Wireless Routers Buying Guide

January 31, 2008

In the not so distant past, hubs and switches were the kings of household networks because routers were expensive. Hubs simply facilitated data flow while switches added traffic management systems. Routers on the other hand have all those features plus more.

Routers manage network traffic while at the same time protecting the computers from intruders wanting to inflict viruses and Trojans and stealing important information including bank and credit card numbers.

When buying a wireless router, you should first consider how much of a budget you have, how many computers you want to be networked with the router, and the kind of internet service you will want to have.

802.11a Wireless Router Standard
The 802.11b standard falls under the wireless Ethernet standards series capable of 54 megabits per second (Mbps) maximum within a range of 25 to 75m. Although faster than the 802.11b standard, the problem with 802.11a is that the signal is more prone to obstruction.

802.11b Wireless Router Standard
This 802.11b has the range of 35 to 120m. The network equipment costs less and works a lot faster than the traditional dial up internet connection. The 802.11n LAN can support a data rate up to 11 (Mbps) maximum. 802.11b routers use a security protocol called the 40bit Wireless Equivalency Privacy (Wep) security protocol but this protocol has a number of holes in it. There is though an update version called 802.11b+ which has patched some of the holes and can give a boosted speed up to 22 Mbps.

802.11g Wireless Router Standard
The 802.11g, the latest in the IEEE 802.11 series, is the now the most commonly used router standard. This has a range of 35 to 120m. Routers of this standard can in theory give you a whooping 54 Mbps although actual speeds can be lower. This standard uses the Wifi Protected Access (WPA) security protocol which is more robust and reliable. As an 802.11 standard, this exclusively supports Ethernet networks. A new standard in the series called 802.11n is coming and it promises to deliver up to 300 Mbps. Already, some routers that have "Pre-N" or "Mimo" capabilities are in the market.

Voice over the Internet

Voice over the Internet (VoIP) allows you to use the internet to make calls similar to phone calls at minimal fee or for free.

NAT

NAT means Network Address Translation (NAT). As each computer is assigned a unique identifier number in the internet called IP address, the NAT exposes only one IP address even if you have multiple computers within your home or office network for protection and privacy. It becomes the task of you router to route the data to the appropriate computer within you network.

DHCP

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol which helps you automatically assign IP addresses to all devices within your network.

Network Security

Once your computer is connected to the internet, it becomes exposed to a global jungle where malicious hackers and phishers abound. It is extremely important that you consider buying a router that has a firewall feature. A firewall filters incoming packets and alerts you of an impending attack. Try looking for Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) or Wifi Protected Access (WPA) and make sure you properly set up these security features.

Some routers ship with firewall and anti virus software. Make sure you get these added offers as they can really give you peace of mind.

Ease of Installation and Use

Many routers can be set up in minutes. Try to study the software that comes with the router. Some software allows you to make a few clicks and the system goes running in no time.

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Netgear WGT624 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router

January 30, 2008

Netgear-WGT624-108-Mbps-Wireless-Firewall-Router Netgear WGT624 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router Netgear is one of the well known manufacturers of routers. Distinct models of routers have come with impressive technology to transfer data with high speed between a network which can connect a LAN or a WAN. The company has recently launched Netgear WGT624 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router with more benefits. The name itself indicates two essential advantages like wireless support and firewall protection.

Technical Details
• Manufacturer has used latest design to develop this new router and you can carry it easily as it weighs just 0.3 kilo grams. Installation will also be simple.

• An antenna has been embedded by the manufacturer at the time of production.

• There is no need to mess up with using bulk cords for connecting the device to your network as Netgear WGT624 Router support wireless environment.

• You can install the hardware near your computer externally.

• There are lots of interfaces equipped with the product and some of the essential interfaces are listed as:

• 1 network - Radio-Ethernet
• 4 network node - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45
• 1 network Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX – RJ-45

• The web-assistant can support either IEEE 802.11b or IEEE 802.11g standards.

• Certain data link protocols can be adopted by the device like:
1. Ethernet
2. Fast Ethernet
3. IEEE 802.11b
4. IEEE 802.11g

• Users can transfer data from the server to client system up to the maximum speed of 108 Mbps.

• It requires 2.4 GHz frequency band for effective functioning.

Security Advantages
1. Firewall protection
2. DMZ port
3. DHCP support
4. NAT support
5. VPN, auto-negotiation
6. Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI)
7. DoS attack prevention
8. Content filtering

List of supportive formats of line coding
1. DBPSK
2. DQPSK
3. CCK
4. 64 QAM
5. BPSK
6. QPSK
7. 16 QAM
8. OFDM

• It can perform with HTTP remote management protocol, Ethernet power switching protocol and DSSS spread spectrum method.

• Netgear WGT624 Wireless Firewall Router has an indicator to indicate various type of status like:
1. Link activity
2. Port transmission speed
3. Power
4. Test mode

• The package consists of a power adapter which can be used externally.

• This router comes with a depth of 18.8 cm, a height of just 2.8 cm and a width of 17.5 cm.

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Edimax BR-6504n nMax Wireless 802.11n Draft 2.0 Router

January 28, 2008

The widely popular Edimax manufacturing firm recently introduced Edimax BR-6504n nMax Wireless 802.11n Draft 2.0 Router for sharing internet Edimax-BR-6504n-nMax-Wireless-802.11n-Draft 2.0-Router Edimax BR-6504n nMax Wireless 802.11n Draft 2.0 Router functionalities with multiple users which does not utilise cord supports for connectivity. Users can enjoy high bandwidth for your network with this router. You can access internet without interruptions. This model device has been marketed at affordable prices.

It is compatible with:
• 2.4GHz IEEE802.11n Draft v2.0
• IEEE 802.11b/g standards

Edimax BR-6504n nMax Wireless 802.11n Draft 2.0 Router can be used for sharing NAT or NAPT Internet Protocol. Supportive WAN protocols are listed as:
• PPPoE
• Static IP
• PPTP
• DHCP

Manufacturer has made the device in such a way to support advanced 2T3R MIMO technology for enhancing coverage range. Users can expect high speed data rate up to 300 Mbps. It has one WAN and 4 WAN interface. It is availed with 4 MB NOR flash and 16 MB SDRAM. There are 2 buttons featured in the product namely WPS or Reset.

The maker has used 192 x 115 x 29 mm dimensions for designing the device. It has 3 RP-SMA 3dBi Antenna and if you need, you can detach it. Manufacturer offers a power adapter to utilize power up to DC 12V. There are 3 LED indicators availed with the compact unit namely:
• Power Indicator
• WLAN Indicator
• WAN Indicator

OTHER SUPPORTIVE FEATURES
• Virtual Server and DMZ
• Wi-Fi Protected Setup ( WPS ) with reset button
• WMM function
• WDS mode
• MAC/IP filtering
• URL blocking
• DHCP server
• Anti-Dos firewall
• System status
• Security log

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ZyXEL Prestige 660R-D1 ADSL2+ Router

January 26, 2008

ZyXEL Prestige 660R-D1 ADSL2+ Router has been elegantly designed with compact dimensions to keep it comfortably on your desktop. The main advantage ZyXEL-Prestige-660R-D1-ADSL2-Router ZyXEL Prestige 660R-D1 ADSL2+ Router of using the device is to share internet access with reasonable speed not only to one system but to multiple systems. In case of ADSL2 connection you can expect speed up to 12 Mbps and in case of ADSL2+ connection users can enjoy speed up to 24 Mbps. The device has been specially designed to serve broadband connections.

• ZyXEL Prestige 660R-D1 ADSL2+ Router can be connected with your systems using wired connections.

• This compactly designed device can be kept externally.

• It is vital to support either Ethernet or Fast Ethernet connectivity.

• Users can buy this unit to support 2 distinct internet standards like IEEE 802.1D and IEEE 802.11Q.

• AVAILABLE FEATURES
1. DHCP support
2. NAT support
3. ARP support
4. Auto-uplink (auto MDI/MDI-X)
5. Packet filtering
6. Dynamic DNS server
7. MAC address filtering
8. VPN pass-through
9. Zero Configuration Technology
10. Multimedia Auto Provisioner

• LIST OF REMOTE MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS
1. SNMP
2. Telnet
3. HTTP

• VARIOUS ROUTING PROTOCOLS
1. RIP-1
2. RIP-2
3. IGMPv2
4. IGMP
5. Static IP routing

• DIFFERENT TYPE OF DIGITAL SIGNALING PROTOCOLS
1. ADSL
2. ADSL2
3. ADSL2+
4. READSL

• LIST OF SUPPORTIVE PROTOCOLS
1. TCP/IP
2. PPTP
3. UDP/IP
4. L2TP
5. ICMP/IP
6. IPSec
7. PPPoE
8. PPPoA
9. AAL5
10. ARP

• DIMENSIONS
11 cm Width
10.7 cm Depth
3.5 cm Height
161 grams Weight

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Edimax AR-7084gA Wireless ADSL2+ Modem Router Review

January 24, 2008

Edimax-AR-7084gA-Wireless-ADSL2-Modem-Router Edimax AR-7084gA Wireless ADSL2+ Modem Router Review Edimax AR-7084gA Wireless ADSL2+ Modem Router has come with the advantage of performing multiple roles of a modem as well as a router. This device offers useful features like 8 public IP address mapping, firewalls, sharing up to 253 network users, IEEE 802.11b/g support, DMT modulation and demodulation, LAN, WAN, 8 MB RAM and antenna.

• Believe it or not, a maximum 253 network users can share high speed ADSL/2/2+ internet access.

• Distinct Operating Modes
1. Routing
2. Bridge
3. Static IP
4. PPPoE
5. PPPoA

• The compact unit has been made with dimensions as 30 mm height, 187 mm width and 100 mm depth.

• It is mandatory to offer power up to 12 VDC for which make use of the switching power adapter.

• It is available with a RP-SMA antenna which can be detachable easily.

• Ports are equipped for getting LAN as well as WAN.

• For memory support manufacturer offers 8 MB SDRAM and 2 MB NOR Flash.

• Edimax AR-7084gA Wireless ADSL2+ Modem Router performs with the support of Trendchip TC3162 P2 CPU and Trendchip TC3085 front end.

• There are some unique router features like DHCP server and client, IGMP, NAT, ICMP and DDNS.

• Two supportive WAN modes are:
1. PPP Over ATM (RFC2364)
2. PPP Over Ethernet (RFC2516)

• It features Bridge Ethernet over ATM LAN mode too.

• Users can enjoy distinct ADSL features like:
1. DMT modulation and demodulation
2. 8 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream for Annex a G.992.1
3. 1.5 Mbps downstream and 512 Kbps upstream for Annex a G.992.2
4. 12 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream for Annex a G.992.5

• Others
1. Virtual Server
2. DMZ
3. Port Forwarding
4. IP Address Mapping for 8 Public IP Addresses
5. Advanced Firewall
6. Access Control

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