NETGEAR FR114W ProSafe 802.11b Wireless-Ready Firewall Router Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is an excellent router with rock solid performance. Unlike my previous Linksys BEFSR41 which needs to be reset every couple of weeks and drops game connections more often than I'd like. This one maintains game connection well. Router admin operations (most) does not drop any existing connections, unlike the Linksys which resets the router at the slightest configuration change. The SPI firewall works nicely and the latest firmware (beta as of this writing) supports UPNP (Windows Messenger Audio/Video). One nice feature is you can turn off the wireless to LAN bridge, so your roommates can surf the internet but can't physically access any machine wired directly to the router.
On the down side, the wireless signal strength (with a Netgear wireless card) is a little on the weak side. Hardly a surprise considering it's using the wireless card. You may re-consider if you need one that covers a lot of range. The telnet interface is also gone, but most people probably don't care. At one time, my router started to emit a high pitch hiss, caused by long usage of the wireless portion. I disconnected the power for a while and now it seems to be ok. Maybe they used a cheap component somewhere.
There's a different model called FR114P, essentially the same, except it lacks the wireless slot but adds a print server port. You may look into it if you don't need wireless capabilities.

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The Netgear FR114W cable/DSL wireless-ready router has all the office network protection features you could want. Prepared for the future with wireless-ready capability, Netgear's ProSafe 802.11b wireless-ready firewall has you covered both ways. This true firewall is broadband capable, and provides you with the utmost in business-class security--Denial of Service protection and intrusion detection using Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), URL access and content filtering, logging, reporting, and real-time alerts. VPN pass-through maximizes network security with access control and encryption. With four auto sensing, switched LAN ports and Network Address Translation (NAT) routing, up to 253 users can access your broadband connection at the same time. Smart Wizard and Install Assistant get your network up and running in minutes, and a complete antivirus software bundle is included at no extra cost to shield your network with additional protection.

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SMC SMC7008BR Cable/DSL Router with 8 Port Switch Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been through the whole progression of sharing the cable modem at my house for 5 home PC's and my work laptop. I started with the Microsoft solution of ICS (I specifically upgraded to Windows 98 SE to get that feature). I used thinnet on my home network and it worked ok but having to have the one PC on for the rest was awkard and it was slow for the kids multiplayer games. I then moved on to a SMC 7004BR router and it was bliss. Easy setup except the printer sharing. Even there I called their support and they walked me through it. I have since stepped up to the 7008BR for two locations I manage and these are better than the 7004BR (Faster too). I cannot recommend them enough.

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Designed for small to midsized offices, the SMC cable/DSL router combinesa multifunctional broadband router with a seven-port 10/100 Mbps dual-speed switch, a built-in print server, an RS232 COM port for modem connections, and an Internet firewall for extra security. A WAN port along with Network Address Translation (NAT) extend simultaneous Internet access for up to 253 PCs on a LAN. The router also supports VPN tunneling via PPTP/IPSec pass-through, allowing remote users secure access to their corporate infrastructure.
With auto-assigning of LAN and IP addresses, the SMC7008BR enables multiple users to connect to the Internet using a single WAN/IP address.
Included software ensures instant, self-configuring installation or your money back. The SMC cable/DSL router comes with a limited lifetime warranty and 24/7 technical support.

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Sabrent PCI-PCMCIA PCI to PCMCIA CardBus Host Adapter Controller Card Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)OS auto-installed the driver for the Richo chip that this card uses, on first boot, without feeding it the driver disk. If whatever pcmcia card ye use, can't find the resources to play nice, just swap this card to a different PCI slot and you'll be fine. Sometimes yer computer's nit-picky where it likes which cards to be. One small Caveat: This picture's wrong. It shows a double height slot for taking double thick cards. That's why I bought this'n over the others. But, that isn't what I got. Twas only single height slot. I had to remove the bracket & widen the slot out with a dremmel to fit my double thick Xircom card. Not a deal-breaker, but should be noted. Amazon's product descriptions are a bit skimpy where it counts sometimes . . . YMMV
Bottom line: A solid inexpensive solution to offer a second life to your extra PCMCIA cards.

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Netgear DS106 6-Port 10/100 Dual Speed Hub with Uplink Button Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)An earlier review stated "this hub only appears to provide half-duplex support".This is part of the definition of a hub vs a switch, thus the product is not flawed. A switch will provide full duplex and is more appropriate for multiple high bandwidth devices. If you're attempting to decide HUB vs SWITCH, do a google search before you buy.
I have been a fan of Netgear products since they were originally under BayNetworks. They make high quality devices, attractive design, and they normally offer long warranties. This product is no different. I've had it serving up a couple of machines now for over a year without incident. It's remained on 24 hours / 365 days and performs nicely.
The only downside I've seen with Netgear is their on going support (Firmware upgrades, etc.). Obvisouly that won't be an issue with this device, but something to consider if your also looking at them to provide a router solution. Also, the power adaptors seem to go a little too often.
All and all, this is a great hub and wonderful price. I can think of no reason for some who needs a hub to not pick this up.

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The Netgear DS100 series of 10/100 Mbps dual-speed hubs connects multiple PCs to share printers, files, Internet access, and e-mail communications. One can mix and match 10 and 100 Mbps PCs, servers, and peripherals with these hubs, all without any configuration required. The DS100 family combines many capabilities in little space, and the units are designed for price-conscious small-business owners. One can connect 10 or 100 Mbps network devices to the hub. Each port individually senses and adjusts to run at the proper speed.
Each unit has a built-in self-learning bridge that provides the communications link between the 10 and 100 Mbps network devices. The intelligent bridge automatically manages network traffic so that 10 Mbps traffic and 100 Mbps traffic do not crowd each other's segments.

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Dell TrueMobile 2300 Wireless Broadband Router, Model WX-5565D Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought that router because the cable modem from Comcast is crap, so I need a router to share the internet connection with other computers at home.
I am so glad that router is cheap because it's not an newest model, but it works well. It's not 802.11n but it's enough for me at this moment.

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Netgear RT311 DSL/Cable Internet Gateway Router Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The RT311 is a simple, easy-to-install solution for sharing a broadband Internet connection for small office / home office (SOHO) users. It's about as close to plug and play as you're likely to get.
Most situations can be covered with the Windows-based installation tool. You'll need all the pertinent info from your provider (IP address, gateway address, DNS address, netmask, etc.), but with this in-hand, the graphical installer makes it easy.
More advanced needs, and people who frequently play online multi-user games, will need more expertise to use the RT311. Advanced configurations can only be made by telnetting to the box itself, or by connecting a serial cable and using a terminal program. This won't be an easy task for average users, and while the manual is well-written and thorough, it can't (and doesn't) train newbies on the basics; some level of skill is assumed.
Its "firewall" security is centered around NAT (network address translation), which does afford some level of security for your network. (It's also what makes connection sharing work.) In short, private IP addresses are assigned to PCs on your network, and the RT311 remaps connections to a single public IP address assigned by your provider. In this way, your PC is not directly accessible from the outside world, since by default, unsolicited incoming TCP/IP connections are denied access to the network. That's fine, but for real security, look to a SonicWall or something more advanced. The RT311 won't likely do much for certain types of hacker attacks, like Denial of Service (DoS), "ping of death," IP spoofing, and the like, which some more sophisticated solutions do address.
NAT also causes problems for some applications. For example, IRC will be tough to use, because most IRC servers require IDENT, and IDENT requests won't pass through the device to your desktop. Dialpad.com, Napster uploads to other users, and a variety of other applications will not work in the RT311's default configuration. You'll need to configure "SUA" for this (i.e., port remapping), but again, that requires telnet or a terminal program, and non-technical users will likely find this a challenge (at least at first).
In addition, your port remapping capabilities are limited. You have your choice of remapping everything to a particular machine on the network (not a good idea, and defeats all firewall security, so use it temporarily and sparingly), or mapping selected ports by number. But you can configure a maximum of only six (6) of those, which may not be enough for power users or networks with many users and applications. (The D-Link and Linksys solutions that compete with the RT311 offer just slightly more flexibility here.)
Using a hardware solution like the RT311 is, in my experience, far better and more reliable than software-based solutions like WinProxy. (But of course, WinProxy offers web caching, content filtering, and other features that the RT311 and its competitors do not. But I favor the reliability of a dedicated piece of hardware to loading down my PC with yet another task.)
Otherwise, the unit does as advertised. It's economical, well supported, well warranted, and well built. Its manual, which is supplied electronically, is as good as they come. And most everything you'll need is in the box (including the basic required cables).
One final note: Be aware that this is a real, Ethernet-based solution. You'll need a 10-Base-T or 100-Base-T local area network (LAN), including hubs or switches as needed, and your DSL or cable modem will also need 10-Base-T Ethernet for hook-up. (This box is not really the right choice for sharing dial-up or ISDN connections.)

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Netgear's RT311 Internet access gateway router allows up to 32 users secure admission to the Internet from a single ISP (Internet service provider) account. It works in conjunction with DSL or cable modems for high-speed Internet access.
Compatible with 10/100 Mbps networks, the Netgear RT311 establishes a firewall that prevents hackers and unauthorized users from interfering in your business. NAT protocols hide the local IP addresses from outside Internet users. Port forwarding and customizable filters allow only authorized users to gain access to your site and files.
The Netgear RT311 is compatible with Internet conferencing, RealAudio, RealVideo, and most chat programs. FirstGear, a Windows-based configuration tool, enables simple installation. All the necessary cables are included, as is a setup guide.
Netgear provides a five-year warranty on parts and labor.

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Belkin Wireless Play Max Router (F7D4301) Review

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(More customer reviews)My experience with this router has been one major mistake after another. I didn't check the Amazon reviews before purchasing - my mistake. I bought it (not through Amazon) - my mistake. I threw away the packaging after setting it up and now I can't return - major mistake.
Although this thing was simple enough to set-up, it has been a major letdown for all of the reasons that other reviewers have mentioned. I've had it for 2 weeks now, and I count it a good day if I only have to reset the damn thing once. My devices all run more slowly than on my old router, and the stupid thing freezes up constantly. I've also run into multiple IP address conflict messages and have to reset it to prevent those messages as well.
I'm so frustrated that I'll likely trash the pile of junk and go buy another brand. Shame on me for buying this thing - and shame on me for not keeping the packaging until I knew how it worked (or didn't in this case).

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Belkin's PlayMax Wireless Router with the latest Dual-Band N technology, gives you the fastest, most reliable speeds for streaming video, playing music and gaming online.

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NETGEAR WNDR3300 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router Review

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(More customer reviews)This seemed like one of the best home use Netgear wireless routers when looking at the Netgear model line up. When I bought this router, I didn't fully understand how "dual band" worked, but it sounded good for reducing interference. I wanted the best, so I got this one.
Now I realize I cannot benifit from the dual band. The WNDR3300 can only be wirelessly configured in the following ways:
N at 2.4 GHz with max 270 Mbps (uses +- 4 channels for extra bandwidth, a/b/g clients also work)
N at 5 GHz with max 270 Mbps and Legacy G at 2.4 GHz with max 54 Mbps
N at 2.4 GHz with max 130 Mbps (considered neighbor friendly version, reduces number of channels utilized)
N at 5 GHz with max 130 Mbps and Legacy G at 2.4 GHz with max 54 Mbps
So if you don't have any N clients that can utilize 5 GHz, you cannot benifit from dual band. I also ended up having a client (LG BD390 Blu-ray player) that just would not work using N at 2.4 GHz (even though LG documentation says it is compatible with 802.11n draft standard). For this one client, I had to step down to Legacy G at 2.4 GHz. I would have been fine with just an old fashion G router.
Doing some tests, I realized with Legacy G, I was getting the same performance with N at 2.4 GHz with max 270 Mbps, so I wasn't too disappointed about having to step down to Legacy G. Hopefully LG and/or Netgear will provide a firmware update that will allow the two devices to communicate using N.
Signal stength is better than what I had before. I can now stream Vudu HDX wirelessly (extreamly demanding). With my previous router, I could only stream Vudu HD (less demanding). So I hesitate in taking this back, thinking I paid more than I needed to. There are multiple antennas in this device and the lights on the big blue button tells you which antenna is being employed. This antenna technology also seems to benifit Legacy G. By the way, you can shut off the flashing blue lights just by pressing the big blue button (hold less than 2 seconds).
-- Begin Update 12/15/2009 --
I did some further tests comparing N with Legacy G. It seems the N on 2.4 GHz with max 270 Mbps has worse range than the Legacy G. I'm comparing signal bar strength of various apps in various locations in my home. So it seems stepping down to the older G works better. All in all, I've decided to keep this router dispite my uninformed decision to purchase it. I'm convinced the 8 internal antennas is helping matters compared to my previous router. Performance is markedly better than before, so I don't want to risk taking the time and money to experiment.
-- End Update 12/15/2009 --

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What is NETGEARs WNDR3300 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router? Surf, email, stream HD video, on-line game, make Internet phone callssimultaneously More wireless channels, less interference and better connections using dual band Wireless-N Wirelessly connect new devices easily and securely with Push `N Connect Automatically adjusts to the needs of Internet, voice, video and gaming applications (QoS) Use with a RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Adapter and boost your performance and rangeFeatures New Wireless-N technology delivers exceptional range and speed Dual Band has more channels, less interference and better connections Works with older Wireless-G and newest Wireless-N devices at the same time Push `N Connect wirelessly connects new devices easily and securely No need to remember your security password For use with other Push `N Connect supported devices Easy setup with Smart Wizard installation CD

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Belkin Play N600 Wireless Dual Band N Router Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For Christmas, one of the gifts I presented to my wife was a new laptop computer. She loved it, however, after a few days she starting complaining that she really needed access to the internet via her laptop, especially once her classes started back up in January. I started searching for options and didn't care for the wireless on-the-go route. I thought $50 a month coupled with a 2 year contact was too expensive and wouldn't even know if it would solve my issue. Then, I started looking at dual band routers and narrowed it down to two, the Belkin N600 and the Netgear N600. Both were made in China and had about the same features. I ended up going with the Belkin because it was on sale for $10 less than the Netgear. I also liked the the slim design and built in stand, whereas the Netgear had a separate stand if you wanted the item to stand vertical instead of laying horizontal. Once home, the installation was extremely easy and I was up and running in less than 10 minutes from start to finish. Upon completion of downloading the latest updates for my wife's laptop, I turned it over to her. She was thrilled and spent the next 3-4 hours on the machine. She never encountered an issue with the connection, and loved being able to access her files and folders from our other desktop computer. The speed at which she was accessing (surfing) the internet was very impressive. We live in a very large house and had no problems with the connection, it performed flawlessly. Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase and decision to go with the Belkin. It works exactly as advertised and I sincerely believe it is a great dual band router for the money.

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Belkin Play N600 Wireless Dual Band N Router

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Draytek Vigor 2820Vn - Wireless router - DSL - 3-port switch - Gigabit Ethernet - 802.11b/g/n (draft 2.0) - VoIP phone adapter - desktop Review

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(More customer reviews)Très bon produit. Communication rapide. Accès pratique des prises situé à l'avant, RJ45 et USB Plug and play (clé USB). Jamais réussie à branché un disque dur externe dans le port USB nécéssite un adapteur NAT. La configuration est un peu difficile et élaboré, mais pas insurmontable! Téléphonie IP à testé....

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Belkin Play N600 HD Wireless Dual Band N Router Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Our router bit the dust and my son had taken to connecting to the neighbor's access point, while I chose to tether to my mobile phone. Meanwhile, it was only a matter of time before other family members found dissatisfaction in either of these contingencies. What is a skinflint like me to do?
I wanted, well, everything...
* 802.11 b/g/n
* at least 4 gigabit Ethernet ports
* dual-band
* ability to connect an external drive as a simple NAS
* a 2-yr warranty would be nice
Costco had these on sale for $89.99. I couldn't say 'no'.
Setup was a breeze. The Belkin Router Monitor app sits in the System Tray and makes configuration easy. Most configuration parameters have help files that can be called up by clicking on the parameter's title and help files are quite good.
Performance is very good. Gigabit Ethernet ports are fast (as they should be). Wireless is predictable (so far) and reaches 150-ft (54Mb). Configuring remote devices is easy.
Only thing is, when I connected my 1TB WD MyBook drive, the router would not recognize it. I finally called tech support and learned that the router ONLY supports SELF-POWERED portable USB drives or thumb drives. I tested this with a 320GB Seagate FreeAgent Go drive, which I had on hand, and the router detected it instantly and network access was very quick. I'm glad I didn't buy an externally powered drive.

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Belkin Play N600 HD Wireless Dual Band N Router

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Cisco-Linksys WRT320N Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have this router now for six weeks. Right out of the box it gave me great speed over wired Gigabit ethernet. But over a few days, the speed went down to good ol' dial-up times. Only a router reset gave back the full speed - for a few hours until the problem came up again.
There was long discussion about this problem over at the vendor forum, and finally the issue was solved by Linksys/Cisco (had something to do with UPnP, you don't wanna know the details).
So please do yourself a favor: Buy this router. It is the best device for a home great network with a fast internet connection. BUT immediately after purchase, upgrade the router firmware to Ver 1.0.03 build 10 (release date 08/13/2009). It will save you the trouble I had.


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Get ready for the power of Wireless-N technology with the Linksys by Cisco WRT320N Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router that provides ultra-fast transfer speeds, air-tight security features, greater coverage, and support for wireless and wired devices. Dual Wireless-N radio bands ensure less interference from other wireless networks, and four integrated Gigabit Ethernet ports provides support for a variety of wired devices at blazing-fast speeds ideal for streaming videos, gaming, and ultra-quick file transfers.
Wireless-N Technology for Superior Performance Wireless-N is the latest technology built for faster transfer speeds with less interference and greater range. The WRT320N features dual Wireless-N radio bands for a crystal-clear signal with less static and interference from other wireless networks in the area. Plus it's versatile – the WRT320N Router will work great with any of your existing Wireless-G, B, or A devices, so you don't have to go out and purchase all new equipment.
The power of Wireless-N makes it an ideal choice for heavy gaming, streaming video, and large file transfers. With the WRT320N, you get Multiple in, Multiple Out MIMO technology, which utilizes signal reflections that work to boost range and reduce dead spots. This means greater coverage, less interference, and reduced dropped signals.
Four Gigabit-Enabled Ports for Wired Devices The WRT320 Dual-Band Wireless-N Router enables you to not only have an ultra-fast wireless network, but also to connect all of your Gigabit-enabled wired devices - such as storage drives, computers, and printers – at the same blazing-fast speeds as your wireless devices. All four of the Gigabit ports support auto-crossover (MDI/MDI-X), so there's no need to purchase crossover cables. The versatile WRT320N is the only router you'll ever need for your home network.
Air-Tight Security Features The WRT320N protects your wireless network from security breaches and malicious attacks from hackers with its two powerful, built-in security features. This router features both 128-Bit encryption and SPI Firewall for air-tight security that will keep your network safe and secure from Internet attacks.
Minimum System Requirements Internet Explorer 6.0, Safari 3.0, or Firefox 1.0; CD-ROM drive; Windows XP, Vista or Vista 64-bit edition; Wired or Wireless Network Adapter
Compatible with Windows and Macintosh, the Linksys WRT320N Wireless-N Router measures 7.95 x 1.34 x 6.3 inches and weighs 10.58 ounces. It is backed by a 1-year limited warranty.
What's in the Box Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router, setup CD-ROM, User Guide CD-ROM, Quick Install, Ethernet network cable, and power adapter.

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VIZIO XWR100 Dual-Band HD Wireless Internet Router Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As Vizio products had the reputation for being the 'WalMart' of electronics, I was skeptical to try this router. I did some homework and found that others who had tried it were Very satisfied with it's performance. What better endorsement than that of a fellow user? So, since the price was Half that of the Cisco comparable - why not give it a shot. I had been using a Netgear wireless G and was having no problems. When I added a Sony HD TV and BluRay player, set up for wireless -- I began to have some stalls and 'waiting to catch up' times - especially on Netflix HD feeds. This Vizio dedicated the to 5.4 band Just for the HD video feed and has performed better than I Ever hoped.
Set-up was Out of the Box to Working in less than 10 mins. The interface is Easy to use. All my devices (3 PCs - 2 iTouch - and a Sony Dock - in addition to the TV) recognized and accepted the device immediately.
I would buy one again, and definitly recommend this to anyone wanting to watch HD streaming TV.

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Cisco-Linksys WRT610N Simultaneous Dual-N Band Wireless Router Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Pros: Great speed. Wireless is only less than 5% slower than ethernet connection. USB link port is very solid.
Cons: Not designed for people who want plug & play devices with no knowledge of networking.
I will agree with a lot of people regarding people that stated that this router is no good. Those people do not know what they're doing.
I bought a REFURBISHED version 1... and it works perfect. After reading so many bad reviews, I had the feeling that all refurbished WRT610Ns were probably from people who didn't know how to get it to work properly.****HOW TO PROPERLY SETUP A WRT610N ROUTER****
1) Download the latest firmware to your computer from Linksys' website. Do this even before you receive your WRT610N. Reading all the comments about the firmware, I didn't even bother trying the stock firmware.
2) Upon receiving the router, plug in the power cable and plug it into the AC outlet. No CAT5 cables yet.
Once it powers up, hold the reset button for a few seconds until the power light starts to blink. Release the reset button.
3) Once it powers up completely, plug your computer to the router with a CAT5 cable. Log into the router. Upload the new firmware.
4) After the upload is complete, unplug the power cable from the router, wait a few seconds, then plug it back it. This is to be assure the load was good.
5) Wireless configurations:
#1 Rule: Do not use auto on both G and N. Set 2.5Ghz band for B-G only and to a certain channel (6 or 11 works best). And set 5Ghz band for N only.
#2 Rule: Do not use the same encryption on both G and N. Set different encryption methods (example., WPA2 for N, WEP for G)
6) Disconnect the CAT5 cable, and try connecting to the N-wireless (do not connect to G. this is for testing purposes) Once your pc connects to the N network wirelessly, log into the router wirelessly.
7) 5Ghz in its nature is a sensitive frequency. The higher the frequency, the weaker the signal gets... but also gets faster. With that said, the 5Ghz N portion needs to be tweaked to what works best.
- On your computer, open up the Wireless Network Connection Status window. Leave this window open at all time so you can see the connection speed (If you have more than one pc with wireless N, do the same thing).
- Log into the router via wireless N. Go to Wireless Advanced section. Band: do not set AUTO on the band. Start off with 40Mhz. From there, pick the first channel (44 or something like that).
- Now check the speed(s) of the pc connection(s). Try out ever 40Mhz band until you find the best speed. If no band is solid, then result to 20Mhz. Once most solid and fastest speed is achieved, save the configs.
COMPLETE!
USB Link:
The USB link worked great. But there are some pointers. I tried two harddrives. 320GB 5400RPM SATA and 320GB 7200RPM SATA. Both were clones of each other; clean NTFS formatted with nothing but videos and music. I would recommend to edit SHARE and click on SHARE ENTIRE PARTITION. It seems much more fluid with that on. Ok, after I named my drive, shared the whole partition, and clicked on access rights, I mapped the drive to each computer to test the stability and speed. I did have a problem with my music folder that had 355 sub-folders (individual albums); it would randomly see all 355 folders. It would see 210, then 340, the 290, etc. It was a strange behavior. Since both harddrives were clones of each other, I formatted one harddrive using the Linksys Router function. It formatted the drive to NTFS FAT2. First time I've used FAT2. After I copied the contents back to the drive, I tested it again. It actually finds the files much faster than before. Don't know why. I haven't had a problem with missing folders either. Everything is found instantly. So I would highly recommend to format using the Linksys Router function. I did test out between 5400rpm and 7200rpm to see which would be better for a media storage. Attached to the linksys, neither one of them showed an real differences. I tried file transfer, playing lossless music, pictures, HD movies... all had the same performance. So I would recommend to just pick a 5400rpm since it runs on lower power consumption.
Stress Test:
I ran a very thorough performance test to see if this router could handle it.
Laptop #1 - wireless N 300Mbps connection
Laptop #2 - wireless N 280Mbps connection
Laptop #3 - wireless G 54Mbps
PS3 - wireless G 54Mbps
Wii - wireless G 54Mbps
NAS Harddrive on USB Link port
Laptop #1 to download multiple 3-5GB files from the internet.
Laptop #2 was streaming an HD movie 1080p from the NAS harddrive.
Laptop #3 was streaming lossless music from the NAS harddrive (54Mbps is too slow for HD movies)
PS3 was in an online game session (Marvel vs Capcom 2) as a spectator watching everyone play
Wii was set to stream a tv channel (Japanese Wii)
Laptop #1 was downloading at 35Mbps (which is about 2Mbps slower than when directly connected to the internet modem without Linksys). So that was still downloading at flying speeds even with all the traffic. Laptop #2 had no problem streaming an HD movie. There was some bit delay if I paused the movie or FF. But playing the movie, switching languages on the fly, etc... had no problems at all. It played smoothly. Laptop #3 was playing flac lossless audio files while browsing through the folders with no problems. PS3 never lost the connection to the online game. And the Wii never froze with the tv channel. I ran this test overnight with no problems at all.
Conclusion: This router works. It's very fast, stable, and had no problems. Just make sure you configure it properly. One piece of advise regarding wireless cards, stay away from the Intel N cards. They work poorly with the Linksys N routers. I tried three different Intel N cards and two Linksys N routers. I was never able to achieve a 300Mbps connection with any configuration.
I hope you will find this review helpful.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys WRT610N Simultaneous Dual-N Band Wireless Router

Linksys Ultra RangePlus, Simultaneous Dual-N Band Wireless RouterThe Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router is really four devices in one box.First, there's the dual-band Wireless Access Point, which lets you connect to the network without wires.There's also a built-in 4-port full-duplex 10/100/1000 Switch to connect your wired-Ethernet devices together at up to gigabit speeds.The Router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection. We've also included a Storage Link that lets you easily add gigabytes of storage space onto your network using readily available USB 2.0 hard drives -- or plug in a USB flash disk for a convenient way to access your portable data files.The built-in Media Server streams music, video, and photos from the attached storage device to any UPnP compatible media adapter.And you can get to your files from anywhere in the world through the Internet.The Access Point built into the Router uses a dual-band version of the very latest wireless networking technology, Wireless-N (draft 802.11n).By overlaying the signals of multiple radios for each band, Wireless-N's "Multiple In, Multiple Out" (MIMO) technology multiplies the effective data rate.Unlike ordinary wireless networking technologies that are confused by signal reflections, MIMO actually uses these reflections to increase the range and reduce "dead spots" in the wireless coverage area.The robust signals travel farther, maintaining wireless connections much farther than standard Wireless-G.

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Play N600 HD Dual Band N Route Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was also "iffy" with the purchase of this one. Actually I bought it first because it looked great for the price. But then I came home and started doing research on it. There is where I started to get scared and worried beacause of all the mixed reviews and especially because most of them were negative ones. It got to a point where I was doubting what I have done and I almost returned it a couple of times even before opening the box! (Side Note: I recently got Comcast High Speed Internet and I am using the Motorola SB5101U modem. I had purchased both my modem and my wireless router before I had my cable internet connected). But I decided to try it out first and in case it didn't work, then return it. Make a long story short, the router works awesome, the speed is great, the setup was so easy. Actually, I only plugged it to my router and turned it on. I didn't use the Setup CD or anything as it is already set up to just plug it and use it. You can use the CD to install the additional software (to use the USB ports for storage or using a printer, etc.) but it is not necessary. Last thing, the router had already the latest firmware (ver. 1.00.28) so I think it wasa one of the reasons it just worked and it is still working (I already had it for about a month). We don't have Cable TV or Satellite TV, so we use the router 90% to stream movies from Netflix ALL the time to the Wii and sometimes to the MacBookPro. Mostly the Wii so the kids can watch their cartoons and stuff on a bigger screen. Anyway, I have never had a problem with the router itself, only a couple of times I had to turn off the Wii to reconnect again, but I know it wasn't the router because the laptop was working fine at the time it happened. Another thing, everything in my house is wireless, my 2 laptops, my desktop and the Wii, oh yeah and sometimes I use my phone too. I just put the router in the middle of my house (my house is not big, but not small either, is a little over 1,500 sq. ft.) and I get really good reception everywhere in the house. Excellent repecetion all the time in the laptops.
I really recommend this, once again I was scared for all the reviews, but I guess they fixed all the issues with the new routers with the latest firmware.
Belkin Play N600 HD Wireless Dual Band N Router
Belkin Play N600 HD Wireless Dual Band N Router
Play N600 HD Dual Band N Route

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D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router DIR-655 - Wireless router + 4-port switch - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n (draft 2.0) - external Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The web interface for this router isn't all that great, and it's incompatible with dd-wrt and openwrt. However, the performance is solid, as I haven't yet ever had to reset this router. It happens to support all of the things I've needed to do with it, so hacking the firmware hasn't been necessary, anyway.

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router DIR-655 - Wireless router + 4-port switch - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n (draft 2.0) - external

Click here for more information about D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router DIR-655 - Wireless router + 4-port switch - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n (draft 2.0) - external

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NETGEAR Wireless Router for Video and Gaming WNDR37AV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Introduction
This is my third router in 5 years. I upgrade when the technology takes a jump or when I start to see a lot of network outages or both. This time I replaced a router that was 802.11n but it was not dual band (netgear 3500 series). I used the 3500 about 2.5 years and I was starting to see more and more network outages. Maybe because the router was getting old or maybe because I'm starting to add more devices to my network and it simply could not handle the traffic. Currently I have the following equipment on my wireless network: (1)Desktop, 2(laptops),(1)iPhone4, (2)iTouch, (2)Sony PS3, (1)Kodak Digital Picture, (2)Flat Panel TV's streaming video. I also support a number of devices wired directly to my router including: (1)Desktop, (1)Network Printer, (1)AT&T 3G Microcell, (1)Synology NAS, (1)Sonos Bridge, (1) Vonage Device. So, I have many devices trying to communicate through my router.
Router Review
Installation was a snap. Out of the box, follow the quick install guide. Power off modem, connect router to modem, connect computer to router, power on modem (2 minutes), power on router (2 minutes), power on computer (2 minutes). Type in [...] to access router. Default configuration will get you online. Have the router check for firmware updates with the netgear website. If there are any upgrades available, download and install. I always change the router password from default. Setup wireless network both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. I named them both the same and added a 5G to the 5GHz band :). Setup security preferences (WPA2-PSK [AES] for me) , type in passphrase (network password). Done.
I use my Synology NAS as an ftp server that can be accessed from outside my home network so I had to setup some port forwarding. This is outside the scope of most setups. Suffice to say that this operation went smoothly with no problems.
I had a secure network up and running with no problems in a matter of minutes. I added both TV's to the 5GHz band using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) and I added the other wireless devices to the 2.4GHz band using the passphrase.
The network has been up and running for a week now with no outages. I have really taxed the network too by streaming HD movies, moving large files from my computer to my NAS, while uploading large files to a remote backup site. No matter what I throw at this router, it doesn't miss a beat.
Pros
Easy setup
Easy to add devices to network (WEP and passphrase)
Strong signal throughout the house (much better than 3500)
Cool looking design, low profile and lights
Reliable (so far after a week of heavy use)
Reasonable price
Cons
Could have included a Gensu knife or Salad Shooter with router.
Based on the ease of setup, performance, and reliability under heavy traffic, I highly recommend this router.

Click Here to see more reviews about: NETGEAR Wireless Router for Video and Gaming WNDR37AV

Why Netgear's Wireless Router for Video and Gaming? Dual Band Wireless - Twice the bandwidth for better connection and less interference Gigabit - High speed wired connection. Ideal for transferring large HD Video files DLNA Media Server - Stream video and music from a USB drive to media players and DLNA TVs-no PC required! Video mode - optimized to stream HD without glitches, stutters, or lags Dedicated video network - Stream video on one network, while surfing the Internet on the other networkWireless Connectivity - Wirelessly connect notebooks and wireless printers as well as networked home theater devices

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