Belkin ADSL Modem with Wireless-G Router wireless router > Reviews > WireFREE

Author's product rating:   

Speed	Fast
Reliability	Good
Ease of Installation	Excellent - very quick and easy
Ease of use	Easy
Value For Money	Good

Advantages:	Plenty of useful features
Disadvantages:	Tech support is dismal

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I'm sure many of you are in this situation: You've got broadband and lots of computers and want to make the most of your connection. If you're one of them, i really suggest you get one of these!-What's in the Box?-
On recieving your Belkin router you will find:

• 1x Belkin Router
• 1x UK DC power cable and transformer
• 1x 1m Cat5 cable
• 1x RJ-45 cable and ADSL Filter
• 1x fold-out "quick-start" guide
• 1x Instructions CD

-Hardware Specification-

• Built-in ADSL Modem
• 4x 10/100mbps Wired switch
• Up to 54mbps WAN for up to 128 computers
• 2 intergrated folding ariels
• 8 LED status display (Power, ADSL connection + data, WLAN, 4x Wired LAN status)

-Requirements-

• ADSL internet Connection
• 10/100mbps network adapter for each computer (wired)
• 11mbps/54mbps network adapter for each computer (wireless)
• Addition Cat5 cable if required

-Firmware-
The Belkin router is administered via web browser usually on IP address 192.168.2.1. The router has many useful features as well as helpful setup "wizards". Features include:*Password protection and remote router administering*LAN Setup

• Wireless
• *Channel and SSID - General Wireless settings
• *Security - WEP (secure Wireless network from intruders)

*Firewall
**Application Gateway - Have certain ports bypass firewall
**Virtual Server - route external requests to internal machines (HTTP, FTP etc)
**Client IP Filter - Restrict access to specific IP addresses and services
**MAC Address Filtering - Set up a list of allowed clients
**DMZ - Open up some computers to unrestricted access (i.e no firewall)
**WAN Ping Blocking - Block ping requests (helps stop DoS attacks)
**Security Log*Other Utilities
**Restart Router
**Restore Factory Default
**Save/Backup Settings
**Restore Previous Settings
**Firmware Update
**System Settings - Clock, remote access etc

-Setup-
Setup is relatively easy when instructions are followed. To set up a wired LAN connection is required, and you computer can be connected to the Router via Network card and supplied cable. One simply sets up the router with instructions provided and plus the cable provided into computer and router. You can then use the LAN connection to access the control panel (192.168.2.1). From here you can input Connection Information as well as set up wireless connections, security etc.

-Features-
See Features list above.
The features included with this router are wide and all very useful meaning good security and customisation. IP filters and usage restrictions allow parents to keep children safe with very very little chance of tampering.
One feature i'd like to see would be increased administrative controls such as pages visited and bandwidth restriction.

-Look and Feel-
The router is in dark blue colour with silver information panel. All cables are concealed behind the device, which is slim and non-intrusive. Underneath are 4 small rubber "feet" which helps to stop the device from slipping. Concealed behind is the router reset button.

-Stability and Misc.-
This device has been proven to be extremely stable, with the device being online months on end with no major problems bar occational ADSL disconnections which can be easily ammended. The movable ariels are useful in boosting signal and range is average, though the ariels have a tendancy to snap under pressure. The device can get a little warm after heavy use but this is no major problem. It is totally silent with no internal fan.

-Conclusion-
This is an excellent family/small office router with plenty of features you'd usually only see on a higher cost model. Belkin is an extremely reputable company which has produced another great product. It should be noted that the technical support for this product, although free isn't great, with the usual India-based call centres i've come to expect.
This device is a real bargin at under £50 in some places (or less second hand) and really is worth a second look. Thanks for reading!

-Benbread