Showing posts with label linux. Show all posts
Showing posts with label linux. Show all posts

4/07/2012

SMC2655W 802.11b 11Mbps Wireless Access Point Review

SMC2655W 802.11b 11Mbps Wireless Access Point
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have purchased Linksys products in the past and other than the fact that it took 3 tries before I finally received a working DSL/Cable Router, I have always been pleased with the performance but the technical support was a complete joke.
I decided after reading the reviews on Amazon.Com and other sites that I would spend the extra $10 and go SMC because of it's ease of installation and tech support.
I purchased the Linksys PCMCIA card as part of my wireless solution and it took less than 5 minutes from opening the box to surfing on the web to get it and the wireless acces point up and running. The speed performance is beyond expectations. I have the basic cable modem attached to a Linksys DSL/Cable router and plugged the SMC Wireless hub into one of my available Linksys ports and that was it.
I made the choice to go the SMC route after vowing never again to deal with the inept "Hope Desk" offered by Linksys. If you had any thoughts about buying Linksys, think again. SMC is THE way to go.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SMC2655W 802.11b 11Mbps Wireless Access Point

The SMC 11 Mbps wireless Access Point is designed for both business and home users, with a maximum operating range of 1,800 feet.It acts as a bridge between the wired network and the wireless clients.The Wireless Access Point enables the desktop wireless PCI card users and the laptop wireless PC card users to obtain seamless network connectivity.

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3/27/2012

D-Link Wireless G USB 2.0 Adapter 802.11g, 54Mbps Review

D-Link Wireless G USB 2.0 Adapter 802.11g, 54Mbps
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I like this little gem. I had a PCI wireless card for my desktop that was several years old and no longer supported by the manufacturer. I needed to upgrade, but I wanted a USB wireless adapter this time around. I wanted to get it out from the bottom of my desk so I could a better signal. I had certain requirements for my new purchase. It couldn't cost any more than $45. It had to be USB. And it had to have some sort of USB extention cable or cradle. It had to be reviewed by Windows Vista users. It also had to have excellent reception. I don't have a big house, but there were a lot of walls and electronics near and in between the Access Point and my computer.
After searching I found the DLink Wireless G adapater fit the bill. I picked it up for $30 (at least $10 less than local stores). All of the reviews talked about great reception, even indepent review sites. And it had the USB craddle I was looking for. I bought it and got free shipping along with it! What a Deal!
I've had this little gem installed for about one month now, I coudn't be happier. It gets great reception. This adapter runs absolutely great with Vista. I am also using the included connection software and it plays very well with Vista.
The only downside is the optional craddle. It requires either a direct computer USB port, or a powered USB hub with an external power supply. It draws more mA than a non-powered hub can handle (at least it did on mine). I had to use the power supply on my USB hub to get the craddle to work. This is the only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5.
I highly recommend this product. You will not be disappointed.

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link Wireless G USB 2.0 Adapter 802.11g, 54Mbps

Connect to your wireless network from your desktop or notebook PC using the D-Link Wireless G USB Adapter (WUA-1340) and browse the web, check e-mail, and chat with friends and family online. The Wireless G USB Adapter offers simple network connectivity without the hassle of running a network cable.

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2/11/2012

Efficient Networks 120-5871-002 Speedstream Business Class DSL Router Review

Efficient Networks 120-5871-002 Speedstream Business Class DSL Router
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Although the vendor provided excellent shipping performance and support, it turned out that the router is not accessible and consequently not configurable. There is a reset button on the back of the router which will reset the IP address to factory default, for a period of about 10 minutes. However, the router password cannot be reset, and the method of using the serial number as password (as recommended on some internet support forums) did not work, so there is no way to configure the router. I did not try to access the router via Telnet and serial cable, as this requires a special cable for just this router, which was not supplied and cannot be purchased from Siemens. Siemens does not provide any kind of technical support for routers which are older than one year, they did not even bother to respond to an e-mail.
The vendor of the router has shipped, free of charge, two additional devices immediately after I have explained the access problems. But the problem is exactly the same with all of the routers, no access if you don't know the password!
So unless someone knows someone of the Siemens support team, you will not be able to use the device as a router. But if you are looking for a nice coffee cup warmer, go for it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Efficient Networks 120-5871-002 Speedstream Business Class DSL Router

1205871001 5871 ROUTER

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2/10/2012

NETGEAR MR814 802.11b Cable/DSL Wireless Router - Wireless router - 802.11b - desktop Review

NETGEAR MR814 802.11b Cable/DSL Wireless Router - Wireless router - 802.11b - desktop
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
when buying this i thought it was going to be a ok router that would reach about 100 feet but when setting it up it only reached to my kitchen about 30 feet away and then couldn't receive a signal even when u were right next to the thing it makes your internet 10x slower! if your going to buy a router just put a few more dollars in and by a linkys router never have problems with them very fast and reliable!

Click Here to see more reviews about: NETGEAR MR814 802.11b Cable/DSL Wireless Router - Wireless router - 802.11b - desktop

When you connect your cable/DSL modem to the NETGEAR Wireless Router, you'll enjoy wired or wireless Internet access for all your computers and be assured of protected communications on your home or small office network! This 3-in-1 Router + Switch + Wireless Access Point is a base station that allows you to share your Internet connection, files, and printers with other computers on the network. Your communications and network are secure from hackers and wireless eavesdroppers because they're shielded with Network Address Translation (NAT) Firewall. Internet activities are always safe because Web-address filtering gives you control over any contact network users have with Web sites.You'll be Web surfing in minutes with the Install Assistant to guide you through each step and on-screen help that's there when you need it. The unique Smart Setup Wizard technology automatically detects your ISP connection type ? saving you time and efforts. Front-lighted icons display status at a glance. It works with PCs, Macintosh, and virtually all Ethernet devices, and comes with a vertical stand to save desk space.A sophisticated NAT (Network Address Translation) Firewall protects against Internet hackers, while VPN (Virtual Private Network) pass-through allows users secure access to corporate networks. Powerful encryption (40/64 or 128-bit) protects against eavesdroppers and Address Authentication restricts connections to specific wireless adapters ? only those you approve are allowed to use your network. E-mails notify you of Internet activity. Content logging and filtering limit access to inappropriate Web sites.Roam your home and office with the freedom of a Wi-Fi notebook computer. Distribute MP3s, digital movies, and photos with ultra-fast, wired LAN ports capable of speeds of 200 Mbps. Pre-programmed Port Forwarding setups simplify playing multi-player games and hosting Internet services.

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2/09/2012

Cisco-Linksys BEFN2PS4 EtherFast Cable/DSL Voice Router Review

Cisco-Linksys BEFN2PS4 EtherFast Cable/DSL Voice Router
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've got 2 10baseT computers on a separate hub, connected to the Uplink port of the Linksys, then 1 100baseT laptop and a 10baseT desktop connected directly to the Linksys. The Linksys is connected to the cable modem, and all 4 computers have high speed internet access. I also have a telephone connected to the Linksys, which gives me cheap net2phone calls over the internet, with no computer involved. Everything works great, but to get net2phone to work I had to set the Linksys to use the static IP the cable company gave me to connect to the internet, rather than allowing the cable company to randomly assign the Linksys an IP with DHCP. But all my computers on the network are randomly assigned IPs by the Linksys, since the Linksys is also a DHCP server.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys BEFN2PS4 EtherFast Cable/DSL Voice Router

The Linksys Instant Broadband EtherFast Cable/DSL and Voice Router is the perfect solution for connecting a small group of PCs to a high-speed broadband Internet connection or a 10/100 Ethernet backbone - and it features Voice Over IP telephone calls powered by Net2Phone. With the Router installed, no other special hardware is necessary for telephone calls. An ordinary telephone connects to the RJ-11 port (telephone jack) on the back of the Router, and calls are routed by Net2Phone's superior quality network to anywhere in the world - significantly reducing long distance charges.Configurable as a DHCP server for your existing network, the EtherFast Cable/DSL and Voice Router acts as the only externally recognized Internet gateway on your local area network (LAN). The Router can be configured to filter internal users' access to the Internet and serve as an Internet firewall against unwanted outside intruders. Not only does it make Internet access available for up to 253 PCs on the network, but it also adds an additional voice phone line for outgoing calls at no extra cost. None of your PCs even have to be turned on to make calls. The EtherFast Cable/DSL and Voice Router handles all of your network and telephony needs in one integrated unit.

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1/05/2012

NETGEAR WMB521NA 802.11b Wireless Kit for Notebooks Review

NETGEAR WMB521NA 802.11b Wireless Kit for Notebooks
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have to say, I was a little concerned about this product after reading about some of the difficulties other buyers have experienced. I was also a bit nervous about installing it myself, since I am not what you would call a computer expert.
From Day One after installing it, though, I have been impressed. It gets fantastic range throughout my entire house, even through walls and heavy, metal objects. Signal strength on my computers is almost always between 90-100%, and has NEVER dipped below 73%.
As for the network installation itself, it was easy and took a total of about an hour (and that includes installation and configuration of wireless cards on 2 computers).
And you can't beat the price on this thing. I highly recommend this and other Netgear wireless network products.

Click Here to see more reviews about: NETGEAR WMB521NA 802.11b Wireless Kit for Notebooks

NETGEAR's Wireless Router and PC Card Kit offers the speeds of 802.11b and the convenience of a getting a NETGEAR Wireless Router (MR814) and Wireless PC Card (MA521) at the same time. Our standards-based 802.11b wireless products allow you to be connected to your network through your notebook PC from just about anywhere in your home or office. These easy-to-install, 11 Mbps, 2.4 GHz wireless products give you an always on, always connected wireless network.NETGEAR's MR814 Wireless Router, winner of Cnet's Editor's Choice award, is an easy-to-use device that comes with four wired ports for connecting any combination of four computers or printers. You can also connect up to sixteen users wirelessly using 802.11b or 802.11g clients. With the MR814, you can share one broadband connection for high-speed Web surfing and file sharing. And Setup is quick and easy with NETGEAR's Smart Wizard you'll be up and running in fewer than five clicks. With its best-in-class security features the MR814 monitors user activity with logging and e-mail alerts, and provides URL filtering controls.

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12/10/2011

Siemens SpeedStream® 2614 Cable/DSL Router w/Built-in 4-Port Switch Review

Siemens SpeedStream® 2614 Cable/DSL Router w/Built-in 4-Port Switch
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've owned this router for about 6 or 7 months now and I cannot say that I am impressed with it. While the installation was very easy, and it works, it constantly needs to be reset. As a result of constantly resetting it, I've had to call tech support to get help on how to fix it (security settings, resetting the router thoroughtly, etc). They've been helpful both times I've called, but it's irritating that I have to call at all. If I can get the thing up and running (for months, mind you), why can't it STAY up and running??? Oh, and I've never gotten the print server to work. I had very little interest in it doing so, so I didn't try too hard.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Siemens SpeedStream® 2614 Cable/DSL Router w/Built-in 4-Port Switch

The SpeedStream 4-port DSL/Cable router is the powerful one-box networking solution. This affordable, easy-to-use device converts any existing broadband connection into an advanced residential/SOHO network environment. Combining a robust router with a fast, 4-port 10/100 switch, it provides vital firewall security, IP sharing capabilities, and essential routing features, letting all your PCs share the connection without confusing complexity or technical compromise. An intuitive, browser-based, interface makes it easy to configure network access control, while application-aware NAT tunneling permits use of important applications such as video and IP telephony.The SpeedStream 4-port DSL/Cable router is the simply powerful network in powerfully simple package. Get a SpeedStream 4-port DSL/Cable router and empower your broadband life!

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11/25/2011

Siemens SS2604 4-Port Ethernet DSL/Cable Router with Print Server Review

Siemens SS2604 4-Port Ethernet DSL/Cable Router with Print Server
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Worked fine for a couple years - a lot better than my previous (different brand) router - then a few days ago (May 2005), it just stopped working.
Now the Status and Print Err lights remain red (I never had a printer connected to it), and the Power and Print Act lights remain green, and any ports with computers connected just flash slowly. I tried holding in the reset button for a long time, and I even tried letting is sit completely unplugged for a few days, then resetting again, but it is still dead.
I have my router and cable modem connected to my UPS, and there were no power problems the day, so I don't think it was a power surge that caused it to die.
I see that one other person had this exact same problem. I would love to know what the problem is, so contact me if you have an idea (It's pretty simple to find my web site).
Fortunately, I already had another good router (3rd brand) to replace it with, so I'm still online. And I just bought an additional router (4th brand), at a very good sale price, to have as a backup.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Siemens SS2604 4-Port Ethernet DSL/Cable Router with Print Server

Get this SpeedStream 4-port DSL/cable router from Siemens. It's affordable, easy-to-use, and converts any existing broadband connection into an advanced residential/SOHO network environment. Combining powerful routing functions, such as DHCP and NAT, and a fast 4-port 10/100 switch, it will provide enhanced firewall security, IP sharing capabilities, and essential routing features, while letting all your PCs share the connection.

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10/04/2011

Cisco-Linksys WRT160NL Wireless-N Broadband Router with Storage Link (Compatible with Linux) Review

Cisco-Linksys WRT160NL Wireless-N Broadband Router with Storage Link (Compatible with Linux)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've had several routers over the years, and this one is the best so far. Range is great, speed is great, but best of all is the setup. Has a CD that makes it very easy, and when you are done it gives you a diagram of your entire network, including the names of each computer. I've set up several routers over the years, so I know what I'm doing, but who wants to spend time messing with it? I believe just about anyone could do this one. I've had it about a month, and I love it.
Update: I found out that my download speed was cut by 85% to my HARDWIRED computer when the ethernet cable was routed through the router (which it has to be) and then to my desktop computer. I found this out accidentally when checking speeds, and then got on the Linksys website and ask for help. I got a response and they had me change some obscure (MTU) settings (which I still don't understand), and it fixed the problem. My issue is, NOWHERE in the instructions does it even hint that you might need to do this.
Otherwise, the router works fine. But if you get it, check the download/upload speeds before and after the installation.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys WRT160NL Wireless-N Broadband Router with Storage Link (Compatible with Linux)

The Wireless-N Broadband Router with Storage Link is really four devices in one box.First, there's the Wireless Access Point, which lets you connect to the network without wires.There's also a built-in 4-port full-duplex 10/100 Switch to connect your wired-Ethernet devices together.The Storage Link feature lets you connect a hard drive or flash-based USB storage device directly to your network to easily add gigabytes of storage.Access your music, video, or data files from anywhere within your network.Finally, the Router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection.

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9/28/2011

Cisco-Linksys WUSB54GC Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter Review

Cisco-Linksys WUSB54GC Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
First off, the good. The stick gets pretty good reception, IMO.
Next the neither here nor there: if you follow the advice of the sticker and run the install CD, it will replace the standard Windows wi-fi zeroconf with Linksys's own utility. Zeroconf is not really all that great, but it would be decent of them to ask you first. If you are used to doing things the Windows way, you'd probably prefer to keep doing so. The Monitor software is not bad, but it has its own faults. You might prefer it to Windows, but don't expect any help from your resident Windows expert if you have problems with it.
Next the truly bad: the softwarte mucks around with windows settings (e.g. the notorious GTGINA.dll/logon problem) without asking permission, informing you, or giving you a clue as to who is responsible.
It is utterly amazing this thing earned a Windows compatibility sticker given this. When you buy something with the sticker, you should at least be confident you aren't going to be sucker punched by the software installing unasked for and unwanted "improvements".
This is why this software is not just BAD, it is GRATUITOUSLY bad. It's one thing to make software that is dreadful at what you buy it for (which indeed the Linksys drivers are not), it's another to spread dreadfulness around to completely unrelated functions (which the Linksys drivers do). There is no reason at all for Linksys to do this.
YOU might not have a problem right now, but in the future you may end up with mysterious and uninformative error messages which will have you digging through the Windows registry to track down.
For this reason, I strongly recommend that non-experts avoid this device. I understand that the changes this driver installs are intended to make life easier for non-experts. It may even succeed at this for some. But if you run into problems (particularly later), you are going to have to handle your resident Windows support guy getting very cranky. The problems the included software create are not only completely unrelated to the functions this device performs, they persist even if you don't have the device plugged in.
It is incumbent on a vendor, when replacing standard ways of doing things with a way that is supposed to be "better", to achieve 100% success. Otherwise they leave the poor user high and dry with no viable support. Better obvious flaws that everyone knows about than mysterious, untraceable flaws.
For Linux users, the device works flawlessly, but you have to do the following:
(1) compile the RT73 driver source and install the package.
(2) obtain the RT73 firmware deb or RPM (From the same soruce as the driver) and install it.
Once you do this, when you plug the device in the system should recognize it as a wifi network adapter and give it the device name "rausb0". You then use the method normal for your Linux distro to configure it, either iwconfig on the command line, or the KWifi program for KDE users (also Ubuntu Gnome users).
If you have never compiled a kernel module before, have no fear. Just google for "wusb54gc rt73 compile" and you'll find directions. Follow them step by step and you'll have success.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys WUSB54GC Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter

Are you tired of running wires through your house to keep your computers networked and connected to the Internet? Have you recently purchased a wireless data card only to discover that you have to open up your computer to install it? Don't worry, help has arrived. With the Linksys WUSB54GC Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter, you won't need power drills or screwdrivers to connect to the Web anymore.All you'll need is an available USB slot. You simply plug the adapter into your USB port, and immediately you'll be connected to your wireless network. It can't get much simpler than this. By incorporating USB 2.0 and Wireless-G protocols, the Linksys WUSB54GC can immediately begin delivering data rates up to 54 Mbps (five times as fast as 802.11b) without the trouble of running wires or opening up the case of your desktop computer. To install the adapter, you simply plug it into any available USB port. (It's compatible with both USB 1.1 and 2.0 ports, but 2.0 will yield the fastest speeds.) You can plug it directly into your PC, or you can use the included USB extension cord to put the adapter anywhere you'd like, up to five feet away. Because the adapter gets its power through the USB connection, no power cord is necessary. The included setup wizard walks you through configuring the adapter to your wireless network settings, step by step. The Linksys WUSB54GC lets you put your computer almost anywhere in the building, as long as you have a wireless signal to connect to.Once you're connected, you can keep in touch via e-mail, access the Internet, use instant messaging to chat with friends, and share files and other resources such as printers and hard disk storage space with other computers on the network. You'll also be able to connect with any of the growing number of public hotspots springing up in coffee shops, airport lounges, hotels, and convention centers. The new push-button setup feature makes it easy to configure your wireless devices. Just push the button on the access point and on your other enabled wireless device to automatically create a safe connection, protected by the industrial-strength security of Wireless Protected Access (WPA) and 128-bit encryption. This means that your data stays secure. What's in the Box WUSB54GC USB adapter, USB extension cable, setup wizard CD-ROM, user's guide on CD-ROM, and quick installation guide.

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9/08/2011

SMC SMC7004ABR Barricade Cable/DSL router with 4-port 10/100Mbps switch and Integrated Print Server Review

SMC SMC7004ABR Barricade Cable/DSL router with 4-port 10/100Mbps switch and Integrated Print Server
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
There are several items that set this SOHO router apart from its peers:
1. Support:
SMC actually tries to solve problems with the product in an expeditions manner.
2. Flexibility:
The 7004ABR can be used with a serial modem, a serial ISDN TA, or any Ethernet-based broadband interface. It can also be configured to AUTOMATICALLY switch from the broadband interface to the serial interface if the broadband loses its connection, and automatically switch back when the broadband problem clears up.
The unit also includes a print server so PC/linux users can convert that old parallel-port printer into a network printer. I can't meaningfully comment on that feature, as I don't use it.
3. Security:
Stateful Packet Inspection, and logging of attack attempts. This unit _could_ be sold as a firewall, not just a SOHO router.
Unit can be configured to be totally stealthed on the WAN side. (good)
Client filtering can be used to selectively control internet access based on client IP, and date/time.
4. Convenience and Reliability:
Changing settings does _not_ require rebooting the router. This is a unique feature among SOHO routers that I have tried.
Only operation requiring router reboot is a firmware upgrade, which is, btw, extremely easy from any modern web browser.
As a result, it is easy to achieve just about 100% network uptime reliability with this product, even when making changes in the configuration. Very cool feature.
This unit is a class act, and at (dollar amount), an absolute steal.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SMC SMC7004ABR Barricade Cable/DSL router with 4-port 10/100Mbps switch and Integrated Print Server

The Barricade™ is an ideal all-in-one networking solution for home and small business users.This platform independent multi-functional broadband router combines a 4-port 10/100 Mbps dual speed switch, a built-in print server, an RS232 COM port for fail-over dial-up or modem connections, and firewall capability for security against hackers and other unauthorized users.The Barricade™ provides a WAN port as well as Network Address Translation (NAT), which translates your WAN IP address into private LAN IP addresses keeping your internal network hidden from the rest of the Internet. Barricade fully supports VPN tunneling via L2TP, PPTP, and IPSec pass-through allowing remote users secure access to their corporate infrastructure.Also, a feature known as Hacker Attack Logging has been implemented which detects, logs, and reports any potential hacker attacks to your network.The new broadband router also allows the connection of multiple users to the Internet using a single WAN IP address. LAN IP addresses are auto-assigned and easily managed through DHCP server capabilities, and the IP routing supports a range of popular applications.

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8/08/2011

SMC2804WBR Barricade g 2.4GHz 54 Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router Review

SMC2804WBR Barricade g 2.4GHz 54 Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have been using the 2804WBR for several months now, and it has worked flawlessly. The difference in throughput between it and our 802.11b base stations is quite obvious.
Some observations on the other reviews of this product:
1. Current product does not appear to have any unresolved bugs, and should new firmware be released, the firmware upgrade process is extremely easy, requiring only a web browser.
2. The statement that the 2804 "cannot act as an access point" is simply incorrect. If you do not connect anything to the WAN port on the 2804, all it can do is act as an access point, and unremarkably, that's all it does. Mine is doing just that -- we have two other 802.11b routers on our network, one of which is our internet gateway and the other (an original Apple Airport base station) is acting as an AP.
Note that if you are going to use the 2804 as an access point, you probably want to turn off its DHCP server, because you probably already have another one operating.
One of the unheralded features of the 2804 (and all recent SMC routers) is that the router does not have to be rebooted for configuration changes to take effect -- you just press a button on the appropriate configuration page, and the change is saved and active. This means that in a multi-user environment you don't trash other users' connectivity when making configuration changes. Very cool, and fairly rare in consumer-grade routers.
All configuration is via web-browser, with separate "easy" and "pro" configuration systems. The 2804 configures and operates flawlessly with Macs as well as PCs, and presumably Linux boxes also.
The 2804 also has removable antennas, making it possible to add an external antenna without breaking out a soldering iron or cracking the case.
I would recommend the 2804 to anyone who needs its capabilities -- it is economical, simple to configure, and yet offers sophisticated capabilities if you want to delve into the settings a little.
The only criticism that I have of the unit is that it does not directly support dyndns.org -- but since that can be handled by a free client daemon on your computer, that is of little consequence.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SMC2804WBR Barricade g 2.4GHz 54 Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router

The Barricade g 2.4GHz 54Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router (SMC2804WBR) is the perfect networking solution for any home and business user that is looking for a simple, all-in-one network product. This platform independent multi-functional router combines a 4-port 10/100 Mbps dual-speed switch with Automatic MDI-MDIX feature, a high speed 54Mbps wireless access point, two detachable antennas, Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall security, network management, and Virtual Private Network (VPN) passthrough support into one convenient device. The new Barricade g offers a high data rate that is up to 5 times faster than the widely used 802.11b wireless LAN and is backward compatible with existing 802.11b network devices. The high performance Barricade g Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router offers an integrated Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall. This firewall provides protection against hacker invasions, such as Denial of Service (DoS) attacks by analyzing individual data packets, as they pass through the Barricade g, to ensure that only authorized packets are allowed access to the network.

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Click here for more information about SMC2804WBR Barricade g 2.4GHz 54 Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router

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7/14/2011

ASUS RT-N16 Wireless-N Gigabit Router Review

ASUS RT-N16 Wireless-N Gigabit Router
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
First off, let me say here and now that a good router is one of the most difficult components to choose. I had some specific requirements which were as follows...
1) Stable wireless signal, ie not dropping all the time, also decent range and good throughput.
2) At least 4 gigabit ports for switching.
3) Dual band simultaneous
4) DD-WRT support.
5) NOT be a linksys (last 2 experiences were horrible)
6) $100us or less
Honestly, I went into this thing looking for a dual band router, specifically a simultaneous dual band router. All of them though apparently suffered from poor 5ghz range, throughput or some shortcoming or the other. I looked around and found a whopping total of 1 device I have that uses a dual band wireless card. So really, whats the advantage of dual band if the 5ghz is weak and slow. What do we do with the weak and slow? Shoot it. So I shot the 5ghz most humanely.From there, my choice became clear. I have been playing with this asus for a few days now with DD-WRT and its great. You are able to create policies that will block torrent access via ports. You can also select specific clients to which the policy is applicable. There are also time of day settings where all policies can be implemented on the DAY and TIME you want. VERY sexy. So ive set up a policy on mine that can block ALL torrent access while keeping the Internet accessible.
There's also a dedicated internet killing option that totally kills ALL internet access, leaving only local file access in tact. Again, this can be set on an individual client basis. At first I had a lot of issues with the wireless signal dropping during file transfers even with Asus' latest firmware. After much frustration, it turned out to be the wireless adapter I was using was faulty. I switched over to another and instantly the problem went away.
So far I just managed to get a solid, stable 150Mbps using a Belkin expresscard adapter while another laptop with the Intel 5300agn adapter reached 300Mbps quite easily. Even so, strangely enough, I got faster transfer rates with the Belkin using Windows 7 despite its slower connection speed.
The wireless coverage is sufficient as all areas of the small-medium single level house receive at least a 'good' Windows signal rating through a mixture of wood partitions and concrete walls. While the Asus will be used primarily for N connections on channel 6, I also have a Linksys RT160n on channel 1 as a secondary access point to handle guest machines and wireless g connections.

I've heard many complain about overheating on this unit but while transferring data through both wired and wireless connections simultaneously in a ~ 26c room, it NEVER gets more than slightly warm to the touch.
In closing, here are some pro's and cons I have identified in my week with this router.
Pros
1) Blazing wired performance through its 1Gbps switching ports
2) Fast, stable wireless connections that have not dropped as far as I have observed
3) dd-wrt compatible for accessing advanced features (MUCH better than the default firmware)
4) Strong dd-wrt community support and updates (there is a lot of help available for this router on their forums.
5) Aesthetically pleasing
6) Fast cpu, memory and storage
7) Blue lights are a nice touch
Cons
1) USB drive setup using dd-wrt is a bit challenging (not a fault of the router itself)

Click Here to see more reviews about: ASUS RT-N16 Wireless-N Gigabit Router

ASUS RT-N16 - Multi-Functional Gigabit Wireless N Router with storage,printer and media server Powerful CPU provides a high-performance throughput - Support up to 300,000 sessions for extensive P2P clients.- Most widespread application with USB2.0 port : All-in-1 printer server and FTP files sharing - Ultra-fast and Convenient Downloads with the Revolutionary Download Master

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7/02/2011

ASUS WL-520gC - Wireless Router - 802.11b/g Review

ASUS WL-520gC - Wireless Router - 802.11b/g
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I have being using this model since 2006. Although there have being many new technology updates since then, to me, what most important factors are still down to the range, trouble free usage, and the ease of setup. For these, this Asus WL-520GC performs extremely well.
Range: I am able to place the base unit on the first floor while got the decent signal at the third floor. The workable range seems even better than my friend's newer Asus N router.
Free from trouble: I have never had a need to restart the router as what I occasionally needed to do so on other brands' routers. To me, this is the only router that I feel 100% safe while I need to use it remotely.
Easy installation: I am an experienced PC user but is a network moron. By using the installation disc, I was able to do the setup with a breeze.
In the past few years, I totally bought about 8-10 of this model and gave them to my relatives. None of them had experienced any dissatisfaction or have ever had the need to upgrade. (Note: It has no N mode)
I highly recommend this model to anyone who need a simple, trouble free, and robust wireless router.


Click Here to see more reviews about: ASUS WL-520gC - Wireless Router - 802.11b/g

ASUS WL-520gC - 125M Broad Range Wireless Router; 125HSM and BroadRange technology provides 300 percent more coverage; 135 percent faster speeds when compared to 802.11g

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6/21/2011

Cisco-Linksys WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster Review

Cisco-Linksys WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster
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I love the WRT54G which I have bought for my home a year ago. I am a college student and just bought another one since I moved off campus. At first, I had trouble deciding between the WRT54G or the WRT54GS( with speedbooster). From first glance, the speedbooster tag seems enticing since everybody wants fast wireless transfers that would hopefully come close to wired networks. After reading some reviews and speaking to my best friend who works for Linksys , the only difference between the WRT54G and the WRT54GS is the flash and Ram memory. It is an upgrade from 4mb to 8mb for the flash, and 16mb to 32mb for the Ram. Basically you wont surf the internet any faster. The benefits of this is just transferring files from one computer to another will increase. For those who just want to share an internet connection, stick with the WRT54G and save the extra 20 bucks for a 30 pack of beer. If you like to transfer files between computers, spend the extra dough.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster

The Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster is really three devices in one box. First, theres the Wireless Access Point, which lets you connect Wireless-G, Wireless-B, and other performance-enhanced SpeedBooster devices to the network. Theres also a built-in 4-port full-duplex 10/100 Switch to connect your wired-Ethernet devices together. Finally, the Router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection. The Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster incorporates the next generation of Wireless-G (802.11g) networking. SpeedBooster technology is a compatible add-on to standard Wireless-G, which increases real-world wireless network performance by up to 35. Unlike other speed-enhancing technologies, SpeedBooster is fully 802.11 compliant, and a good neighbor to other wireless devices and technologies, using a single 2.4GHz channel as specified by the official wireless standard. And, unlike other technologies, with SpeedBooster youll see an overall speed improvement even when running a mixed network of SpeedBooster and regular Wireless-G devices.

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5/28/2011

Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router Review

Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
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The Linksys WRT54G and WRT54GS routers have been the number one most popular wireless router devices available for the past few years. So this begs the question why Cisco would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by needlessly changing an almost perfect product. The fact is that versions 1 -4 of the G and the GS (with Speedboost) versions of this router were fantastic. Those earlier routers run a flexible and powerful Linux based firmware that has been perfected for the past few years a numerous updates and tweaks. However, the earlier WRT54G product has now been replaced with a less powerful wireless product (version 5) that has had its onboard flash RAM chopped in half from 4MB to 2MB and its system RAM cut from 16MB to 8MB. Instead of the flexible, reliable and powerful Linux firmware the new WRT54G version 5 routers run the licensed VxWorks firmware instead. There is nothing wrong with using VxWorks and over time Cisco will probably work out the bugs but for now the newest wireless routers are not reliable.
Why would Cisco do this to its most popular Linksys brand of wireless routers ? Apparently it might be a case where the first four versions were too flexible for their own good. The open source Linux firmware with the large amount of flash and system memory was attractive to many third party independent software developers that were turning the WRT54G and GS routers into powerhouse micro Linux wireless computers with a functionality approaching and often surpassing the $600+ wireless routers that Cisco sells. There might also have been an excess number of product warranty returns for the WRT54G routers due to so many people flashing them with non-Linksys third party firmware that sometimes can "brick" a router or make it unusable.
Your solution is to either look for a previous version of the "WRT54G" router before version 5 or purchase the "WRT54GS" (SpeedBooster) version 4 which as of the posting of this review is still available in the stores and it still uses the popular Linux firmware. You will pay $20 more for the GS model but compared to the version 5 of the G model it is worth the extra money. The GS models 1 - 4 are all good with GS version 3.0 and 3.1 reportedly being the most flexible of the bunch and GS 4.0 being the latest. If you want to use third party firmware you may want the GS versions 2.0 - 3.0/3.1 since they have the most flash RAM while still having newer Broadcom based processors. Finally, if you do plan to flash your WRT54G with third party firmware the ones before version 4 of the WRT54G wireless routers are supposed to be easier to work with.
How do you find which version you are looking for? Look on the bottom of the box near the scan tag for the serial number of the router. For the WRT54G wireless routers look for CDFA or a CDF9 or lower (CDF8, CDF7, 6, etc.) Any serial number with CDF5 (v2.0) through CDF9 (v3.1) are the most flexible for use with third party firmware. Unless you want to use a more risky third party firmware I recommend that you read the manual instructions on how to carefully flash these older router models with a newer Linksys firmware which is designed for that specific router version. The latest official Linksys firmware for each specific version of router can be obtained from the Linksys support site. Completely avoid the WRT54G routers with the "CDFB" (v5.0) serial numbers since those are the buggy VxWorks versions. You could also simply purchase the WRT54GS (v4.0) routers that say Speedboost on the box. You will see the "CGN6" serial numbers on the box and as of this review these were still using Linux firmware with software based SpeedBoost enhancements but the RAM and hardware inside seems to be essentially the same as the older WRT54G (v4.0) version 4. The WRT54GS v2.0 (CGN3) through v3.0 (CGN5) are also good and will have more flash RAM available if you want use the wireless router with third party firmware. I would like to note that flashing the router with firmware other than an official Linksys releases obtained from the Linksys support web site will void the warranty and can result in a "bricked" or damaged router.

PROS: The most popular, flexible, reliable and highly rated wireless router on the market before the WRT54G version 5. Previous versions could be flashed with powerful third party firmware. The latest WRT54GS v4.0 routers can still be purchased and except for the SpeedBoost software enhancement (including a different version of Linux based firmware) they are essentially the same as older WRT54G v4.0 routers.
CONS: The latest version 5 has less Flash and System RAM and uses a buggy non-Linux based firmware. There is no rumor of this yet but in the near future Cisco might also release a newer WRT54GS router non-Linux based router (WRT54GS v5.0 ???)
CONCLUSION: With all the changes to the memory and the firmware this latest G model is really a very different product and Cisco should have changed the model number altogether. Neverless, I hope that Cisco works out the bugs in their current version so that the G version can at least partially return to its glory days. There are rumors that a still newer model popular Linux based router might be re-released with the model name of WRT54GL but until that happens we can still purchase a very good WRT54GS v4.0 Speedbooster model.
THE BOTTOM LINE: I give five stars to the older WRT54G models and five stars to the latest WRT54GS model. But I give only one star for the newest WRT54G version 5 which averages the score to only 2.5 stars (rounded down to 2 stars since v5.0 is the newest and most abundant WRT54G model that you can find in the stores).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router

The Linksys Wireless-G broadband router is really three devices in one box. First, it's a wireless access point, which lets you connect Wireless-G or Wireless-B devices to the network. There's also a built-in four-port full-duplex 10/100 switch to connect your wired-Ethernet devices. Connect four PCs directly, or daisy-chain out to more hubs and switches to create as big a network as you need. Finally, the router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection.
To protect your data and privacy, the Wireless-G broadband router can encrypt all wireless transmissions, and it supports the industrial-strength wireless security of 802.1x authentication and authorization. The router can serve as a DHCP server, has NAT technology to protect against Internet intruders, supports VPN pass-through, and can be configured to filter internal users' access to the Internet. Configuration is a snap with the Web browser-based configuration utility.
With the Linksys Wireless-G broadband router at the center of your home or office network, you can share a high-speed Internet connection, files, printers, and multiplayer games with the flexibility, speed, and security you need!
Wireless-G is the 54 Mbps wireless networking standard that's more than four times faster than the widely deployed Wireless-B (802.11b) products found in homes, businesses, and public wireless hotspots around the country. But since they share the same 2.4 GHz radio band, Wireless-G devices can also interoperate with existing 11 Mbps Wireless-B equipment.
Because both standards are built-in, you can protect your investment in existing 802.11b infrastructure, and migrate to the new screaming-fast Wireless-G standard as your needs grow.
For more information on the differences between an access point and a router with access point, see the following table:

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5/21/2011

Cisco-Linksys E2100L Advanced Wireless-N Router Review

Cisco-Linksys E2100L Advanced Wireless-N Router
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I'm on my second router after the first one was replaced through RMA. Router seems to work fine for about a week and then I have problems writing to my attached USB drive. Reads work OK but are incredibly slow. Then the router requires a reboot and the problems go away for about a week.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys E2100L Advanced Wireless-N Router

With its extraterrestrial good-looks, its speedy 2.4GHz band, and its LINUX-based OS compatibility, the E2100L wireless-N router has crash landed on a distant planet where priority is given to open-source operating systems and network customization. Behold, Linux lovers, the Linksys E2100L was made just for you.

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