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Ask Engadget: What's the most reliable wireless router?
The latest question to fly into our Ask Engadget mailbox (which is ask at engadget dawt com, for those unaware) concerns wireless routers. But not just any wireless router. We're talking wireless routers that offer up rock solid reliability day after day, transfer after transfer. "What is the best wireless router in terms of reliability? I know that question has been covered before, but most people just answer with whatever router they own. I've had issues with routers. Gone through three Netgears and a Linksys that after a certain amount of time cease to hold a decent connection. I'm wondering if people know of a solid router that might be a little less mainstream." Who better to ask about the underground WiFi router scene than Engadget readers, right? Help this poor fellow out -- one more dropped connection whilst racking up frags and he's going to have a catastrophic meltdown.
Netgear launches WNR2000 / DGN2000 Wireless-N routers
Netgear, we're here to tell you it's been far, far too long since you threw any new 802.11n gear our way, so we're pretty stoked to see a few new pieces roll out today. The outfit is formally introducing the WNR2000 Wireless-N router and DGN2000 Wireless-N router with built-in DSL modem this morning, both of which boast the company's own Push 'N' Connect with Wi-Fi Protected Setup to eliminate the need to remember those pesky network security passwords. Both units are available in kit form as well, which sees a USB wireless adapter bundled in just in case your rig is operating sans an 802.11n WiFi module. Everything is available now for anywhere between $89 and $129.
Netgear rolls out Wireless-N Upgrade Kit
Netgear looks to be doing its part to bring every last home network into the Wireless-N fold, with the company now rolling out its appropriately-named Wireless-N Upgrade Kit, which includes a 5GHz Wireless-N HD Access Point (WNHDE111) and that RangeMax Dual-Band Wireless-N USB adapter (WNDA3100) that made an appearance at the FCC earlier this year. Like most such kits, the included Access Point can function either as a standalone bridge (including with a game console or media receiver) or as a full-fledged 5GHz Wireless-N access point when it's connected to an existing router or gateway. There's also not many surprises with the USB adapter, although it does boast some "patented metamaterial micro-antennas," which promise to out-do other non-metamaterial 802.11n adapters. If that's got you sold, you can pick up the kit right now for $149.[Via BIOS]
Netgear's WGR614L Wireless-G router openly plays nice with Tomato / DD-WRT
Although Linux-based Tomato and DD-WRT firmwares work with a plethora of routers, Netgear is getting savvy with its marketing by actually aiming its WGR614L at tweakers who just melt upon hearing either term. The so-called open source Wireless-G router features a 240MHz MIPS32 CPU, 4MB of flash memory, 16MB of RAM, an external 2 dBi antenna and a second internal diversity antenna to enhance range. Additionally, the unit will "soon" support OpenWRT, and there's also four 10/100 Ethernet ports in case you're looking for a bit of wired action as well. Potentially best of all, the WGR614L is available as we speak for a very manageable $69.
Netgear offers up 6-bay ReadyNAS Pro
Four months is just too long to go without an all new ReadyNAS, so we suppose that's why Netgear is kicking out an all new 6-bay unit (6TB RNDP6610; 3TB RNDP6310; 1.5TB RNDP6350) for those obsessed with storage. The box can handle up to 6TB of HDD space and features an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM (up to 4GB supported), 128MB of embedded flash for the OS, a pair of gigabit Ethernet ports, three USB 2.0 sockets and support for RAID 0/1/5/6 and Auto-Expandable X-RAID2. As expected, Windows / Mac / Linux clients can all tap in, and the unit streams all sorts of media on the side. Of course, acquiring the industry's first 6-bay small-form-factor NAS drive won't come cheap, with the ReadyNAS Pro starting at around two large.
Netgear and Motorola get busy on femtocell tech
We're not going to say that femtocell technology is "all the rage" right now, but we will admit that we're seeing some real players get into the game. If you've been wondering when these unicorn-like devices were going to start making their way into the real world, you can finally get some answers. With Mobile World Congress coming up soon, a number of new products and services centered around the signal-proliferating technology are being announced, including a handful of entries from Netgear and collaborators, as well as new products from Motorola. Check the press releases below and learn all about it. Remember, knowing is half the battle.Read - NETGEAR and Kineto Wireless To Showcase 3G Femto Home Access Solution at Mobile World Congress Read - NETGEAR and Nokia Siemens Networks Collaborate on 3G Femto Home Access SolutionRead - NEC and NETGEAR Team to Develop an Integrated 3G Access Point for Femtocell SolutionRead - Motorola Announces Family of Femtocell Solutions
Show floor video: Netgear ReadyNAS stores and plays it all
Netgear's ReadyNAS is a NAS, yes, but it comes pre-configured with an iTunes server, bittorent, wireless disk and printer support and more. Quite the plug-and-play darling, Netgear was kind enough to create some Mac-friendly tools to manage the thing (it's got a Widget!). You can configure the thing to your heart's delight , which makes it that much more versatile. The ReadyNAS line was previously sold by Infrant prior to the Netgear acquisition, so the products are distinct from Netgear's earlier NAS products. There are several flavors of ReadyNAS: a rackmount server for business folk, the Duo series, and the terribly gorgeous NV+ series -- Netgear also sells a cute entry-level NAS called Storage Central. The sweet spot for most people will likely be the Duo or NV+, as the Storage Central doesn't have the extensive RAID tools every other model does (and as noted by our commenters, the older/cheaper devices can't be administered from Mac OS X).Prices for the NV+ with a whopping 4TB of X-RAID storage ran from roughly $2,000 to $3,000. By comparison, the old Storage Central lines can be found online for around $70 (hard drive not included, $90 from Netgear), but the new line, Storage Central Turbo, was floating close to the MSRP of $200 (shows $189.99 on the Netgear store).Check out the demo with Scott after the jump.
WoW, certain routers causing network problems
Datth on the forums confirms that WoW is causing some home networks to go down completely. After hearing reports that on some networks, logging into or playing the game would cause the entire network to lose their internet connection, Blizzard asked players to report technical specs if the problem happened. And after researching, they've reported now that the problem supposedly lies with folks who have a "Siemens, 2wire or older model Motorola modem or Netgear router."So if you have one of those and are having this problem, Blizzard has at least identified the cause. They say they're working with the router manufacturers to come up with a fix, but if there really is a problem in the router itself, odds are Blizzard won't be able to hotfix it on their site, so you may have to go to the router's manufacturer for a fix (all that information, when it becomes available, will likely be on their site). I am surprised, however, that this problem didn't appear before now. Blizzard says that the most recent patch (would that be 2.3.3 and the improvements to load time?) is responsible for "revealing a bug in the hardware," so if the router manufacturers don't release a fix, Blizzard may have to reverse whatever changes were made. At any rate, a fix is coming, no matter where it comes from.Thanks, Jonate!
Netgear's WNDA3100 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB adapter spotted in FCC
Nothing too earth-shattering here, but it seems that those in the market for a dual band Wireless-N USB adapter could benefit from holding off just a wee bit longer. Netgear's forthcoming WNDA3100 has found its way into the FCC's doors, and while it doesn't look to speak with aliens or any other fancy stuff, it does support WEP and WPA / WPA2. Way too excited about this thing? Hit up the read link for test photos and a preliminary user's manual -- that ought to quell your inexplicable curiosity, right?
Netgear recalling XE103 Powerline Ethernet Adapter in Europe
Nothing like a good product recall to kick the year off. Netgear is having some trouble with its European-version XE103 Powerline Ethernet Adapter, due to a problem with an integrated circuit that causes the unit to malfunction at 220-240 volts, stop working and "potentially overheat." Sounds like fire hazard to us, but Netgear's keeping those euphemisms handy. Netgear is recalling 82,000 of these in Europe and recommends customers stop using the unit immediately and contact them for a replacement.[Warning: PDF link; thanks Bruce]
Cheering, cringing at Netgear press conference
Remember how we told you that people were actually cheering at that Netgear press conference that we liveblogged in the AM? Well guess what? We've got video! Enjoy the sounds and sights of a crowd clearly way too amped on coffee and lack of sleep clapping as a drive is yanked out of the ReadyNAS duo.
Netgear's CES lineup bridges and extenders
If you were following our Netgear liveblog, you'd have seen that the networking company's dropping all sorts of gear on CES. We've got a quick roundup of all their bridges and extenders. First up is the gear for those of you looking to get your bits shoved through the network of Romex electrical wiring snaking through your apartment/house/castle. The Powerline AV Ethernet Kit (XAVB101) and Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapter Kit (HDXB111) – based on the HomePlug AV and UPA-based standards respectively – feature built-in power sockets so you're not losing your pad's valuable gadget-juice ports and built-in quality of service (QoS) so you're not losing your bits either.
Netgear launches ReadyNAS Duo storage lineup
Netgear is beefing up its NAS options with the new ReadyNAS Duo Gigabit lineup, featuring dual SATA drives and shipping in 500GB (RND2150), 750GB (RND2175) and 1TB (RND2110) capacities. In addition to traditional NAS duties and gigabit Ethernet connections, the drives can automatically pull images off of your camera when you plug it in via USB, and the drives include built-in support for BitTorrent as well. Netgear has adopted some of Apple's networking technology, Bonjour and AFP, to make it easier to monitor and access the drives, but the Duos still operate just as well with Windows machines. Netgear is also launching the ReadyNAS Duo 2-Bay Gigabit, which packs in more traditional server features like HTTP/S remote access, FTP, SSL and ACL security, an iTunes server, UPnP AV and Logitech Squeezecenter. The dual SATA drive bays are hot-swappable and can be managed with hardware accelerated X-RAID. No word on price, but most of these drives should be out in Q1 2008.
Hands-on with the Netgear HD/Gaming 5GHz Wireless-N Networking Kit
If you've been waiting for the high-bandwidth routing solution of your dreams, perhaps Netgear's new offering will fit the bill. We have to say we were fairly impressed with its rock-solid management of multiple streams, and we're pretty excited about the push for the 5GHz band. Up close, the router isn't something you'd need to tuck behind a curtain, either. Check the gallery for a closer look at the little monster.%Gallery-12746%
Hands-on with Netgear's RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router
We came, we saw, we took lots of photos. We got to go a round or two with Netgear's new RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router, which is set to blaze the routing world up with it's dual frequency action and disarming good looks. Check the gallery below for a staggering set of photos, and try to keep your brain from blowing out the front of your head.%Gallery-12743%
Hands-on with the Netgear ReadyNAS Duo
It's large, it's in charge... it's hot swapping. That's right kids, the ReadyNAS duo is fully prepared to store your pics, game, gigantic Word files, and "videos," and let you access it whenever, wherever. Or so they claim. Sure, the thing isn't that pretty up close, but RAID storage isn't about being pretty, it's about some other, more important stuff.%Gallery-12740%
Netgear launches bevy of new 802.11n products
While router manufacturers (we're not going to name any names here) seem to still have quite a bit of trouble ensuring one out of five of their products aren't complete duds, the inevitable march of "progress" continues. Netgear's latest foray into 802.11n draft spec RangeMax Wireless-N products packs "metamaterial" technology into its MIMO antennas, which Netgear claims gives its new lineup the best range and throughput in the industry. Naturally, the WNDR3300 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router is the most direct application of this tech. The router has an array of eight metamaterial antennas, plus 5GHz 802.11n for avoiding interference with the myriad of products hanging out in the 2.4GHz spectrum. Next up we have the RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Router WNR3500, which packs five gigabit Ethernet plugs, the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WNDA3100, for bringing these fancy metamaterial speeds to your laptop or desktop. Finally, Netgear is launching its Wireless-N MoCA Router WNMR834, which provides high-speed home networking over existing coaxial cables, in addition to 802.11n. The WNDR3300 will run you $130, the WNR3500 is $160 and the WNDA3100 goes for $99, all should be available soon.
Live from Netgear's CES press conference
We're here live at Netgear's CES press conference in beautiful and delightful Las Vegas, stay tuned for a blow by blow account of all the router-fied goodness coming our way in the new year.8:47AM PT - We're sitting down. It's awesome.8:52AM PT - The vibe in the room is thick. There's an overwhelming feeling of pure love here. 9:01AM PT - The intro begins -- they're claiming we'll be glued to our seats for a solid 45 mins. Patrick Lo, the founder of the company is on the stage, letting us know the company's mission in the world -- high speed broadband for everyone, cheaply. He says they're the most "global" company in home networking.
NetGear expands ReadyNAS line
That Infrant acquisition sure looks like it's going well for NetGear, which just announced five more ReadyNAS storage devices. The desktop ReadyNAS NV+ line (pictured) gets the big expansion, with new 1.5TB, 2TB, 3TB, and 4TB models, but you rackmountin' fools out there are also getting a little love with the new 4TB ReadyNAS 1100. All the units sport the same Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, RAID 0 / 1 / 5 support (as well as NetGear's proprietary X-RAID system), and hot-swap support as always, but NetGear has improved the management apps and added support for USB drive sharing as well. Pricing starts at $1099, and it looks like the new models are live on NetGear's site now.
Netgear presentation lends insight into future products
While Netgear certainly boasted about its current range of peripherals, routers and switches during a recent conference, a few presentation slides enabled us to get a brief look at what's coming next from the firm. 'Course, we're already aware of several Q3 launches -- including the SPH200W Skype WiFi phone and a number of Wireless N routers -- but Q4 and beyond hold some pretty interesting treats. On the docket are such niceties as the WNHDE111 Wireless N HD Bridge, WN111 WiFi USB dongle, EVA7000 Digital Entertainer Plus, and the EVA8100 Digital Entertainer HD. Moreover, it looks like Netgear is also planning a new array of smart switches and ReadyNAS drives, so if you're interested in diving into all sorts of corporate hoopla, the read link awaits your attention.[Thanks, Jayoung R.]
