Network Magic

Tweaking a wireless network for security or speed rarely works like magic. In fact, you almost have to be a wizard to understand the sometimes convoluted process. While the configuration is relatively painless—connecting cables, power, and synching with Windows XP—the confusion comes when you try to start sharing folders, enabling security options, or attempting to make your internal wireless network available beyond the four walls of your home. It’s a little like buying a new car; you can easily find the accelerator and brakes, but finding out how to change the clock’s time takes serious effort.

That’s what makes Network Magic so compelling. For an annual $29.95 (or $3.99 per month) subscription fee that covers three computers on your network, you can start sharing printers, block hackers, remotely access your files, share files on your network without the usual hassles, and perform simple diagnostics on broken connections. One of the most useful features is the colorful network map view that displays all connected devices, even webcams and music streaming devices.

The tool goes deeper than just simplifying Windows XP tasks and the cosmetics of seeing how your network looks graphically. Network Magic also includes a useful network activity log, a detailed list of all connected device settings, and a powerful wireless security feature. Most of the settings are highly intuitive: sharing a printer means clicking on one option; Network Magic figures out the complexity.

Understanding the benefits of Network Magic requires a quick summary of the tools you would need to perform some of the same functions. For starters, you would need a client manager such as BVRP Connection Manager Professional from Avanquest ($29.95) or JiWire SpotLock ($39.95 per year). For intruder detection, you would need a package such as TrendMicro PC-cillin Internet Security ($49.95) or one of the Norton or McAfee offerings. For sharing files over the Internet, you would need GoToMyPC ($20.24 per month) or another remote access solution. Plus, there is a photo sharing application, Web hosting (from your own PC instead of an Internet Service Provider), and an RSS feed. Each of these features has an ancillary shareware or commercial equivalent.

 

Network Magic doesn’t perform each of these specific tasks as well as those dedicated tools. However, it does make those tasks much easier. Let’s start with the basics. Network Magic’s Net2Go feature supports over 150 routers (a full list is available at www.networkmagic.com/product/supportedrouters.php), including the two models we tested: the Belkin Pre-N F5D8230-4 and the Linksys WRTG54. Network Magic works with almost every major router except the Apple AirPort.

To start using Network Magic, there’s a simple installation and activation process for each PC. You can then see a colorful network map, print to any shared printers, access shared directories (and a Network Magic shared folder), and get more information about the connected devices on the network, such as whether a webcam is working properly or if another PC has recently started sharing a new folder or added new music files.

 

In many ways, Network Magic replaces the front-end program that you use to configure wireless router settings. Typically, you type the router’s IP address into Internet Explorer to access security settings, see options for using Dynamic DNS (for sharing files over the Internet), and view any connected devices. Network Magic does a much better job of showing icons that represent devices, letting you see much more detailed information, such as the manufacturer’s phone number and Web site, available setup programs, and any intrusion alerts.

Printer and file-sharing functions were easy to use and understand, bypassing the more complex Windows XP method. A Beta version of the client manager was added to Network Magic in early July. This tool is especially useful, allowing you to set a profile for a preferred hotspot that reconnects your notebook as needed without switching to another network, accessible from an intuitive Favorite Networks tab in the client pop-up. An in-browser alert tells you when a signal has faded and you’ve lost a connection.

 

Network Magic’s remote access functions pale in comparison to a tool such as GoToMyPC; it is purely just for accessing your files. The remote access doesn’t let you screen-share, run programs, or check your system for problems. If you forget that you left an important file in a private folder on your home computer, there’s no way to enable a folder-share remotely.
The intrusion detection monitors ports correctly and looks for new PCs and devices on the network; however, the activity monitoring functions are quite basic. A tool such as SpectorSoft eBlaster 5 is 100 times more useful for monitoring all Internet activity on connected PCs, tracking peer-to-peer downloads, instant messaging logs, and Web visits. Network Magic merely shows which devices are online and secure.

 

In terms security and encryption, Network Magic provides a few options that you can configure, including network name broadcasting and MAC Address filtering (which it calls a Network Lock), for your router. You can see which encryption method is enabled, and use Network Magic to access security settings on the router, but the program only fires up the router configuration page in Internet Explorer for you to configure encryption. The level of detail for most connected devices is robust, but in some cases, such as with the Sonos Digital Music System, there was very little diagnostic detail.

 

We would have liked a main console that allows you to add the program to other connected computers, as opposed to having to install Network Magic locally. Yet, simplicity wins out over advanced features in every category. Network Magic is worth the price for the network map alone. It makes wireless networking a breeze, instead of a complex chore.
www.networkmagic.com