's guide can be found at:
»ftp://ftp.zyxel.com/public/manuals/p64···2.40.pdf
The front panel has features several LEDs: Power, Sys, LAN 10M, LAN 100M, and ADSL.
The rear panel features: On/Off switch; LAN 10/100mb port, Console port (male DB-9 connector), one RJ-11 ADSL port, and a connection for the external power supply.
Setup
Initial configuration must be completed through the terminal interface. You will need to connect a serial cable from the DB-9 port on the back of the Prestige to one of your PC's com ports. You can access to router through any terminal emulation software. Use VT100 terminal emulation and 9600bps. You will need to know several details of your line's configuration (VPI number, VCI number, multiplexing type- LLC or PVC based, and your PPPoE ID and password.) The documentation ZyXEL provides is not all inclusive, but is sufficient to get your connection up and running.
ZyXEL provides a GUI application (Prestige Network Commander) for configuring the Prestige 641. The PNC does not allow you to configure all of the settings and seems to change some of them without telling you. You will need to perform the configuration through either a telnet connection (after initial config through serial console connection) or the serial console connection.
Do not expect a lot of support when configuring the Prestige 641. Most providers will only support the modem they provided you with. Mindspring is the only provider that I know of who gives the Prestige 641 to its customers, and they will only support the configuration they shipped it with. If you are a Mindspring user trying to configure the Prestige 641 there are a couple of resources available for you:
»home.interpath.net/dan/641.txt - FAQ for Mindspring users setting
up the Prestige 641 for use as an access router (NAT and PPPoE client.)
»home.earthlink.net/~menckenhsd/Prestige.zip - Step by step guide,
config file, and TFTP client for reconfiguring your router on Mindspring
Max service to act as a NAT router.
If you're using the Prestige 641 to replace you existing modem, make sure you get all of the necessary information from your old modem and PPPoE client. If you read the manual you should be able to get set up.
Advanced Stuff
The Prestige 641 supports syslog reporting, filter sets, a command line interface, and several other features.
NAT (SUA):
This was the reason I bought the Prestige 641. Configuration is pretty straight forward. You will have to set up port forwarding for some applications (Menu 15.) Some applications that use dynamic port assignments will require you to specify your PC's IP address as the default address in the SUA menu (Menu 15.) I run an FTP on my PC and use Napster and PGPFone on both PCs with no problems (had to set up port
forwarding for each application for each PC.)
DHCP:
The Prestige 641 can act as a DHCP server for devices on your LAN. It supports up to 32 clients, using an address range you specify in menu 3.2.
Firewall:
Any firewall capabilities must be configured through the filter set menu. The default filter set includes filters to prevent WAN telnet and NetBIOS traffic from being accepted. One thing not covered in the manual is that for a filter set to work, you have to include it in the "Remote Node" setup menu (Menu 11.5, accessed from Menu 11.1, "Edit Filter Sets Option".)
SNMP:
The Prestige 641 is supposed to support SNMP management (configured in menu 22.) I have not tested SNMP functionality.
SysLog:
The Prestige 641 will report syslog activity if you activate the feature (Menu 24.3.2) One nice feature is that you can set it to generate a syslog message any time one of the filters is activated. (Nice if you're paranoid about port scanners, etc...)
Firmware Updates:
I have not seen a firmware update since I purchased the unit in April, but when the firmware upgrade is released, it can be uploaded via TFTP.
Routing:
You can define static routes. You can choose between Rip-1 or Rip-2, and specify inbound, outbound, or both. IPX routing is also supported.
Command Line Interface:
The command line interface documentation is sparse. There are some additional commands listed on the ZyXEL website at:
»www.zyxel.com/doc/p641/ci_cmd/p641_ci.htm
Is it Hot?
ZyXEL claims to have tested the Prestige 641 at up to about 1.6mbps at 15kft using a 26AWG loop. My line is 512/128 and I have never had problems getting the full throughput.
Limitations
GUI interface doesn't support too many config options
Problems
Mindspring users have a heck of a time setting it up for NAT. Post any problems that you've experienced.
Summary
The modem/router combination is what sold me. I could not find any
other product that incorporated both. The poor command line
documentation and sometimes incomplete configuration documentation can
make troubleshooting pretty tough at times. ZyXEL tech support has
always responded to my e-mails within a week though, and I am thoroughly
happy with my Prestige 641. I think the ZyXEL is revamping the product
with the soon to be release Prestige 642, which will be sold in separate
routing, bridging, and ISDN(?) models. I think the Prestige 641 is a
solid choice for the residential user who wants to share his/her DSL
connection. I think it's the best choice if you happen to be stuck with
a PCI or USB modem, as the $300 cost easily beats the cost of an
Ethernet DSL modem and an external access router.
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