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applerokr
EVDO Fledgling
Joined: 13 Feb 2006
Posts: 18
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 Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 9:20 am Post subject: Top Global MB6000 vs. MB8000 and KR1 |
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| Has anyone had any experience with these different routers? Obviously, the Top Global seem more expensive, but what warrants this price difference? |
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jarredduq
EVDO User
Joined: 18 Mar 2006
Posts: 29
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| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:36 am Post subject: Re: Top Global MB6000 vs. MB8000 and KR1 |
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| applerokr wrote: | | Has anyone had any experience with these different routers? Obviously, the Top Global seem more expensive, but what warrants this price difference? |
I just ordered a Top Global and will get it today. I also own a KR1. The only real issue I have with the KR1 is the lack of full VPN support. It will not work with my company's Nortel Contivity VPN.
I'll be sure to post my experience with the Top Global after I test it for a few days. |
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jarredduq
EVDO User
Joined: 18 Mar 2006
Posts: 29
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| Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:25 pm Post subject: Re: Top Global MB6000 vs. MB8000 and KR1 |
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| jarredduq wrote: | | applerokr wrote: | | Has anyone had any experience with these different routers? Obviously, the Top Global seem more expensive, but what warrants this price difference? |
I just ordered a Top Global and will get it today. I also own a KR1. The only real issue I have with the KR1 is the lack of full VPN support. It will not work with my company's Nortel Contivity VPN.
I'll be sure to post my experience with the Top Global after I test it for a few days. |
I received the Top Global MB6000 yesterday and was able to test it today on a trip from Sacramento, CA to Fresno, CA. My connection stayed up the whole trip! It also works with my Nortel Contivity VPN. The interface is much more polished than the KR1 and some of the settings (such as auto-resetting the card after 3 re-dial attempts) that are available really show that a lot of thought was put into it.
The only negative is the design of the pyramid case. It's just not a very practical shape for a router, especially for mobile use. From the looks of it, the upper half of the case isn't even used other than the power switch, so I'm thinking about some sort of modification for the case, so it will take up less space. |
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applerokr
EVDO Fledgling
Joined: 13 Feb 2006
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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i've heard the m6000 design wise (outside of asethics) was lacking.
The m8000 is supposed to me be more mobile, i believe. |
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Scott
EVDO Junkie
Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 530
Location: Central Coast of California
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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The only benefit the MB8000 has over the MB6000 when it comes to mobility is size.
Quick rundown of differences between the KR1, MB6000, and MB8000:
KR1
1xRTT/EVDO cards only (PC5740 after RK1006 update only, PC5220 not supported).
Two Wi-Fi antennas, one 'MAIN' internally, and one 'AUX' connected to external RP-SMA bulkhead connector.
Four port Ethernet Switch.
Micro Linux OS.
Includes auto power adapter and AC-DC power adapter.
8.5" x 5.25" x 1.25" plastic enclosure.
Includes most basic Wi-Fi router networking stuff, software-wise. The interface is navigated by an upper horizontal menu and then submenus on the left. Some of the placement of subcategories is a little strange. Not a fan of the multi-page log file views either. DynDNS client a plus. Small size and hacking possibilities are a big plus. VPN passthrough limits a serious minus. Firmware RK1006 adds a "Signal Level" indicator on Status page, a very cool thing. Yet... on the subject of the firmware upgrade process, the "auto-bricking" firmware binary has really been a problem. The KR1 has had some connection drop issues, yet pinning it on one thing is hard: we have users with the KR1 on an RV or tour bus driving through three states reporting *NO* connection drops. Then we'll have a user literally under an EVDO tower with great signal getting drops all day. Replace it with a new KR1, and they're fine (or the problem remains). [NOTE: the RK1006 firmware update appears to have had a major improvement on connection drops, possibly eliminating them for the most part. We'll know more over time as users post their experiences.] We're also hopeful that VPN pass-through capabilities have been addressed as well, yet this a tall order due to the many varied types of VPNs out there... it would require D-Link/Kyocera do tests with all sorts of VPN clients and concentrators AND the multitude of configurations available. That's not realistic for a sub $300 product in a brand new product class. All said, for the selling price, the KR1 offers a lot. Its the choice most people make due to the cost/size and list of features. So far Kyocera's warranty support has been top-notch.
MB6000
1xRTT/EVDO cards and GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA cards.
One internal Wi-Fi dipole antenna on a wire soldered directly to the circuitboard (taking advantage of the point of the pyramid, as it were).
Single Ethernet port.
Micro Linux OS.
Includes AC-DC adapter only.
On/Off button.
7" x 7" x 5.5" plastic enclosure.
All the usual Wi-Fi router stuff too, except DynDNS client is notably missing. Menu is entirely on the left except the 'Home' and 'Reboot' links, which are top right. Main config page has signal indicators for *some* cards, but not all, a serious minus since they advertise signal level indication. [update -signal level indicator now works with the Sprint Merlin S620] Logging in the latest firmware version is more verbose. No issues with VPN passthrough so far. Keep-alive features are nice. In instances where users experience repeated EVDO connection drops with the KR1 we have them move to the MB6000, which has fixed the issue in every case. What looks like a round chrome orb on the front is actually the on/off button. People love or hate the shape/design. The idea is that data cards work best when out in the open, not in a closet. So since it would sit out in the open, why not make it look sort of interesting rather than your usual grey network box. Plus the shape hides the Wi-Fi antenna. Actually more of a 'form follows function' intent than most realize. It would be trivial to remount the circuitboard in a different enclosure (something a number of industrial customers have already done or considered). If Top Global offered the same features with the addition of a four-port hub, DynDNS client, *and* small/flat enclosure, they would have a killer product on their hands, even if the price were higher. Because they support UMTS/HSDPA Cards too the higher price is justified. They really ought to think about including an auto adapter in the box, since so many folks want to use this in cars/trucks/boats and RVs on 12v power. The MB6000 has a configuration reset procedure that if not followed EXACTLY can instead easily WIPE the firmware leaving the unit in an unusable state. One of our customers learned this the hard way and unfortunately Top Global USA's warranty support proved to be less than desirable.
MB8000
1xRTT/EVDO cards and GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA.
Single removable Wi-Fi antenna on SMA bulkhead connector.
Single Ethernet port.
Includes AC-DC adapter only.
VxWorks realtime OS.
RADIUS authentication/accounting tie-in.
802.1x and TKIP.
HTTPS capable.
SNMP V1/V2
10.25" x 5.75" x 1.6" plastic housing covering over metal enclosure.
The usual Wi-Fi router stuff plus corporate or ISP-level security and authentication features. Physical packaging is more like a traditional network box. Typical graphical menu. CLI access. Can be configured for HTTPS with a firmware update (you'll need certificates). Strangely, firmware v 3.02 (00029) lacks some configuration options like turning *off* WAN-side admin access or telnet access (telnet being insecure). No Dynamic DNS client. Good support of VPN passthrough. No issues so far regarding uptime or connection drops. SNMP logging and management. Those updating or purchasing newer units will be glad to know that firmware v 3.03 has some new features: allows for turning off telent and controlling WAN access, includes three different dynamic DNS clients. Since you cannot turn off SNMP, I would recommend setting hard read and read/write passwords. [UPDATE: While Top Global USA's website indicates that the MB8000 supports Alltel's KPC650 variant we have had two units fail to allow connection. This may effect all of Alltel's cards. For now we don't recommend the MB8000 for Alltel customers]. |
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jarredduq
EVDO User
Joined: 18 Mar 2006
Posts: 29
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Scott wrote: | The only benefit the MB8000 has over the MB6000 when it comes to mobility is size.
Quick rundown of differences between the KR1, MB6000, and MB8000:
KR1
[list]1xRTT/EVDO cards only (PC5740 with RK1006 update, PC5220 *not* supported).
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Where can you download the RK1006 firmware? What other improvements are in the RK1006 firmware?
Thanks,
Jarred |
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Michael
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 5027
Location: Cary, IL
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djl45140
EVDO Fledgling
Joined: 18 May 2006
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 8:02 am Post subject: Re: Top Global MB6000 vs. MB8000 and KR1 |
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| jarredduq wrote: | | applerokr wrote: | | Has anyone had any experience with these different routers? Obviously, the Top Global seem more expensive, but what warrants this price difference? |
I just ordered a Top Global and will get it today. I also own a KR1. The only real issue I have with the KR1 is the lack of full VPN support. It will not work with my company's Nortel Contivity VPN.
I'll be sure to post my experience with the Top Global after I test it for a few days. |
I have switched from the KR1 to the topglobal MB6000....the Top Global is GREAT! no disconnects like the KR1...quicker startup...i love it!. |
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syracuse1
EVDO Newbie
Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:21 pm Post subject: MB8000 vs MB6000 |
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| We currently are testing an MB8000 with a verizon KPC650 card using a VPN router ( this is working fine) we purchased an MB6000 to use the same way and cannot pass traffice through the VPN - is there a true difference between the two units? |
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Scott
EVDO Junkie
Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 530
Location: Central Coast of California
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| Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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| syracuse1 wrote: | | ...is there a true difference between the two units? |
Absolutely. Completely different hardware and operating system (as detailed above ^).
What VPN client/config are you using with the MB6000 that doesn't passthrough?
Note that I have updated my MB6000 report above with some information on device resetting and warranty support. |
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syracuse1
EVDO Newbie
Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:25 pm Post subject: |
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| We are using a VPN tunnel via a Netopia router to a Netscreen Concentrator. we have an MB8000 that has worked for 4 months and counting. Using the MB6000 and the Netopia it creates the tunnel but doesnt pass traffic, same setup with the MB8000. |
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jarredduq
EVDO User
Joined: 18 Mar 2006
Posts: 29
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| Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Scott wrote: | | Strangely firmware v 3.02 (00029) lacks some configuration options like turning *off* WAN-side admin access or telnet access (telnet being insecure). No Dynamic DNS client. Good support of VPN passthrough. No issues so far regarding uptime or connection drops. SNMP logging and management.[/list] |
I setup an mb8000 for a customer the other day and it indeed has a dynamic DNS client, as well as the ability to turn off WAN-sie admin access or Telnet access. It was running firmware version: v3.03(00003). |
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slotcarguy
EVDO Newbie
Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 7:05 pm Post subject: KR1 drops!! and NO VPN pass through |
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I have spoken to Victor at Booster antenna and he steered me away from the Serreri 580 card to the Merlin 620. I swapped it out today at the sprint store no charge.
I was having HUGE signal drop issues with the Serreri card. I am hoping that the Merlin card is better.
Next, I am at firmware 1002. Will the new firmware help my drop issues and will it allow me VPN passthrough. currently I get nailed up through my Att vpn client however I cant access any data. Is this what others are experiencing?
Lastly will the Top Global router accept a Merlin 620 card?
Thanks,
Paul |
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MaximumSignal
EVDO Vendor
Joined: 08 Apr 2005
Posts: 586
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
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| Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 7:09 pm Post subject: Re: KR1 drops!! and NO VPN pass through |
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| slotcarguy wrote: | I have spoken to Victor at Booster antenna and he steered me away from the Serreri 580 card to the Merlin 620. I swapped it out today at the sprint store no charge.
I was having HUGE signal drop issues with the Serreri card. I am hoping that the Merlin card is better.
Next, I am at firmware 1002. Will the new firmware help my drop issues and will it allow me VPN passthrough. currently I get nailed up through my Att vpn client however I cant access any data. Is this what others are experiencing?
Lastly will the Top Global router accept a Merlin 620 card?
Thanks,
Paul |
The Top Global units work with S620's. |
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slotcarguy
EVDO Newbie
Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 7:14 pm Post subject: VPN pass through? |
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Will the top global 6000 solve my VPN issues? I am reading that it does and it does not. I am also reading that the KR1 firmware 1006 may solve the issues.
Can you offer any advise.
Thanks
Paul |
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