The overall rating of a review is different from a simple average of all individual ratings.
Advantages:
Excellent set up CDROM, large amount of settings available using web browser, works with a wide range of connection types, compatible with Playstation 2 Network adapter
Disadvantages:
Cheap light plastic feel, connection status lights are very small
I wanted to share my 1 Mb broadband between my PC and Playstation 2 and possibly other PCs in the future or connect my friends up to the net or for gaming when they bring their PCs round. This router is ideal for those purposes.
The router arrived promptly on the Amazon super saver delivery. I opened the box and connected it to my blueyonder Surfboard cable modem and PC. I was online in about 5 minutes through my router. It even worked through my Zone Alarm firewall with no problems. The router was easy for me to manually set up and has a vast array of configuration pages you can access through your web browser.
If you are new to networking the CDROM disc in the box is superb! It guides you through the whole set up process and configures the router for you!
Next was the Playstation 2, this was just a matter of running a long straight wired Ethernet cable across my room to the Playstation. This was a cable I already had for this purpose. You do get an Ethernet cable in the box albeit a short one about 1 metre long. I used the provided cable to connect my PC to the router.
Once I hooked up the Playstation it was able to be online at the same time as my PC. For me this was great and means no fiddling around changing cables when I want to use my Playstation 2 online. It is a far better solution that Windows Internet Connection Sharing as that was tricky to configure for the Playstation 2 and allowing access for it through my firewall.
Also, being on blueyonder the MAC Address clone feature of the router is VERY useful. This allows the router to emulate the MAC address of your PCs Network Interface Card, meaning you don’t have to inform your ISP of the routers MAC address.
All in all I’m amazed how versatile, useful and advanced this router is. I would not hesitate to recommend it to advanced users or people new to networking.
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