Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. News

Netgear RT314 Review

Dan Gaul
By
Netgear RT314
Score Details
“Once setup, you will never have to touch it again. It just works, and it works flawlessly.”
Pros
  • Stable and easy to setup
Cons
  • Mediocre documentation

Summary

The RT314 is extremely easy to setup and configure. Once setup, you will never have to touch it again. It just works, and it works flawlessly.

You can’t complain about the price either. The RT314 sells for approximately $130.

The only thing I was not too keen on was the way the documentation was setup. It was packaged as a basic fold-out poster instead of a normal book type manual. I lost it pretty easily.

Introduction

Related

When cable modems finally became available in my area, I couldn’t wait to get it installed.

After the installation however, there was one slight problem. I have two computers, a machine running Windows NT4 and a machine running Windows ME. I couldn’t share the connection between both of them. I had a hub but the cable service assigns you only one IP. You have to pay for an extra IP.

So, I went hunting for a router.

After some research I narrowed my choices down to two: The Netgear RT314 and the LinkSys BEFSR41.

They both are around the same price and have comparable features. After talking with some other people and doing some research, I decided to go with the RT314. I had heard of some people having problems with their LinkSys.

So, let’s break down the features of the RT314.
* Combination Switch/Router
* 4 Port, 10/100 Switch
* DSL or Cable modem connection
* NAT Technology to prevent hackers
* Firewall security and control
* Plug and Play convenience

Setup

I was a little worried the setup would be painful. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. I first setup my windows ME computer.

You can configure the router either via Telnet access or by a webpage. The webpage is strongly encouraged for someone who does not know much about telnet commands. I used the webpage configuration since I think that is the way most people would configure the RT314.

Configuring is as simple as firing up the web browser of your choice, then following a Wizard from the Administration webpage that asks for basic things that your ISP should have given you such as your Host Name, Domain, IP, etc.

After you have finished with the wizard, you must configure your computers network settings so that it connects to the router. The supplied instructions for the RT314 follow you through step-by-step on how to setup your computer to do this.

I was up and running in about 5 minutes total. This included configuration of the Router and my computers network interface.

Setup of my NT4 machine was not as fast. I decided to not obtain my IP automatically from the Router’s DHCP server and instead configured the information for my network card manually. It was still extremely simple, following the instructions that the router came with.

Use

One of the major problems I hear about using routers like the RT314 is problems connecting or playing internet based computer games. I am happy to tell you I have not experienced ANY problems playing online games.

I also have not noticed any type of slowdowns or network problems from the router. It has worked flawlessly.

Basically, after I configured the router and my machines, I have not had to touch it again. I just fire up my favorite web browser or internet tool and plug away!

Recently I had to re-install Windows ME. No sweat about Internet connection! After installation I ran Internet Explorer. Since it was my first time, the Windows Internet Connection Wizard ran. I chose for it to automatically detect my internet settings, and it did! I did not have to worry about setting up my computer’s network settings at all.

Conclusion

The RT314 is extremely easy to setup and configure. Once setup, you will never have to touch it again. It just works, and it works flawlessly.

You can’t complain about the price either. The RT314 sells for approximately $130.

The only thing I was not too keen on was the way the documentation was setup. It was packaged as a basic fold-out poster instead of a normal book type manual. I lost it pretty easily.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Dan Gaul
Dan Gaul
Chief Technology Officer
Dan Gaul is the co-founder and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) for Digital Trends Media Group, a Portland, Oregon-based…
The OnePlus 9RT is finally going global months after China-only launch
OnePlus 9RT

Three months after the launch of the OnePlus 9RT, the affordable flagship is set to make its first appearance outside of China. OnePlus India today sent out invites for a virtual launch event scheduled for January 14, where the company will formally launch the OnePlus 9RT in that country.

For those unaware, the OnePlus 9RT is the only “T” series smartphone that OnePlus announced in 2021, having decided against launching the OnePlus 9T last year. Interestingly, the 9RT is somewhat of a successor to the OnePlus 9R -- an affordable flagship from the company that first launched in India alongside its pricier 9 series siblings.

Read more
OnePlus 9 RT with Snapdragon 888 could launch in India soon with a new name
OnePlus 9RT leaked in silver color option showing the camera module of the smartphone.

From merging back into parent company Oppo to fusing OxygenOS into Oppo's ColorOS to deviating its focus from flagships, OnePlus has undergone many alterations that haven't always been the best for customers. One of the more disappointing ones was OnePlus skipping the OnePlus 9T to focus on the OnePlus 10 instead. However, it is bringing a successor to the OnePlus 9R, which willo be limited to India and China. The OnePlus 9RT was launched in China last month, and several leaks suggest it is now headed to India.

The smartphone was recently listed on the Google Play Console, as spotted by tipster Mukul Sharma (better known as Stufflistings), and has the same specs as the Chinese variant. The only thing that appears to have changed is the name of the smartphone. Instead of its original launch name, the phone is referred to as OnePlus RT, suggesting a rebrand for its launch outside China.

Read more
Valve is reviewing every game on Steam for the Steam Deck
Two players using Steam Decks to play Stardew Valley.

To make sure that players aren't disappointed once they finally have their Steam Decks, Valve has said it would test every single game on Steam for the handheld console. The statement comes as part of a larger post regarding the Steam Deck's verification process, which grades games based on their performance on Valve's console.

There are four grades that games can get, ranging from Verified, which means a game can simply be played on a Steam Deck with no issue, to Unsupported. While a large number of games will either be Verified or at least Playable, which means users can play the game after some tooling around with controller configuration, a solid chunk of Steam games will be completely unsupported. Specifically, Steam Deck users won't be able to tape the console to their heads and play VR titles, although that should be a given.

Read more