Entered CNET Catalog: 12/18/2002
SKU: 0032017161795
Manufacturer: Toshiba
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Manufacturer description
The PCX5000 Wireless Cable Modem Gateway is Toshiba NPD's first home networking solution. It includes both wired and wireless networking features, with four 10/100 ports and an 802.11b wireless interface. This allows consumers the ability to connect multiple computers to the Internet. The unit offers Safe@ security software developed by SofaWare, a Check Point company, and provides Internet security protection to home networking users based on Check Point's enterprise-class and industry standard Stateful Inspection technology. Connecting to the Internet and configuring the home network is a breeze. Included with the unit is an easy-to-use wizard that configures computers, tests the modem and prepares the network for completion of the installation.Product summary
The good: Combines three devices in one; inexpensive; DOCSIS compatible; three-year warranty.
The bad: Awkward setup; no wall-mounting hardware; top-notch security features require upgrade.
The bottom line: This all-in-one device delivers and distributes data to all corners of the home, making it a good choice for networking newbies.
Average user rating: 
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 02/03/2003
Stick what into where? The wizard guides you through the installation.
To install the PCX5000, simply run the JumpMaster home-networking wizard from any networked computer running Microsoft Windows 98 SE, 2000, Me, or XP. The wizard walks you through the setup process step by step and offers useful and detailed illustrations along the way, as well as instructions on how to physically connect the PCX5000 to your cable network. After the software checks your computer hardware for compatibility, the wizard asks you if you want to connect via Ethernet, 802.11b, or USB. Next, it automatically configures your computer's network settings and walks you through choosing the SSID and the security level for wireless connections.
Pick your poison; you can connect via Ethernet, 802.11b, or USB.
This process worked fairly well in our tests, although experienced users may find the wizard overly simplistic. For example, it uses the term wireless net name to refer to the SSID. Plus, we found running the wizard on each computer to be a bit onerous, especially when we simply wanted to connect a new system to the network quickly. And on two occasions, the software locked, and we had to restart our computer before we could continue. All told, it took us a long 15 minutes to hook up each computer to the network.
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 External antenna connector. |
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In addition to four Ethernet ports, the back of the unit features a recessed Reset switch and screw holes for mounting the device on a wall. And though the PCX5000 keeps its built-in wireless antenna hidden, it does feature an external antenna connector in the front. We noticed during testing that the unit got rather warm during three weeks of extensive use, so make sure you keep the vent holes on top free from obstructions.
The PCX5000 offers an adequate set of security options, which you can configure using a Web-based tool. The unit can handle 64- or 128-bit WEP encryption but not the more secure 256-bit protection found the on the D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+. You can turn off and on the integrated SofaWare stateful inspection firewall, but the company masks the complexity of its operation from the user.
The Reports screen lets you monitor your network.
Unfortunately, to access the more-advanced security features, you must purchase an upgrade. (Toshiba is currently negotiating the upgrade process and cost with cable companies.) The upgrade adds improvements to the existing security options and gives users more control. For example, instead of a simple on/off switch, the upgraded software adds three firewall settings. The lowest allows all outbound traffic but blocks all inbound traffic except for pings. The highest setting allows only outbound Web, e-mail, and FTP, while blocking all inbound traffic. The upgrade also lets you block communications to specified port numbers, as well as designate any computer on the network as a virtual server for Web, e-mail, FTP, and other popular online applications. In addition, you get more detailed reports on recent break-in attempts, as well as a list of active computers on the network. However, even with the upgrade, you can't view wireless and wired traffic statistics or adjust key parameters, such as beacon interval, RTS threshold, fragmentation length, and DTIM interval.
In CNET Labs' tests, the Toshiba PCX5000 wireless cable modem gateway hustled past its current sole competitor, the Netgear CG814M. With the ability to move data wirelessly at 4.8Mbps, the Toshiba worked 23 percent faster than the Netgear. However, it still trailed the Siemens SpeedStream 2624 wireless DSL/cable router by 4 percent. The PCX5000 worked perfectly with 802.11b radios from five different vendors, although we had trouble connecting with our Toshiba Pocket PC e740.
With a range of 75 feet, the Toshiba fell about 15 feet short of the mark set by the Netgear. However, both devices showed significantly less range than the Siemens SpeedStream 2624 and the Netgear MR814 802.11b cable/DSL wireless router.
| Throughput tests Measured in Mbps (longer bars indicate better performance)
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| Response time Measured in milliseconds (shorter bars indicate better performance) | ||||||||||||
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| Range test Relative performance in typical office setting (measured in feet; longer bars indicate better performance) | ||||||||
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For practical throughput tests, CNET Labs uses NetIQ's Chariot 4.3 software as its benchmark. For wireless testing, the clients and routers are set up to transmit at short ranges and at maximum signal strength. CNET Labs' response-time tests are also run with Chariot software using the TCP protocol. Response time measures how long it takes to send a request and receive a response over a network connection. Throughput and response time are probably the two most important indicators of user experience over a network. For more details on how we test networking devices, see the CNET Labs site.
Toshiba backs the PCX5000 with a three-year warranty, which matches the policies offered by competing vendors such as Netgear and D-Link. The company also provides 24/7 phone support, but it's a toll call. When we tried the support line, it placed us on hold for 12 minutes, then transferred us to the company's voicemail system.
Toshiba's troubleshooting wizard.
When it comes to online resources, however, Toshiba goes the extra mile. In addition to the usual downloads, FAQs, and e-mail support, you'll find an excellent troubleshooting wizard with helpful graphics and detailed instructions. Unfortunately, the site lacks the setup videos found on Netgear's Web site and the network configurator provided by Linksys.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 User Rating:
1.5 stars
out of 3 user reviews
THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE OUT THERE!!!
Pros:
Cons:
Review: I would recommend this Modem only if you don't need customer service for anything. To me a 24/7 service is critical, and I like talking to someone live on the phone. The only thing I got from Toshiba was a stupid voice mail and they never returned my calls. OVER ALL DON'T BUY!!!
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 3 user reviews
Great all in one box with peace-of-mind security feature.
Pros:
Cons:
Review: I love it. The initial setup did not went smoothly. But it is due to my ISP provider. Ended up configuring my wireless lan without the jumpMASTER CD. The help on the web interface was reasonable. Since the modem was turned on (about two days now), the log is showing 200 attacks has been blocked by the security feature so far, I am glad to know that the security feature is doing it job well. So peace of mind for me.
User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 3 user reviews
A cut above the rest
Pros:
Cons:
Review: I love this all-in-one product. It gives me the extra benefit of a full firewall, instead of just NAT. I got tired of reading about people hacking NAT routers. Plus, it's got a fast Toshiba cable modem that works better than anything else with my XBOX live service. THe wireless was totally easy to cinfigure with the installation software included - it set up WEP and everything automaticallyh
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PCX5000 Cable Modem/Wireless Router specifications
- General
- Device Type Bridge/router
- Enclosure Type Desktop
- Compatible Slots None
- Data Link Protocol Ethernet , IEEE 802.11b , Fast Ethernet
- Frequency Band 2.4 GHz , 2.4 GHz
- Data Transfer Rate 11.0 Mbps
- Built-in Devices Antenna
- Remote Management Protocol SNMP , HTTP
- Encryption Algorithm 128-bit WEP , 64-bit WEP
- Features Firewall protection , DHCP support , DMZ port , NAPT support , NAT support
- Compliant Standards IEEE 802.11b
- Expansion / Connectivity
- Interfaces Antenna : 1.0 x Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45 , USB : 4.0 x F connector , 1.0 x 4 pin USB Type B
- Expansion Slot(s) None
- Expansion Bays None
- Networking
- Connectivity Technology Wireless
- Networking type Bridge/router
- Line Coding Format 256 QAM , QPSK , 64 QAM , 16 QAM
- Network / Transport Protocol TCP/IP
- Communication mode [Jan 21, 2011 from CDS: Networking] Full-duplex
- Status Indicators Power , Port status , Test mode , Link activity
- Bandwidth 2.4 GHz
- Routing Protocol RIP-1 , RIP-2
- Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
- Voltage Required AC 120 V ( 50/60 Hz )
- Power Consumption Operational 7.0 Watt
- Communications
- Type Cable modem
- Protocols & Specifications DOCSIS 1.0
- Miscellaneous
- Width 8.5 in
- Depth 8.8 in
- Height 1.7 in
- Rack Mounting Kit Not available
- Compliant Standards FCC Class B certified , UL 1950 , VCCI Class B ITE
- Weight 1.5 lbs
- Enclosure Color Black
- Cables (Details) 1.0 x Network cable - 6.0 ft , 1.0 x USB cable - 5.0 ft
- Modem
- Modem / Compliant Standards [Jul 2, 2008 from CDS: Modem] DOCSIS 1.0
- Max Transfer Rate 43.0 Mbps
- Software / System Requirements
- Software Included Drivers & Utilities
- OS Required Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition / Windows ME , Apple MacOS 9 , Apple MacOS X , Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP
- Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 32.0 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 104.0 °F
- Humidity Range Operating 10 - 90%
- Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 3 years warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 3 years
