PC Magazine - 2009 11.pdf - Libertad Zero

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SOLutions WI-FI ROUTERSboth frequencies, the routers achieve longerrange and better signal strength, and, asyou might expect, they don’t require manualswitching between bands. Simultaneousdual-band routers are also more efficientin their throughput. Some, such as the D-Link DIR-825, can even manage the bandswithout any input from users. Simultaneousdual-band can help stabilize the overallthroughput on your network. These routersare generally more expensive, but worth theextra money if you have it to spend.Do I need two, three, or four antennas,or maybe hidden ones?Because the speed in N routers dependsheavily on signal bouncing and multipletransmitters and receiver antennas, the idealantenna configuration is 4 by 4. This meansthe router has four antennas, each of whichhas a transmitter and an antenna. Generally,however, most high-end N routers come witha 3-by-2 or 3-by-3 antenna configuration.While antennas come in all shapes and sizes,most are visible, tubular antennas. Vendorslike Apple, Netgear, and Linksys by Ciscohave redesigned some antennas so they arehidden from view. During testing, however,I found no noteworthy performance advantagesof one antenna design over another.What is guest access?Guest access is one of the most useful—andmost underrated—features of a wirelessrouter. Routers with guest access, such asthe Belkin N+ Wireless Router (F5D8235-4),can separate a Wi-Fi network into two. Thiscapability allows friends to use your broadbandaccess without knowing the passwordfor your network. You can achieve a similarconfiguration with routers that support virtualLANs (VLANs), but the steps in settingup multiple VLANs are more difficult.What is Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)?Wi-Fi Protected Setup is a standard forsecuring your laptop with a Wi-Fi router. Thetechnology simplifies the encryption processthat users otherwise have to go throughto secure a Wi-Fi network. Is the technologysimpler to use than the schemes that precededit? That depends on the laptop andoperating system you use. Vista’s WindowsConnect Now (WCN), for instance, is compliantwith WPS. When WPS does work, it’sa simple process. Getting the configurationto work on laptops that don’t support it (inboth software and hardware), however, isquite an ordeal. Should you then look for thisfeature in a router? No. WPS isn’t essential,and, all too often, some part of your setupwon’t be compatible. Still, many N routersoffer it; when it works, it’s worthwhile.How many wired ports do I want?The more the merrier. While most Wi-FiN routers come with a standard five-portblock, you’ll be surprised by how manydon’t—the Apple AirPort Xtreme and AppleTime Capsule, for example, have only fourports apiece. Adding a NAS device, an Xbox360, a VoIP phone, and a PC will max out afive-port router (the last port connecting toyour DLS or cable modem).68 PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION novemBER 2009
ECENTLy reviewed: dual-Band RoutersApple Time Capsule 1TB(A1302)$499 directl l l l mThe Apple Time Capsule 1TB,an unusual combination of aWi-Fi router and NAS device,gives all-Mac and mixed Windows/Macnetworks an effectivewireless storage solution.D-Link DIR-825 Xtreme NDual Band Gigabit Router$169.99 directl l l l hThe D-Link DIR-825 XtremeN Dual Band Gigabit Routerprovides some remarkablecapabilities and overall goodperformance at a very reasonableprice.Linksys by Cisco DualBand Wireless-N GigabitRouter WRT320N$112 streetl l l l mThis is one of the easiest routersto install and manage. Agood choice for novice users,professionals, and businessesthat have to give remoteworkers secure access.Is a strong firewall an importantfeature for a router?Fortunately, most routers include a firewall,and many use the SPI (stateful packetinspection) firewall, which is consideredto be better than the older NAT firewall. Afew routers, such as the SMC Barricade NWireless Broadband Router (SMCWBR14S-N2), provide a range of manual settingson a firewall. Are these routers better? Notreally. Typically, manual firewall settingsare designed for specific usage needs andnot for enhancing the overall capability of afirewall. As long as a Wi-Fi router has an SPIfirewall, that’s enough for most of us.Can home routers meet the needs ofsmall businesses?For the most part, yes, they can. However,sometimes businesses need extra securityor technologies that are not availablein some home routers. A few home routers,such as the SMC Barricade N WirelessRouter and the ASUS RT-N11 EZ WirelessN Router, have advanced features, such as802.1X authentication, routing, and VLANsthat make them particularly attractive tosmall businesses.What’s the best way to access yourrouter remotely?Routers like the Netgear WNR3500 supportdynamic DNS—as in the Dyndns.org or TZO.com services—and are the best to buy ifyou want to access your network remotely.With dynamic DNS, you can gain access byusing a domain name like myhomenetwork.net instead of using the IP address providedto you by your ISP. Since ISPs rotate IPaddresses, the easiest way to find your networkon the Web is by activating a dynamicDNS account in your router. nNOVEMBER 2009 PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION 69
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