OK I may be new here but I can't imagine that there are so few reviews that my first two attempts g...
OK I may be new here but I can't imagine that there are so few reviews that my first two attempts get positive comments within a few minutes of appearing. Is something broken?
Member since:02.05.2003
Reviews:3
Members who trust:1
What it does:- connects your ADSL connection to an internal network using either cables or wireless. The MIMO and N1 designations show that its at the bleeding edge of wireless standards so its one of the first wireless routers that is (theoretically) capable of streaming High Definition Video to wireless devices. But beware - your mileage WILL vary.
Easy to set up and use - the quick start guide got me working in ten minutes and ready to go. But the main manual is on the CD so you have to trawl a bit to get deeper information (should you need it).
What it looks like:- an ok design but tries a bit too hard - who really cares if an anonymous box they rarely see is 'pretty' and to be fair its tricky to make something the size
of a fat paperback with three big aerials sticking out look attractive at all.
The diagnostic lights on the front seem like a real innovation but actually are just the usual LED alarms with pretty graphics over them. For example: if my wireless link dies do i really need the router to flash a yellow lamp under the 'wireless' legend? or will the fact that i've lost internet access be a give away - its not like there is anything usefull you can do from the router - it has no buttons whatsoever, not even an on switch, just unplug it and plug it back in. On the other hand it rarely goes wrong to that extent and a reboot usually works.
The main interface is via either wired or wireless ethernet link and is reasonably well laid out. A simple to drive web interface leads you through the setup but the supplied help is a bit weak - no real detail or context. (example: You can setup virtual servers to allow some online games to avoid getting broken by the firewall and the help explains how and mentions that its dangerous. But you can also put something in the DMZ to avoid the firewall and you may need to check your NAT settings. Figuring out which is best, or even right for your setup, is a chore unless you have experience or access to a help desk. and as long as your connected through one of those routes you do not have any firewall protection from the router at all).
Straight out of the box and attaching a range of both MIMO and non-MIMO adapters I got much improved signal strength and slightly better throughput than with a previous Wireless G+ router (ie: non-mimo, not 'N' standard and a measly two aerials :) so I was happy with the results.
For info: MiMo (multi-in, multi-out) a clever system that uses the fact that radio signals tend to bounce around and off anything thats in the way. Previously a big issue for wireless networks, some bright spark figured out that if you could bring all the seperately bouncing signals together and 'patch' them back together you might be able to get a complete signal where previuosly you just had broken bits. This DOES work quite well though best results are with matched adapters and routers so figure in buying replacement adapters when considering the cost of this router.
N1 - the latest wireless protocal is 802.11N, this is still NOT official, but everyone (including Belkin) was bringing out 'Pre-N' kit which, in general wouldn't talk to other manufacturers. So the people who set standards have standardised a, err, draft standard call 802.11 Draft N (catchy!) and the current crop of 'N' kit is the industry response - it SHOULD be upgradeable to the true spec later (but they said that about the Pre-N as well). This kind of works but mostly falls back to 802.11G (56Mbs) unless you are using matching N router and adpater.
For the bad news - its way more prone to losing connections than other Belkin routers I've used - any local microwave, dect phone, or next doors wireless router can bring your connection down and though reconnection is usually instant it does occasionally require a reboot of the pc or the router (or both).
Overall i don't think its worth the price premium over others in the range unless the additional signal strength and distant is vital to your requirements. Its certainly not something to base a streaming media setup on (yet).
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
In case this goes somewhere it shouldn'T, this is comment for my E rating on "is the Belkin N1 worth the extra cash
by regmigrant". Very good review, and explains a bit why my Belkin N1 occasionally loses the plot. Thank you also for the feedback on my review of the same device, I hear what you say about SSID. Don't know if you spotted, your Belkin out of the box, with "hide" enabled, still brings up the web interface on the WAN side, despite what the web setup says. Telnet into it and go into the Management option and disable http on the WAN side of the box... and run www.grc.com's "Shields Up" on it to see what else is open that shouldn't be... copying this to your GB as I am 100% certain it ain't going to attach to your review....
redneonlights 29.06.2007 09:21
Thanks for the advice- great review. I've been thinking about wireless networking recently but I'm utterly clueless. There are so many routers out there that all seem to do the same thing really, but for shockingly different prices. It's nice to hear where the differences lie.
Thanks again. John
redneonlights 29.06.2007 09:21
Thanks for the advice- great review. I've been thinking about wireless networking recently but I'm utterly clueless. There are so many routers out there that all seem to do the same thing really, but for shockingly different prices. It's nice to hear where the differences lie.
Thanks again. John
Belkin networking offers this one-box solution that lets you share your ADSL Internet ... more
connection, files, and peripherals, without cables. It combines two essential networking functions in one innovative product - an ADSL Modem with a 4-port Wireless R...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Belkin networking offers this one-box solution that lets you share your ADSL Internet ... more
connection, fi les, and peripherals, without cables. It combines two essential networking functions in one innovative product-an ADSL Modem with a 4-port Wireless Rou...
Postage & Packaging: £5.81 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Looks Great, lots of features, High speeds, Can connect to 16 computers wirelessly at once. Disadvantages: Stand and back is made from cheap material, And Nothing else is wrong with it.
Advantages: Looks Great, lots of features, High speeds, Can connect to 16 computers wirelessly at once. Disadvantages: Stand and back is made from cheap material, And Nothing else is wrong with it.
Jun 28th, 2007
exceptional by (14%):
very helpful by (86%):
