Well, certainly a very interesting product - it incorporates an inbuilt ADSL modem with wireless access point - perfect for home use.
Size:
The size of this access point really shocked me - it was hardly even the size of a video cassette! On the back it has two fully adjustable antennae ... Read review
The 3Com OfficeConnect ADSL Wireless 54 Mbps 11g Firewall Router combines an ADSL2/2+ ... more
modem, router, 80211g wireless access point, four-port switch, and firewall to enable up to 253 total (64 wireless) users to economically and securely share a share a single ADSL or ADSL2/2+ connectionThe high-speed routing engine and 54 Mbps wireless throughput easily handle large data transfers and Internet downloads, including those from multimedia applicationsProviding a high-speed, 54 Mbps wireless connection for users with 80211g-equipped PCs and laptops, it is also backward-compatible with 80211b wireless LAN equipment, preserving existing network investmentsThis Wi-Fi certified router also features support of Wireless Distribution System (WDS)WDS simplifies setup of an extended or completely wireless network (requires access points that support WDS)Advanced wireless security and multiple firewall features offer a strong level of protection for the networkTo shield wireless connections, the 11g gateway router implements 128-bit WPA/WPA2 with TKIP/AES encryption for maximum security, along with 40/64 and 128-bit Wired Equivilant Privacy (WEP) encryption for legacy clientsA stateful packet inspection firewall, hacker pattern detection, URL filtering, IP and MAC address filtering and support for the SurfControl Web Filter service and other security features help protect the entire network from attacks and other Internet security risks
Postage & Packaging:£3.49 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The 3Com OfficeConnect ADSL Wireless 54 Mbps 11g Firewall Router combines an ADSL2/2+ ... more
modem, router, 80211g wireless access point, four-port switch, and firewall to enable up to 253 total (64 wireless) users to economically and securely share a share a single ADSL or ADSL2/2+ connectionThe high-speed routing engine and 54 Mbps wireless throughput easily handle large data transfers and Internet downloads, including those from multimedia applicationsProviding a high-speed, 54 Mbps wireless connection for users with 80211g-equipped PCs and laptops, it is also backward-compatible with 80211b wireless LAN equipment, preserving existing network investmentsThis Wi-Fi certified router also features support of Wireless Distribution System (WDS)WDS simplifies setup of an extended or completely wireless network (requires access points that support WDS)Advanced wireless security and multiple firewall features offer a strong level of protection for the networkTo shield wireless connections, the 11g gateway router implements 128-bit WPA/WPA2 with TKIP/AES encryption for maximum security, along with 40/64 and 128-bit Wired Equivilant Privacy (WEP) encryption for legacy clientsA stateful packet inspection firewall, hacker pattern detection, URL filtering, IP and MAC address filtering and support for the SurfControl Web Filter service and other security features help protect the entire network from attacks and other Internet security risks
Postage & Packaging:£3.49 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: East set up - the best PLUG & PLAY device I have ever come across - true to it's word!, Great coverage, Great protection of the wireless network Disadvantages: Not linked to the mother computer via USB - you must have a LAN card installed
...is white, with a small 3com logo on the side. It is, all in all, a fairly attractive thing.
Manual/Support:
The manual comes folded up, and expands out into a huge piece of paper, with about 6 steps. The instructions for set up are clear and concise, and, everything going accprding to plan, you should have the whole unit set up in about 10 minutes. I at present have had no need to contact technical support, but all of the numbers ... ...Set up:
After plugging in the ADSL line, the power cable, and the LAN line that is connected to your computer (Note - you must have a LAN card installed for the device to work), you just turn on the computer, and everything is up and running - there is not even a driver to be installed. You just follow the instructions in the manual, get onto the internet, follow the easy on screen instructions, and you're away! All of this takes under 10 ... more
Well, certainly a very interesting product - it incorporates an inbuilt ADSL modem with wireless access point - perfect for home use.
Size: The size of this access point really shocked me - it was hardly even the size of a video cassette! On the back it has two fully adjustable antennae that can be moved depending on your selected location. All of the ports are hidden on the back of the unit, and on the front are 8 unimposing lights - 4 for status, and the other 4 for LAN connection status. The unit itself is white, with a small 3com logo on the side. It is, all in all, a fairly attractive thing.
Manual/Support: The manual comes folded up, and expands out into a huge piece of paper, with about 6 steps. The instructions for set up are clear and concise, and, everything going accprding to plan, you should have the whole unit set up in about 10 minutes. I at present have had no need to contact technical support, but all of the numbers are provided clearly in amongst the documentation.
Set up: After plugging in the ADSL line, the power cable, and the LAN line that is connected to your computer (Note - you must have a LAN card installed for the device to work), you just turn on the computer, and everything is up and running - there is not even a driver to be installed. You just follow the instructions in the manual, get onto the internet, follow the easy on screen instructions, and you're away! All of this takes under 10 minutes.
Wireless Coverage: The coverage provided by the modem/router is fantastic. In my house, where some of the walls are stone, and well over 1m thick, coverage is still optimal (54 mps per second). Interuptions to coverage are very rare - I was surprised myself just how good the coverage provided was. This router also provides powerful 128bit WPA security - this lets you rest at ease from any concerns you may have had regarding hack attempts. The powerful ADSL modem is always online too - so you no longer have to dial up to connect to the internet.
This does seem like an awfully short review, but I can't really tell you anymore about this item - it is the most 'PLUG AND PLAY' item I have evr come across, and is phenomenally easy to use. Added support is provided on the included disc, incase you lose the manual too - a godsend if your as prone to 'misplacing' things as I am! I think, in summary, that this is probably the best wireless ADSL MODEM ROUTER that you can currently get in the home use price bracket - with amazing coverage, easy set up, and powerful protection of your wireless network. An amazing product!
isidianprayerhall 02.01.2005
Ciao members have rated this review on average:
very helpful
Review of 3Com OfficeConnect ADSL Wireless 11g Firewall Router - wireless router
Speed
Reliability
Range of extra features...
Ease of Installation
Ease of use
Design
Manufacturer Support
Instruction manual
Value For Money
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "3Com OfficeConnect ADSL Wireless 11g Firewall Router - wireless router"
Advantages: Seamless networking, consistent speed, easy, EASY, install : ) Disadvantages: Plastic casing, Just like retro machines : (
This was the first purchase of its kind on my part so I have no other similar routers to compare it to, except the ADSL modem which is supplied with my tiscali broadband. The router unit was originally, purchased to allow us to share the internet connection throughout the household, it has never ceased to impress me.
I sure this is exactly what happens with everyone, we take the product out of the box, and the static bags and what have you, and immediately our intuition kicks in and we start plugging in cables.
The correct set-up is easy enough to achieve, even without the instruction manual, (which is printed in very small print, in black and white so it wasn't too appealing in the first place.) I had connected all the cable and was ready to do away with my unreliable overheating tiscali ADSL modem.
I turned on the power to ...
Advantages: Good price, reliable, lifetime warranty, easy setup Disadvantages: No way to add an external antenna
and bobs. And that's pretty much it, you're ready to go!
The OfficeConnect has all the usual features one would expect from a mid-range wifi ADSLrouter - Quality of Service (for using Skype etc), Good built-in firewall for example.
My favorite features of the OfficeConnect are: The ability to switch the wireless on/off seperately, the lifetime warranty, wall mountable bracket, very easy instalation/setup and it's good performance record.
The only two negatives for me are: There's no way to add your own antenna to the router and the fact that you can't limit the traffic for WiFi or local use.
Overall the 3Com officeconnect is a great mid-range adslrouter with easy setup and a great performance record. ...
Product Information for "3Com OfficeConnect ADSL Wireless 11g Firewall Router - wireless router" »
Manufacturer's product description
The 3Com ADSL Wireless 11g Firewall Router combines an ADSL modem, router, 802.11g wireless access point, four-port switch, and firewall to enable up to 253 total (128 wireless) users to economically and securely share a single ADSL connection. The high-speed routing engine easily handles large data transfers and Internet downloads, including those from multimedia applications. The 11g ADSL router provides a high-speed, 54 Mbps wireless connection for users with 802.11g-equipped PCs and laptops. It is also backward-compatible with 802.11b wireless LAN equipment, preserving existing network investments. And the Wi-Fi compatible router interoperates with Wi-Fi-certified products from other vendors. Advanced wireless security and multiple firewall features offer one of the industry's strongest levels of protection for the network. To shield wireless connections, the 11g gateway router implements 256-bit WPA encryption for maximum security, along with 40/64- & 128-bit WEP encryption for legacy clients. Stateful packet inspection firewall, hacker pattern detection, URL filtering, and other security features help protect the entire network from attacks and other Internet security risks.
Related tags for 3Com OfficeConnect ADSL Wireless 11g Firewall Router - wireless router »
