11. Wrap Up

VPN-secured wireless LAN products haven't attracted the interest of mass-market wireless networking manufacturers yet. The choices are few, and command premium prices with additional > $100 per box yearly service / support subscriptions that must be paid even to only download firmware updates.

I don't know about you, but when I pay top dollar for something and am forced to buy a service contract, I expect best-in-class performance and features, robust operation and top-notch documentation. Unfortunately, WatchGuard's Firebox SOHO 6 tc doesn't deliver the goods on any of these counts.

Although it does cost about $200 less and have slightly better wireless throughput than the competing Sonicwall TZW, the difference between the two is like upgrading from Economy (6tcw) to Business (TZW) on a red-eye. In the end, either one will get you where you need to go, but sometimes the higher price is worth the more satisfying journey.