Small Office / Home Office Gear

What follows are several high speed Internet access / data security / networking solutions geared towards your business needs. Every business is different, and many of these solutions presented here are mix 'n match.  Screen, keyboard and mouse selection can vary widely. Many people today purchase 20", 22" or even 24" LCD monitors because the price has come down to such a degree.

Small Office / Home Office Product Matrix

  Good Better Pro

Connectivity

 

Pro:

Inexpensive, low initial and monthly cost. Decent reliability.

Good remote client support, outstanding reliability. The most transparent residential-class product.

Excellent remote client, VPN and VoIP support.

 
Con: No VPN or VoIP No VPN or VoIP Expensive

Approx cost:

$400 initial

$50-$80 monthly

$700 initial

$70-$100 monthly

$1500-$2400 initial

$200-$500 monthly
 

Computing Power

 
  Shuttle SD30G2 Plus Antec Solution Series NSK1380 Antec Solution Series NSK2480

 

SOHO workstation. Single core Intel system. Very compact Small Form Factor case. Upgrade path supports Intel Core 2 Duo.

SOHO Power user. Dual core Intel system. Small Form Factor case.

Upgrade path supports Intel Core 2 Quad.

SOHO Professional. Quad core Intel system. Tower format available. Ultra quiet. Ultra-high performance.

 
Approx cost: $700 - $1200 depending upon configuration. $1200 - $2400 depending upon configuration. $1800 - $3000 depending upon configuration.
 

Security

TZ 150 Wireless

 
  NETGEAR FVG318 SONICWALL TZ150 SONICWALL TZ180

Pro:

Inexpensive, low initial cost. Firewall stops most common attacks. Handles up to 8 users well.

 

Very good wireless performance.

 

Great bang for the buck.

 

 

The beginning of true comprehensive edge-of-network defense. CGS* package defends against attacks, virus, spyware, intrusions. Highly configurable two-way firewall.

 

Excellent secure wireless performance.

Excellent edge-of-network defense. CGS* package defends against attacks, virus, spyware, intrusions. Highly configurable two-way firewall. Supports Enhanced Sonic OS. Handles up to 12 users well with CGS* operational.

 

Idea for branch office connectivity.

 

Outstanding secure wireless performance.

 
Con: No real edge-of-network defense. Decent firewall stops most attacks. Not enough processing power for more than 4 or 5 users with CGS* operational. More expensive, but well worth it.

Approx cost:

$200 $450 $600 ($950 w/enhanced OS)

 

*Download the SonicWALL Comprehensive Gateway Security datasheet (PDF)