Question 1

Do I have to connect it firewall to my computer using Parallel port to be able to set/control it up?

Thanks

Accepted Answer

You can perform initial setup by connecting your or another PC/workstation/laptop directly to the port on the USG50 labeled P3 with an ethernet cable (non-crossover). Once you connect, open your web browser to http://192.168.1.1, your session will be redirect to an SSL session on the same IP and the installation wizard will begin.  See the referenced guide for the default credentials (user admin pw 1234).
You can also connect P1 to set up your internet connection at the same time or later.  There is a link to the quick start guide on ZyXEL's FTP site, though I cannot includes links in the reply.

Question 2

I have two different networks with two different internet providers.
I would like to share the same devices on my two networks and was wondering if the ZyWall can help me doing that?

Accepted Answer

This router is exactly what you need.  I have a client with DSL into WAN1 and Cable into WAN2.    On LAN1 I have an internal secure local network with Small Business Server 2011 and 35 workstations.   On LAN2 I have a large wireless network for use by the public thruout the facility.
Both WANs have static IPs and the MX record has a 10 pointing to one WAN and another 10 pointing to the other WAN and 20, 30 & 40 pointing to backup mail servers.    You must specify DNS servers that are independant of the two ISPs.
The biggest challenge was recognising that one of the WANs had failed, because it all functions despite the failure.   You must react to restore before  the other WAN might fail.
It is a bit like disk mirroring.

Question 3

Is this firewall Rack Mountable?

Accepted Answer

It has holes for what appear to be rack mounts, but I am thinking you would have to buy the ears from ZyXel direct because the physical unit is 9 1/2" wide. Not your typical "rack mount" hardware.

Sorry I couldn't be more help. It wasn't an issue for me for mine sits on my desk. My current rack is full.

Question 4

IS IT BLOCK P2P TRAFIIC LIKE TORRNTZ ,LIMEWIRE AND PROVIDE  IP BASED BANDWIDTH?

Accepted Answer

Yes it does,

Search for the manual on the Zywall Site for details.

Step 1. Go to Configuration > Object > Schedule, add a Recurring schedule 
object for the office hours.

Step 2. Go to Configuration > App Patrol > General. First of all, please make 
sure you have activated your IDP/App Patrol license. 
Enable Application Patrol, and enable BWM.

Step3. Switch to Configuration > App Patrol > Peer to Peer. Edit the P2P 
services you need to control. In this example, we will edit the thunder 
application.

Edit the default policy. Limit its bandwidth to 100kbps for both inbound and 
outbound traffic. Assign the lowest priority —7 for it.

Add a policy to block thunder traffic during office hours. 
Schedule: Choose the object office_hour 
Session direction: from Any to Any 
Access: Reject 
We can enable Log to check which user tries to violate the rule

Question 5

This product looks awesome, just curious about the licenses. I'm new to ZyWALL's licensing structure. It says 2 included SSL users. Does that mean up to two user accounts can use SSL total or just two connected at once?

Also are any IPSec licenses included at all?

Accepted Answer

The SSL licenses refers specifically to concurrent users.  User accounts shouldn't have any limit.  The basic unit includes 2 free SSL licenses (concurrent users).

IPSec/L2TP does not have any licensing and its only limitation is 10 concurrent users at once.  Most likely these are moderate numbers due to the somewhat old hardware and any higher would be really pushing the USG 50 past its limits.

Question 6

I need to replace a Netgear FVS318 that appears to be failing. Is this a good option to replace that?

Accepted Answer

It would be a FANTASTIC upgrade or replacement unit.  You will not be disappointed.  You may struggle a little with the interface/object-orientedness, but there is literally a forum dedicated to ZyXel equiptment on DSLReports that is very active.  You shouldn't run into any problems in the SOHO environment that can't be solved by those guys alone.

Question 7

1. is this mako compatiable, ethernet 10/100. compatiable with verizon router m1424wr rev c actiontec]
2. does it block URL's? wjat is limit?

Accepted Answer

mako compatible?

yes it is compatible with any type of connection/protocol (PPoE, Static, DHCP ) it does block URLs, but you need to buy the license for it. there is not limit of blocking the device comes with a building memory and capacity that support the url filter, it also support antivirus, antispam

Question 8

p2p block?

Accepted Answer

See my reply to the 2nd time you asked the question.

Question 9

Does it have NAT functionality?

Accepted Answer

The USG50 does have NAT functionality.

Question 10

Great reviews have me chomping at the bit to place an order for the USG50. Despite reading through a lot of tech specs on Zyxel’s site I still have one question. Other than using the USB ports for a 3G connection how else they can they be configured? Any chance I can hang an old flash drive on one and backup configs and firmware to it? How about a shared file store for authenticated users?

Feanor

Accepted Answer

USB ports can be used for log files, etc. (I have conencted flash drives and usb external hard drives for packet capture when chasing down some VoIP issues. Not for sharing files per William K reply. I had 8 GB flash drive connected which almost contained a whole month of VoIP packet captures (5 users).

Questions & Answers