Cisco Network Magic Pro 5.5

Now in version 5.5, Cisco’s Network Magic is an all-in-one solution for your home network. It provides information on all connected devices and helps prevent intruders from accessing your data or hogging your bandwidth. This new version integrates with some Cisco wireless routers and includes Trend Micro’s Home Network Defender. Cisco has improved parental controls and has added support for 33 languages. This visually appealing and easy-to-use program does away with inscrutable technolingo and instead offers an accessible way to control your network. An added lure: Cisco has dropped the price by $10.

As in previous versions, the software runs scan of your network and displays a map if all connected devices. It also fnds secuty weaknesses in your computer. The app’s Map window displays potential intruder devices and maintains a history of disconected devices. To the left of the Map, you’ll and the Tasks tab, which offers simplified access to common Windows networking asks, such as printer and fle sharing.

The Status Center lets you view the health and security status of connected computers and track the activities of devices. The Staus Center can also help troubleshoot net-work connections and even test the speed of your network on the Web. With Network Magic, you can also change your router’s WiFi security settings with the help of an HNAP (home network administration protocol) interface. Though HNAP is a good addition,
there are still some bugs with this feature.

But this is a small quibble with an otherwise excellent program that is well worth the price.