NETGEAR's Nighthawk X10 Router Packs More Than Just A Hefty Price Tag

When it comes to home networking most consumers focus one thing, speed! And of course why not, speed is what most of us want went it comes to browsing the web, downloading music or streaming videos. If speed is what you are looking for NETGEAR is launching what it calls the “world’s fastest router,” the Nighthawk X10, built specifically for media streaming, instant backup, and fast gameplay. However, the Nighthawk X10 packs a lot more than just a ton of speed, it also packs in a ton of extra features, with those features though comes a hefty $500 price tag!

Yes you read that right $500 for what may be the best of the best on the market today! Now I know most of you out there aren't going to plop down five Benjamins to take home a router. The Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Smart Wi-Fi Router isn't just any other router though. It blurs the line between your typical high end home router and a stand-alone media server.

The router combines a 1.7-gigahertz quad-core processor — the fastest processor in a home router — and quad-stream Wave 2 Wi-Fi architecture offering the latest 802.11ad Wi-Fi standard, with speeds up to 7.2 gigabits per second. This means you'll get the lastes MU-MIMO technology to support simultaneous streaming to multiple devices. In geek speak that means you'll be able to move a ton of movies and videos back and forth from the Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu or any other spot on the web all while gaming from another device without so much as a hiccup!

Speaking of video we said the Nighthawk X10 blurs the lines between home router and media server. That is because it is the industry’s first router to run Plex Media Server without the need for a computer. It will even handle transcoding through Plex for smooth 4K streaming, to all your remote devices.

NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 is also the industry’s first router designed for the home market that includes a 10Gigabit port, which supports a fiber connection. Offering lightning-fast backup and streaming from Network Attached Storage devices – such as NETGEAR ReadyNAS – Nighthawk X10 is the ideal solution for personal HD video collections. The two USB 3.0 ports make it easy to add storage for backup and file transfer over WiFi. Additional storage options with the Nighthawk X10 includes six months of free unlimited Amazon Drive backup for an off-site cloud copy of one’s files.

“Nighthawk X10 sets a new bar for performance and a new record for speed when moving large video files within your network and to the cloud,” said David Henry, senior vice president for home networking at NETGEAR. “Today’s video files are getting larger with 4k and VR video. Offloading from capture devices and moving these large files within a network often becomes a time-consuming and challenging task. The Nighthawk X10 is powerful enough to move these files at unprecedented speed and provides easy access once the file is stored on the network.”

Key Technical Features of Nighthawk X10

• AD7200 Quad Stream Wave2 WiFi supports wireless speeds up to 4600+1733+800Mbps*
• Fastest 60GHz 802.11ad WiFi technology for instant downloads, backup and minimal latency during online game play
• Plex Media Server for all of your media, anytime, anywhere
• Powerful 1.7GHz Quad Core Processor boosts performance for 4K streaming or VR gaming
• High-performance Active Antennas for better WiFi coverage & faster speeds
• Six (6) Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports with dual ports that can be operated in line aggregation mode for faster file transfers (up to 2Gbps wired speeds)
• Two (2) SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports for faster streaming, backup and easy access to your stored media.
• Automatic backup to the cloud with Amazon Drive
• NETGEAR ReadyCLOUD provides easy, private and secure remote access to USB connected storage
• 10Gigabit fiber port for lightning-fast backup and media streaming to/from ReadyNAS or other NAS
• MU-MIMO capable for simultaneous streaming of data to multiple devices
• New NETGEAR Up app will have your router up, running and configured to your liking all from the convenience of any Android or iOS mobile device. 
• NETGEAR genie® app for a personal dashboard to monitor, control and repair your home network, even when you’re away from home.

Pricing and Availability
The NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Smart WiFi Router is now available. You can purchase it in retail shops and online at an MSRP of $499.99 in the U.S.

Clean Router Review: Keeping Your Home Network Safe With Hardware and Access Monitoring

The internet can be a dark and scary place, and keeping your kids (husbands, roommates or employees) safe from those dark recesses can be a daunting task. While there are plenty of options out there, it is often best to take a multi-pronged approach when it comes to security and monitoring your internet usage. This generally means using both software and hardware based solutions. This past few days we've been testing one of the newer options available on the market, the Clean Router.

The Clean Router offers users a multi-dimensional approach to internet filtering. It uses traditional networking hardware, coupled with customized firmware and back-boned with live support, frequent updates and real time monitoring. All this is setup with to allow users/parents to filter and manage everything connected to their home WiFi.

Hardware and Services
The unit we have for testing is a customized version of the Western Digital My Net N750 which is currently listed as a free option on the Clean Router website. The N750 is a few years old now so it won't be the latest greatest when it comes to networking. In fact it only supports 802.11 a/b/g/n, but not the newer 802.11ac standard. This means you will see theoretical wireless speeds up to 300Mbps on the 2.4Ghz band and 450Mbps on the 5GHz band, for combined theoretical wireless speeds of up to 750Mbps. Not bad, but you may want to opt for the Clean Router Pro version if you are a high bandwidth user!

 

The router itself is only one link in the chain. Once you have your customized Clean Router you have to select a subscription service with prices from $12.99 to $19.99 per month. The basic subscription offers you frequent updates to your Clean Router’s filtering software so it is always on top of blocking new threats, along with free technical support via phone, email and live chat, regular updates to black, white and grey lists, Emailed Reports, Time Restrictions, new features, and several of their ongoing performance improvements. The updated subscription offers you access to Smartphone apps and monitoring, YouTube filtering and a few more options.

Ideally we'd like to see a third option added for just the customized router itself, but part of the biggest incentive to using Clean Router is the added benefit of having frequent updates to your firmware and blacklists. For most geeks we could do this all on our own, just keep in mind the market they are tackling is the typical home user that likely can't/won't bother with those updates. This in and of itself makes the subscription worthwhile.

Content Filtering and Safe Search
In order to "keep you safe" while searching the web Clean Router uses customized firmware that has built in blocking. These "blacklists" filter out most sites and search terms which would contain "questionable material". Blacklisted sites are filtered by a number of variables  all of which are categorized into 10 different channels. Art Nudes, Naturism, Malicious Software, Porn and Bitorrent sites are blocked by default, as are Ads and Image Sites. Users may also choose to block Drugs, Gambling, and a catch-all category of Guns, Violence, and Weapons.

In addition to blacklisting several sites and search terms out of the box, the Clean Router will also blacklist multiple search engines. Bing, Yahoo, AOL and several other top names are all blocked by default. This allows Clean Router to force your system to run searches through Google, (which it does without encryption). This allows the router to capture search terms and enforce Safe Search further blocking more material.

Advanced Features and Time Scheduling
For those that want a bit more control and are willing to get into some of the more advanced features the control panel offers several other options beyond the basics. Here you can add or remove specific URLs from Clean Router's whitelist, either manually or by clicking a button in the list of blocked sites. Likewise, you can blacklist URLs manually or by clicking a button in the list of sites visited. You can also add to the list of keywords that will trigger a blocking action. There's also an option to block entire top-level domains—maybe you don't want your kids connecting to any .cn or .ru sites, you can exclude all of those with a click of the mouse!

You'll also see the option for one of the more useful features, and one of the more challenging for home users to setup, time scheduling.

Time restrictions are device-specific, and in order to configure a schedule you must identify the correct device by its Media Access Control (MAC) address. Finding this can be a bit of a challenge but there is a quick easy way to make it easier. First, you can try logging in to the router setup page from the specific device you want to set schedules for then select Time Restrictions, and click the link titled This Computer. In the same way, you can exclude your own computer from filtering by clicking This Computer on the Exclude from Filter page, rather than trying to figure out its MAC address.

If you can't log in through each specific device you'll need to find the devices you want to block in the DHCP Clients list in the Router Info section. Here you'll have a full list of all of the devices connected through the router, along with the IP address, MAC address, and device name. Reviewing each name should give you a good idea of which devices you'll want to add. 

Activity Reports
You can view a list of all sites visited or all sites blocked, though the reports have some limitations. The basic list just shows the domains in question, with a button to blacklist (for visited sites) or whitelist (for blocked sites). Clicking an item in the list exposes more details, specifically the computer that was used, the precise URL within the domain, and the date/time of the visit.

This doesn't tell you who tried to view naughty photos, just which computer or other device was used. That's logical; a product that filters at the router or DNS level is never going to be able to identify individual users. However, you still may have trouble identifying the device involved, given only its IP address. I sure wish there were some internal mechanism to identify each device by a friendly name rather than an IP address or MAC address.

You can view activity for any particular day, but not cumulative activity over a longer time period. You can also have Clean Router email you an attractively formatted activity report at the end of each day.

Final Thoughts and Conclusion
For someone looking for a great parental control option that adds a couple layers of security and convenience the Clean Router definitely works well and definitely does what it promises. Just about anyone can setup it in just a few clicks, and since most things that most people want to block are set by default, you'll be up and running in no time.And since your subscription service does most all of the work for you, you can pretty much set it and forget it.

This doesn't mean it isn't without issues, and it won't catch absolutely everything, but for the most part you won't be disappointed.

I will say this though, if you are one of those people that has to rely on your kids  to keep your tech going then you likely won't get the  most out what the router and service offer as both can be easily bypassed by even the most novice of users. That being said however, what it does give you, is a little piece of mind that you are doing the best you can to keep everyone in the household safe.

D-Link Launches New EXO Series Routers With Out of This World AC1900 EXO Wi-Fi Router

Following their recent announcement of the new EXO Series of routers, which are meant to supplement D-Link's existing Ultra Performance Series, D-Link has officially announced availability of their first offering in the series and from the looks of it D-Link has made good on their promise of exceptional design with powerful Wireless AC home networking performance.

The new AC1900 EXO Wi-Fi Router (DIR-879), will be the initial offering in the EXO series. This new out of this world looking router boasts a stylish form-factor, featuring standout color and impressive feature set. With built-in high power amplifiers and 11AC Dual Band Wi-Fi, the DIR-879 promises to deliver fast wireless speeds, improved coverage, and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity to support HD streaming and other demanding applications, all for under $150.

“With the new AC1900 EXO Wi-Fi Router, users can enjoy the extremely fast speeds of 11AC Wi-Fi and proudly display their network hardware,” said Steven Olen, director of product marketing at D-Link. “The EXO series was built for Wi-Fi users who want great performance, premium-design and style at an incredibly affordable price.”

Additional features and capabilities of the AC1900 Wi-Fi Router (DIR-879) include:

• 11AC Wi-Fi Dual Band Connectivity – Speeds up to 1300Mbps on the 5GHz band and 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band
• High Power Amplifiers – Provide wider coverage throughout your home
• Dual Core Processor - To support more devices and apps in your home so you can experience lag free gaming and HD media streaming
• Smart Connect – Automatically assigns connected devices to the best possible band for optimal Wi-Fi performance
• Intelligent QoS – Traffic optimization delivers seamless performance for your applications
• Wi-Fi Protected Setup – Push button to easily connect devices to the wireless network
• Backwards Compatible – Works with existing Wi-Fi devices (802.11n/g)
• Wireless Encryption – Uses WPA or WPA2 security
• Easy Setup – Get online in minutes with the Quick Router Setup (QRS) mobile app

The AC1900 EXO Wi-Fi Router (DIR-879) is available now for $149.99 through most of your favorite retailers and e-tail outlets. Detailed specifications are available online at D-Link’s website.

Comcast Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over Use of Customer Routers For Comcast Xfinity Wifi Service

Much to the disdain of many customers earlier this year Comcast began its roll out of the company's new Comcast Xfinity Wifi service. The service features an update to rented home Wi-Fi routers that turns on a little known feature enabling your Xfinity router to be turned into a public hotspot!

Unfortunately for many un-suspecting customers the newly update service was turned on by default, and while Comcast promises there is no risk to users, and no added costs associated. The new service has not been met with open arms.

According to a San Francisco Chronicle report a class-action lawsuit was filed against Comcast last week in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. The suit was submitted by East Bay residents Toyer Grear and daughter Joycelyn Harris, who claim that Comcast is using its equipment to exploit customers for profit. They're seeking an injunction that will prevent Comcast from using its residential wireless routers as public hotspots. The suit also seeks compensation for unspecified damages.

According to the complaint Comcast violated the US Computer Fraud and Abuse Act as well as California laws on unfair competition and computer data access and fraud. They claim that the public hotspots, broadcast from the same equipment used for subscribers' private Wi-Fi networks, raise customers' electricity costs and harm network performance. But they also make what Comcast says is a false allegation regarding network security.

Comcast is looking to build a public Xfinity WiFi hotspot network, one that offers any current Comcast customer access to WiFi hotspotx throughout the region. This network will reside in 19 of the largest cities here in the United States and compete with America's top mobile service providers such as AT&T and Verizon. To do this, Comcast has added a second Internet channel to the newer models of its wireless gateway modems that are leased out to subscribers.

The lawsuit claims that “unauthorized broadcasting of a secondary, public Wi-Fi network from the customer’s wireless router subjects the customer to potential security risks, in the form of enabling a stranger who wishes to access the Internet through the customer’s household router, with the customer having no option to authorize or otherwise control such use.” The suit goes on to say that “upon information and belief, any activity on the Xfinity Wi-Fi Hotspot will appear as though it originated from the Comcast customer’s IP address.”

A Comcast FAQ says the public hotspots are "completely separate from your secure Wi-Fi home network" and contend that there is no risk of cross access or communication. Furthermore Comcast ensures users that because the public Wi-Fi signal these features provide is treated as a separate connection, you won’t get into trouble for anything anyone does with it. It should be a separate IP address and usage will be associated with the account the other person signs on with.

Security risks aside the lawsuit also claims that end users with these 'hotspot enabled' routers are subject to higher electricity bills and slower overall connections speeds. Another claim that Comcast has previously defended in regards to the hotspots, saying they use minimal extra power, do not pose security risks because they are walled off from each customer’s private network, and do not cause any noticeable performance drop.

Although the hotspots are turned on by default, customers can turn them off by calling 1-800-XFINITY or online at http://customer.comcast.com/.  More details can also be found in our previous report here.

Review: D-Link DIR-818LW Wireless AC750 Dual Band Router

A few weeks ago we introduced readers to the new more colorful line-up of D-Link routers including the new DIR-818LW. This batch of consumer friendly home routers promises to not only bring you the latest in home networking connectivity with dual band Next Generation AC750 technology and Gigabit LAN but also promises to 'Bring Color To Your Life' and add some style to your home network with four different colors to choose from: Red, Teal, Black and White.

D-Link says the new routers are perfect for any house looking for a reliable and strong home network ideal for HD video streaming, online gaming and multiple user activities.

D-Link DIR-818LW Features and Specifications:

• Next Generation AC750 Technology for increased speed, range, and reliability to ensure coverage throughout your home.
  
  • IEEE 802.11ac wireless LAN
  • IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless LAN
• Dual Band Performance for faster speeds with less Wi-Fi interference and maximum throughput.
  
  • 2.4 GHz band: 2400 - 2483.5 MHz
  • 5 GHz band: 5150 - 5725 MHz
• Four 10/100/1000 Fast Gigabit ports give you high-speed wired connectivity.
• USB Port - Create your own personal cloud
• Backward Compatibility to work with existing and future Wi-Fi devices.
• mydlink Cloud Services to remotely monitor your network using your smartphone or tablet.
• Latest home networking security
  
  • 64/128 bits WEP
  • WPA & WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
  • WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
  • Advanced Features: QoS (Quality of Service), DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), Firewall Network Address Translation (NAT), Guest zone and IPv6 ready

D-Link DIR-818LW Setup

Setting up most home routers these days is a snap. Gone are the days of needing to load extra software and fumble through several different screens, while trying to figure out several different default passwords. D-Link offers a quick easy guide to get you started and the router walks you through most of the snags you might hit. For us it was pretty much a matter of plug and play.

Start with powering down your network all the way up to the modem. Connect all your wired connections and start powering on your devices. Start with the modem first, allow it to make the hand shake with your ISP and make sure the connection is up and running. Then power on your D-Link DIR-818LW. Once you green lights across the board, indicating a good connection, power on your PC, laptop or whichever device you are going to use to finish the setup.

From there you can log into the http://dlinkrouter.local homepage or http://192.168.01 and you'll be guided through the rest of the setup. We found the basic setup to be fairly intuitive and easy enough that the average consumer shouldn't have any issues. You'll be prompted to setup the basics like wireless security, network passwords ect. For any entry level router such as this, targeting the general consumer, I'd like to have seen a more user friendly interface. However, the basics are easy enough to navigate, yet it still offers the most demanding geeks all the tools and toys they need for tweaking their networks to perfection!

D-Link DIR-818LW Performance, Speed and Range

Testing performance, speed and range can be a bit tricky. There are a wide range of factors that have negative impacts on wireless networking performance. Things like obstacles like walls and surround terrain, what channel your router uses, the placement of the wireless router, and even interference issues from other routers or everyday items like cordless phones, microwave ovens, ect. can all contribute to poor performance. In our testing we try to set each router up with the same basic settings in the same basic environment.

Given this is our first dual-band Wireless AC router we were a bit surprised in some areas and a bit disappointed in others. Speed and range wise we saw a slight boost over our Linksys E4200v2. Utilizing the 2.4Ghz band and at the furthest possible testing distant there seemed to be a very noticeable boost in speeds. General testing under normal ranges there wasn't any significant change, nor did we expect any given the equipment used.

Testing under the 5Ghz channel we saw a bit of disappointment as range was fairly limited. This wasn't surprising as generally the higher frequencies bands tend to have lest range than that of the lower frequency bands. While we did have coverage throughout the office, we would like to have seen a bit more performance. With the 2.4Ghz band we saw nearly twice the range 30-60ft was our max testing radius and the 5Ghz band saw significant drop off at 15-20ft.

Final Thoughts and Conclusions
For those looking to make an upgrade from an older Wireless N, or god forbid Wireless G router and and are finally looking to break into the AC router market, the DIR-818LW won't be a bad option. As an entry level device it offers solid performance and offered a lot of options for a nice price.

If you already have a top notch Wireless N router such as the Linksys E4200v2 or another router offering 900Mbps speeds, then the speed and range will be fairly similar, making it a bit less of an upgrade option. For those users you may want to spend the extra money and get something with a bit more bang and more speed like the D-Link DIR-850L or another router offering AC1200 or above speeds.

The one aspect we loved was the dual channel option. At any given time we have 10-15 connected devices ranging from tablets, to phones, to PCs and laptops, even a couple streaming devices like the Chromecast streaming content. It was great to have a dedicated channel to offload some of the connections to giving them their own dedicated network and bandwidth. With that we never once saw a slow down even when streaming across multiple devices.

The one major aspect we found flaw with oddly enough wasn't the router itself. It was with the mydlink website and remote interface. The site utilizes Java which we tend to not have installed on our devices due to a) not using it almost anywhere else on the web and b) security concerns over the past several vulnerabilities. Other than that, for the average home user, we found the D-Link DIR-818LW to be well worth the $79.99 price tag.

D-Link Wants To Add A Little Color To Your Home Network

Most home networking devices look, well, pretty blah! Your choices in colors don't vary much and you might as well forget anything that adds a splash of style. For us geeks that generally isn't an issue as we typically prefer functionality over form any day. However, for the typical user, style can be a concern.

Enter D-Link and their new line of AC750 Wi-Fi Routers (DIR-818LW). This new batch of consumer friendly home routers feature a cylinder form factor and promise to 'Bring Color To Your Life' with four different colors to choose from: Red, Teal, Black and White.

"Wi-Fi routers have never had the reputation of being the most aesthetically pleasing products in the home, and we set out to change that with our color routers," said Daniel Kelley, vice president of marketing, D-Link Systems, Inc.

D-Link says the new routers are perfect for any house looking for a reliable and strong home network ideal for HD video streaming, online gaming and multiple user activities. In addition with the free mydlink Lite app, users can easily manage their network remotely and see what websites are being visited, block unwanted connections and set up automatic email alerts when unauthorized connections are made on any iPhone, iPad or Android device.

D-Link AC750 Wi-Fi Router Features

• Next Generation AC750 Technology – increased speed, range and reliability ensure strong whole-home coverage 
• Fast Gigabit Ports – four 10/100/1000 Gigabit ports provide high-speed wired connectivity
• Dual Band Performance – up to 433Mbps on the 5GHz band and 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band for maximum throughput with less Wi-Fi interference 
• Backward Compatibility – works with existing Wi-Fi devices 
• mydlink Cloud Services – remotely monitor your network using your smartphone or tablet
• SharePort – stream content from a connected USB drive to multiple mobile devices with a free mobile app

Availability and Pricing
The new line of D-Link AC750 Wi-Fi Routers (DIR-818LW) is now available in four colors (red, teal, black, and white) for $79.99 exclusively at Amazon.com through May. Detailed specifications are available online at www.dlink.com/colorrouter.

You can look for our review in the coming weeks, until then additional information about the new routers from D-Link can be found here.

Review: TP-Link TL-WR702N Nano Router

The average home user may not be familiar with the name TP-Link. However for those of us in the geek world they are quickly gaining a reputation as one of the best names in networking. They have built a strong foundation of devices that work without issues.

For readers of Geek News you know we've tested plenty of networking devices. Today though we get out hands on out first TP-Link branded device in the form of the new TL-WR702N Wireless Nano Router.

Saying the TP-Link 150 Mbps Wireless N Nano Router is compact is a bit of an understatement. This is tiny! It measures 57mm x 57mm x 18mm, which means its smaller than your credit card and slightly thinner than the average box of mints. This makes it the perfect traveling companion for those who need to share a single WAN connection with two or more devices over a small distance, and for setting up wireless internet access where there's only a wired connection.

TP-Link TL-WR702N Features

• Compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g/n
• Wireless speed up to 150Mbps
• Compact and portable, small enough to take on the road
• Powered through a micro USB port by an external power adapter or USB connection to a computer
• Compatible with almost all 2.4GHz Wi-Fi devices
• Supports AP, Router, Client, Bridge and Repeater operation modes
• Supports WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK encryptions
• Full specifications 

TP-Link TL-WR702N Setup

When using the WR702N as a router you have plug and play usability making setup fairly straight forward. The web interface is excellent, highly informative and well organized making it esy to change various settings. You can either manually change the WR702N’s operating mode or you can use a wizard which will walk you through all the settings. Either way, all that’s required to change your access point into a router is a few clicks.

There's only one RJ45 socket which is used as a LAN or WAN port depending on the WR702N’s working mode. If you are setting it up as a wireless router you connect the cable from the modem to the RJ45 socket or if you want to use it as a wireless client you can connect a laptop or PC via the socket and access an existing wireless network.I'd like to have had a second RJ45 socket just for wired needs but that would also mean increasing the size a tad.

I first tried unsuccessfully to setup our TL-WR702N in client mode. The manual didn't give clear instructions for setup so I ran in to a few issues with my default settings. At first I couldn't gain access to the web interface which is supposed to be http://192.168.0.254/. After setting up a static IP address I was able to get everything up and running. The downside I then had to change all my settings back to get it connected to my router.

TP-Link TL-WR702N Performance

Being a nano sized router you shouldn't expect top notch performance, at least not in range testing. I saw great wireless connectivity in the main office area, which would be about the size of a hotel room. Anything further than that and you quickly see a big drop off.

Speeds seemed fairly consistent. As long as I had connectivity I had no problems streaming music or videos. Being such a small device it was nice to see it perform as well as it did.

TL-WR702N Pricing and Availability

The TP-Link TL-WR702N retails for about $30 at several major retailers. Right now Newegg has them on-sale for $22.99. I've seen a few different color options on Amazon those being green, pink and blue.

My thoughts and conclusions

For the business user or consummate traveler the TP-Link TL-WR702N would be a nice addition to your bag of laptop accessories. It would even be great for those college goers looking to add wireless connectivity to their dorm rooms. The small size means you can pack it in just about any bag, or for that matter a shirt pocket. For the home user however, you probably shouldn't be expecting it to replace your current router. The 150Mbps limit on the wirless N side means you might see some slow downs with multiple users and a lack of wired ports means you'll be limited in file transfer speeds (no gigabit networking). I'd also think that pushing the device with several user connections might create heating issues. I didn't notice any problems in testing but I wasn't pushing it to it's limits.

Overall I'd have to say I was pretty impressed. I've tested several routers and access points from Linksys and Netgear and the TL-WR702N performed very well in comparison.

Western Digital Joins The Networking Market Releases Five Wireless Routers

Western Digital is a name synonymous with the hard drive and storage market. So when you hear the company has released a new networking device your first thought is likely geared towards a new network attached hard drive or NAS server or possibly even a new media streaming device like the WD Live TV box. But today the company announced the release of its very first wireless home networking devices which includes five new routers in a new category called the My Net family.

Most companies would generally start of small with a couple entry level devices meant for the everyday mainstream consumer. Not Western Digital, they cam out of the box swinging. WD entered the market with five brand new Dual-Band Routers, all of which proclaim 600Mbs speeds or better.

Their new My Net Family Dual-Band Routers starts with the My Net N600, a true dual-band router that offers 300Mbps on both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. The next step-up is the My Net N750, which boosts the speeds to 450Mbps on the 5GHz, and finally there's the top-tier My Net N900, which offers the 450Mbps data rate on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The top tiered, My Net N900, also comes with seven Gigabit LAN ports (as opposed to the four ports found in most wireless routers), and range amplifier antennas for extended range.  Both the My Net N750 and My Net N900 feature 2 USB ports for additional storage, printer and media share server use, while the My Net N600 features just a sigle port.

But wait I said they released five routers. Yes in-deed they did. They introduced two offerings dubbed the My Net N900 Central that I personally would love to test drive.

The My Net N900 Central is a router NAS,/Cloud Server all-in-one. It comes with either a 1TB or 2TB hard drive built-in. This router is built for HD streaming or wireless backup and remote access. The My Net N900 Central includes 4 LAN and 1 WLAN Gigabit Ethernet ports for up to 10/100/1000 Mbps wired speeds, 1 USB port for additional storage, printer and media share server use.

Remote access to My Net N900 Central is available on any computer through www.WD2go.com and with WD mobile apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or Android smartphones and tablets. In addition to keeping content safe at home and always accessible while away from home, users can rely on My Net N900 Central for automatic wireless backup with the included WD SmartWare software for Windows, while Mac users can utilize all the features of Apple Time Machine backup software. Additionally, any WD external hard drive with SmartWare software can connect directly to a My Net router to wirelessly backup all PC computers in the home.

Collectively, all five of WD's My Net routers support FastTrack, UPnP and DLNA media streaming standards, Time Machine, and personal cloud storage. FasTrack technology detects Internet favorites like Netflix and YouTube and automatically prioritizes them for smooth HD streaming. FastTrack is basically a type of QoS (quality of service) that automatically detects and prioritizes Internet bandwidth based on types of traffic. By default FastTrack allows entertainment-related services -- such as media streaming, VoIP (voice over IP), and so on -- precedence over other services, such as Web surfing and downloading. FastTrack Plus, available in the N900 and N900 Central routers, offers support for more simultaneous data streams at a time than the standard FastTrack, available in the N600 and N750 routers.

Pricing starts at $79.99 for the My Net N600, $119.99 for the My Net N750 and $179.99 My Net N900. If you want to step-up to the My Net N900 Central with built in storage it's going to cost you. The 1TB My Net N900 Central runs $299.99 while the 2TB version will set you back $349.99. My Net N900, My Net N750, and the My Net N600 will be available immediately at select U.S. retailers and online at the wdstore.com. My Net N900 Central will be available next quarter.

Review: NETGEAR WN3000RP Universal WiFi Range Extender

Wireless networking is a must have these days. Not only do devices like our laptops and desktops need a good solid network connection but now days tablets like the iPad, or gaming units like the PS3 even require them.

No matter how good our wireless routers have gotten over the years the one Achilles heel that almost every device has is still weak reception at a long distance or slower performance at the edges of wireless coverage. Enter Wireless access points and range extenders. The small devices can be placed to connect just about anywhere within range of a router and provide a boost of performance where the connection drops off. One such unit is the Netgear WN3000RP Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender.

The Netgear WN3000RP is a plug and play device that is no bigger than the wall socket it needs for power. It has quick and easy setup and allows you to extended your network well beyond its current reach.

NETGEAR WN3000RP Specifications and Features

• Wireless Security: WiFi Protected Access (WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK) and WEP
• Wireless Standards: 802.11 B/G/N 2.4ghz only (does not support 5ghz 802.11A)
• Plug-and-play: Sets up in minutes, no need to insert a CD or plug in Ethernet cables
• Push ‘N’ Connect: Push ‘N’ Connect using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) connects computers and/or routers to the Extender quickly and securely
• System Requirements:
  • 802.11 B/G/N wireless router, gateway or access point
  • Microsoft Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000, Mac OS, UNIX, or Linux.
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0, Firefox 2.0 or Safari 1.4 or higher.
• Advanced Features:
  • Extend internet access for wireless devices through out your home.
  • Repeats 2.4ghz WiFi signal from your wireless router and access point.
  • 2 x External Antenna 1 x 10/100M Ethernet Port

NETGEAR WN3000RP Setup

The setup on almost any network device now days is as simple and straight forward as you can get and the NETGEAR WN3000RP is no different. You have two options:

Option A Using WPS: If you have a Netgear router with WPS advanced wireless setup things can't be easier. Simply plug the Universal Extender into an outlet that is the outer edge of your network coverage, power the Extender on by using the on/off button on the right side of the Extender. Push the WPS button on your router, and then push the WPS button on the Extender. The automated WPS will simply setup your Extender to connect to your router with a WPA2 pre-shared key and start sharing the routers wireless connection.  

The Extender needs to be within acceptable range of your existing wireless router. If the Extender is not within range of your wireless router, the Extender will not be able to connect to your router and extend the connection further. 

Option B Manual Setup: If like me you use customer router settings, or use a none Netgear branded router (I still use my Linksys E4200v2) or for that fact there is some reason your router doesn't support the WPS automated wireless setup then you will need to connect directly to the NETGEAR WN3000RP Extender either via wired or wireless.

I prefer to connect via wire, it just makes things a bit simpler. All you need to do is plug the device in out on the "fringe" of your network where you want to leave it, plug a cable into the network port on your Extender and then to a laptop or computer.  Once you are connected, open up your web browser and try to connect to any website, you will then be automatically re-directed to the www.mywifiext.net web page. This is the setup page for the Netgear Universal WiFi Range Extender. If you are prompted to enter a password by default the user name is admin and the password is password.

If you want to connect wirelessly simply open up your wireless connection manager on your laptop or other wireless capable device and connect to the network connected titled NETGEAR_EXT. Once you are connected, open up your web browser and try to connect to any website, you will then be automatically re-directed to the www.mywifiext.net web page. This is the setup page for the Netgear Universal WiFi Range Extender. If you are prompted to enter a password by default the user name is admin and the password is password.

Follow through the steps on the setup web page on, click save and the device will reboot. Once your NETGEAR WN3000RP is rebooted go back to your wireless connection manager on your laptop and now search for your SSID (or network connection) that you normally use, but this time you will see a new one with the SSID of yours with "_EXT" added onto it. That is the SSID for your wireless Extender. Setup this new SSID and have your wireless device automatically connect to it. Once this is done you should be able to seamlessly roam between your default SSID and your new extended SSID hopefully giving you fuller coverage and better speeds.

NETGEAR WN3000RP Performance

We have a love hate relationship with testing networking devices in or around our office. Unfortunately the area that we have available to test our network performance is really limited. So much so that it's hard to quantify testing. We have no areas that we are out of range of our Linksys E4200v2, and really have no way to push the NETGEAR WN3000RP to the outer limits of our network. That said, we did notice with the NETGEAR WN3000RP connected to some of the furthest areas of the office we saw better overall performance. We noticed an increase in both signal strength and download speeds. So even if it wasn't adding distance to our network it still added performance.

In a portion of our testing we actually used our extender as a wi-fi adapter. We connected it directly to a desktop that needed a wireless network connection. This is one scenario that many people forget about, having the single RJ-45 port on the device lets you use it as a wireless adapter for just about anything that doesn't already have a wireless connection. With this setup we were pleasantly surprised with the range the WN3000RP achieved and the speeds. We were able to stream videos seamlessly, with few if any noticeable interruptions. We also noticed a fairly reasonable boost in signal strength over the current Wireless G pci device the computer had been using. This was most likely due to fully utilizing the Wireless N capabilities of our router.

Conclusion

There are lots of factors that effect your wireless network and its range. What channels your router uses, the placement of the wireless router, and even interference issues from everyday items like cordless phones, microwave ovens, ect. all come into play as to how the wireless signal propagates through your home. A good range extender can definitely come in handy for those trying to extend coverage beyond the four walls or for those trying to cover multiple floors.

For me the NETGEAR WN3000RP Universal WiFi Range Extender held up to everything Netgear said it would. While we didn't get to thoroughly test the performance everything else worked as expected. Setup was quick and easy, we were able to use the extender in less than a few minutes right out of the box. So if all you want is to extend the wireless footprint in your home the Netgear Universal WiFi Range Extender just maybe what you need to accomplish that. It has a good price tag, has a small foot print so you hardly know its there, and just about any home user can set it up.

NETGEAR WN3000RP Pricing and Availability

The WN3000RP WiFi Range Extender is available at most major online retailers. MSRP is $69.99 however pricing online ranges from $66.28 on Amazon to $66.58 on Newegg. For those looking to purchase in store you can get the extender at most major retailers including Best-But and Staples for $69.99

Review: Linksys E4200v2 Wireless Dual Band N900 Router

We’ve previously reviewed several Linksys routers including the predecessor to the E4200v2 the Linksys E4200. If you've read that review you'll know we love the updated looks and styling of the Linksys line. You'll also notice that we loved the performance numbers the first generation E4200 reached. So obviously we were excited to get our hands on the new E4200v2.

Just to be clear I am only providing a basic review on the features. I do not have the tools available at this time to provide info about testing real-life performance of the router or to test the maximum theoretical speeds!

Linksys E4200v2 Specifications:

• Wireless-N Compatible with Wireless-A (802.11a) Wireless-B (802.11b) and Wireless-G (802.11g) standards, IEEE 802.3/3u/3ab 
• Simultaneous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
• Antennas: 6 Internal 3 x 3 on 2.4 and 5 GHz (Up to 450 + 450 Mbps)
• 4 x Gigabit Ethernet Ports
• All Ports support Gigabit speed and Auto-Crossover (MDI/MDI-X) - no need for crossover cables
• USB Shared Storage Port, Virtual USB, Built-In UPnP AV Media and Printer Server
• IPv6 Enabled

So whats new?

On the outside nothing really changes. You get the same sleek design we saw in the first E4200. They continue with many of the features we liked like the internal antenna design and optional lights. Yes I mention the lighting again only because I love having the ability to get rid of those annoying flashes! Sitting side by side the two routers look almost identical. One thing most users will notice that is new is the absence of the big bulky power pack that most users disliked. After several complaints Cisco opted to change to more traditional power adapter in both the newer E4200 and the E4200v2.

It's really the new chips and what we find on the inside that counts!

According to the information I've found the Linksys E4200 uses Broadcom SoC BCM4718 chips that supported 2 streams @ 300 mbits/s on the 2.4ghz frequency. The new E4200v2 uses a new Marvell chipset that supports 3 streams @ 450 mbit/s on the 2.4ghz frequency. The new chips offer faster overall speeds, support for IPV6, WAN L2TP, and PPTP protocols.

Cisco also updated the virtual USB feature making it easier to add printers, storage and other USB devices to the network which with the added 1.2 GHz processor allows users to experience faster download speeds from their USB connected storage device.

Included in all Linksys E-Series routers is Cisco Connect software, which provides for simple setup and network management for Macs and PCs. For smartphone users you can also use the new Cisco Connect Express mobile App. The app allows quick access to common Cisco Connect features and your network information.

Speed and Performance?

Currently there are a few 450Mbps wireless routers on the market, all boasting to be the fastest. The truth is most users won't be able to take advantage of those speeds, making the argument a pretty moot point.

Why you ask do we say that? Well the answer  is simple:

Wireless users need a 450Mbps client adapter in order to realize the promised 450Mbps throughput speeds. The problem is most computers with integrated wireless are only rated at 150Mbps and most adapters available on the market are only rated at 300Mbps.

Sadly this means that when connecting to a 450Mbps router, a users computer's connection speed will be bottlenecked at the fastest theoretical rate their adapter provides. In layman's terms you are only going to get as much out of this router as your computer can support. If your wireless adapter is only capable of 150Mbps you aren't going to get anywhere near the fastest possible speed. Unfortunately we did not have a high speed 450Mbps adapter available during our review to see if the Linksys E4200v2 actually achieved those speeds.

Conclusion - is it worth the upgrade?

You might be asking yourself if it will actually be worth upgrading or not. Well it would be hard to give you an honest answer one way or the other. If you are currently running an older router or something slower then yes it may be. If you are already running the E4200 or another similar high performance router then probably not. If, like many, you just want the latest, greatest, best performing router on the market. Then by all means this might just be it!

In my personal opinion the changes Cisco made are nice and I did see some improvement. I didn't however see anything that would warrant an upgrade from anything I'm using now. The lack of availability of 450Mbps adapters really stifles the desire to spend the extra cash.Hopefully with the influx of faster routers well soon see more high speed adapters hitting the market. Once that happens the E4200v2 will definitely be a contender and likely make most people's wish list.

For those of you wanting to get your hands on the Linksys E4200v2 it has an MSRP of $199 and can be bought at Newegg.com, MacMall or Amazon.com.

A Guide to Internet Speed for Gaming

The following post is guest article by Ruben Corbo, a writer for the website Broadband Expert where you can find internet service providers in your area with a great online speed test application and compare prices on different deals for your mobile broadband needs.

---

So you're playing a game that relies on a good, stable internet connection and you find out that your link to the World Wide Web is slow and is affecting your game-play.

You're not alone, and you can't ignore it. Internet speed is crucial for an online game and for MMORPGs where players interact within a virtual game world. MMORPGs like Eve Online or World of Warcraft require an Internet connection with two characteristics: fast speeds and a quick ping.

(Courtesy of Flickr User: Akyan)

Is your internet connection good enough for gaming? You'll need to test it. Use a speed test to test your download and upload speeds, as well as your ping. Download and upload speeds measure how much data is transferred from your computer to the internet service provider (and thus the internet) and back per second. Ping is a measurement of how fast these data packets travel between you and the internet provider.

These numbers will give you a good idea of if your internet connection can handle your game. Compare your download and upload speeds to those required or recommended by your game. Speeds are usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or kilobits per second (Kbps). The more important number is the download speed. Upload speeds are only important if you are hosting an online game.

(Courtesy of Flickr User: tvol)

Some people test their internet connection and completely ignore ping. That's a mistake. Ping, which is also called latency, is measured in milliseconds and a great ping is less than 30ms. That means it takes 0.03 seconds for data to travel from your computer to another computer or network. A fast ping will guarantee that your game actions are quick and responsive. A ping of 30ms to 60ms is good, but a ping of 90ms could be a serious detriment to your gaming experience. If you have a large ping, you may find that your game actions are slow and unresponsive.

Don't just test your speeds and ping once. Test them multiple times, or even better, test them multiple times at different parts of the day for up to a week. This way, you can get a picture of the spikes in your speeds. Speeds can plummet during peak times when internet use is heavy, especially if your internet connection is shared. This way, you can find the times you get the best connection possible while avoiding peak use.

Which internet providers and plans you pick can have a significant impact on your internet connection speeds and ping. Try to aim for a company that can provide you with broadband internet, like DSL, cable, or FiOS, and do your research over the internet plans they provide and their max speeds. However, if you live in a rural area, your options may be limited.

If I were encountering issues with my internet speed during the middle of a game, I would ask myself these questions in this order:

- Are my current speeds and ping good enough for this game?

- What internet provider do I have right now, and is there any chance I can upgrade my internet connection or improve it? I would call my internet service provider and ask about ways to improve my speed and ping.

- Are there higher-tiered plans for slightly more per month?

- What high speed internet providers in my area can provide me with a reliable, stable internet connection? What high speed internet providers in my area can provide me with an internet connection with a low ping? If I can change internet service providers, which one can give me the best connection and speed in a plan that suits my budget?

Review: Linksys WES610N Entertainment Bridge

In today's connected world it seems like almost every device we own needs an internet connection. Whether it be a TV for streaming videos, a gaming console like the PS3 or Xbox for online gaming, or something else they all want to be online and while some are wireless not all have have made the leap. Enter the Linksys WES610N dual-band Wireless-N entertainment bridge.

With the WES610N you can connect virtually any wired device to wireless network. It provides a high speed dual band connection perfectly optimized for streaming video, sharing music or gaming. Simply plug your wired device into one of the four Ethernet ports, hit the connection button to sync to your router and you are good to go.

Compatibility
The Linksys WES610N is compatible with almost any device you throw at it. Here are just a few devices Linksys mentions.

• HD Televisions (Sony, Samsung, Vizio, LG, Panasonic)
• Blu-ray Players (Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic)
• Game Consoles (Sony PS3 and Microsoft Xbox)
• DVRs and Set-top boxes (Tivo, Dish Network, DirecTV)
• Media Players (Roku, Logitech, Seagate, Iomega, Western Digital)
• AV Receivers (Denon, Pioneer, Onkyo, Yamaha, Sony )
• Shared Storage (Western Digital, Iomega, Seagate)
• Printers (HP, Lexmark, Canon)

The full review!

Wireless networking devices these days are a breeze to setup. I normally don't use the Wi-Fi Protected Setup, instead opting for the old school route but it makes things pushbutton simple so I went ahead and used it this time. I paired the bridge with my Linksys E4200 router and I'm pretty sure this was a match made in heaven. The two devices synced nicely and gave me next to no hassles at all.

Instead of connecting a ton of devices, which I don't really own, I used a secondary PC to test transfer speeds and range. With the PC all the way at the other end of the house I got great signal strength and my file transfer speeds were just about as fast as I could ever ask for.

My overall opinion, for someone with a home entertainment setup  that perhaps has an internet ready TV, blu-ray player and maybe a gaming console that needs a wi-fi connection. The Linksys WES610N is a perfect device. You get four ports, dual band connectivity providing up to 300Mbps speeds, plenty of bandwidth and of course the trusted Linksys name.

Review: Linksys E1500 Wireless-N Router with SpeedBoost

Cisco's recent update of their Linksys E-Series routers brought us several new choices at several different price points. On the high end was the new Linksys E4200. While this is a great router, we loved it in our reviews, most home users won't need the power or features packed into such a high end device.

Enter the new entry level Linksys E1500 Wireless-N Router with SpeedBoost.

How is that new design?
Sharing many of the same design ques we saw in the E4200 the E1500 looks sleek. It features a new totally flat black color, completely flat shape, internal-antenna design and more noticeably the removal of any sign those annoying status lights. Instead, just like the E4200, it has only one light on top in the shape of the Cisco logo. This light is a solid soft white when everything is working as normal and blinks when the router boots up or something is not working correctly.

To me the new shape seems a bit odd. Where the E4200 is wider than it is long measuring 9"wide by 6" deep the E1500 is longer and sleeker measuring just under 6" wide by 7" deep. Neither of the routers take up much room and both are a far site better looking than most the competition so its not a major factor

E1500 Features and Specifications
The E1500 is your basic entry level Wireless-N router. The router doesn't have dual-band or Gigabit Ethernet. It does however offer Cisco's SpeedBoost feature, which is designed to provide extra wireless coverage. You also get the Linksys Guest Networking features. A feature that allows you to set up a separate wireless network for, you guessed it, guests. Their connection will be isolated from your main network so they will have access to the Internet but not your personal local network with shared files or devices.

Specs:

• Technology: Wireless-N with SpeedBoost
• Bands: 2.4 GHz
• Standards: IEEE 802.11b/g/n
• Security: Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), WEP, Wireless MAC Filtering
• AntennasTransmit / receive: 2 x 3 Internal
• Ethernet ports x speed: 4 x 10/100 (All Ethernet ports support auto-crossover (MDI/MDI-X) -- no need for crossover cables )

Step and Cisco's noted ease of use
As with all of Cisco's Linksys routers setup is a breeze. The E1500 features the standard Cisco Connect software which honestly has to be some of the easiest router software we've ever used. You also get the typical Wi-Fi Protected Setup button that initiates a 2-minute time window for hooking up your WPS-enabled wireless devices to the wireless network. The really couldn't make things and easier!

The one complaint we had about the setup is that I personally never use the software and instead opt for manually making my changes. The E1500 was persistent on insisting that I use the Cisco Connect software. For example, by skipping the software setup CD and browsing to the setup page a Web page appeared telling me to run the CD first. I thought this was a bit annoying but hardly anything that would deter me from using the router. The rest of the interface hasn't changed much and will look pretty familiar to anyone that has dealt with Cisco/Linksys routers in the past.

Performance, coverage and our conclusion
Being an entry level device doesn't mean sacrificing performance. During testing the router performed quit well. Range and throughput performance seem to be pretty much inline with what you'd expect from a router at this price point. For a standard single story 3-4 bedroom house you should expect pretty decent coverage. Anything beyond that and you might see some drop off.

The only major downsides we really found were the lack of Gigabyte Ethernet. More and more people are moving to sharing files and multimedia across more devices in their homes and those people will need the extra overhead that a Gigabyte network adds. For those homes that aren't going to be doing a lot of file transfers the router will be a nice addition.

Linksys E1500 2.4GHz Wireless-N Router with SpeedBoost Security: Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), WEP, Wireless MAC Filtering WPA/WPA2: WPA2 Ports: 1 x 10/100M WAN; 4 x 10/100M LAN LEDs: Power/Wi-Fi Protected Setup, Ethernet (1-4), Internet Frequency Band: 2.4GHz Antenna: Internal Antenna Interface: Ethernet Port Power Input: 12V, 0.5A

Cisco Releases Linksys E-Series Router Refresh

Cisco today announced the release of the company's new Linksys E-Series family − with a sleek new design and unmatched performance for premium video, gaming, and entertainment experiences .

The new Linksys E-Series lineup includes five routers, each with the latest technology in home wireless for a multitude of home entertainment experiences. The new routers not only provide the performance needed for today’s connected home, but also help to future-proof for new and emerging media technologies that are gaining traction with consumers, such as Internet-enabled TVs and Cisco’s ūmi telepresence. Designed with faster speeds (up to 450 Mbps*), other key features for select routers in the line include a 3x3 spatial stream configuration for improved coverage, external power amplifiers to maintain signal strength over a greater distance and reduce dead spots, and virtual USB technology to connect USB printers, storage and devices to the network. The full line also boasts a new industrial design that combines sleek contours and advanced functionality − recently earning the prestigious 2011 Red Dot Product Design Award for product design, innovation and quality.


“With more than 70 million routers sold, Linksys brings a decade of leadership and innovation to create products that consumers trust for the best wireless quality, performance and experience,” said Simon Fleming-Wood, vice president of marketing, Cisco Consumer Products. “Our new Linksys line offers an array of solutions for the needs of today’s home networking consumer - from basic Internet surfing to video and music streaming, to gaming.”


E-Series Wireless-N Routers

Pricing and Availability

There are eight new products in the Linksys family -- five routers and three switches. The suggested retail prices for the routers range from $59.99 to $179.99. Prices of the switches range from $29.99 to $74.99. The full line of Linksys routers and switches are available starting today at retailers nationwide or by visiting the Linksys website at www.linksys.com/store. 

For more details checkout our review of the new Linksys E4200, we'll also be reviewing a few of the other next generation E-series routers soon.

Review: Linksys E4200 dual-band 450Mbps router

Earlier this week Cisco unveiled the stylish new Linksys E4200 dual-band 450Mbps router. This sweet looking little router just happened to land on my desk and was begging for a thorough Geek News review.

First Impression - Wow what a sleek design!

This has to be one of the best looking devices on my desk at the moment. The entire router just screams luxury device with a sleek black matte housing featuring a center strip of silver metal on the top with Cisco's logo embossed on it. Gone are all the annoying flashing lights you see on most routers instead the logo glows a soft bluish-white when the router is connected and gently flashes during setup.

The E4200 features 6 (yes six) antennas for added range. However you'll never notice a single one since they are all tucked neatly inside. I've personally never used a router without external antennas but this one might have me sold!

Features - Down to the heart of the beast

Cisco touts the E4200 as a router designed for the tech enthusiast that wants the best in multi-use, multimedia home networking. Essentially they are billing the E4200 as the best of the best for the hardcore geeks out there have Web-connected TVs, game consoles, iPads, and other bandwidth-gobbling gadgets.

The router features simultaneous dual-band (2.4 and 5.0 GHz) Wi-Fi with four 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet ports. There is also a USB port on the back for attaching FAT32, NTFS, and HSF+ storage devices which provides basic NAS functionality, including performing as a Media or FTP server. This added feature is great foe networking devices such as external hard drives or flash drives and setup is a breeze. (We covered the use in our review of the E2100L)

The Linksys E4200 also provides cross-platform capability supporting Windows XP (SP3), Vista (SP1 and above), Windows 7, and Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.11, Leopard 10.5.8 and Snow Leopard 10.6.1. Unfortunately, there's no official Linux support but that may be coming!

Setup - Can Cisco make this any easier?

The E4200 ships with the standard easy to use Cisco Connect software that makes setup and management off all their browsers a snap. If you've ever used a Cisco/Linksys router you know how easy their software is to follow and how quick and easy setup is.

I personally never use the software and instead opt for manual mode which hasn't changed much. The interface will look pretty familiar to anyone that has dealt with Cisco/Linksys routers in the past.

For those that choose to use the new Cisco Connect software you'll find a couple of new features, one of which is an Internet speed test that will measure the speed of the Internet connection. The second is the ability to shut off the rear LED lights to the ports on the back.

This was one new feature that I absolutely loved! The feature can be found from the router's home page using the address http://192.168.1.1/Status_Ports.asp. Cisco doesn't allow users to dim the glowing Cisco logo that's on top of the router which would have been nice but the soft white glow isn't as annoying as the constant flashing of other front facing leds!

Speed and Performance - Do I get more bang for my buck?

At $180 the E4200 is a high-powered high priced router, unfortunately at this time unless you have a laptop equipped with an Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 or 5300 Wi-Fi adapter you can't take full advantage of that speed and power. Cisco promises that in the future there will be USB adapters and add-in cards that support the speeds but for now you are going to be limited to 300 Mbps (more than fast enough for most things).

During my initial, all be it limited, testing speeds and range seemed to be similar to what we saw when testing the Linksys E2100L. I got excellent coverage through out the entire house which extended well outside. I haven't done any throughput tests however those given by CNet in their review show the the E4200 excelled. CNet claims "the E4200 is the fastest true dual-band router they've seen when it comes to wireless performance" and that is good enough for me!


Conclusion - To buy or not to buy, that is the question!

The Linksys E4200 is definitely a high-powered stylish router and it is more then capable of handling anything the geekiest of geeks can throw at it. For those living in the modern well connected home that has several high-intensive network devices like the latest home theater equipment streaming loads of video, gaming consoles or other equipment that saps bandwidth router will surely be impressive and would make a fine addition to your network. For the average every day geek that is looking to buy a replacement router and want some future-proofing you might also take a peek at the E4200.

For the average home user that doesn't fall into the two categories above, well this router really isn't your best option. You might opt for the Linksys E2100L, Linksys E2000 or one of the Cisco Valet series routers

Currently the Linksys E4200 is only available online at the Linksys store at http://homestore.cisco.com or at BestBuy.com (here) you may also find it at select Best Buy brick and mortar locations for an MSRP of $179.99.  The E4200 will roll out to other retail and online retailers over the next few months.

Cisco Introduces The New Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual Band N Router

The Linksys E4200 is a powerful simultaneous dual-band Wireless-N router optimized for maximum wireless experience. A built-in USB port and UPnP media server lets you stream HD videos seamlessly directly from your router to your wireless devices. Share files with other computers wirelessly, with network speeds of up to 450 Mbps. Maximize gaming performance with the router's 4 Gigabit ports. Plus, the latest version of Cisco Connect software gets you set up in a few simple steps and offers powerful tools for managing your wireless network.

“Cisco’s Linksys line continues to lead the industry with innovative technology for the growing number of wireless-enabled homes”, said Simon Fleming-Wood, vice president of marketing, Cisco Consumer Products. “The new Linksys E4200 router is ideal for home entertainment enthusiasts who want to equip their homes with the latest wireless technology or anyone who wants the reassurance of outfitting their home with the best router on the market today.”


Product Details:

• Maximum performance up to 300 Mbps (2.4) and up to 450 Mbps (5.0GHz)
• Dual Band (2.4 and 5.0 GHz)
• 4 10/100/1000 Gigabit ports
• 6 antennas for maximum range
• SpeedBoost for maximum speed at greater distances for added in-home mobility
• 3X3 internal MIMO special stream configuration on the 5.0 Ghz band for ideal performance for streaming HD videos, gaming and voice

Features:

• Quality of Service (QoS) for prioritizing bandwidth for movies, voice or music
• UPnP media server for adding on storage to serve your Internet enabled TVs or media server PCs
• USB port for easily adding external storage drives
• New design

Software:

• Advanced security: WPA and WPA2 and Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) Firewall
• Plans to support IPv6 in the spring
• Cisco Connect software for enabling simple setup, network management tools (parental controls, guest access) plus optional advanced settings

Pricing and Availability:
The Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router is immediately available for an MSRP of $179.99 at Best Buy, Best Buy.com and the Linksys store at http://homestore.cisco.com. The E4200 will roll out to other retail and online retailers over the next few months.

Here is the link for our review of the Linksys E4200!

Review: Linksys E2100L Wireless-N Router

Linksys has a long standing as one of the best networking brands on the market. I know I've used their routers for years any absolutely love them. It wasn't until recently that I upgraded from my old WRT-54G with the hacked DD-WRT Firmware to something new. Of course when I was shopping around the first place I looked was at the new Linksys models.

As timing would have it they asked us if we'd like to review one of their new E-Series routers. So we jumped for the chance and made a tough call and went with the new Linksys E2100L. More on that decision later!

These days Linksys is owned by Cisco, which is of course one of the best know names in networking. Recently the company introduced several new products under the Cisco/Linksys name one of which is the new Valet line of wireless routers for home users. Along side the home based Valet line Cisco Systems also detailed a new line of routers for business and tech savvy users. These new routers have Cisco in their name but Linksys as their model number.

This new series is know as the Linksys E-series which includes four new Wireless-N routers: Linksys E1000, Linksys E2000, Linksys E2100L, and Linksys E3000.

The E1000 is the budget router for people with lighter networking needs. The E2000 is a midrange wireless router with support for Gigabit Ethernet and selectable dual-band, letting it to in either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands. The Linksys E2100L is a slightly more advanced model powered by Linux that allows for more customization and flexibility in network control and optimization. It doesn't support Gigabit Ethernet or dual-band wireless, but it has a USB port and a built-in UPnP AV Media Server that is capable of streaming digital content from attached USB drives to an Xbox 360, PS3, or other compatible devices.

The top of the line is the Linksys E3000, which supports all the features available in Cisco consumer-grade wireless routers, including simultaneous dual-band, Gigabit Ethernet, built-in UPnP AV media server, USB port to host network storage, and more.

Today we are focusing on the Linksys E2100L which after much deliberation we selected as providing the best band for your geek buck. Why you may ask? We'll we figured most of our readers would want the option of having the USB port for file sharing and the being the geeks we are we wanted the added customization of the Linux based OS. Now I know the Linksys E3000 offers dual band as well as Gigabit Ethernet but we figured most shoppers would want to save some of their hard earned cash and not splurge on the E3000.

Linksys E2100L Specifications

• Model: Linksys E2100L
• Technology: Wireless-N
• Standards: IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11b/g, IEEE802.11n Draft
• Bands: 2.4 GHz
• Security: WPA/WPA2 Personal SPI firewall protection
• Antennas: 2 Detachable
• Ethernet ports x speed: 4 x 10/100
• USB port: Yes for centralized file sharing with NAS devices
• OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Setup

Right out of the box Linksys routers are amongst the easiest you'll find to setup and the E2100L. You can either run the Cisco Connect software or do it the old fashioned way and log direct into the interface and adjust your settings as needed.

Considering we opted for the E2100L because of the Linux Based OS we opted to forgo using the Cisco Connect software and manual adjust all of our settings. For users of older Linksys models most of the UI will look familiar and is easy to navigate. We had most of our settings changed and our router secured and up and running in just a few mins. Setting up the built-in media server and adding an external drive was a bit different and took a few attempts with a few different devices but once it was running things went smoothly.

Wireless Coverage

With all wireless routers range is one of the biggest areas of concern. After all if you can't get a wireless signal its pretty pointless to have the router. Being that the E2100L is a Draft N router and has dual external antennas it should have decent range. During my testing I was only able to use Wireless-G devices (at the time we didn't have any draft n devices setup).

For the most part coverage was fine, when I say fine I mean I had a decent signal. The downside to that is that it was no better than my older router. To be honest that disappointed me a bit. I didn't expect much of a gain but I did figure it being a newer router it might offer a little better coverage.

Built-in Media Server

Cisco says the built-in USB port can be used for connecting to an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or other USB storage device, allowing you to share your files at home or over the Internet. We however had a few issues setting it up with our flash drives. I couldn't diagnose the issue any further than the devices simply not working. Testing with other devices, more specifically our external hard drive went rather smoothly and setup was quick and easy.

The E2100L also includes a built-in UPnP AV media server that streams music, video, and photos from your storage device to an Xbox 360, PS3, or other UPnP AV-compatible device. We only used the device on a local machine that was wired but we did test the media server functions and we can say streaming locally was very smooth. We found no playback issues and no file transfer issues what so ever.

Conclusion

Being a Linksys fan from the start I might sound a bit bias here but I'll say I honestly think the new E-Series routers are some of the best I've used. Price wise they are a bit expensive, I believe they are now down to $70-80 whcih would make it a great deal, the E2100L was priced at $120 when we first spotted them, but the features are pretty hard to beat.

Having the addition of the built-in USB port was one feature that really drew me to the E2100L. Is that something worth paying more for. Well for me at the original price it certainly wouldn't be. Its nice to have but I could setup a networked NAS or a share from my PC and be content. At the lower prices I've seen lately I would say yes it is definitely a feature that would draw me to this router.

For the average user going with something slightly cheaper like the Cisco Valet series will likely be a better option. For the geeks out there that want something packed with features and aren't really concerned with cost I'd say the E3000 is a better bet. You'd add dual band and Gigabyte Ethernet both of which would nice to have. For the Linux/DD-WRT users out there that are drawn to the E2100L for it's Linux use, honestly I'd say you are better off finding something with all the features you want (possibly the E3000) and flashing the device.