All in all, ISB2LAN is more than adequate in handling most of the commonly used protocols, with one notable exception. Believe it or not, FTP is one of the "NAT-ignorant" protocols. No wonder, since it was created long before NAT. Of course, ISB2LAN supports it beautifully.. as long as it is on its default port 21. Move it to another port, say 6721, and you can not connect using the standard FTP clients. Web browsers, somehow, still work. I can offer no explanation of that discrepancy. I know why the standard clients (ftp.exe, Cute FTP, etc.) don’t work, by why the browsers work is beyond me. I have experienced the same thing using other NAT solutions as well. Perhaps something to do with "passive transfers" ? Perhaps someone can enlighten me.
Here is a list of the protocols I tested:
ICQ
OK*
FTP
Mostly (see above)
Quicktime Streaming 3,4
OK
ICUII
Special app.
CU SEEME
Exposed Computer
NNTP
OK
Telnet
OK
Archie
Special app.
IRC
OK
Real Audio/Video
OK
NetMeeting
Exposed Computer
* ICQ works great, but you have to realize that you can not chat with another user that is also behind a NAT box or program.
Now, some more about special applications. The manual says "Configuration data must be obtained from the Service/Application provider". Well, NEXLAND, how about you obtaining that information for the most commonly used protocols and pre-defining a dozen or so "special applications" in your software? Can’t deprive someone from using video conferencing just because he/she thinks that "UDP" means "Universal Dietary Program". :)
ISB2LAN offers not only security from outside intruders, but also internal packet filters. If you want your children to use the Internet for research, but not for IRC or games, you can easily restrict their access to just the appropriate ports (please, kids, don’t break into my machine and erase my disk just because I said that :). Same goes for employees - very few people can claim that they need to be able to watch RealVideo "for business purposes".
Documentation I mentioned the brick-like manuals in the beginning. In addition to being intimidating (which sucks only slightly), the paper manuals are not searchable (which sucks majorly). NEXLAND has taken the tree-friendly approach. Their documentation comes on two floppy disks, or you can download the whole thing from their web site. Fully searchable HTML format - what all documentation should be. Every aspect of installation configuration and operation is covered in great detail, if you are in the habit of reading docs.
Support The greatest tech support I have ever seen. Maybe the things will change as the volume of sales picks up, but for now the phone is answered within 5 seconds by a live person, knowledgeable about the product and full of dedication to it. Just don’t be too negative about their box - they are a little sensitive on the subject.
