So I am computer professional. I was having good luck with using the NetGear Business equipment at a customer location.
So I reviewed the documentation and the Insight Basic subscription is what I wanted. So I purchased two more expensive APs and a PoE+ switch for home.
Now the basic subscription is going to be discontinued (just got the message today). Apparently Netgear also signed me up for 30days of premium service for the 3 devices I have at home. If it was a business I might be interested but for my home I guess not.
Looks like I need to move on from Netgear. I only need two APs and a POE switch to control this. Any suggestions?
You can still use the devices even if it is not connected to your Insight Account and use it like other networking devices by logging in to its local UI. May I know the model numbers of your device?
I bought them totally based on insight basic and the fact that it automatically updated the firmware.
Can I configure the local version to automatically update firmware?
The fact that Netgear changed policy and didn't grandfather everyone that already had this setup is a problem in my mind. It is not the sort of mindset of the companies that I want to purchase goods from. It would be different if you shut the platform down after a couple of years. But I just bought this equipment new last year. I would not have bought this equipment without the insight basic feature.
I have been doing hardware in computers for 40 years now. I have used a lot of Netgear products in the past and recomended them to others (both personally and as a decision maker for IT purchases). I remember getting an Apple iPod when we purchased a bunch of switches a number of years ago.
I bought them totally based on insight basic and the fact that it automatically updated the firmware.
The USD ~2,50 per month (for three devices) does ensure Netgear can continue the cloud services on a longer term. it's not a bad deal, even if considering you think you need it just for the automated firmware update. One (inexpensive) coffee or a beer by month, seriously?
The fact that Netgear changed policy and didn't grandfather everyone that already had this setup is a problem in my mind. It is not the sort of mindset of the companies that I want to purchase goods from. It would be different if you shut the platform down after a couple of years. But I just bought this equipment new last year. I would not have bought this equipment without the insight basic feature.
This commodity hardware is very price sensitive. If Netgear does calculate an average cost for a five year on top of that hardware, it won't be any longer competitive in the market.
I have been doing hardware in computers for 40 years now. I have used a lot of Netgear products in the past and recommended them to others (both personally and as a decision maker for IT purchases). I remember getting an Apple iPod when we purchased a bunch of switches a number of years ago.
Times changed - you need to sell a lot of these inexpensive devices to get a free iDevice these days. Reads to me more like a kick-back from the distribution channel, not some end user benefit. When you started, what was the price tag on a 5 GB HDD alone? Or a DEC DEUNA Ethernet-to-Unibus communications controller was in the 5000 USD range. Compare.... You see, you are not the only old computer guy here.
