How any of us lived through the age of dial up is beyond comprehension. If a website takes longer than a few seconds to load in today’s day and age we are filled with annoyance and start checking the task manager for RAM or CPU usage so that we can figure out why websites are delayed a whole 5 seconds! Perhaps not everyone is that extreme but speed is definitely important.

If you are paying for gigabit speed internet you want to be able to access the internet at gigabit speeds. Whatever the reason that there is a slowdown is simply not acceptable. Many of do not realize that there is often a bottleneck in the connection. That bottleneck is our access point or modem. If your access point is only rated to give a connection speed of 50 Mbps you should first and foremost ask yourself why you are using such ancient technology, and second you shouldn’t be surprised why everything is going so slow.

Today we demand performance from every bit of technology we have and we push the abilities of our networks to their limits. When every person in the house has a laptop, a tablet, a phone, all streaming videos and playing games, it’s no wonder things aren’t buffering fast enough. On top of that our homes are getting more and more demanding of the network with smart televisions, wireless security cameras, amazon Alexa devices and more.

With our hyper-connected households in our hyper-connected world, having an access point that is going to be reliable, fast, and long lasting, is more important than ever. The EnGenius Neutron EWS377AP Wi-Fi 6 Mnaged Access Point, not only achieves those list of needs, but they actually exceed them.

Build & Design

To start, the design of this wireless access point is beautifully minimalistic. It was designed to be mounted on a wall and blend in. The access point comes only 1.3 inches off the wall when mounted and has a square dimension of 8.1 by 8.1 inches. Even with the contained size this access point weighs in at 1.95 pounds and feels incredibly solid when holding it which is a testament to the build quality.

There is a single Ethernet port on the back and a power port right next to it. The power port is entirely optional however since the Ethernet port can power the access point if you have the EnGenius Technologies 802.3AT/AF Gigabit POE+ Adapter. With the POE adapter you can have a single cable running to the access point for both the power and the connection and of course for the aesthetic appeal of the clean single cable look.

Features & Technology

Talking network technology always makes us nerd out so prepare yourself for some in depth coverage of the tech inside this access point. This Engenius Neutron access point is packed with the latest in networking technology. It utilizes the next generation standard WiFi known as Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11ax. Some key differentiators with Wi-Fi 6 include OFDMA otherwise known as orthogonal frequency division multiple access which shares channels to maximize network efficiency for both uplink and downlink traffic. OFDMA also reduces the latency between your access point and your connected devices and has full backward compatibility for both the 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies. Along with that the 802.11ax standard has longer OFDM symbols meaning there is a shorter wait time between the data transmission, and it tolerates more signal noise so you get an even greater coverage area.

It also has 4x the capacity of previous Wi-Fi renditions and a feature called “target wake time” which helps with your device battery life connected to the Wi-Fi. Yes, your wireless access point can now help increase your mobile phones battery life by determining when and how much a device will wake up to utilize data. If you are looking for a smart access point to power your smart home, it absolutely must have Wi-Fi 6.

Tucked inside the Engenius Neutron is a Qualcomm chipset that helps make it run more efficiently so that it utilizes less power while having a maximum aggregate speed of 3.5 Gbps. That max speed is over the combined 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies where 2.4 max is 1,148 Mbps and with 2,400 Mbps on the 5 GHz. All that means for you is that your access point will not be the bottleneck preventing you from utilizing the network speed you are paying your ISP for.

It also has MU-MIMO functionality, which just stands for multi-user, multiple input, multiple output. It was created to be used in a place where there are many people trying to access a wireless network at the same time. MU-MIMO is sometimes called Next-Gen AC which refers to the 802.11ac protocol that came before 802.11ax. With 802.11 users are usually served on a first come first serve basis and that can cause congestion in the network for people that get stuck in the line. Essentially what MU-MIMO does is allow multiple users to make requests simultaneously without that congestion. It comes in 2×2, 3×3, and 4×4 variations which refers to the number of streams it can handle. The EnGenius Neutron is the latest greatest 4×4 variation.

This is an access point that would be perfectly suited being in either a large household with plenty of kids or even a business environment. If it can handle that kind of workload it can handle whatever you want to throw at it as well. Whether you want a stable connection for your virtual reality gaming or twitch streaming career, this is an access point that can help you get there. It’s fair to assess that this access point might be too powerful for individuals that just want to engage in basic internet usage, for a still great, but less intense option, check out the Netgear WAC124 AC2000 Dual Band Wireless Router.

Network Connectivity

It goes without saying that with the technology packed inside, the network coverage area and connectivity strength is phenomenal. During testing we connected a variety of different types of devices simultaneously and then set them all to stream different YouTube videos and not a single device had connection issues. Each unit had a connection speed that we have previously only seen on wired networks.

Security Features

If you are a security minded person, and all of you should be, you want top of the line security options on any network device you purchase. The EnGenius Neutron not only has the latest WPA3 Wi-Fi security, but it also has the option for the trusted WPA2-AES authentication as well.

With WPA3 you get four additional security features that are not found in WPA2. This includes individualized data encryption for every device connected, protection against brute-force attacks, an easy connection process for devices without displays, and even higher security for government and industrial applications.

For the individualized connection it means when you connect your phone the traffic between your phone and the access point will be encrypted without the use of a passphrase. That means that even if someone somehow gains access to your access point, they will not be able to snoop on your traffic without cracking the encryption. This is of course particularly beneficial for public Wi-Fi connections that have always been risky. It is a fair choice to still not trust public access points and for that you should check out the Keezel 2.0 VPN Portable Router so that you can maintain your security when you leave the safety of your own EnGenius Neutron.

With the brute-force protection WPA3 networks are no longer vulnerable to the “KRACK” attack that WPA2 devices fell victim too. During the handshake process the KRACK attack was used to see and decrypt much of what happened on your network even without the network password. So that along with the government grade 192-bit security suite built in makes for a network that you can feel safe on.

The Verdict

When you purchase technology you always run the risk of buying something that is obsolete immediately because technology advances at such a fast rate. That is why you have to make an effort not to exacerbate that problem by knowingly buying older, inferior, unsecure, faulty technology. This is doubly the case with networking equipment. The right access point can completely dictate how your online experience is, either making it great or making it miserable. With the EnGenius Neutron access point the only option is a great experience.

For most products it is easy to find flaws so we can then point them out and avoid looking like cheerleaders. With the EnGenius Neutron EWS377AP however it was much more difficult to do so. From the minimalist design, POE functionality, excellent connection speeds and bandwidth, to it’s next generation security protocols there is not a lot to complain about. There is even the ability to manage your access point remotely over EWS and ezMASTER.

So after analyzing everything what could we find that was worthy of complaining about? Well there actually was a single thing we identified that was a bit annoying, that is the fact that the power adapter is not included with the access point. This might seem like a minor complaint, because it is, however it just seems strange that they would put an effort into building such a great product, and then after you dish out the money, you don’t even get a power adapter.

We definitely think that the price point for this product deserves to have the power adapter included. Though if we are going to be completely fair, the power adapter is sort of pointless if you decide to use the POE option. And everyone should definitely utilize the POE option if for nothing else than it looks much prettier when mounted to your wall than if you have to cables.

This is an access point everyone should look into so they can future-proof their connection experience and benefit from the latest safety protocols. Let us know what you think of this access point and if you have had the same or different experience.

The post Review: EnGenius Neutron EWS377AP Wi-Fi 6 4×4 Managed Indoor Wireless Access Point appeared first on Nerd Techy.

Over the years, there have been numerous improvements in wireless technology. Starting with the 802.11 standard in 1997, subsequent improvements have been labeled 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, and 802.11ac, along with several other protocols that were mostly experimental and never gained widespread popularity.

With the latest iteration, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has decided to drop the new protocol’s designation of 802.11ax, and opted for the cleaner-looking, easier to read “Wi-Fi 6”. Because this is a new protocol, we’re still looking at the first wave of routers to support it. As yet, there are no devices on the market that are compatible with Wi-Fi 6, but you can expect to see many of them start to hit shelves in 2020, including the latest major smartphones.

Today, we’ll be taking a look at the VANIN AX1500, a new Wi-Fi 6 router that’s designed to be as affordable as possible, while still offering the blazing fast speed and multi-device support that you’d expect from Wi-Fi 6.

If you’re looking for a more full-featured Wi-Fi 6 router, we’ve written about the ARRIS SURFboard mAX Plus W30 in the past. This router comes with a range extender, and both of them function as WiFi and Bluetooth speakers. The SURFboard mAX Plus W30 is an ideal choice for large homes, or for anyone who expects to have a lot of users on their network. Unfortunately, it comes with a hefty price tag. Fortunately, there’s always the more affordable VANIN AX1500. Let’s take a look!

Technical Specifications

Before we take a deep dive into the AX1500’s features, here’s the TL;DR version in case you’re in a hurry:

• Supports all WiFi protocols, including 802.11ax/Wi-Fi 6
• 300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, 1,200 Mbps at 5 GHz
• 1.5 GHz 64-bit tri-core processor
• 4 Gigabit LAN ports
• 1 Gigabit WAN port
• OFDMA traffic management
• WPA3 encryption
• Integrated parental controls
• 4 independent front end modules (FEM)

As you can see, this is a powerful router that’s up to all the latest standards. But to many people, this just looks like a list of numbers. For those of us who aren’t up on all the latest specifications, let’s take a deeper, closer look at what the AX1500 has to offer.

Look and Feel

The first thing we noticed about the AX1500 is that it combines a sleek, modern look with a traditional design and a relatively small footprint. We appreciated this, since a lot of the newer routers are trying to look like large, fancy devices. Sometimes, this is justified, since they offer additional functionality. But other times, it would be nice to have a traditional router, particularly if you’ve already got a spot for one on your desk or shelf.

The case is constructed from smooth black ABS plastic. The top has a scalloped, gull-wing design that looks like it’s ready to fly away from your desk, and the front is angled forward like the prow of a ship. The side vents are understated, with dark vertical slits that run the full length of the router. This provides plenty of airflow, and keeps the back clean, with the exception of the four Gigabit LAN ports and the Gigabit WAN port. LED lights let you know which ports are active, but they’re located on the back of the unit and they’re not very bright, so they won’t keep you up at night if your router is located in the bedroom.

Another thing we appreciated were the four Front End Modules (FEMs), which is a fancy tech term for an antenna and receiver. In promotional pictures, the antennas are all vertical, but in reality they can all be rotated independently. This can be moderately helpful if you’re trying to extend coverage from one end of a large house to another, but for the most part the antennas work just fine in the vertical position. This is more attractive than having the antennas pointing every which direction, and provides a cleaner look if your router is somewhere easily visible.

Speed and Connection Quality

As we mentioned at the beginning of this review, the AX1500 supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 protocol. This allows for exceptional speed, up to 300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, or a blazing-fast 1,200 Mbps at 5 GHz. This is fast enough for streaming 4K video on multiple devices, or for streaming 8K video for a VR or AR device. This is exceptional speed, since 4K streaming is still in its infancy and 8K, while it exists, still doesn’t actually do anything useful. In other words, you’re looking at a future-proof router that’s going to remain a reliable workhorse in 10 years or more. That’s a lot of capacity from a router that’s near the bottom of the barrel when it comes to price.

Speaking of being future-proof, the AX1500 also allows you to keep on using your old devices. It’s compatible with all legacy protocols, including 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac. In other words, if you still have an old laptop for running classic games, you’re not going to experience any connectivity issues. The AX1500 automatically detects the fastest protocol that your device is capable of using, and uses that protocol to ensure that you get the fastest connection possible.

Another thing we liked about this router is that it use orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA). This technology uses different frequencies and different receivers – hence the four FEMs – to provide separate connections to different devices, so faster connections will receive priority access. For example, suppose you’re streaming a 4K video in the living room, your partner is listening to a podcast as they run on the treadmill, and your teenager is chatting with friends on Facebook messenger. Each device would communicate through a separate FEM.

To reduce interference, the 4K TV would connect over the faster 5 GHz band, and the two other devices would connect via the 2.4 GHz band. If your teenager suddenly switches to watching a YouTube video in HD, their phone will switch over to the 5 GHz band seamlessly to provide extra bandwidth.

That said, the AX1500 is still an affordable router, and the latency isn’t the lowest on the market. You’re looking at 60 to 80 milliseconds, which isn’t bad. Anything under 100 milliseconds is going to be good enough for most people.

But if you’re looking for a router specifically for minimal gaming latency, we’ve reviewed even faster options. The Netgear Nighthawk XR450 is a great example. This router comes with a variety of software tools to tweak your settings to reduce your latency to a bare minimum. If you’re looking for the fastest ping speed possible, this router is a tough one to beat. It’s also reasonably priced, though still a bit pricier than the AX1500.

Extra Features

Of course, a quality router is about much more than stacking up impressive specifications. It’s also about the little extras that differentiate a quality router from one that’s simply ho-hum in terms of quality. Thankfully, the AX1500 brings a couple of these nifty features to the table.
To begin with, it offers WPA3 compatibility. This is the latest standard of wireless security, both faster and more secure than old-school WEP, WPA, and WPA2 security protocols.

If you’re concerned about your neighbors leeching off your internet, this is a good way to ensure that your internet connection is truly your own. It also supports WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) pairing, which enables familiar devices to connect automatically once you’ve entered the password once. This is nearly essential on phones, tablets, and laptops, since you don’t want to have to select the network and enter your password every time you come home.

Another feature that the AX1500 offers is geared specifically to parents. It has built-in parental controls, so you can block adult sites and other content that you don’t want your kids to stumble across. You can also customize these controls to set limits on various types of content, and even set different limits for different devices.

For example, if you have two kids, you can allot two hours of streaming video time per day to each of their phones. Another nice feature for parents is the ability to set an internet bedtime for your kids. If your kids like to sit up late, chatting with their friends on social media with the blanket pulled up over their heads, an internet bedtime is a good way to ensure that they get a good night’s sleep.

Of course, you might be looking for even more security. If that’s the case, the Keezel 2.0 VPN Portable Router might be just what you’re looking for. This is a mini router, designed for one or two devices, not for the entire house. That said, it’s small enough to take on the road, and can easily be used to improve your security when you login from a hotel or a coffee shop.

The Keezel offers two types of security. The first is built-in antivirus and anti-malware protection. This isn’t a replacement for your existing antivirus software, but it’s always good to have a second layer of security. More importantly, as its name implies, this router directs your traffic through a secure VPN. And because the router connects to the VPN right from the get-go, it’s even more secure than VPN software, which leaves your computer unprotected for a few seconds during startup and shutdown.

Final Verdict

So, at the end of the day, is the VANIN AX1500 a good buy? All things considered, we think it’s a solid choice for most people. To begin with, you get a traditional design with a small, predictable footprint. You also get a significant range, with a powerful signal that can connect up to 25 separate devices, including future smart home devices that haven’t been released yet.

This gives you the ability to connect as many devices as you can manage, and to connect with blazing-fast Wi-Fi 6 speed. In addition, the parental controls and internet bedtime are both fantastic features, giving parents the opportunity to control kids’ access to the internet. If you want a secure, stable, and future-proof router, the AX1500 is an excellent choice.

The post In-Depth Review of the VANIN AX1500 Dual Band AX WiFi 6 Router appeared first on Nerd Techy.

If you tinkered around with different wireless options in the early 2000’s, you’re probably familiar with powerline access points. These devices use your home’s electrical wires to transmit a signal across the house. The concept is simple: rather than daisy-chain multiple wireless routers or install Ethernet connections in multiple rooms, you use your home’s existing systems for a quick setup.

In theory, this was a great alternative to traditional WiFi routers. It was cheaper, it didn’t require you to hire an electrician, and it was just as fast as early WiFi. But as happens all too often with new technology, the powerline industry got bogged down in a battle over standards and protocols that kept the industry from advancing. Meanwhile, WiFi standards have been updated five different times since the year 2000, offering significantly faster speeds.

This is a shame, because the powerline concept is a good idea. It’s cheap and convenient, and the latest standards are almost – but not quite – as fast as WiFi. Enter TRENDnet, with their brand new 1200 AV2 Wireless Kit. This kit does combines the benefits of both a powerline kit and a WiFi extender. Whether you simply want to extend Ethernet to another room or extend your wireless network’s signal across the house, it achieves both.

As should be clear by now, this wireless kit is not a traditional router. If that’s what you were looking for, you’d be better off with the Netgear Nighthawk AX4, which we recently reviewed. This is a powerful dual-band router that offers excellent range, as well as four Gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting your stationary devices by wire. If you’re trying to extend wireless coverage to a large house, but you just want to use a single traditional router, the Nighthawk AX4 is well worth considering.

Design and Construction

As befits a powerline internet kit, the 1200 AV2 includes not one but two different components. The first is the TPL-421E, which is the main powerline adapter. It measures 5 inches high by 2 ½ inches wide by 1 inch thick. This is fairly large, but TRENDnet put some thought into the design, and built it so that when the adapter is plugged into the bottom outlet, the top outlet will be clear and available. In addition, there’s also a three-prong pass-through outlet, so you can continue to use the bottom outlet as well.

The box itself is clean and white, with a trio of LEDs on the front that indicate when it’s powered, whether it’s connected to your router via Ethernet, and whether it’s connected to an access point. By default, these LEDs are all green. However, when your powerline connection to the access point is weak, the bottom LED will turn orange as a warning.

The bottom of the TPL-421E, you’ll find a Gigabit Ethernet input port for connecting your powerline kit to your router. You’ll also find sync and reset buttons that we’ll talk about in more detail later. For now, all we’ll say is that the sync button is easy to locate and press, while the reset button is recessed so you aren’t able to press it by accident while you’re handling the unit.

The TPL-430AP is the second half of this kit, and it’s the wireless access point itself. It measures slightly larger than the powerline adapter, at 5 ¾ inches high by 3 ¼ inches wide by 1 ¾ inches thick. Like the powerline adapter, it’s designed to be plugged into the bottom outlet, and to leave the top outlet open. However, it doesn’t offer a pass-through plug, so you’re going to need to use it on an outlet where you can spare the bottom half. In addition, it features a pair of external pivoting antennas, which can be rotated to point in any direction.

The access point has five LED indicators on the front, most of which are similar to what you’d see on a standard router or wireless access point. From top to bottom, these are: a power light to indicate that the unit is plugged in, a LAN light to indicate an active connection to your router, a data light to indicate that you’re connected to the internet, and separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz indicator lights that tell you when there’s an active connection on each band.

On the bottom of the TPL-430AP, you’ll find the same sync and reset buttons that are located on the TPL-421E powerline unit. In addition, you’ll also find a button for cloning your existing wireless network. This is a convenient feature for quickly extending your existing network, since you won’t need to worry about any complex configurations if you don’t want to.

The only thing we didn’t like about the design was the placement of three Gigabit Ethernet ports on top of the wireless access point, rather than underneath. On the one hand, this makes it easy to quickly connect and disconnect your wired devices. On the other hand, it means that your cables will droop awkwardly over the top of the unit, instead of plugging elegantly into the bottom.

One thing you’ve probably realized by now is that the 1200 AV2 isn’t suitable for outdoor use. If you need to extend your wireless network to the outdoors, we recently reviewed several outdoor WiFi range extenders that are more than up to the task. No need to worry about rain, cold, or other weather damage.

Setup and Compatibility

As we’ve already mentioned, the 1200 AV2 doesn’t require a complex setup or even a wizard. The reason for this is that you’re actually plugging in directly via Ethernet. As a result, all you need to do is plug everything in and you’re ready to go. By default, the password and network name on the range extender is “HomePlug”, but simply by pressing the sync buttons on both units, you can set the 1200 AV2 to mirror your home’s wireless network name and access key.

As far as setup goes, that’s about as simple as it gets. That said, there’s no app for changing your settings. Even more frustrating, when the device is connected to your router, there’s no way to access it directly to change your settings. To do anything advanced, you need to leave the powerline adapter disconnected from the internet, and plug into it with an Ethernet cable. From there, you can access the settings by navigating directly to the IP address http://192.168.10.1. This is similar to how you’d set up a traditional router, but it’s a frustrating interface when you need to disconnect your wireless extender just to make a few adjustments.

To make these changes, your 1200 AV2 will include an instruction card with login and password requirements for accessing administrative functions. Don’t lose this card, or you’ll have no way of making administrative changes.

If you’re in the market for a simpler wireless extender, you should read our review of the Zyxel Multy U. These wireless extenders are available individually, but also in a two or three pack. They’re not terribly powerful in terms of range, but they’re very affordable. They’re primarily designed for extending line-of-sight coverage, which is essential if you want to take advantage of the advanced features that are coming with 5G. If you have a lot of smart home devices, the Zyxel Multy U is an ideal choice.

Speed and Connectivity

Like all powerline kits, the 1200 AV2’s signal depends on your electrical wiring. Since electrical wires weren’t designed for carrying a signal, the signal degrades much faster than it does over a similar length of Ethernet cable. As a result, while you don’t typically have to worry about the length of an Ethernet run in a residential context, powerline units are limited by how much electrical line they have to run through. The 1200 AV2 is rated for a range of 300 meters. Keep in mind that this isn’t 300 meters in a straight line. This is 300 meters of electrical wire, which includes twists and turns through walls, and potentially runs down to the circuit breaker and back.

Both halves of the 1200 AV2 combine for a total power draw of 15 watts, which is comparable to a pair of bright LED light bulbs. That’s not bad at all for power savings. Its official speed rating is 300Mbps on the 2.4 GHz channel, and 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz channel. However, we’ve looked at some user benchmarks for different distances. Here’s what we found.

With both units connected on the same circuit, you’re looking at an actual transfer rate of 105 Mbps up/37 Mbps down on the 2.4 GHz channel, and a rate of 154 Mbps down/36 Mbps down on the 5 GHz channel. This is respectable, but a far cry from the advertised transfer rates. If you move the access point to a different circuit than the powerline adapter, so the signal needs to run all the way to your circuit breaker and back, your speeds drop to around 79 Mbps down/28 Mbps up at 2.4 GHz and 80 Mbps down/21 Mbps up at 5 GHz. Now, these are benchmarks we found on the internet, and your results will be different depending on your home’s unique wiring. Nevertheless, we think we’ve made our point; connection speed still suffers somewhat when you’re using a powerline unit.

Final Verdict

So, is the WiFi Everywhere Powerline 1200 AV2 worth getting back into the powerline market for? Yes, if that’s what you want, but it’s not for everybody. As we’ve demonstrated, the connection speeds aren’t quite what you’d expect from a quality wireless router. While there’s practically no difference when the two halves of the device are close together, you’ll experience a steep drop-off in performance when the devices are on opposite ends of the house.

That said, setting up a traditional wireless extender can be a headache. And if you want to have an Ethernet port available in a new room, you’ll need to run wires and install a new port. Unless you’re an experienced do-it-yourselfer, this means hiring an electrician. Considering the headache and expense involved with either option, sometimes it just makes more sense to install a powerline extender.

Finally, the 1200 AV2 is user-friendly. If you’re not experienced with configuring wireless networks and you’re not interested in learning how, it can just be easier to install a powerline extension and leave it at that. That’s a lot of good reasons to install one of these puppies, provided you don’t need a blazing-fast connection speed.

The post TRENDnet WiFi Everywhere Powerline 1200 AV2 Wireless Kit Review appeared first on Nerd Techy.

Have you ever been walking out of your house in the morning streaming some video or on a Wi-Fi call, only to have the call drop? What about having the video simply stop buffering because your phone disconnected from the WiFi the moment you stepped outside? This is a pain that comes with almost every home router. They are simply not rated to get a strong connection through all of your walls across the entire building.

You can try to strategically place your router to spread the signal as best you can. You may try getting more than one router and just configure every room with a unique SSID so that you know where you are by looking at the wireless connection on your phone (who needs to look away from their screen after all).

A much easier way is to check out WiFi extenders or a Mesh system that can actually expand the coverage to your entire home. This way you never have to experience the pain that comes when foolishly deciding to put your router near your living room game console, that happens to be on the opposite end of the house as your bedroom. Then realize that you cant get a good signal to stay awake all night looking at photos of cats, the pain is just too much.

Whole home mesh WiFi systems are great at what they were designed to do. They create a net of signal that extends throughout entire homes to make sure you get the speed you pay your ISP for, no matter where you are in your house. Aside from the connection stability for your mobile devices, the real power is actually with stationary wireless devices like smart TVs and smart home systems. The way of the future is smart home technology, so having a network that is powerful enough to connect your entire home on a single SSID is both convenient and becoming more and more important.

So lets take a look at the Rock Space Whole Home Mesh WiFi System and what it is capable of so that you can see if making the move to a mesh system is right for you.

Coverage and Design

Even a single mesh unit is capable of generating a coverage area of 2000 square feet. With 3 mesh units the Rock Space Home System can blanket an entire home with wireless coverage up to a 5380 square foot property. With 6 mesh unites you can get coverage up to 9000 square feet. Not only can it generate this full coverage in your home but it also does so with a single SSID so you do not have to disconnect and reconnect as you move around.

Each unit resembles a small square speaker about 7 inches tall. They are all a sleek black color and have a very small footprint. Despite the small size they are packed with power which is demonstrated by their wide signal range and strong connection. There are not many networks out there that can boast a nine thousand square foot range. Even just factoring in a single device many routers cannot reach the two-thousand square feet that one of these units can cover.

Security – How safe are you anyway?

With the Rock Space Mesh WiFi network you have both firewall and WPA2-PSK functionality. The PSk stands for “Pre-Shared Key” which provides the encryption over your connection that only your key can decrypt. Using a technology called TKIP (meaning Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) the password and the SSID are used to generate a unique encryption key for each device connected to the wireless network. That is the key that is then shared with that devices and used to protect the traffic between the router and the connected device.

With older WPA technology hackers could easy break into your network. Once they are inside they could do practically anything. To really make you understand how easy it is for a hacker to get into an older WPA network we are going to summarize for you how it was done. There is an open source Linux distribution called Kali Linux that comes pre-installed with a huge supply of hacking tools. These tools include everything you need to crack into WiFi networks. All a hacker has to do is get that OS, open up a terminal and run airmon-ng and select their network interface card.

Once they have done that they can choose the wireless signal to monitor (the target they are trying to crack). When they run airodump-ng they will get a list of open signals to target and can see what type of security that signal has. When they select the specific target they run that same program to only capture data between their network interface card and the target wifi.

While capturing all the data they simply have to wait for a WPA handshake to appear in the network traffic. The handshake would appear every time a device connects to the router using the appropriate password. They simply have to catch that handshake and then use it to connect to your router.

It is as simple as that. Such an attack would often take no longer than a few minutes and a hacker could break into your home network. Once in the network they are able to then target your personal computers or phones or just capture all the traffic coming from them with a man in the middle attack. If you are sending unencrypted data on your home network because you believe yourself to be safe, a hacker that has broken in could see all of that data, including payment card data or the list of websites you are visiting and the credentials to those sites.

We hope that explanation has caused you a bit of fear because it absolutely should. The internet is not a secure place and when you use old technology with outdated security protocols you open yourself up to becoming a victim. That is why at a bare minimum you should be using WPA2-PSK to protect yourself on your home network.

With the built in firewall software on the Rock Space Mesh network, you are able to restrict individual traffic types or lock down specific ports. This in combination with your first layer of security should be enough to stop most threats. If you know which protocols you will be using you can make sure that only traffic on those ports is permitted.

Plus if you want to stop your kids from playing their favorite video game online, you can google the ports used for the multiplayer service and then block that specific port. They will be able to load up the game itself but they will be unable to play it online which is the single activity most people get addicted to. So, whether you simply want your kids to spend more time outdoors or you want to help prevent them from getting addicted to multiplayer games, the built in firewall software can help you lock down your network.

Bandwidth & Throughput

Along with a massive coverage range the performance with MU-MIMO technology is great. Most wireless routers can stream data to only a single connected device at a time. When you have multiple devices connected to a router they create a line to pull the requested data which can cause slow downs on your network.

With MU-MIMO which stands for Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output, a network can stream to multiple devices simultaneously. This results in around three times the throughput to each devices which results in a faster internet experience for all of your devices.

This is also a dual band network so you get both 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz with speeds up to 1200Mbps which is designed to fully utilized your Gigabit network connections. That means you can get great speeds over the entire mesh network web.

Software

Rock Space provides a mobile app for both Android and iPhones that allows you to manage your network and makes the setup process incredibly easy. Right from the app you can also create guest networks should you want to provide limited access or a different set of credentials to your guests. You also have a wide range of parental controls that can be easily configured right from your phone. On top of that there are built in QoS functions that you can set up.

QoS stands for quality of service which allows you to tag packets for priority on the network. That means if you want to ensure your personal laptop has priority over all other devices you can set that up in the QoS settings. This way no one downloading or streaming movies will cause your own internet to slow down. This is a particularly useful setting to configure for your home router if you live with many other people and require segmented traffic rules.

The Final Verdict

This is an incredibly well designed mesh network system with very few drawbacks. The only major drawback that we found was the lack of WPA3 security on the router. As we mentioned before, cracking WPA is very easy and cracking WPA2 though much harder, is still not impossible. The implementation of the latest WPA3 security and encryption would have been a way to bring this mesh network to the next level. Unfortunately they opted to use WPA2-PSK instead and for that we have to dock them a bit for the rating.

Outside of their slight mistake with the security protocol selected, the rest of the technology seen in the Rock Space Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System is great. This is a business class network that can be used for homes as well. Despite the target market being a home user, if you own a restaurant or franchise business you can easily install this mesh network in your building. The individual devices are easy to mount, take up very little space, and look good. So they can provide you with the public WI-FI that your guests can enjoy.

The post Rock Space Whole Home Mesh WiFi System Review appeared first on Nerd Techy.

Even the best router sometimes doesn’t have enough power to reach all the trouble spots in your home or office. Long distances, metal structural components, and even walls full of wiring and conduit can create an effective barrier to your wireless signal, which is the reason that attics, corner rooms, and that one conference room next to the elevator shaft all seem to have connection issues, even when the rest of the building gets you blazing fast speeds.

Setting up another router would be one solution. It’s certainly effective if you need to cover separate areas that are out of range of each-other. But if you need to extend your signal to an area that’s relatively close by, a wireless access point is a more affordable, more easily configurable solution. TRENDnet’s AC1200 (TEW-821DAP) Dual Band PoE Indoor Wireless Access Point is one of these tools. It’s ready to rock, and is compatible with all wireless protocols up to and including 802.11ac. This means it will work seamlessly with all your wireless devices, even if you have some older hardware that you still use for running obsolete software or games.

One nice feature of the TEW-821DAP is that it runs on Power Over Ethernet (PoE). This technology uses the residual power current on your Ethernet cable to run your device, so you don’t need to position it anywhere near a power outlet. Be careful, though. If your network isn’t PoE compatible, you’ll need to connect a PoE power injector somewhere along the cable, in order to feed the beast. Alternatively, this access point includes an AC power adapter, so you can always power it conventionally if you don’t want to mess with the PoE technology.

Of course, not everybody needs to own a fancy PoE wireless access point. If you’re looking for a more conventional option, the Netgear WAC124 is a solid choice. This little powerhouse features three adjustable antennas, and is priced low enough that anyone can afford it. It also offers a whopping 2 Gbps of bandwidth, so it’s powerful enough even for businesses and apartment complexes.

That aside, the TEW-821DAP is hard to beat when it comes to ease of installation and ease of use, provided you have a proper PoE network. Let’s look at everything it has to offer.

Design and Construction

So, you want a wireless access point, but you don’t want a big, clunky device. No worries, the TEW-821DAP is relatively compact, measuring 6.4 inches wide, 6.5 inches long, and only 1.7 inches high. This is more compact than most routers, and you don’t need to worry about antennas or other external features that add bulk and expanded size. Then again, you also don’t get the benefit of directional antennae, but that feature is mostly overblown unless you’re dealing with fringe situations.

The case itself is constructed from clean white ABS plastic. It’s attractive to look at, with a pair of concentric square air vents on the face that allow for plenty of cooling. The grey TRENDnet logo in the center is understated, and doesn’t draw a lot of unnecessary attention.

Along the top edge of the outer air vent, you’ll see four LED lights. From left to right, they indicate whether the device is powered, whether it’s connected to your LAN, and whether connections are active on the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz channels respectively. The LEDs are nice and small, so they won’t light up the entire room if you’re using these devices in bedrooms, dormitories, or dark offices. Another nice feature of the TEW-821DAP is that you can disable the LEDs, either individually or altogether. If you absolutely must have the darkest room possible, or even if you just don’t want a constant blinking LED to remind you that the 2.4 GHz channel is open, you can adjust the display to suit your own needs.

On the back of the TEW-821DAP, you’ll find two ports. One accommodates your Ethernet cord, while the other is the optional power port for the AC adapter. Next to those ports, you’ll also find an easy-to-use reset button. This will clear the access point’s memory, and cause it to search for and sync with the nearest compatible network. That’s a relatively straightforward feature, and it’s one we appreciate.

One thing this wireless access point isn’t going to provide you with is outdoor internet. If you need to extend your signal outside, you’re going to need an access point that’s tough enough to withstand rain, cold, sleet, and other miserable outdoor conditions. For those purposes, we recommend the TP-Link N300. The N300 is a powerful outdoor-rated wireless access point that’s designed to service multiple devices at once, with 22 separate channels and 2 directional antennas. This allows you to connect a virtually infinite number of outdoor devices. That said, installation can be a bit complex, and requires a grounding wire for safety. If you’re not experienced with installing electronics, you may need to hire a professional.

Setup and Compatibility

For installation, the TEW-821DAP includes a mounting plate. This makes installation easy on a variety of surfaces, since you don’t need to mount the device directly. Leave the access point on the ground, and screw in the mounting plate, using appropriate anchors where necessary. Then, the access point clicks easily into place. No extra headache, and no need to put any screws through a hole in the frame itself.

Once you’ve got the hardware installed and the power situation worked out, your next step will be to configure the access point. If you’re not terribly tech-savvy, this process is simple. At the most basic, you simply plug the TEW-821DAP into your network, and you’re ready to run. But why install such a high-quality device without taking advantage of all the extra features?

What we’re talking about is TRENDnet’s Windows app, which allows you to configure all of your TEW-821DAP’s features, right down to setting a unique network name and password. In most situations, this would defeat the purpose of extending your network to begin with, since you want to maintain continuous coverage. However, it’s a useful feature if you want to set up separate access for a different department in an office, or provide a separate access point for your kids. In addition, the app also works to control multiple AC200 Dual Band units, so you can troubleshoot issues and manage even the largest network from a single PC.

For a an even easier business solution, you may want to consider the Linksys Business AC1200 or AC1750. We say “business solution” because Linksys hardware is finicky, and tends to work poorly if you’re pairing it with other hardware that’s made by anyone not named Linksys. That said, if you’re running an enterprise network with Linksys routers, pairing is as easy as 1-2-3. Just plug it in and turn it on, and you can configure it the same way you configure your existing network hardware, without the need for any additional apps or extra mumbo-jumbo.

Speed and Connectivity

Of course, the main thing most people are looking for is the connection speed. After all, it doesn’t matter if your wireless access point has more options than a Burger King menu – have it your way! If you’re getting lackluster speed, your apps and data transfer are going to slow to a crawl.

With a clear line of sight, inside a building, you’re looking at more than 1,200 Mbps down and 300 Mbps up for a single device. That provides more than enough connectivity for an office or apartment block, provided you don’t have a ton of metal obstructions in the way. Without a clear line of sight, your speed will drop, and may even drop significantly depending on the obstruction. Then again, this is standard with all WiFi technology, and the fault doesn’t always lie with the router or the access point; if your phone or tablet has a relatively weak WiFi card, your connection will slow down significantly more than it would with a more powerful device, and there’s not much that any network hardware can do to improve your bandwidth.

One minor gripe we’ve heard from several users is that your signal can drop significantly while you’re walking. This is a side-effect of the TEW-821DAP’s beam shaping technology. This technology is designed to reduce power draw while maintaining a consistent signal, and it’s very effective for stationary devices. The downside is that the beam needs time to catch up with you, so your signal strength drops if, for example, you’re walking around while streaming music.

Another neat feature of the TEW-821DAP is a feature called band steering. What this does is direct all 5 GHz-capable devices to the 5 GHz band, which leaves the 2.4 GHz channel free for older and slower devices. This ensures that each of your devices receives the fastest possible connection, without compromising faster devices by forcing them onto a slower channel.

Final Verdict

So, is this a worthwhile wireless access point? For the average American home, it’s honestly overkill. But for offices, dorms, apartment blocks, and other public buildings, it’s just what the doctor ordered. Long story short, you can provide wireless coverage to a wide area, without the need to use an extra router or 2, 3, or 4 of the competitors’ wireless access points.

One thing we didn’t mention is that the TEW-821DAP doesn’t work well with Chromecast streaming, or with several other Google-specific features. Then again, the majority of businesses use Windows products, and Windows and Apple dominate the consumer market, so the only thing you’re missing out on is the ability to stream a small number of videos from your Android phone.

Other than what we’ve already mentioned, there aren’t a lot of downsides to this wireless access point. You get top-tier speed, connectivity for dozens and dozens of devices, and range worthy of a corporate office. That’s a lot to like, and a lot of reasons to use the TEW-821DAP for your next major project.

The post TRENDnet TEW-821DAP AC1200 Dual Band PoE Indoor Wireless Access Point Review appeared first on Nerd Techy.

The internet is an ever increasingly dangerous place as cybercriminals create more sophisticated ways of stealing your data or breaking into your system. When combined with the fact that people are relying on their computers for more sensitive matters such as banking, not only are you more exposed technologically but also personally.

If your data is cracked, you’re no longer only risking a temporary inconvenience. The risk is now quite literally, your life. If your identity is stolen, it can impact your credit score and cause ripples of damage throughout the following years of your life. That means being denied home loans, or car loans, or perhaps just failing the credit check to land an apartment.

One way of protecting yourself is to utilize a virtual private network. There are tons of VPNs available, but even then, you take a risk because if you choose a VPN provider that’s malicious, you’re sending your data right to them free of charge or challenge. The best VPNs will help you secure your web traffic against hackers, man-in-the-middle café snoopers, and almost anyone else trying to get to you.

If you have ever logged into a public Wi-Fi network, you have exposed yourself to risk. If you have done the unthinkable and logged into one of your accounts while on a public network, you might have given away your login credentials. If you happen to use that email and password for any other accounts, then they have those accounts as well. If you happen to use those credentials for your email address itself, then a hacker can go to any one of your accounts by requesting a password reset or “forgotten password” which then emails you a link to log in.

The moral of the story here is that you need to secure yourself when you use an internet connection. Whether on public Wi-Fi or at home, the internet is a dangerous place. The Syfer unlimited smart VPN router with a built-in next-gen smart firewall is one of the best ways to protect yourself when browsing the web from home. This is a feature-rich router designed specifically to give you the ability to browse the internet confidently and without fear. So, let’s dive into what makes this device great.

Secure VPN & Features

The Syfer VPN router includes a one-year subscription to its proprietary global VPN with up to 100Mbps+. The unlimited part of their unlimited smart VPN comes into play with the fact that they have no data caps on VPN usage. So whether you wish to stream HD video or do banking, you can log into your accounts and go about your business without worry. Syfer has documented their plans to upgrade their speed limits as improvements over 2020, meaning you get free upgrades as they improve their service.

Despite the fact that the device is called a VPN router, it’s important to note that Syfer is not exactly a Wi-Fi router. It’s a cybersecurity appliance that connects between your modem and Wi-Fi router to deliver privacy and security features. This was a bit of concern while reviewing the device because utilizing the term ‘router’ in the device’s name can be confusing for those that might not read the fine print.

The only downside to the VPN is that it’s built into the device itself, so if you plan to be mobile, you cannot take that security with you. As long as you’re aware, this is a device to protect your home network, then you should not have any misconceptions about what to expect. If you want to protect your connection on the go we recommend you either get a software VPN as well or check out the Keezel 2.0 VPN portable router.

Along with the VPN connection, you get additional privacy and security tools. Syfer includes a DNS traffic encryption that’s routed via the Syfer DNS network. They utilize DNS over TLS to ensure your traffic is encrypted, so even if someone were to see the traffic, they would be unable to determine what is going on or see any detailed information. Syfer uses TunnelShaper technology that leverages its global VPN network and uses a patent-pending smart VPN service to ensure your secure connection does not interfere with your streaming experiences.

The TunnelShaper has multiple security settings, and even if you choose to disable it, you will still have encrypted traffic routed via the Syfer VPN backbone. When you set it on moderate, your network is protected by the SyferDNS Artificial Intelligence, and threat intelligence feeds that increase your security drastically.

Setting it to strong takes it up even farther, where you get all of the moderate benefits with the inclusion of enabling the intrusion prevention system Suricata. With Suricata running, your signature ruleset can be curated and updated on a daily basis to prevent any attacks on your network, including viruses, trojans, ransomware, and other malware. The only downside to the maximum security setting is that it utilizes quite a bit of bandwidth and will significantly slow your connection speed.

Arguably one of the best features of this device is its built-in Ad-blocker. Syfer comes with a network-level ad and tracker blocking service that works a bit different than your traditional browser-based ad block plugins. The network ad blocker handles ads and trackers on an IP and DNS level instead of how the plugin for your browser works by blocking the javascript on the page. When you combine browser-based and network-level ad-blocking, your online experience is faster, more secure, and much less annoying.

Build & Design

Syfer is a very small network device coming in at only 5.5 inches long, by 3.5 inches wide and only 1.5 inches high. With such a low impact size, you can throw it wherever your modem is without having to clear up much space on your desk or impact your network layout. In total, it only weighs 11.2 ounces. Syfer is designed to work with its mobile application so you can manage your security settings from your phone. If you plug it in and reboot your router, Syfer basically sets itself up. You simply scan the QR code using the Syfer app, and it will pair with your device automatically. After that, managing your security is a matter of simply clicking on the options that you want activated.

To physically connect Syfer, you simply plug in the Ethernet cable into one side and for the connection to your modem. Then on the other side, you connect a separate ethernet that goes to your router. The only other port on the device is for power. That means that regardless of your level of tech-savviness, you will be able to hook this up without assistance. 

Parental Control

If you happen to have a family, parental controls are incredibly important. The internet is dangerous for the knowledgeable but even more dangerous for kids that do not know not to click on dangerous links or go to shady websites. For this, Syfer has built-in Parental controls. You can choose the categories of websites you wish to block and hit save. It’s as simple as that. Sites that are categorized under the blocked categories will not be accessible when connecting on your network.

With Safe Search enabled, you’re able to block unsafe search engine results, so your house doesn’t even have to see the nefarious results in the list. There’s also an option to enable “safe YouTube” so that you can prevent access to inappropriate YouTube content. The YouTube content filter might not be entirely accurate since it relies heavily on user tags and accurate categorization for the video in order to block it, so for this feature, we wouldn’t recommend you rely on it as your only method of controlling your child’s youtube access.

Impact on Gaming

Though not everyone is a gamer, gaming is becoming a more prevalent function of our internet usage. If you happen to play single-player games, then your internet connection doesn’t really matter all that much unless the content is DRM protected. Where it does matter, however, is multiplayer competitive gaming. For competitive games, every increase in ping can impact your performance, and it’s a sad reality that when you increase your security, you do have a negative impact on your network ping.

Depending on the level of your security settings, your ping will be impacted more or less significantly. During a variety of tests run, we saw increases in ping from between 10 and 30 points, which might not seem like that much at first, but it can be the difference between getting the kill in an FPS or being the kill for someone else. 

Service Charge

Though Syfer includes a one-year subscription to their VPN service, you will eventually have to pay for it. After your year is up, you will be charged $9.99 a month going forward. This is a small price to pay for the level of security you get with all of the features built into Syfer, but it’s still significant enough for some to factor in on their decision. 

Other Considerations

Syfer needs to be set between your router and your modem, so if you happen to have a combination router modem, it will not work on your network. You will need an additional router in order to make use of this device.

Who Should Choose the Sypher Smart VPN?

Anyone that’s concerned with network security would benefit from the Syfer Smart VPN “Router”. By that, we mean that every single person that uses the internet at home would benefit from this device, but only those that are actually concerned about it will listen. Security is quickly becoming a requirement of internet access instead of being optional. Without some type of network security, it’s not a matter of if you will be hacked or infected, it’s a matter of ‘when.’

The post Syfer Unlimited Smart VPN “Router” Review & Analysis appeared first on Nerd Techy.

In recent years, smart plugs have become some of the most popular energy-saving devices on the market. They allow you to run your appliances on a set schedule or simply prevent waste due to “vampire power”. Even better, they give you the ability to turn power on and off remotely, using your smartphone.

But not all of our power needs are indoors. With more and more outdoor devices relying on electricity instead of gas, there’s increasing demand for outdoor power options. Today, we’ll be looking at three of the most popular outdoor smart plugs available online.

Before we continue, though, it’s important to understand what we’re talking about. We’re talking about smart plugs, not mere timers. These plugs come with apps, and you can control them from your smartphone. If you’re just looking for a simple timer, there are better options. We recently reviewed the best automated light switch timers, and they’re a much better option for indoor use. There’s no reason to overspend on a smart plug when a simple timer will do.

And while you’re looking at outdoor power supplies, why not extend your wireless range? Take advantage of your new outdoor smart plug, and install an outdoor WiFi range extender to match. Not only will you be able to connect more devices, but you’ll save on data costs.

But there are more benefits to a smart plug than just cost savings. Want to control your sprinkler system from the other side of the country? An outdoor smart plug can do it. Want to operate outdoor lights without needing to flip a switch? An outdoor smart plug will get the job done. Now let’s dig in, and see what these plugs have to offer.

Etekcity Outdoor Smart Plug

The Etekcity Outdoor Smart Plug is a duplex plug that plugs into your existing outdoor power outlet. It’s big, it’s fat, and it’s powerful, with a 10-gauge cord that can handle a lot of abuse. It’s also rated for water resistance, with an IP44 rating. Rain, sleet, and snow are no obstacle. The Etekcity Outdoor Smart Plug will continue to operate effectively even in the worst of conditions. But that’s just a matter of weatherproofing, and there are plenty of weatherproof outdoor power outlets. The truly impressive thing about this smart plug is just how versatile it is.

Syncs With the Sun

To begin with, there’s a sunrise/sunset option. This is mostly designed for lights, and it’s understandable why that would be the case. For example, suppose you have a set of patio lights that’s designed to deter burglars? Wouldn’t you want those lights to come on on a regular basis? Yes, you could use a standard light-sensitive switch, but those don’t necessarily save any power. On the contrary, they burn through vampire power like nobody’s business. This is because the light sensor needs to remain constantly active. It’s not a “smart” device. It’s just sitting there, active, looking for sunlight.

With Etekcity’s sunrise/sunset feature, your lights will automatically activate when the sun goes down, and they’ll also shut off at sunrise. No light sensor is required. Simply your location. Once you set your location in the app, the Etekcity Outdoor Smart Plug knows when your local sunrise and sunset times are. In sunrise/sunset mode, it will turn on and off accordingly.

The Etekcity app also allows for voice control. Not only can you operate it through the app, but you can use your favorite voice control app. It’s compatible with both Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant, so you’ll have plenty of options. Keep in mind, though, that Siri support is still upcoming, but it’s not available yet. If you’re a hardcore Apple user, you’ll want to choose a different smart plug.

More Options

But you’re not limited to just a simple daytime/nighttime schedule. Using the Etekcity app, you can also set your own schedule. Want your lights to come on at 6 AM? It’s easy. Want them to shut off at 10 PM? Equally easy. Press a button, and it’s done. Not only that, but the Etekcity offers constant energy monitoring. If you need to know how much electricity you’re using, it’s as simple as using the app.

BN-LINK Smart WiFi Heavy Duty Outdoor Outlet

The BN-LINK Smart WiFi Heavy Duty Outdoor Outlet truly lives up to its name. It’s tough, it’s beefy, and it supports a trio of 15-amp outlets. If you’re powering a set of powerful electronic devices, with lots of power demand, it’s hard to beat. It’s also IP44-rated for outdoor use. Rain storms? No problem. 6 inches of snow? No worries. Constant fog and mist? The BN-LINK will keep on trucking. No matter what your local weather conditions, this smart plug is a great choice. You won’t have to worry about your plug. But make sure that your devices are safe for outdoor use. It doesn’t magically protect non-waterproof devices.

Timing Choices

The BN-LINK is compatible with all smartphone voice controls, including Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. This is a significant improvement over Etekcity’s offering, which doesn’t support Siri. Considering how many people prefer Apple products, this is a tough feature to argue with. The ability to control your devices from your iPhone is a major plus. Want to turn on your lights remotely? You can do it hands-free. Want to run your sprinkler system? Do it with your words. There’s no need to use a third-party app for connectivity.

Like the Etekcity Outdoor Smart Plug, the BN-LINK allows for an easier alternative. Not only can you set a timer for your devices, you can also program them to operate based on the day/night cycle. Obviously, this feature depends on setting your device to your local time zone. But this isn’t a big deal. The BN-LINK comes with a smartphone app. Provided that you’ve paired your device, you’ll already be ready to go. Turn on at sunset. Turn off at sunup. It’s very easy. All you have to do is use the BN-LINK’s built-in sunset/sundown function, which makes light control as easy as selecting a single button.

Connectivity

The BN-LINK Smart WiFi Heavy Duty Outdoor Outlet connects with a 2.4 GHz wireless signal. This makes it compatible with a wide variety of routers and wireless devices. If your router was manufactured anytime after the mid-1990s, you’ll be able to connect without any problems. The wireless signal is also secured, which means your smart home devices won’t be vulnerable to hackers just because you’re using an app for control.

The tether on the BN-LINK is on the short side but that shouldn’t be a problem. It’s designed primarily as a replacement for a standard power outlet, so it’s supposed to be short. But it’s important to keep in mind that your device will need a long enough cord to plug in. If you’re going to need an extension cord, consider a weatherproof option. Otherwise, you’re liable to experience a short-circuit or other serious damage.

The app itself is easy to install. It’s called “Smart Life”, and it’s available on all major app platforms. Whether you’re running iOS, Android, or Windows, you’ll have the ability to easily control your device from your smartphone. Unlike a lot of brands, BN-LINK allows for connectivity across multiple smartphone providers. No matter what phone you prefer, you’ll be able to enjoy their outdoor smart outlet.

VAVOFO Outdoor Smart Outlet

The VAVOFO Outdoor Smart Outlet is a three-plug outlet that offers an IP44 weather-resistance rating. The plugs each have their own individual cover, which flips open with a flick of your thumb. They also offer 15-amp power with a full 120 volts. As a result, you’re going to get enough juice to power all of your outdoor devices, without the need to add any other accessories.

Simply plug in the VAVOFO, connect your device, and you’re ready to go. The design is also fireproof. It won’t combust until it reaches 750 degrees Celsius. That’s obviously not enough to resist a major fire, but it ensures that the VAVOFO will withstand lightning strikes and other everyday damage.

Daytime or Nighttime Use

VAVOFO’s outdoor outlet connects to your devices seamlessly via WiFi. It’s compatible with a wide variety of smartphone controls. By default, you can use VAVOFO’s Smart Life app. It’s downloadable for free on Apple, Android, and Windows systems. Not only that, but it lets you choose a localized sunset/sunrise option for lights. As with our previous selections, this is an amazing feature. On its face, this isn’t any better than a light-sensitive switch, but in reality, it offers a lot more.

The smartphone app includes timer options. You can use this feature to set a seven-day timer. Forget about a 9-5 timer, imagine setting a new schedule for each day of the week. Suppose you want to switch your lights on at 5 o’clock on weekdays, but 7 o’clock on Saturdays. With VAVOFO’s app, choosing one or the other is as easy as clicking your smartphone screen a few times.

Power-Saving Design

The VAVOFO doesn’t just turn your devices on and off. It also prevents energy loss due to “vampire power”. Vampire power is a constant, slow energy drain caused by appliances that have been powered off. LED lights, time indicators, and other features can constantly drain energy. This can result in larger power bills, even when you’re not using your devices. Vampire power also has a negative impact on the planet. It can cause you to pollute more than you intended, even if you’re an environmentally-conscious person.

This is one of the biggest benefits of any smart plug. While other plugs allow your devices to draw power constantly, smart plugs allow you to choose when your devices have — or don’t have — access to electricity.

Final Verdict

Which of these WiFi outdoor smart plugs is the best? The most obvious choice is the Etekcity Outdoor Smart Plug. It can sync with the sun, sync with your own schedule, or work on demand. The water resistance is also excellent. Even if your neighborhood is plagued by constant storms, you’ll be just fine. Best of all, you’ll have the option of voice control.

But sadly, the Etekcity isn’t compatible with Apple’s Siri voice assistant. So, if you’re an Apple user, you’ll need to choose a different smart plug. A good alternative would be the BN-LINK Smart WiFi Heavy Duty Outdoor Outlet. Not only does this plug offer three outlets instead of two, it’s also compatible with all smartphones. If you’re an Apple fan, you’ll appreciate this feature. Not only that, but it has three outlets instead of two.

Finally, the VAVOFO is an excellent choice due to its durability. Other smart plugs allow you to control whether they’re on or off. And that’s fine. It’s the main reason you buy a smart plug, after all! But the VAVOFO will shut off automatically when temperatures get too high. This is an excellent safety feature, and it makes the VAVOFO well worth considering. That said, all of these options would make a good choice. No matter what route you choose, you’re not going to go wrong.

The post Guide to the Best WiFi Connected Outdoor Smart Plug appeared first on Nerd Techy.

A powerline network adapter is designed to extend your home’s Ethernet connectivity to multiple rooms around the house. These adapters plug into a power outlet, and use your home’s electrical wiring to send and receive data. It’s a neat trick, and it saves you the need to run Ethernet to multiple rooms. It was developed in 2001 as an alternative to running wires throughout your entire home, and it quickly became popular. However, manufacturers couldn’t agree on a single standard, and early releases were often slow, buggy, and difficult to use. As a result, powerline network adapters nearly went the way of the Zip Drive — an interesting novelty that came and went.

However, for some people, running Ethernet cable can be prohibitively expensive. And brick walls and other solid obstructions can severely reduce the range of a WiFi signal. As a result, powerline adapters have remained in production, although they haven’t been as popular. Meanwhile, the technology has advanced over the years. Connections that used to be slow and unreliable are now fast and stable.

We should point out here that powerline adapters aren’t wireless. You won’t be able to set up a WiFi network using them. They simply provide you with Ethernet ports where you otherwise might not have any. That said, there’s no reason you can’t connect a wireless access point to your powerline adapter. This can be a useful solution if you’re having trouble getting a wireless signal at a distance. Just set up a powerline connector at the far end of your home or office, and you’re ready to go. Alternatively, you can use a more powerful WiFi router. The Netgear Nighthawk AX4 is a solid choice, built for the largest homes. It’s even powerful enough for spacious corporate offices.

We’ve searched for the best powerline network adapters on the market, and come up with three of the best. And now, we’ll provide a thorough review of their functions and features.

Zyxel Wave 2 Powerline Kit

The Zyxel Wave 2 Powerline Kit consists of a pair of Ethernet adapters that plug into your electrical outlet. They’re big, they’re chunky, and even when they’re plugged into the bottom half of a duplex outlet, they still block the top outlet. Thankfully, they have a pass-through design. As a result, you’ll still have the ability to plug in another device. If you’re truly pressed for time and space, you can plug a power strip into the adapter instead. This will allow you to use up to six outlets and still enjoy the Zyxel’s connectivity. One thing to keep in mind is that you should not plug the Zyxel — or any powerline network adapter — into a power strip. The shared cable from the strip to the outlet can cause significant signal degradation.

When properly configured, the Zyxel is capable of delivering speeds up to 2,400 Mb/s. This is more than double gigabit speed, which is the current benchmark for a “good” internet connection. Keep in mind, though, that signal quality depends a lot on range. And range doesn’t necessarily equate to the distance between two powerline adapters. For example, suppose you have a home office with a router, and an adjacent bedroom with a brick wall between. Putting powerline adapters in both rooms, you’d think they were just a few feet apart. However, if the two rooms are on separate circuits, the adapters may be far apart. The reason is that the signal will have to run all the way to your circuit breaker and back up the other circuit. Depending on your home’s electrical system layout, that could easily be over 100 feet. In offices, the distance could be even further.

That said, even at ranges of 100 feet, the Zyxel will still serve up gigabit speeds or better. That’s more than good enough for gaming, high-definition streaming, and other bandwidth-intensive applications. At 2,400 Mb/s, you’ll have enough bandwidth for streaming video in 8K. There aren’t a lot of services offering 8K video, and fewer TVs and monitors that support it. But it’s good to be future-proof. And the Zyxel is designed to ensure that you’ll have plenty of bandwidth for years to come. The Zyxel also utilizes the latest G.hn powerline technology. As we’ve already noted, it’s blazing fast. But G.hn technology also reduces noise. This is a huge improvement over older protocols, where the signal was often unreliable. If you’re connecting two very distant rooms, the Zyxel might slow down, but it won’t be any less reliable.

Connecting more than two rooms is also easy. As long as one Zyxel unit is connected to your router or modem, it will act as a hub. You can purchase more devices, and any number of them can act as receivers. For most home users, this feature is unnecessary. However, if you’re setting up an office network, the ability to connect multiple Zyxel devices can be handy. Finally, the Zyxel is one of the most environmentally-friendly networking devices you’ll find. It has an automatic sleep mode. When no data is being transmitted, the units will go to sleep. This saves 90 percent of electricity as opposed to a unit that’s always on.

One feature that’s hard to come by is a powerline network adapter that also extends your wireless network. If you don’t want to be tied to an Ethernet port, there are still a few powerline options out there. One of those is the TRENDnet WiFi Everywhere Powerline 1200 AV2 Wireless Kit. We reviewed this kit last month, and it’s definitely worth a look. Besides which, it’s one of the few powerline network adapters that has WiFi connectivity built in.

D-Link Powerline 2000

The D-Link Powerline 2000 gets its name from its rated speed. It’s rated for speeds of up to 2,000 Mb/s, or roughly 2 gigabits. Much like the Zyxel, this only holds true under ideal conditions, when both powerline adapters are on the same circuit. At longer ranges, you can expect a drop in speed. Users have reported speeds as low as 400 Mb/s, but this is most likely a result of old wiring. On homes with relatively new wiring, speeds of 1,000 Mb/s are realistic even on relatively distant connections. This isn’t absurdly fast, but it meets the threshold for gigabit internet. As a result, it’s more than good enough for streaming, gaming, and lightning-fast data backups.

The power blocks themselves are large. No matter which outlet you plug into, both of them are going to be blocked. Thankfully, D-Link was well aware of this. They’ve only been making powerline network adapters since 2001. In that time, they’ve learned a thing or two. One of those vital lessons is that a powerline adapter needs a pass-through outlet, which the Powerline 2000 offers. Not only can you still use a single outlet, you can even plug a power strip or splitter into the outlet.

The Powerline 2000 comes as a pair. There’s no designated “hub” unit, which makes the kit more versatile. Simply connect either adapter to your router or modem, plug it into a power outlet, and you’ll be ready to connect other devices. The base kit comes with two units, allowing you to extend your connectivity to a single device. However, the Powerline 2000 supports up to 16 simultaneous connections. This makes it versatile enough for small offices, apartment buildings, and other applications. Keep in mind, though, that this works better in theory than it does in practice. The “hub” unit can still only handle a maximum transfer rate of 2,000 Mb/s. As a result, if you’re trying to stream on multiple devices, you’re going to be disappointed.

The Powerline 2000 has a user-friendly interface that’s easy to understand. Three LED lights on the front of the device indicate its status. They tell you when there’s power delivered, when they’re connected to your home network, and when other Powerline 2000 devices are connected. There’s also a power saving mode. When there’s no activity, the Powerline 2000 will automatically go into sleep mode. This can save 85 percent of power when you’re not using your internet connection. Not bad!

TP-Link AV2000

The TP-Link AV2000 is a powerline network adapter that puts security first and foremost. These devices are equipped with AES 128-bit encryption. That’s a huge improvement over most powerline devices, which are generally unencrypted. Simply press the pairing button on both plug devices, and they will be paired. You can add additional AV2000 adapters in this same fashion, up to 16 total adapters. To be sure, there aren’t many hackers out there tapping into people’s power lines. But if you’re running a business or dealing with sensitive data, the extra protection is a great plus. When pairing your adapters, you’ll want to have them both plugged into the same circuit. Two outlets in the same room will work best. This ensures that they’ll be able to “see” each other during pairing.

Like the other powerline network adapters we’ve looked at, the AV2000 will cover the top plug in a duplex outlet. Also like the other adapters, it features a pass-through plug. This feature was not common back when powerline adapters were first introduced. However, it’s become more and more standard as the industry has matured. What’s not standard is a device with not one but two gigabit Ethernet ports. Each AV2000 has a pair of ethernet ports. This serves a couple of functions. On whichever unit you set up as the “hub”, the second plug will function as an Ethernet pass-through. On all the secondary units, you’ll be able to connect two devices instead of one. Keep in mind, though, that both devices will be sharing the same connection. If you’re trying to stream on more than one device at the same time, you’re going to experience lag.

The AV2000 also works with TP-Link’s mobile app. While this isn’t strictly necessary, it’s a nice extra feature. With the app, you can monitor your network status, and view the connection speed on each adapter. This is a useful feature if you live in an older house. Old wiring sometimes degrades, and the wiring to adjacent outlets can be in different conditions. As a result, two outlets in the same room can have vastly different speeds. With the app, you can quickly determine which outlets offer the best speed. This can save you a lot of time as opposed to using the old trial-and-error method.

Netgear Powerline 1200

Netgear is another company that has been providing affordable, reliable networking hardware to consumers for many years. The Netgear Powerline 1200 Adapter is the perfect example of an affordable product that doesn’t skimp on essential features.

Although this is priced as a budget product, it certainly isn’t built like one. The plastic casing is thick, solid, and attractive to the eye. The LED indicators are clearly labelled and easy to see. It is reasonably compact, only taking up a single plug on your outlet.

This particular adapter is advertised of having speeds of up to 1200 Mbps. We already know that these speeds are unlikely to achieve in real life, but the lower rating indicates that this adapter may not perform as well as competing products.

One handy feature we liked is the “Pick a Plug” indicator. On the top of the adapter there is an LED light. First you plug in one adapter to your router, then you go around testing out different outlets with the second adapter. The light on the top will indicate green if the signal quality is good, meaning you can expect speeds above 100Mbps. Amber means that the maximum connection speed will be between 50 to 80Mbps. Red indicates speeds below 50Mbps. This feature is handy if you have control over where you install the adapter, but if you need the adapter in a specific location then this feature is not as helpful.

We found the setup procedure to be a simple matter. The Netgear Powerline 1200 took a little longer to get a stable connection, but within 90 seconds our network was ready to go. When attempting the data transfer test in the same room, we were surprised at the results. The peak throughput of this device seems to be around 200Mpbs, much lower than the other two. Fortunately, the long range test was much better. With a speed of 90Mbps, this adapter still provides all the bandwidth you need for file transfers, video streaming or web browsing.

This affordable powerline network adapter still manages to offer reasonable real world performance. The attractive, durable case will look great in any room, and the ease of setting up your network means that even a non-technical person can have a network up and running in as little as a minute.

Final Verdict

As you can tell, modern powerline adapters are remarkably similar. This isn’t a bad thing. It’s a result of years of turmoil in the industry, as manufacturers have figured out what works and what doesn’t. Pass-through outlets, for example, were once a coveted bonus feature. Now, they’re more or less standard.

The same goes for high speeds. Not too long ago, powerline connections were barely fast enough for low-resolution YouTube videos. Forget about watching Netflix. You’d be hard-pressed to stream the latest Taylor Swift single. Now, gigabit speeds are the norm. Once again, we feel the need to stress that speed depends on your home’s electrical wiring. The older and more degraded your home’s wiring, the slower your connection is going to be.

With that said, the TP-Link AV2000 is our top choice. The security options are an excellent bonus, but they’re just icing on the cake. The main attraction, for us, is the dual gigabit Ethernet ports. They allow you to connect more devices more easily, and that’s always a good thing. That said, the Zyxel Wave 2’s higher speed has a lot to recommend it. And the TP-Link AV2000 is a reliable adapter in its own right. No matter what choice you make, you’ll be in good hands.

The post Guide to the Best Powerline Network Adapters 2020 appeared first on Nerd Techy.

Ethernet switches have been available almost from the moment that Ethernet came into existence. This only makes sense. Without a switch, an Ethernet cable is only useful for connecting one device to another. If you’re trying to create a network, that’s a non-starter. But there have been significant advances in the technology since that time. The most obvious advances have been in speed. The first Ethernet cables and switches only operated at 10 Mbps. Since then, we’ve gotten 100 Mbps, and now Gigabit, which works out to 1,000 Mbps. But there have been other advances that are almost as important.

One of these advances is the advent of power over internet (PoE). With POE technology, you can connect network devices without the need to plug them into an outlet. This eliminates tangled cables. And it means you can avoid having to put power outlets in awkward locations, like over a hung ceiling. But PoE requires specialized hardware that’s capable of pushing an electrical current through an Ethernet cable. Today, we’ll be looking at one such device, the OvoLink 8 PoE Port Smart Managed Gigabit Switch. As its name implies, this is an 8-port switch that provides gigabit speeds with PoE. But what else is it capable of? We dug deep and found out.

But to get the most out of your gigabit Ethernet, you’re going to need gigabit Ethernet in your PC. Not long ago, we reviewed the Best PCIe Gigabit Ethernet NICs that money can buy. Any of those choices will have you well set-up to get the most from your gigabit connection.

Physical Design

The OvoLink 8 PoE Port Switch measures 8.1 inches in width, 4.1 inches in depth, and 1.1 inches in height. This is less than half the width of a standard server rack. So while the OvoLink has the necessary screws and threaded holes for mounting, you’ll need an adapter. Alternatively, you can mount this switch on a wall, or simply set it on a desk or another flat surface. It weighs only 2.78 pounds, so it’s lightweight enough that weight is not going to be a concern.

The case is constructed from anodized aluminum, with a textured black finish that’s very durable. On both sides, you’ll find the mounting screws and threaded holes. There’s no fan inside, since none is required. The OvoLink runs cool, and won’t overheat under any normal conditions. This keeps it quiet, so you can use it in an office or other workspace without causing any distractions.

The aluminum case is also resistant to corrosion, so you won’t need to worry about rust. This will be true even if it’s exposed to humidity. On the back, you’ll find a port for the power supply. You’ll also find a gigabit Ethernet input port, 8 gigabit Ethernet output ports, and an SFP port. Each of the Ethernet ports has a pair of LED lights next to it. The green light indicates that there’s an active data connection. The yellow light indicates that the switch is sending PoE to that device.

The SFP port is a particularly attractive feature. While most devices will connect via Ethernet, you may need a fiber-optic connection. Through the SFP port, you can attach adapters for fiber-optic and other different connection types. You’ll be perfectly positioned to use just about any type of connection imaginable. That said, many of these connections will require some tweaking in the cloud-based configuration software. We’ll talk about configuration a bit more towards the end.

The OvoLink Switch is designed to operate under just about any conditions. It’s rated to function in temperatures from -40 to 167 degrees Fahrenheit. It will also operate in anywhere from 5 to 95 percent humidity without developing any condensation. Now, data centers are climate-controlled, so this typically shouldn’t be necessary. However, your switch may not be located in a data center. If you happen to need a switch in an outbuilding or other non-climate-controlled space, you’ll still be just fine. You’ll also receive excellent surge and lightning protection. The surge protector on the OvoLink is capable of absorbing up to 6KV of extra voltage. So even if lightning strikes your data center, it won’t fry all your connected devices.

Ethernet Performance

All eight of the OvoLink’s ports are adaptive. This means that they’ll switch automatically between 10, 100, and 1,000 Mbps depending on what type of device is connected. They also support a wide variety of Ethernet standards. These include standard Ethernet, 100Base-TX, 100Base-FX, Flow Control, 1000Base-T, and both 802.3af and 802.1at Ethernet PoE standards. To put that in plain English, you can plug just about anything into the OvoLink, and it will be plug-and-play.

The power input on the OvoLink provides 60 volts of power, more than you’ll need for PoE purposes. That said, the total wattage is your main limitation. Each individual device can draw up to 30 watts. However, the total limit of the entire OvoLink switch is 120 watts. So you’ll only be able to connect up to 4 devices at a full 30 watts. That said, not all devices are going to draw anywhere close to 30 watts. If you need 15 watts or less, you’ll be able to power all eight devices without any issues.

But let’s say you need more than 120 watts of total power. How are you going to make that happen? The answer is to use a gigabit PoE injector. These tools will add additional power to the Ethernet line, powering more devices.

Online Management

Like most advanced Ethernet switches, the OvoLink can be configured with a wide variety of different options. This isn’t strictly necessary. If you’re running a simple home network, the default settings should work just fine. But corporate networks often have special equipment that require their own special protocols. In this case, you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck by configuring your switch manually. To that end, the OvoLink works with a cloud-based configuration software that offers plenty of options.

To begin with, you can switch between multiple protocols. These include SNMP, STP, LACP, ARP, DHCP, and LLDP. If that sounds confusing, don’t worry about it. As we said, home users aren’t going to need to worry about this. But enterprise users will appreciate the ability to set up individual ports to use discrete protocols. So you can use different settings for routers and switches than you would for connected “internet of things” devices.

There are also additional security features available through the OvoLink management software. You can prevent broadcast storms, which is what happens when there’s too much data going over the wires at once. These incidents are the bane of network engineers everywhere, and it’s nice to see OvoLink taking that into account. On a similar note, you can perform basic network optimization tasks. Prioritize some connections over others, or simply set limits to the speed of individual devices. These tools can go a long way towards maximizing your network’s efficiency.

The primary limitation of Ethernet is its limited range. At anything past 100 feet, the signal quickly starts to degrade, quickly reducing your speeds to dialup levels or worse. For a run of that length, you have a couple of options. First, you could install additional switches and routers. These will boost the signal, allowing for longer range. But each switch or router you use is going to introduce some level of latency. Over very long distances, this is simply untenable. Thankfully, there’s a solution. You can use fiber connections for these longer runs, vastly improving performance. If that’s what you need, consider adding an Ethernet fiber media converter to your network. These devices make it easy to build a network that’s part Ethernet, part fiber-optic.

Final Verdict

The OvoLink 8 PoE Port Smart Managed Gigabit Switch is one of the more interesting devices we’ve seen lately. We review a lot of PoE devices. So it was nice to be able to present people with a viable option for a PoE switch. But there’s a lot more to recommend this switch than just a few watts of power.

To begin with, it’s very well-engineered, even by enterprise standards. The operating temperature range, for example, is truly insane. When are you ever going to see temperatures below -40, or higher than 167? Even if you’re running a server farm in the Sahara desert without air conditioning, you’ll be just fine.

The configuration software is also a great feature. Most switches allow some level of customization, but few offer this many enterprise-grade features. Homeowners probably won’t need to change any settings. But for professional network engineers, these features are essential.

Finally, it’s just plain versatile. Want to mount it in a rack? You can do that easily. Want to set it on a flat surface? It will stay put. Want to hang it on the wall? Knock yourself out! You aren’t tied into any one configuration, so you can easily make the OvoLink work for your needs.

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In recent years, wireless internet has gone from being a luxury to being a necessity. When modern friends visit each-other, one of the most common questions is “what’s your WiFi password?” And the issue is even more pronounced for businesses. Want to open a coffee shop? You’d better be offering free WiFi, or customers are going to look elsewhere. And, of course, a professional office, such as a data center or a law firm, virtually requires the use of a WiFi network.

If you’re running any of these businesses, you can’t always get coverage where you need it with a router alone. This is where a wireless access point can come in handy. Today, we’ll be reviewing the EnGenius EAP1250, one of the most powerful, compact access points on the market. We’ll take a good look at all of its features, and explain what it can do for you and your business. Let’s get started!

Design & Construction

The EnGenius EnTurbo EAP1250 has a compact frame that’s constructed from ABS plastic. It measures 5.2 inches in diameter, and it’s just under an inch and a half in thickness. At first glance, it looks like a smoke detector, albeit without any sort of reset button. It weighs 9.88 ounces, enough that you know you’re holding it, but not enough to be a problem. The EAP1250 comes with a small bracket for mounting to the ceiling, another similarity to a smoke detector. Of course, it can also be mounted under a raised floor or above a hung ceiling. It can even just sit on a desk, although that’s not best for most enterprise applications.

On one side of the unit, there’s a cutout for the Ethernet port. Alongside the Ethernet port, you’ll also find a power port. The EAP1250 ships with a 9-watt AC/DC power adapter, so it can be plugged into a standard outlet. It’s also compatible with Power Over Ethernet (POE). However, it does not ship with a POE adapter. To take advantage of this feature, you’ll need to purchase an aftermarket adapter. There’s also a recessed reset button next to the Ethernet port. To reset the unit, you’ll need to press the button with a paperclip or similar small object.

If you want a wireless range extender that’s pre-configured for POE, there are plenty of options on the market. Typically, this shouldn’t be a make-or-break problem. After all, an aftermarket POE adapter is fairly cheap. But let’s say you want to keep things as simple as possible. In that case, the TRENDnet TEW-821DAP might be ideal for your business. It’s primarily designed for home use, but it has plenty of range and power for a mid-sized office.

Other than that, the EAP1250 has a plain, discreet appearance. There’s a small EnGenius logo engraved on the surface. There’s also a small green LED light on the side. It illuminates when the EAP1250 is on, but it’s not irritatingly bright. In an office or business, it’s not going to stand out. This is especially true if it’s surrounded by other electronics with LED lights. EnGenius offers a 1-year limited warranty on the EAP1250. It covers defects in material and workmanship.

What’s Inside?

The EnGenius EAP1250 isn’t just a “dumb” access point. It offers several configuration options through their cloud-based service, which we’ll be discussing shortly. To that end, it actually has a small mini-computer built inside. This computer has a Quad-Core ARM Cortex A7 Processor, which operates at 717 MHz. In today’s world of multiple-gigahertz processors, this may not sound terribly impressive. But it’s a lot of processing power for an access point. This assists with smarter routing of packets, and also allows you to track which devices are using the most data.

Connection Options

The EAP1250 is compatible with all standard wireless protocol. This includes 802.11a, b, g, n, and the current, lightning-fast 802.11ac. The overall speed depends on which channel you’re connecting over. On the 5 GHz channel, it provides 867 Mbps of speed. On the 2.4 GHz channel, you’ll get an additional 400 Mbps of data, for a total of 1,300 Mbps. This isn’t the fastest connection possible. However, the EAP1250 is very smart. It automatically routes data through the most efficient channel. As a result, it’s significantly more efficient and speedier than some “faster” wireless access points.

The signal is also very powerful. While many access points have adjustable antennas, they’re generally fixed. As a result, you need to orient them the correct way to ensure maximum coverage throughout your business. But this method isn’t always ideal. It doesn’t account for devices that are in motion, or in unusual locations. Suppose you have a client or intern who’s sitting at a desk that isn’t normally occupied. With a standard access point, you might suddenly find that there’s a dead spot in your coverage. The EAP1250 utilizes beamforming technology, which can automatically adjust the signal as needed. It ensures a quality connection, even when people are walking around on a cell phone.

The EAP1250 also supports Multi-User, Multiple-Input and Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) data transfer. This allows for more advanced network configurations than a standard, “dumb” access point. It supports multiple wireless connections, not just for download, but also for upload. This helps speed up intra-office traffic. With an ordinary network, a wireless signal would go through the wireless access point and back to the router. The data would then travel back through the access point to the receiving device. This causes a lot of clutter on the network, and also puts unnecessary strain on your router. With MU-MIMO, the EAP1250 can work like a router, sending traffic from one wireless device directly to the other.

For offices that require a lot of high-speed data transfer, even the EAP1250’s 1,300 Mbps connection might be too slow. If blazing-fast connections are what you need, EnGenius has even more powerful options. For example, the EnGenius Neutron EWS377AP offers speeds up to 2,400 Mbps. It also supports WPA3 security, with individual secure connections for each device on your network.

ezMaster Network Management Software

To control the EAP1250, you’ll need to use the ezMaster Network Management Software. This an enterprise-level software, and it’s priced accordingly. As a result, small businesses with a small budget might want to choose a different wireless access point. That said, ezMaster software is exceptionally powerful, and allows you to adjust many of your own settings.

If your business already uses EnGenius routers or other networking devices, you’re probably already familiar with ezMaster. Better yet, you probably already own a subscription. If not, here’s what you need to know.

ezMaster is a cloud-based configuration service that’s hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). It functions as a central hub for monitoring not just your EAP1250, but your entire network. You can view the status of switches and routers, including the ability to see if any are currently offline. You can set custom IP addresses for your devices if you so wish. And you can view network traffic across different devices.

This can help you identify if there are any bottlenecks that need to be addressed. You can even remotely monitor and control devices across different locations from a single, centralized command center. This can save you a lot of money and headache if your business has multiple locations. ezMaster also allows you to set up your own virtual machine, although that’s not necessary for our purposes today.

As we hope we’ve made abundantly clear, the EAP1250 is an enterprise solution, not as a home range extender. For home use, you’re going to want something a little simpler, without an expensive configurator. For this purpose, it’s hard to go wrong with the Netgear WAC124. It’s slick, it’s powerful, and it’s perfect for extending almost any home wireless network.

Final Verdict

The EnGenius EnTurbo EAP1250 is a very well-engineered piece of equipment. Physically, it’s well-constructed, with an attractive, durable case. It can be mounted just about anywhere. And while the lack of a POE adapter was mildly concerning, they’re cheap enough to buy if you need one. Besides which, it works just fine when powered by the ordinary 9-volt adapter.

The most impressive feature, from an enterprise standpoint, is the beamforming technology. This makes it easier than ever for customers and clients to move throughout the area without losing their signal. The MU-MIMO technology also impressed us. It won’t be noticeable in a smaller office. In a larger office, though, it can take a lot of stress off of your primary router. That’s a significant benefit, both for your employees and your IT team.

The ezMaster Network Management software is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, it’s required for configuration, and it’s fairly expensive. On the other hand, it’s exceptionally powerful, and allows you to perform tasks that wouldn’t be possible with consumer software. At the end of the day, the EAP1250 is designed for businesses. And for enterprise-scale applications, it’s just about unbeatable.

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For the last few years, 802.11ac has been the world standard for high-speed internet. Also known as WiFi 5, this protocol is exceptionally fast. It has enabled what experts call the “internet of things”: all the interconnected smart home devices that are central to modern life. But even faster, more demanding devices are on their way. You see a lot of news about the coming of 5G mobile connections. Ignoring the conspiracy theories and general internet silliness that surrounds this new standard, it has a lot to offer. As 5G networks spread throughout the country, our devices are becoming more powerful and connected than ever.

But under the radar, WiFi standards are also becoming more advanced. The newest standard is WiFi 6, formerly known as 802.11ax. This standard is so new, in fact, that we’re still waiting for consumer devices that support it. But WiFi 6 routers are already starting to roll out. This only makes sense. After all, before you use a WiFi 6 device, you’ll need a WiFi 6 router to connect it to. Conversely, if you plan on buying the latest and greatest smart home devices, you’ll need a WiFi 6 router.

To keep our readers prepared for the future, we’ve dedicated a lot of space to WiFi 6 routers this year. In that spirit, we’ve decided to review the Netgear RAX15 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router. This powerful little beast will have you well prepared for the best smart home devices of 2020 and beyond. But just because it supports the new protocol doesn’t automatically mean it’s worth buying. We took a closer look, so we could share our observations. Here’s everything we learned about Netgear’s powerful new router.

Overall Design

The RAX15 looks as high-tech as it is. The black ABS plastic case is vented on the left side only, with a smooth finish on the right. On the left, you’ll find a series of seven LED lights. In addition to showing when the router is powered on and connected, they also show the status of the gigabit Ethernet connections. In the same part of the front panel, there’s a small button that enables quick, painless WPS connections.

There’s also a power button. This is our only real complaint about the RAX15. Like many Netgear routers, it’s easy to turn off by accident. Recessed reset buttons can be a headache, but you rarely need to use them, so it’s a moot point. We would have at least appreciated a bright yellow outline to warn us not to press the button. Oh, well. You can’t have everything.

The overall size of the unit is 13.3 inches wide, 8.1 inches deep, and 2.2 inches tall. That’s fairly large, and the height doesn’t include the two adjustable antennas. That said, if height is a problem for you, the antennas can always be tilted down. This will limit your coverage, though. Your best bet is to position the RAX15 somewhere that the antennas can be fully extended. It weighs only 1.36 pounds, which is about par for the course. Weight shouldn’t really be an issue, though. This router isn’t meant to be portable, so chances are it will be sitting in the same spot for some time.

The back of the unit is minimalistic. There’s a single input for a gigabit Ethernet cord from your router, and four gigabit Ethernet output ports. In addition, you’ll find the DC power port, as well as a recessed reset button. We’re a bit confused. Why have a power button if there’s already a reset button? We’re honestly not sure. But this is a minor complaint. As you’ll see, there’s a lot to love about the RAX15. These minor design complaints are just nitpicking about an otherwise excellent router.

If you want a WiFi 6 connection but don’t want a Netgear device, we understand. Some people love Netgear. Some people hate them. We’re not judging. But if you happen to fall on the “I don’t like Netgear” side of the fence, there are other options. For example, the TP-Link Archer AX6000. It’s a powerful WiFi 6 router that supports a large number of smart home devices.

Speed & Coverage

So, now that we’ve covered the basics, how does the RAX15 perform in a real-world environment? It supports download speeds of up to 1,800 Mbps per device. This is assuming you have a good connection over both the 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands. If you’re a long distance from the base, you’ll lose the 5.0 GHz signal, and you’ll drop to 600 Mbps. This is normal, and it’s nothing to back away from. In reality, the RAX15 will provide very fast speeds in any medium-sized home. Just be aware that brick walls and other solid obstructions will limit your signal quality.

As we’ve already mentioned, the RAX15 will support WiFi 6 devices. These include the iPhone 11, as well as many upcoming smart home devices. The 4 simultaneous streams will support up to 32 downloads and 8 uploads. Since many smart home devices need to communicate frequently with online services, this is essential. Thermostats, cameras, smoke detectors and other smart home tools will all benefit from this large capacity.

Of course, your best connection will always be wired. This is just a truism. Within any range under 100 feet, a wired connection is faster and more powerful than a wireless signal. And since most houses are smaller than that, it’s safe to say you should use wired Ethernet for anything that supports it. To that end, the RAX15 has four gigabit Ethernet ports. This allows for blazing-fast connections to your PC, your game console, and other high-priority machines.

To keep your speeds as fast as possible, the RAX15 has a built-in quad-core processor. This ensures the most efficient packet handling possible. In addition, this router also uses beamforming technology. While the antennas can be adjusted to provide a great signal for stationary devices, that doesn’t always help. Sometimes, you’re using a smartphone or a laptop, and you’re moving from room to room. Beamforming technology tracks all your connected devices, and directs the most powerful signal where it’s needed. All in all, we’re big fans of this technology, and it’s nice to see Netgear building it into their next-gen routers.

If you want a blazing-fast connection but don’t want to pay a premium for WiFi 6, there are other options. With an 802.11ac connection, you can still get a powerful connection on any current device. The Netgear Nighthawk XR450 provides just such a connection. With MU-MIMO multi-user support, it supports a large number of smart home devices.

Security & Extra Features

The RAX15 also offers some excellent security features. It has a built-in VPN. So if you want an anonymous connection, you’ll have one with just a few clicks of your mouse. It also offers separate, secure access for guests. This feature will configure a separate guest network that’s not connected to your main network. Friends, relatives, and even contractors can get internet access without having access to your personal network.

This is a helpful feature, since the RAX15 also has a USB port for connecting an external hard drive. This will provide a shared drive for your home network. And you won’t have to jump through all the technical hoops of setting up a personal FTP server.

To configure your router and home network, you’ll have two different options. The first is Netgear’s Nighthawk app, which is available for free on iOS and Android. In addition to configuration, it offers other useful features. These include an internet speed test, remote pausing and resets, and the ability to VPN remotely through your own network. Alternatively, you can use Alexa voice controls. Either way, the process is easy and painless.

If you don’t need speed, but you do need top-notch security, you can get better value by buying a basic VPN router. The Syfer Unlimited is an excellent choice. It provides all the anonymity you could ask for, and it’s portable to boot!

Final Verdict

The Netgear RAX15 is one of the most powerful next-gen routers on the market. We’ll be the first to say that it’s not for everybody. But if you’re looking to connect next year’s WiFi 6 smart home devices, it’s a fantastic choice.

There’s a lot to like about this router, starting with the privacy and configuration options. In particular, the Nighthawk app is an excellent addition. It allows for easy setup, even if you’re not experienced at administrating your own network. And the USB port is a great feature. Anytime you can set up a shared drive without an FTP server, you’ve got yourself a quality router. The security features are effective, including the VPN and separate guest network. With these options, your home network will be as secure as possible, without the need for advanced technical skills. Add to that the beamforming technology and powerful WiFi 6 signal, and the RAX15 truly delivers.

The post Review of the Netgear RAX15 AX1800 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router appeared first on Nerd Techy.

For most homes and small offices, a simple network hub is sufficient for managing traffic. These devices are inexpensive, and offer enough bandwidth for most people’s purposes. A network hub simply sends data to all connected devices, and the devices sort out which packets belong to them. But on a larger network, this quickly gets inefficient. The more devices are connected, the more packets will be getting sent over all connections. This can overwhelm even the fastest network if too many devices are operating at once.

For better performance, you need an a network controller, sometimes called a network switch. These switches will identify which packets are meant for each device. Then, they route the packets only to the devices that need them. This frees up your network for more important traffic. And it’s practically essential for any enterprise-scale network.

We’re about to review one of the most powerful network switches on the market, the EnGenius SkyKey. You may already be familiar with EnGenius from some of our previous reviews. They specialize in manufacturing blazing-fast, enterprise-level networking equipment. And now, we’re going to find out if the SkyKey lives up to their previous standards. Here’s an overview of what we learned.

Overall Design

The EnGenius SkyKey is a compact switch that’s 3.9 inches long, 2.3 inches wide, and less than an inch thick. It weighs only 5 ounces, so it’s very lightweight. Overall, you’re looking at a device that’s about the same size and weight as a large flip phone. It’s constructed from white ABS plastic, with grey highlights around the ends and along the sides. The EnGenius logo is engraved in grey on the top of the unit, with the words “SkyKey I” printed on the side. On the back of the unit, you’ll find a pair of Ethernet ports. The first is designed for a Power Over Ethernet (POE) input. The second is an actual data input.

On the front of the unit, there’s a small green LED that illuminates when the SkyKey has been powered up. Next to that, you’ll find a small pinhole that houses the reset button. You can operate this button easily with a paperclip or a small pin. Alternatively, you can just unplug your POE input, wait five seconds, and plug it back in. Finally, there’s a Micro SD slot. We’re not quite sure what this is for. Perhaps EnGenius will let you use it for installing firmware upgrades at some point in the future.

The bottom of the SkyKey has a pair of slots which can be used for screw-mounting. This allows you to affix it to a wall, a ceiling, or even underneath a raised floor. If you want to set it on a table or desk, a pair of rubber skids ensure that it’s not going to slip. Inside the SkyKey, a powerful quad-core CPU ensures the most efficient packet routing possible. This is a significant upgrade over less powerful network controllers, which typically use slower, cheaper processors.

Of course, you don’t always need a network controller to improve your speeds. In many cases, it’s a smarter idea to upgrade your router. This is particularly true for home networks, where there aren’t that many devices connected to begin with. If you want to maximize your home internet speeds, the ARRIS SURFboard mAX is a solid choice. Not only is it very fast, but it’s also designed to be aesthetically pleasing.

Installation and Connectivity

Installing the SkyKey is easy. For most purposes, it’s plug and play. Yes, there are exceptions. Primarily if you’re using the SkyKey to operate a very large network. We’ll talk about those exceptions in the next section. But for operating a single, local LAN, installation is as simple as it gets. All you need to do is plug in the POE cable, and you’re good to go. Make sure your LAN supports POE, though. There’s no option for an external power supply. So you may need to make some upgrades to your network if you want to use this controller. Once it’s been plugged in, you can either screw-mount the SkyKey or position it on a stable surface.

The SkyKey offers an incredible level of network management. It can handle up to 100 EnGenius access points and switches. That’s enough power to handle an entire skyscraper’s worth of network devices. It’s twice as powerful as EnGenius’ previous offering, the Unifi, which could manage 50 devices. This allows it to manage even a very large office, with hundreds of employees. Alternatively, you can make use of EnGenius’ ezMaster software to expand the SkyKey’s capabilities. With this cloud-based utility, you can use the SkyKey to manage a distributed network across several offices.

Of course, the SkyKey only works in a single location. It will speed up your office’s connection, but it won’t do much to help you on the road. Frequent travelers would do better to consider a portable router. If that sounds like something that could help you, consider the Keezel 2.0. Not only can you fit it in a small backpack pocket, it also has a built-in VPN connection for security.

Control and Configuration

To get the most out of the SkyKey, you’ll need to use EnGenius’ ezMaster Network Management Software. If your business already uses other EnGenius hardware, you’ll already be familiar with this tool. But if the SkyKey is your first EnGenius device, you might want to learn a bit more about how it works. Here’s a quick overview.

ezMaster is a powerful configuration software that controls not just the SkyKey, but any EnGenius device. It’s a cloud-based service, hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) for exceptional security. You can use it to track the status of all your switches, routers, and access points. It will tell you which ones are working, which ones are offline, and which ones are handling too much traffic. This can help you identify parts of your network where data is getting bottlenecked. As a result, you’ll be able to speed up transfer speeds with minimal investment of time and money.

ezMaster also performs several other functions that are necessary for large enterprises. For one thing, you can set custom IP addresses for your devices. This may not be needed on many networks, but it’s a useful feature if you need it. You can also control multiple devices at multiple locations from the same IT office. This can be very helpful if you’re running a large company and want plenty of visibility from your corporate office. In addition, ezMaster can be used to set up virtual machines on your network. For many businesses, this can replace an existing service and save you money.

The one downside of the ezMaster Network Management Software is that it’s expensive. This is understandable. It’s enterprise-grade software, so you expect to pay a premium. And truth be told, it’s still a great value if you need all the enterprise features. But small business owners don’t need to worry. If you’re only using the SkyKey for a single office, it’s more or less plug and play. Unless you need all the fancy ezMaster features, there’s really no need to pay for this pricey software.

It’s probably become apparent by now that the EnGenius SkyKey is built for business. While it might be tempting to use a network controller to maximize your home network speed, it won’t be helpful. Unless there are dozens of people in your home, you won’t get much benefit. Your best bet for fixing slow home network speeds is simply to upgrade your router. We recently reviewed the Vanin AX1500. It’s one of the fastest home routers on the market, and even supports WiFi 6.

Final Verdict

The EnGenius SkyKey may be the most powerful network controller on the market. We’ve certainly never seen one this powerful. The most obvious benefit is the ability to control 100 total devices. Whether you’re running a single large office or several distributed offices, that’s a lot of capacity.

But let’s address the elephant in the room. Much like Netgear products, EnGenius products do best when paired with other devices from the same brand. If you’re not using EnGenius routers and access points, you’ll still get plenty of benefits. But you’re not going to get the full benefit of the ezMaster configuration software. That said, the SkyKey is also useful for smaller offices. It can drastically speed up connections on everything from PCs to printers to peripherals. No matter how you want to cut it, it’s a great solution for just about any sized company.

The physical design is also a plus. While the most obvious, important thing to look at are the technical stats, it’s hard not to like the design. The small, slim profile makes the SkyKey very easy to install. It will fit just about anywhere, so you won’t need to struggle to find space for it. And it’s exceptionally sturdy. No need to worry about it breaking from a small drop.

The post EnGenius SkyKey On-Premises Network Controller Review appeared first on Nerd Techy.

For the modern household, high-speed internet is practically a necessity. If you want to enjoy streaming media, answer emails, or use smart home devices, you need a high-speed connection. But your internet connection is only as good as your home networking hardware. While it’s standard practice to provide your own router, most service providers will outfit you with a modem.

Whether or not this is a good deal depends on two factors. First, how fast are your ISP’s modems? If they don’t have any high-quality offerings, you’ll find yourself languishing in the information superhighway’s slow lane. Second, are you being charged a lease? Many ISPs charge an additional modem fee on your monthly bill. If this is the case, you’ll save money over the long term by providing your own modem.

Of course, a modem also takes up space on your desk or shelf. And it needs to be connected to your router, which means more wires that can get tangled. Oftentimes, a better solution is to use a cable modem-WiFi router combo. This frees up space and eliminates wires. To that end, we’ve reviewed three of the best cable modem-WiFi router combo units available. Here’s what we learned.

ARRIS Surfboard SBG7600AC2

The ARRIS Surfboard SBG7600AC2 is a modem/router combo unit with an unassuming rectangular shape. It’s 8.7 inches high, 6.4 inches deep, and 2 inches wide, and tips the scales at just over 1 pound. The case is constructed from glossy black ABS plastic, with vented sides. On the front of the case, you’ll find the same standard LED indicators as most routers. There’s also a button for easy WPS connections, and a USB port for updating the firmware.

On the back, there are four color-coded segments, each with its own purpose. The bottom, green portion houses the power input. The next, blue portion houses the cable input. Above that, in the yellow section, there are four gigabit Ethernet ports. Finally, in the top purple section, you’ll find a recessed reset button, which requires a pin or paperclip to operate.

Speed and Connection Quality

The SGB7600AC2 utilizes the DOCSIS 3.0 communication standard. This is a newer, faster standard than the older DOCSIS 2.0 standard. It’s capable of handling speeds up to 680 Mbps per channel. And with 32 download channels and 8 upload channels, you’re looking at a lot of total speed. Even if you’ve got a house full of relatives and everyone is streaming something, the signal will be good. Now, 8 upload channels may sound excessive. But it’s important for supporting smart home devices, which frequently need to send data as well as receive it.

This unit works on both 2.4 and 5.0 GHz channels, which will be compatible with just about any modern device. It utilizes the 802.11ac standard, which is not the latest protocol. That said, there aren’t many devices that support the latest WiFi 6 protocol. So in practice, you’ll be able to get the fastest available speed with any device that’s currently on the market.

But a fast connection isn’t everything. Signal strength is equally important. After all, even the fastest connection on Earth won’t do you any good if you’re not getting a signal. Here, the SGB7600AC2 shines. It uses WiFi beamforming to get you the best signal. This technology can focus the signal on your devices to boost the range where and when it’s needed. You won’t notice much of a difference when it comes to stationary devices. Any WiFi router with an antenna can be adjusted for your PC, smart TV, or smart home devices. But if you’re walking around on your phone, or if you use a laptop in different locations, it makes a big difference.

Extra Features

The Surfboard SGB7600AC has MacAfee Home Security integrated into the unit. This will ensure that your network is protected from the moment your signal comes out of the wall. The unit comes with a three-year subscription, which is pretty good. After that, you’ll need to renew your subscription if you want to receive continued support. While you’re inside the subscription period, you’ll be able to use their app to monitor your network remotely.

In addition to virus protection, you’ll also get a full suite of parental controls. The SGB7600AC allows you to set individual user profiles, so different devices will have different abilities. You can set time limits, which will keep your kids from staying up all night on their phones. You can block entire categories of sites, blacklist individual sites, or whitelist sites that are in an otherwise forbidden category. You’ll also receive alerts if someone tries to change their user profile, or if unauthorized devices try to gain access.
We’ve actually reviewed the SGB7600AC2 in the past. If you’d like to learn more, check out our full review.

NETGEAR Nighthawk C7800

The NETGEAR Nighthawk C7800 is designed to look less like a modem and more like a traditional router. It’s fairly large, measuring 12.4 inches in width, 10.4 inches in depth, and 7.5 inches high. That height includes the four antennas, which can be swiveled down. So you can theoretically fit the C7800 in a 2-inch space, but you won’t be able to swivel the antennas.

Three buttons on the front of the unit allow for easy control. The left side button can be used to turn the LED indicator lights on and off. This can be a convenient feature if your modem/router is located in your bedroom, since it will keep your room darker. The second button is used for WPS pairing, and the third is used to turn the WiFi network on and off.

In addition to the four antennas, the back of the C7800 houses all your ports. The cable input is located all the way to the left, with four gigabit Ethernet ports in the middle. The Ethernet ports are highlighted with yellow, which makes them easy to find in low light. To the right, there’s a power input, as well as an on/off switch. This is a nice touch, since you don’t need to use a paperclip to push a reset button.

Speed and Connection Quality

The C7800 is exceptionally fast. It supports up to 3.2 Gbps WiFi connections, which is absolutely insane. This is possible due to the built-in 1.5 GHz dual processor, which quickly processes even the most demanding packet handling. This router/modem combo unit also has 128MB of flash memory and 512MB of RAM. It’s basically a mini PC!

Like most modern routers, the C7800 operates on 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz channels. The 2.4 GHz channel delivers 1,000 Mbps speeds, while the 5.0 GHz channel delivers 2,200 Mbps of speed. It utilizes the 802.11ac wireless protocol, which is compatible with almost all current WiFi devices.

If you’re looking for the fastest possible speeds, not just now but in the future, you’ll love this router. It uses the DOCSIS 3.1 communication standard, which is the latest and greatest. All in all, you get 32 upstream channels and 8 downstream, which allows for plenty of connectivity.

Extra Features

The Netgear C7800 provides the security features you’d expect from a well-designed router. It includes both SPI and NAT firewall protection, as well ad DDOS protection. You also get standard WPA/WPA2 – PSK encryption, which makes it very difficult for anyone to mooch off your connection.

One thing we appreciated was the ability to provide separate access for your guests. A guest connection uses a temporary password, and is segregated from the rest of the network. As a result, your guests won’t be able to spy on your network, but they’ll also have a secure connection.

You’ll also get parental controls, with the ability to set separate permissions for each individual device. And the C7800 supports Netgear’s Genie App, which is available for free on Google Play and the Apple Store. This app allows you to configure your network, troubleshoot issues, and even reboot your modem remotely.

If you want a blazing-fast Netgear router, but don’t need a built-in modem, there are plenty of options. We recently reviewed the Netgear Nighthawk XR450. It’s a powerful, low-latency gaming router that can handle just about any speed.

ARRIS Surfboard SBG8300

Similar to the previous Surfboard combo unit on our list, the ARRIS BG8300 has a boxy, modem-style design. It’s 10 inches tall and 8 inches deep, and 3.7 inches wide at the bottom. It tapers down from there, which keeps it stable on your desk. The case is black ABS plastic, with ventilation on both sides. This ensures cool, quiet operation, even in a relatively warm room.

On the front of the device, two LED lights make it easy to perform a quick check on your network. The top light indicates that you’re connected to the internet, and the bottom light tells you when WiFi is active. This is a big plus if you value simplicity. If you need more advanced diagnostics, you’ll still be able to do that. You’ll just have to use the companion app.

Much like the Surfboard SBG7600AC2, the back of the SBG8300 is color coded. From the bottom to the top, there’s a power supply port, the cable jack, four gigabit Ethernet ports, and a reset button.

Speed and Connection Quality

If you’re looking for a fast connection, the SBG8300 has got you covered. While the previous Surfboard router uses the DOCSIS 3.0 standard, this combo unit uses the latest DOCSIS 3.1 standard. This allows for up to 10 Gbps of total data transfer. Currently, you’re not going to get that kind of speed from any ISP. However, it’s nice to know that you have the option once connection speeds get faster. You won’t need to replace the SBG8300 for many years.

All in all, the SBG8300 will support up to 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels. And that’s just using the DOCSIS standard. There are two additional channels that use the older OFDM standard. This can help you out if you want to get the absolute most connections possible.
This combo unit operates on both the 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz frequencies. It also supports multiple user, multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) technology. This allows for easy connections between different devices in the same house, saving your bandwidth. However, the MU-MIMO feature requires a line of sight connection to the router. So unless both devices are in the same room as the router, you this feature won’t do you much good.

Extra Features

The SBG8300 offers some of the easiest controls you’ll see. It’s compatible with Alexa, so you can change your settings via voice control. No need to use an app or any other solutions. That said, if you prefer to use an app, there’s one available. The Surfboard Manager App is available for free on Google Play and the Apple Store.

As with ARRIS’ other Surfboard-series routers, the SBG8300 comes with a full suite of parental controls. You’ll be able to blacklist sites, whitelist sites, or ban entire categories, all from the free app. You can also assign different permissions to different devices. Let’s say you want your kids’ internet to shut off at 11 PM, but you still want to watch Netflix. It’s simple and easy to do.

As with the previous ARRIS Surfboard router on our list, we’ve reviewed the SBG8300 in the past. Since it was a standalone review, we went into a lot more detail than we did here. Read our complete SBG8300 review to learn more!

Final Verdict

Which of these routers is the best? The Surfboard SBG8600AC2 is the most affordable. And the beamforming technology keeps your signal strong wherever you are in the house. But the DOCSIS 3.0 standard will be a limitation as connection speeds get faster. The Nighthawk C7800 is a great choice if you want a more traditional look. It’s also blazing-fast, with excellent security features. And the Surfboard SBG8300 is the fastest of all, although it doesn’t offer as many extras.

The post Guide to the Best Cable Modem WiFi Router Combo (2020 Review) appeared first on Nerd Techy.

If you’re looking for a new router, most choices will give you enough coverage for a typical suburban home. We’re not saying they’re all the same. Far from it. If you’ve read a few of our reviews, you’ll already be well aware that there are plenty of different features. But one thing that most routers have in common is that they can’t cover a very large house. If your house is larger than about 3,000 square feet, you either need a WiFi range extender or mesh router.

Today, we’ll be reviewing the Asus ZenWiFi AC (CT8) mesh router system. It’s designed to cover very large homes, and can even be expanded with additional compatible routers. But just because it has a long range doesn’t mean it’s worth buying. We took a closer look, to determine what it really has to offer. Here’s what we learned.

Physical Construction

Out of the box, the ZenWiFi consists of a pair of routers that are designed to work in tandem. Each unit is constructed from durable PCB plastic. Right off the bat, this impressed us. PCB plastic is tougher than the ABS plastic that’s used for most electronics. It costs a little bit more, but it’s well worth the investment if you want hardware that lasts. The finish is also excellent, with a brushed look that’s indistinguishable from anodized aluminum.

Each unit measures 6.36 inches high, 6.3 inches deep, and just under 3 inches in width. They don’t have any external antennas, so they’re compact, similar to a modem. At 1 pound, 9.75 ounces, they’re fairly beefy. But this is entirely excusable; there’s a lot going on inside. To begin with, each unit has a quad-core CPU inside, which allows for efficient packet switching. They also have built-in antennas that are angled at 45 degrees. This ensures full-house coverage, without any clunky external antennas cluttering up your desk.

The wide design also serves two additional purposes. First off, it allows for plenty of airflow, with a wide inner channel between the antennas and the circuit board. The circuit board itself contains not one but two heatsinks, which keeps the system cool even when it’s under stress. Large vents on the front and rear of the units further increases the efficiency of the airflow. Secondly, the wide design keeps the antennas as far as possible from the circuit board. This reduces signal interference, further improving range and signal quality.

On the back of each ZenWiFi unit, you’ll find a gigabit Ethernet WAN port for connecting to your modem. You’ll also find four gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, which can be used to connect your wired devices. There’s also a WPS button for quick, easy WiFi pairing, as well as a reset and power button. Finally, there’s a USB port, which can be used to connect an external drive for shared network storage.

If you need a fast, powerful connection, but you’re less concerned about range, a mesh router isn’t necessary. For small to mid-sized homes, a WiFi 6 router will get the job done at lower cost. In that case, consider the Netgear RAX15 AX1800. It offers blazing-fast speeds, with a coverage area of approximately 3,000 square feet.

WiFi Coverage

The ZenWiFi AC routers are rated to cover a home of up to 5,400 square feet. Obviously, this is an approximation. For example, you’ll get better coverage in a compact, three-story home than you will in a sprawling ranch. Regardless, you’re going to get significantly better coverage than you would with a standard router. That’s because the ZenWiFi is a mesh router. Here’s a quick primer on what that means.

A mesh router uses multiple nodes, which work together as part of the same system. This is different than a WiFi range extender or wireless access point. Those devices still rely on your central router for packet handling. This can significantly decrease performance, particularly if you have multiple devices routed through the access point or range extender. It also isn’t as stable as a connection that goes directly through your router.

Another option is to add more traditional routers. However, this involves cutting holes in your walls and running wires. So you’ll either have to hire an electrician or spend a weekend doing the job yourself. And at the end of the day, you’ll end up with multiple networks, which is inconvenient for mobile devices. With a mesh system, you get a single, continuous wireless network throughout your home.

Older mesh routers had a significant disadvantage. Either the 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz channel needed to be used to connect the router nodes together. This left you with only a single band for connecting your devices, reducing your speed. The ZenWiFi AC has a tri-band design, which eliminates this problem. A secondary 5.0 GHz band forms the backbone of the router connection. This leaves the standard 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz channels available for connecting your devices.

Alternatively, if you’ve got multiple Ethernet ports, you can plug both nodes directly into the wall. This way, you can use Ethernet as your network backbone. In this configuration, both 5.0 GHz bands will be available for connecting your devices. As a result, you’ll get faster connection speeds with more devices than anything else on the market. In this configuration, you can achieve a total wireless speed of up to 3,000 Mbps. That’s more than three times the gigabit standard, which is exceptionally fast. It’s ideal for smart home devices, since you’ll be able to connect dozens at once with no bottleneck.

The ZenWiFi AC also supports expanding your network with additional routers. If you want the fastest possible speed, using more ZenWiFi units is going to be ideal. But that isn’t necessary. Any mesh-compatible ASUS router will get the job done just fine.

We’ve already talked about wireless access points and their weaknesses. But sometimes, you just want to extend coverage to a back porch or detached garage. If that’s all you’re looking for, an access point can be a cheaper, easier option. In that case, the EnGenius EnTurbo EAP1250 is an excellent choice. It’s compact, it’s affordable, and it takes just a few minutes to install.

Extra Features

Configuring your ZenWiFi AC network is easy. The ASUS Router App is available for free on iOS and Android, and requires only 3 steps for setup. Within the app, you also get access to ASUS’ Internet Activity Dashboard. This feature allows you to see what each network user is doing. You can see what content they’re accessing, and what times of day they’re browsing. This is a great feature if you’re trying to ensure that your kids stay safe online.

From the app, you can also create specific permissions for individual users. Want to block your kids from accessing adult websites or gambling sites? You can do it with a few clicks of your finger. You can also limit devices to different times of day. In this way, you can keep your kids from staying up all night watching YouTube videos or chatting with friends. You can also sort devices into groups and set your permissions for each group. So you can create a “kids” group, a “parents” group, a “devices” group, and so on.

Filtering even works within mobile apps on devices. This is done with a deep packet inspection (DPI) engine that goes beyond simple URL and app permissions. It actually inspects individual packets, which can block dangerous ads and other unsecure elements within apps. You also get free lifetime protection from Tend Micro. This software ensures that your connections are totally private, across all devices. It works in two ways. First, an intrusion prevention system (IPS) blocks all known methods of external attack. An additional AI protection layer watches for internal threats. So if your work laptop picked up a virus, it won’t be able to spread throughout your home network.

Of course, a wired connection is always going to be your best choice for security. If you need to add wired access but don’t want to run wires, a powerline adapter is your best bet. We recently reviewed the best powerline adapters on the market. Any of those choices will do an excellent job.

Final Verdict

The Asus ZenWiFi AC (CT8) has a lot to offer. It provides excellent connectivity, with a blazing-fast connection. This is especially true if you’re using an Ethernet connection as the backbone. That said, even if you’re using a wireless backbone, you’ll still get dual-channel connectivity, much better than most mesh routers. The physical construction is also very good, with a tough PCB case that really impressed us. If that’s not enough, the security suite is also top of the line.

That said, keep in mind that mesh routers are designed for large homes or businesses. If you have a small to mid-sized home, you can do just as well without spending as much money. But if you need a large coverage area, the ZenWiFi AC is an excellent choice.

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If you own an automatic sprinkler system, you understand the importance of a good schedule. Running your sprinklers at the right time of day can make the difference between green grass and a brown lawn. But sometimes, a schedule doesn’t get everything right. For example, suppose it just rained. Watering a rain-soaked lawn will just run up your utility bills. Conversely, suppose you’re under water restrictions due to a drought. You can end up needing to change your schedule on a weekly or even a daily basis. With an old-school sprinkler controller, this can become a real headache.

With a WiFi-integrated sprinkler controller, you can change your schedule quickly and easily from your smartphone. Depending on the model, you can also take advantage of a wide variety of other smart features. We should note that we’re talking about true sprinkler systems with multiple zones. If you’re looking for smart controllers for individual outdoor spigots, you’ll find our review here.

Today, we’ll be looking at four of the most full-featured sprinkler controllers on the market. The Rachio 3, the Sprinkl Control, the Orbit B-hyve, and the RainMachine Pro offer a lot of similar features. But there are also important differences that we’ll highlight as we go along. Now, let’s take a closer look.

Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller

The Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller is a slick, modern-looking controller with a white plastic case. The physical controls are relatively simple. There’s a 4-way control pad that allows you to cycle back and forth between zones. You can stop, start, or temporarily pause each zone individually. A simple LED light bar tells you which zone is currently selected. If this sounds fairly minimalist, don’t be too concerned. The Rachio 3 is meant to be controlled from your smartphone, and the app offers several more control options.

The unit itself measures 9.1 inches wide, 5.6 inches high, and 1.4 inches thick. At 2.85 pounds, it’s light enough to mount easily without any extra hardware. The power supply uses an external transformer, with a female barrel plug. This makes installation quick and painless. Rachio even includes an installation tutorial in their app, which will walk you through the process step by step.

Smart Features

So, what makes the Rachio 3 so smart? To begin with, it monitors current weather conditions. If it’s just rained, it will skip a day. If there are high winds, it will wait until the winds have let up. If the weather has dropped below freezing, it will wait for a warmer day. It will operate this way across all 16 zones, which ensures that you’ll never waste money watering when it’s unnecessary.

Rachio’s app is available for free on iOS and Android. Through the app, you can create a separate schedule for each individual zone. This allows your sprinkler system to track with the patterns of light and shade in your own lawn. You can also use the app to turn off weather-sensing features altogether for individual zones. At first, this may sound unnecessary. But what if you have a zone that’s heavily shaded, for example? It may not get as much rain as other parts of your lawn. So you could set that zone to water even if it’s rained that day. Similarly, if one of your zones is shielded from the wind, you can turn off wind avoidance for that zone. This allows for a truly customized watering pattern that’s tailored to your unique lawn.

The Rachis 3 is also compatible with all major smart home platforms. You can control it directly from your Alexa, Apple Home kit, Nest, or Google Assistant. This way, you can turn your sprinklers on or off while you’re making your morning coffee.

Sprinkl Control

The Sprinkl Control is a smart sprinkler controller that’s about as minimalist as they come. There are no physical controls at all, just a green control box. It measures 10 inches wide, 7.5 inches high, and 2 inches thick, with an attractive green case. Installation is a breeze. All you need is a small screwdriver and about 30 minutes of time, and you can connect all 16 zones. The kit even includes a set of stickers for labeling each of your wires. This ensures that you won’t get them confused during the installation process.

The Sprinkl Control weighs just over 3 pounds, so it’s easy to mount on virtually any surface. It accepts a standard sprinkler power supply, so it’s more or less plug and play. It also includes a battery backup. While the battery won’t actually operate your sprinkler system in a power outage, it will save your schedule. As soon as the power is back up, your system will return to normal operation. This is a significant upgrade over an old-school sprinkler controller, which needs to be reset after every power outage.

Smart Features

Like the Rachio 3, the Sprinkl Control monitors your local weather conditions and adjusts watering accordingly. In addition to monitoring rainfall, it also monitors temperature. As a result, it will water more during hot weather, and less during moderate weather. There’s no subscription required for this service, so you won’t be swapping utility payments for a subscription. The Sprinkl also monitors local watering restrictions. If there’s a restriction in your area, it will automatically adjust to comply with local regulations. You’ll receive a smartphone notification whenever this happens, so you’ll always be kept in the loop.

In addition, the Sprinkl Control is also capable of autonomous watering. In this mode, it will water only as needed, based on your yard’s soil conditions. To use this feature, you’ll need the Sprinkl “Sense” sensor, which is sold separately. The Sense comes in a 2-pack, which can be used to monitor different parts of your lawn. It’s designed specifically to integrate with the Sprinkl Control, although you’ll need WiFi coverage on your lawn for proper operation. For ordinary control, all you need is the Sprinkl app, which is available for free on Android and iOS. You can also pair the Control with your favorite smart home hub. Alexa, Siri, and other major brands are all fully supported.

Orbit B-hyve

The Orbit B-hyve is a little different than the other options on our list. It’s designed to be mounted either indoors or outdoors, and is water-resistant. It comes in a plastic cabinet that measures 9 inches wide, 8 inches high, and 3 inches deep. The cabinet is lockable, so you can prevent tampering if you’re mounting it outside of your home. It also weighs only 1 pound, which is exceptionally lightweight. The B-hyve runs on 110-volt power, so all you have to do is plug it in. Keep in mind, though, that it’s only compatible with North American outlets. It comes in two different versions: a basic 6-zone version, and a more powerful 12-zone version.

Inside the B-hyve’s case, you’ll find a fully functional LCD display along with a control panel. This allows for significantly more manual control than you’ll see on most smart sprinkler controllers. On the manual display, you can set timers for each individual zone, stop watering, start watering, and perform other functions. There’s even a manual “rain delay” button, which will skip watering for the entire day. None of this is necessary, given the B-hyve’s app controls. But if you prefer old-school manual operation, the option is always there.

Smart Features

Like many smart sprinkler controllers, the B-hyve includes weather sensing technology. It will automatically adjust not only to your local weather, but even to the slope of your lawn. You can choose your own preferred weather feed. In rural areas with few local services, you can rely on a general NOAA feed. If you’re in a major metropolitan area, you can choose a feed from your local weather station. This allows for customized, personal adjustments that are appropriate not just for your city, but for your neighborhood. If it rains or freezes, or even if there’s powerful wind, the B-hyve will automatically adjust your watering schedule.

The B-hyve app is available for free on both iOS and Android devices. They also offer a web-based app, so you can even adjust your sprinkler settings from your work PC. Alternatively, you can always use the manual controls, or just let your system run automatically. Regardless, you’ve got plenty of options. You can also pair your B-hyve controller with voice controls like Alexa. This allows for easy voice control from anywhere in your home or office. You can even check the status with voice control. Although given the full suite of features offered by the B-hyve app, this shouldn’t really be necessary.

RainMachine Pro

The RainMachine Pro is a compact controller that’s only 6 inches wide, 6 inches high, and 1 inch thick. If you have limited wall space for mounting, you’re looking at an ideal choice. At 2.85 pounds, it can be mounted on any interior wall, either in your garage or your home. It runs on AC power, and includes an adapter. Just connect your sprinkler cables, plug the RainMachine in, and you’re ready to start watering.

The controls themselves are relatively Spartan. You have an up and down arrow to switch between 16 different zones, and a start/stop watering button. Scheduling is performed via the RainMachine app, which is an obvious choice for smart features to begin with. The RainMachine also stores all of your settings locally, on the controller itself. This ensures that it will continue to operate as scheduled, even when your local WiFi network is down. It also guarantees your privacy. The less personal information you have saved in the cloud, the better.

Smart Features

Like many other smart sprinkler controllers, the RainMachine Pro will adjust your watering based on local weather conditions. By default, it uses NOAA reports to manage your schedule. But you can use the app to change the readings to METNO, NetAtmo, or the Open Weather Map. You can even set it to make adjustments based on your local weather station, for a truly localized experience. The app itself is available for free on iOS and Android. This allows for easy operation on just about any device.

In addition, the RainMachine Pro offers free web-based controls. You can log in on your PC or laptop, and make adjustments from anywhere in the world. Long story short, there are plenty of ways to stay in control of your RainMachine. You can even view an analytics report, which will show how much you’ve watered on any given day. This gives you a unique window into how your watering budget is actually being used.

Final Verdict

So, how do these sprinkler controllers compare? Let’s take them in order. To begin with, the Rachio 3 serves as a solid standard. It integrates with weather forecasts, and it offers plenty of app controls. If you want a no-nonsense controller, it’s a solid choice. The Sprinkl Control, meanwhile, offers more advanced features. It’s not anything to write home about if you use it as a standalone unit. However, if you invest in the Sprinkl Sense water sensors, it’s an extraordinarily efficient choice.

The Orbit B-hyve is about as easy as it gets when it comes to installation. It uses a basic, 110-volt AC adapter, which means you can plug it into a standard wall outlet. Even better, the case is water-resistant. While other controllers need to be mounted indoors, you can mount the B-hyve anywhere you please. As for the RainMachine Pro, it’s exceptionally versatile. It allows you to choose between several different weather services, ensuring you get the best adjustments possible. In addition, it stores all of your data offline. If you’re concerned about privacy, the RainMachine is your best choice.

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When it comes to providing WiFi for the whole family or office, you need something consistent. Any WiFi router can claim that it will be able to beam strong WiFi signals across the state. But few WiFi routers can actually deliver on the promise of whole-home WiFi strength. Even though WiFi has become ubiquitous in recent years, it still takes time and research to find good systems.

What you really need is a whole-home mesh WiFi system. These systems use centralized routers and satellite units to deliver WiFi across broader areas. Such a setup will enable you to enjoy WiFi from any part of your home. Even better whole-home mesh systems will let multiple devices benefit from the same network without slowing anything down.

With all this in mind, how does the Netgear Nighthawk Mk 62 Whole Home Mesh WiFi System achieve these goals? We intend to find out through our in-depth examination of its strengths and possible weaknesses. In this review, we’ll dive deep into the Mk 62 and discover how it performs under pressure and what it can provide to you and your family. Scroll down to see what we discovered!

WiFi Mesh System and Coverage

The Netgear Nighthawk Mk 62 seems to be quite capable of delivering high-speed WiFi throughout your entire home. Let’s first describe what a WiFi mesh system is.

To deliver WiFi to devices across your home, you first need a router. That router, which is the larger of the two blocky units offered with this kit, connects to the Internet first. That main router can then transmit WiFi to one or more satellite devices. That’s what the second blocky unit in this kit is for. It’s a powerful satellite unit all by itself. Unlike many other WiFi mesh satellites, it can provide WiFi coverage of about the same size as the main router.

When combined, both units can project WiFi 6 coverage up to 3000 ft.². That’s perfect for many modern homes, even on the larger side of things. So this WiFi system is already looking great for families or for small offices. The mesh WiFi network is so comprehensive that you shouldn’t find any dead zones within the 3000 ft.². It’s doubly effective because it even works on multiple floors. So it’s a great system for multi-story houses.

WiFi Speed and Capacity

WiFi 6 coverage is among the faster types of systems you can find on the market. It can provide lightning-fast speed to multiple devices at the same time. This WiFi system uses four powerful streams simultaneously.

Each stream can deliver up to 8 GB of download speeds over 25 devices. This is enough speed to consistently stream your favorite shows or games in HD quality without suffering stuttering. While things might get a little slow if you truly try to press the 25-device maximum, it’s still quite excellent for most families. After all, who really uses 25 devices at the same time? Even if you split between multiple TV screens and smartphones/computers, you’re looking at 10 devices maximum for single-family. For WiFi coverage of this degree, the Mk62 does a phenomenal job.

Of course, this mesh system works with all Internet providers. You can quickly replace your standard WiFi router with the main unit of this kit. However, it doesn’t come with your own cable satellite fiber DSL or other Internet connectivity necessities. As an example, you’ll need a separate modem or gateway. So we’d recommend saving the ones you already have from your current router to use with this one.

Wired Connectivity

Once you’ve set up the system, you’ll find 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports located on the back of the main router device. This allows you to form wired Internet connections with computers or game consoles straight to your network. It’s a great solution for download-heavy streams or to ensure maximum multiplayer gaming consistency. On the back of the main router, you’ll also find the primary synch button. This is what you’ll press to combine the satellite and router together.

You may need to hold it for a few seconds. But in the end, the units should find one another and forge a good connection. This connection ought to be stable even if you decide to move the satellite unit. So you won’t need to necessarily re-sync if you tinker with the exact positioning.

You can further find an additional gigabit ethernet port on the back of the satellite unit. This makes three ethernet ports total for wired connectivity. You’ll have to plan out your layout carefully since the satellite unit allows for one less wired connection than the main router. Still, it’s nice that it does allow some wired connectivity at all.

Advanced Tech and Functions

Both units are loaded with advanced WiFi technology. The system utilized MU-MIMO Smart Connect tech to provide enhanced system stability. To get into the specifics, this WiFi router can utilize beamforming technology for multiple devices simultaneously. Beamforming is a newer WiFi development that turns traditional WiFi broadcasting on its head.

With normal WiFi systems, the signal is broadcast in a wide arc that just happens to hit the targeted devices. WiFi that’s transmitted via beamforming is projected in a centralized arc. This results in a much more steady and powerful signal to the target devices. Since the Mk62 can do this with multiple devices at the same time, it just goes to show how advanced the unit really is. This beamforming capability also ensures that you’ll be able to seamlessly go from room to room without losing your WiFi connectivity.

You can also unify all of these WiFi connections under a single WiFi network name. This both helps with security and prevents people from reloading off your WiFi connection. If you do decide to be generous, the router is equipped with a guest WiFi network functionality. This lets you share your Internet access with your friends and family without giving them your secret password. As you can imagine, this is a really helpful feature if you’re setting up a house of college students or roommates. But it’s also helpful if you plan to use this for smaller offices or private businesses.

Setup

Altogether, it’ll probably only take you 5 to 10 minutes to set up both the main router and the satellite unit. The main router can be initialized and hooked up to the Internet via a hard cable in just seconds. After turning it on, you’ll be able to connect a primary device to the main router and make sure the connection is stable. Synching the satellite unit to the router is as easy as holding the button once the satellite is turned on properly.

You may need to move the satellite and a router around to find the optimal coverage orientation. This is a standard chore that most people who use mesh systems are used to. But the Mk62’s version of this process is particularly smooth. This is in part thanks to the proprietary Nighthawk app. It’ll help you locate the satellite and help you control both units from your smartphone. You can run diagnostics and even get analytics about your WiFi network to the same application. It’s an excellent digital tool that you can always use to check the status and speed of your network. Finally, it’s a great way to get tech support if you need to troubleshoot the mesh network at any time.

Final Verdict

Overall, the Netgear Nighthawk Mk 62 Whole Home Mesh WiFi System delivers on the promise of a consistent signal across the whole Home. Although it only uses two units compared to many other mesh systems, it manages to provide stable WiFi across 3000 ft.². We were especially impressed at how it didn’t create any dead zones in corners or rooms farther from the main router. We also really liked the ability to use solid Ethernet cables for wired connectivity when necessary.

Setting up both units is incredibly easy, even if you aren’t a tech-head. Most importantly, this system makes use of modern beamforming technology. As a result, a WiFi connection you create with this system is far more certain to last and provide great download speeds. This system is clearly the way of the future and we expect others to follow in its wake.

If you need good WiFi coverage for a larger home or small office, you can do much better than the Netgear Nighthawk Mk 62 Whole Home Mesh WiFi System.

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Ethernet gigabit switches are one of the first devices you need to purchase when building an inter-office network. For most business centers, it’s more economical to connect multiple devices to the same hub device. There, all computers can reach the Internet through the same switch. This gives you the ability to monitor traffic, set administrative rules, and control the budget for the office. In a sense, it’s like creating a gateway for all internet users. Other switches, like a Layer 2 switch, are designed to allow connectivity between multiple devices on the same network.

Either way, such an important staple of your office devices needs to be a good one. Subpar switches are one of the first ways that an office network can breakdown. Download speeds slowed to a crawl, no one can send emails between computers, and office monitoring becomes nonexistent. To that end, you should spend some time finding a high-quality gigabit switch for your office networking.

One of the better potential options is the EnGenius ECS1008P Cloud Managed 8-Port Gigabit 55W PoE Switch. It’s supposedly built with a host of excellent, administrator friendly options. It can also be managed via the Cloud, which many other gigabit switches don’t offer. But how does it really measure up?

That’s what we’re here to find out. In our comprehensive review, we’ll take a hard look at this gigabit switch. In our examinations, we’ll determine whether it’s included features are really worth your time and money. We can also help identify any trouble spots the switch might have. This way, you’ll be able to determine if it’s right for your office. Let’s get started.

Type and Purpose

The EnGenius ECS1008P Cloud Managed 8-Port Gigabit 55W PoE Switch is an Ethernet gigabit switch designed for budget-conscious administrators. Let’s run down its major capabilities first. It comes with eight ports (if you didn’t already guess that from the name). With a gigabit switch, this means that eight separate computers can jack into the same network. It’s a lot like a power strip for plugging in multiple devices or machines to a single power outlet. Thus, this switch is an excellent choice for smaller businesses or concentrated working groups.

The switch is a Layer 2 model. For those not in the know, there are two basic types of layered switches: 2 and 3. A Layer 2 switch is the more basic device and allows for direct data transfer between two devices within the same network. As such, it’s an optimal switch choice for inter-office switches or for data transferring within the same company.

On the flip side, Layer 3 switches are better for routing data to network (IP) addresses. As a Layer 2 switch, the ECS1008P works phenomenally well, providing steady internet connectivity and data transfer within the same local network.

Power and Data Flow

It’s also designed with a 55 W budget. What does this mean? Put simply, the switch can project 55 W of power safely. In fact, this process is what the titular “PoE” represents. It stands for power over Ethernet. This acronym describes passing electrical power alongside data through Ethernet cables.

For those planning on using this switch, it just means that 55 W is the maximum power and data combination this device can handle. Thankfully, this is plenty of room for handling eight separate computers all at once. Many “higher capacity” gigabit switches have a maximum power of 30 W or so. In this way, you can really get a sense of this switch’s value.

The quality and speed delivered from each port should also not be understated. You’ll get full 10/100/1000 Ethernet delivered to each device jacked into its architecture. The switch is equipped with 16 GB per second switching capacity. Here’s another Internet device term we can explain. The switching capacity of a gigabit switch describes how much data can flow through all of its ports at the same time. Thus, 16 GB of information per second to pass through this switch all at once.

Next, you have to consider how many ports are built into the switch. Most excellent switches balance their switching capacity with the number of ports available. The more ports you have, the more diluted the total data speed is for each connected device. Some switches decide to go with only a few ports but a high ultimate data speed. This provides fast internet for a few devices. Others go with lots of powers but not a lot of speed. Such a setup is suitable for casual but high-device networks, like school computer labs.

So how does this switch compare? We feel that 16 GB spread over eight separate ports might be a bit thin if all eight devices are computers streaming or downloading something big. It’s a perfectly serviceable spread for a few computers working at once at high intensity.

Ultimately, it’s a mixed bag. You’ll probably want to fine-tune how many people download the latest software patch at once. Alternatively, you can have eight computers download the same thing, but expect that it will go more slowly than 16 GB per second.

Quality Control Options

However, this switch does allow you to manage the operation of the switch and its network rather easily. This is another huge selling point that administrators will love. You can choose between on-premises management options or Cloud-based management. This isn’t a one-time choice, either; swap between the two anytime you prefer.

Your on-premises management options will depend on your budget and network architecture. Those with more technical experience and higher-powered machines or a dedicated spot in the server room might be fine with such a choice. Everyone else can take advantage of EnGenius’ cloud servers, where they’ll provide the tools you need to administrate the network.

There’s a ton of options you can fiddle with depending on your company preferences or budgetary concerns. You’ll be able to set administrative permissions, for starters. Anyone who has been in charge of a company network knows how valuable this feature is. You can stop cyberslacking before it begins. You’ll also be able to monitor how traffic flows in and out of your network. This includes overall traffic or traffic habits.

Efficiency and Analytical Tools

Additionally, the option exists to optimize your network efficiency. It’s an Enterprise-class feature, so we’re thrilled to see it with this gigabit switch. Being able to fine-tune the switch’s performance to handle increased traffic or download is a great ability. You’ll be able to reduce your operating expenses at the same time since you won’t need to use the peak performance setting all the time.

We haven’t even touched the host of other analytical tools available from EnGenius’ website and cloud servers. Real-time system metrics are at your fingertips, along with deep-dive analytical tools. Administrators that really want to know how their business’ traffic ticks will be more than pleased with all of these features. Additional remote configurations can let you set of experiments or try to gather data for future business decisions.

Not to mention that setting all of this up is supremely easy. The gigabit switch comes with a handy user manual explaining many of the processes we just did. The Cloud servers have their own tutorials to help you along, as well.

To make things easier on the user, the switch is designed with a series of indicator lights on the left-hand side of the back panel. These lights can give you critical information about the current state of the network and data flow. They’ll also quickly alert you if something is wrong and you need to change the settings of the network or slow things down.

Final Verdict

At the end of our investigation, we think that the EnGenius ECS1008P Cloud Managed 8-Port Gigabit 55W PoE Switch is a good pick overall. It has a huge number of features that office administrators will really love. The Cloud functionality is just the start. The in-depth analytical tools and administrative permissions are things that are classic to include in a switch. But not all can be so easily accessed from afar.

Aside from these elements, the other factors have impressed us as well. It has plenty of power capacity to share between eight ethernet connections at once. While the overall spread is decent, you do need to be careful about using 8 computers downloading at maximum speeds. Still, for general inter-office communication and networking, you could do a lot worse.

Ultimately, this switch will be most attractive to those who run their office’s network. The ability to control the budget of all the computers using the switch will be invaluable and help you keep time-wasting down. Add to that an easy installation and you’ve got a high-tech switch we’d heartily recommend.

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Homeowners and business administrators that want to share wireless connectivity among many wireless devices need a WAP. A Wireless Access Point is essentially a central hub connected to a wired Ethernet port, making a stable and high-speed bridge to the Internet. The WAP can then connect with wireless devices by providing a Wi-Fi signal. In this way, a single WAP can act as a sort of turnpike. It allows multiple wireless devices accessing the same wired Internet connection.

It all sounds very complicated, but WAPs make it easier for most. Of course, the better your WAP, the better your Internet experience will be on any Wi-Fi device. As you can imagine, good Internet speeds and quality are important for streaming your favorite shows. Business administrators can also benefit from excellence WAPs. Such devices allow for consistent monitoring of Internet use on the business network or for administrative controls.

If you’re currently looking for an excellent WAP, you might wonder how the EnGenius ECW120 Cloud Managed 11ac Wave 2 Wireless Indoor Access Point measures up. In this review, we’ll dive deep into this WAP and see how it ticks. It’s got a wide variety of features and is made with one of the more well-known manufacturers in the industry. When we’re finished, you should have a good idea about this WAP’s capabilities and benefits. Let’s dive in!

Dual-Band and High Tech

The EnGenius ECW120 is an excellent example of a modern WAP. Through its excellent hardware and software, you’ll be able to connect other Wi-Fi devices to the high speeds and stability of a wired Internet connection. During typical use, you can expect 1.3 Gb per second speeds. This isn’t as fast as you can get with many wired connections with specific cables and routers. But it’s still an excellent choice for boosting general Wi-Fi speed. It’s also a good choice if you need to tie multiple Wi-Fi devices to the same network.

It’s also a dual-band WAP. If you don’t already know what this means, let us explain. Wi-fi devices normally run on either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz clients/networks. For single-band WAPs, devices can only run on one or the other. In addition, devices that run on one type of client can’t run while devices with a different client are connected. Dual-band WAPs avoid this problem. They have the internal infrastructure necessary to facilitate connectivity between both types of clients. In a nutshell, you can use all types of Wi-Fi devices at the same time with a dual-band WAP.

So how does the ECW210 manage with both types of clients? For 5 GHz bands, this WAP can support up to 867 Mb per second. For the 2.4 GHz band, it can support 400 Mb per second. Both are perfectly respectable, particularly when multiple devices are using the same WAP simultaneously. Just because it’s dual band doesn’t mean you can’t choose which to prioritize. If your devices all use the same band type, you can specify this to the WAP.

Multiple User Functionality and High Speeds

Another excellent benefit from this pick is its wireless connectivity range; users can expect connections up to 328 feet away. As such, this WAP is a phenomenal choice if you need to supply Wi-Fi to an entire home. Install it at a central room or the business hub for your building and devices should be able to reach it consistently.

Speaking of devices reaching it, the ECW210 does a great job of making device-connecting easy. It can manage an unlimited number of access points anywhere you want to install the hardware. Just download the proprietary EnGenius Cloud app and you’ll find this outlined in a step-by-step process. While the exact limit to the number of devices you can use with this WAP isn’t known, it’s certainly enough for most families or small businesses.

The device is built with MU-MIMO tech out of the box. MU-MIMO stands for, multi-user multiple input and multiple output technologies. To keep things simple, just understand that this means that the ECW120 is designed to juggle multiple wireless devices. This is unlike many routers, which are ostensibly built to handle multiple devices but really can’t.

On the flip side, the ECW120’s sole purpose is to smoothly connect lots of smartphones and computers at the same time. It also does this without sacrificing download speed or connection stability between devices.

That means that your Internet network should maintain its quality and speed even as you add new computers to the network. This doesn’t mean that the ECW120 is completely immune to lag. Adding more and more computers operating at the same time will necessarily slow things down. We’re just noting that it does a better job of balancing quality and speed than many competitors.

Installation and Cloud Controls

Installing the WAP in multiple locations or switching it from room to room doesn’t take long, either. The ECW120 comes with quick device registration and configuration out of the box. That means you’ll only need to spend a few minutes setting everything up instead of hours like you might expect. In addition, purchasing this WAP grants you unlimited access to EnGenius’ monitoring and troubleshooting. They can remotely check on the WAP periodically to offer you support when you need it most.

This ties into the other major features that make the ECW120 a phenomenal choice for businesses. You see, you can log into the WAP’s records from EnGenius’ website or app. There, you’ll be able to take advantage of their real-time heart rate and examine the system metrics and analytics for the WAP. You can check out the Internet traffic that the WAP has facilitated. Or you can use the deep dive analytical tools present on the site.

You can even remotely configure the WAP to your liking. It’s an excellent set of tools for anyone who likes to control their hardware. Perhaps best of all, you can receive access to the services without access point licensing or subscription fees. Many in-depth WAPs like this one require you to pay extra consistently. It’s nice to know that, once you put money down for the first time, you will need to pay any extra.

Of course, the WAP comes with excellent wireless security. WPA 3 Personal, WPA 3/2 Personal/Mixed, and WP3/WP2 Enterprise with Suite B Support are all options available to you. This will help keep your wired and wireless devices secure even as you branch out the network to the rest of your devices.

Wi-Fi Stability and Strength

We’d be remiss not to include an analysis of this WAP’s connection stability. The ECW120 comes with beamforming technology integrated into its design. Beamforming is a relatively new feature that many WAPs don’t yet have. That’s because it’s really only useful with devices that are 802.11ac-rated, which the ECW120 is. We’ll spare you most of the technical details. What you need to know is that beamforming tech essentially collects and focuses the signal that your router projects.

Normally, routers broadcast Wi-Fi signals in all directions, which are then picked up by other devices. Beamforming tech allows the router to push the Wi-Fi signal in the direction of a designated device. This doesn’t guarantee better performance, per se, but it often results in it, nonetheless. A stronger Wi-Fi signal usually enables your devices to enjoy faster download speeds and a or stable connection.

Again, since the ECW120 is designed with beamforming in mind, it takes advantage of this update excellently. Any devices you pair with this WAP should experience excellent Wi-Fi connectivity. Remember, though, that the Internet projected by your WAP is ultimately dependent on the quality of your Internet’s wired connection.

Final Verdict

After thoroughly examining all its features, we have to say that the EnGenius ECW120 is a great piece of equipment. It’s definitely more suited to hands-on business administrators or those who will take advantage of its various tools. The Cloud management aspect of the device is something that many homeowners might not appreciate. But business administrators will probably jump on that functionality. It’s quite a thing to be able to access your network’s settings anywhere you can connect to the Internet.

Even without this aspect, it provides stable Internet connectivity for a variety of devices. It also does a great job beamforming Wi-Fi signals to connected computers are smartphones. Beamforming is certainly the way of the future. So it’s good to see it already impacting high-quality devices such as this one. Overall, this WAP is an excellent choice for those who’ll make the most of its features.

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In a modern home, a good WiFi signal is almost a necessity. Imagine you’re on vacation, staying with a friend or family member. Within the first few hours, you’re probably going to ask for their WiFi password. If they’re visiting you, they’ll expect the same courtesy. But WiFi isn’t just a useful way to save money on your cell phone’s data plan. It’s also essential for many streaming and smart home devices. Unless you want to run Ethernet cables through your entire home, that is.

But your average wireless router is only sufficient to cover about 2,000 square feet of floor space. That’s adequate for almost any apartment, as well as for many residential homes. But for a larger space, you’re going to need to expand your WiFi network’s range. There are a few options. You could buy a WiFi mesh router system, but that can involve significant effort. You could set up a mobile hotspot. But that requires an extra phone plan, and creates an entirely different network in part of your home. Alternatively, you could use a simple WiFi range extender. This allows you to expand your existing network quickly and easily, without much added expense.

We’re about to take a close look at the Rock Space AC1200 WiFi Range Extender. We’ll tell you about the design quality, the range, the compatibility, and all the other features. Let’s dig in!

Physical Design

The first thing you’ll notice upon opening the box is just how small the AC1200 is. The square base measures only 3 by 3 inches, and it’s only 3.1 inches high, not counting the antennas. At 6.1 ounces, it’s also fairly lightweight. This means you can basically use it anywhere you want. Set it in a small nook, on the corner of a desk, or unobtrusively on a bookshelf. The options are nearly endless, and you won’t have to worry about a big black box taking up space.

The front and back of the AC1200 are covered with horizontal venting slots. The top and sides are also covered with a venting grill, which allows for plenty of airflow. The 360-degree cooling plays into the AC1200’s greatest strength: its small size. You won’t have to worry about one or two sides being obstructed, because there’s so much ventilation.

The case itself is constructed from ABS plastic, with an attractive, glossy black finish. On the front, you’ll see a Rock Space logo in the upper left corner, and a set of indicator lights in the lower right. The top light indicates that there’s an active WiFi connection. The middle button indicates that the WPS encryption is working properly. And the bottom light indicates that the unit is actively powered on. Beneath the lights, there’s a rectangular button for activating the WPS pairing.

The back of the AC1200 is relatively Spartan, with only two ports. There’s a small input for the AC power adapter, which is included in the package. Keep in mind that while you won’t need clearance on all sides, you’ll at least need enough clearance on the back for the power adapter. There’s also a single Gigabit Ethernet port. We’ll talk more about that port later on. On the sides of the AC1200, you’ll find a pair of swiveling antennas. These can be pointed in any direction to improve your coverage. If you’re having any issues with devices being just out of range, try adjusting these. They’re not all-powerful, but they can make a big difference in a borderline situation.

As we mentioned at the beginning, a WiFi range extender might not be the best choice for everybody. It can add some complications. If you’re willing to spend some time on installation to avoid trouble later on, consider a WiFi mesh router. The Netgear Nighthawk Mk62 is an excellent choice. It’s compact, it’s powerful, and it has a large coverage area.

Range and Power

The first thing to keep in mind about WiFi range extenders is that they depend on your existing router. If the Rock Space AC1200 is outside the range of your current WiFi network, it won’t have a signal to extend. Many times, this can cause frustration during the setup process.

Rock Space has made the process as painless as possible. The signal indicator light on the front isn’t just a single, solid color. Instead, it changes color to indicate the strength of the connection. Blue indicates a good connection, while red indicates that the connection is poor – black indicates no signal at all. If the light is red, the AC1200 will still work. However, the signal will be slow, and you might struggle with high-bandwidth applications like video streaming. If at all possible, position it so that the light is blue. You’ll get a much better connection. Remember, if you’re on the borderline, adjusting the antennas can put you over the top.

Rock Space advertises that setup takes only 8 seconds. This is one of those silly marketing claims that’s technically true, but only technically. The “8 seconds” refers to how long it takes to pair with your router using the WPS link. To do this, you’ll need to simultaneously press the WPS button on the AC1200 and your router. Since these devices are probably going to be in different rooms, you’ll need help to do this. Ask a friend or family member to help out, and you’ll be all set. You can also use the web-based configuration app to manually configure your new network. Because it’s web-based, it’s compatible with all devices, including Android and iOS.

When it comes to coverage, it’s rated for 1,292 square feet, in all directions. The dual-band signal provides the best of both worlds to help you get this range. The 5 GHz channel offers faster bandwidth, but can be obstructed by solid objects. It will penetrate drywall walls just fine, but brick, stone, and other heavy construction will block it. But in these cases, the 2.4 GHz channel offers another option. It’s a bit slower than the 5 GHz channel, but easily penetrates solid objects.

What’s better than a dual-band extender? A tri-band extender. If you’re willing to invest in a pricier, larger unit, read our review of the Netgear Nighthawk X6S. It has two 5 GHz bands, potentially doubling your maximum bandwidth.

Bandwidth and Connectivity

The exact bandwidth you’ll get from the AC1200 will depend on the quality of your connection. The 2.4 GHz band is relatively slow, at only 300 Mbps. This is enough for basic streaming, albeit not full HD video. If you’ve got a reasonably unobstructed signal, you should be able to connect to the 5 GHz band as well. This band provides an additional 867 Mbps of bandwidth. If you’ve connected over both bands, you’ll get a total of 1,167 Mbps, or slightly faster than gigabit speeds.

Speaking of gigabit, you do have one more dependable option. Remember the gigabit Ethernet port we talked about earlier? You can use it for connecting a single device of your choice. In most cases, there shouldn’t be a need for this. After all, a major advantage of extending your WiFi network is that you don’t need to rely on a wired connection. But for a handful of older devices, Ethernet is the only option. If that’s what you need, the gigabit Ethernet port will serve you well.

When it comes to protocols, the AC1200 is compatible with 802.11a, b, g, and n protocols. It does not support the newer 802.11ac or WiFi 6 protocols. That said, the older protocols are more than fast enough to support the AC1200’s speeds. They’re also compatible with almost every router, game system, and smart home device on the market. It’s going to be a long time before manufacturers stop supporting 802.11g or n. So you’ll be well set up for many years of use.

All of that being said, you’ll need a more powerful device if you intend on streaming 4K video. For the absolute latest and greatest, take a look at the Asus ZenWiFi AC (CT8). It’s a WiFi mesh router that supports speeds of up to 3 GHz.

Final Verdict

The Rock Space AC1200 is a unique piece of work. To be sure, there are plenty of WiFi range extenders on the market. But few of them are as compact, or as versatile, as this one. It’s small enough to fit virtually anywhere, so it won’t obstruct your desk or shelf. It has a reasonably large range, although to be fair it’s a bit underwhelming compared to other range extenders. And it’s fast enough to stream all of your favorite shows. All in all, we call that a win.

The post Review of the Rock Space AC1200 WiFi Range Extender appeared first on Nerd Techy.

To get the most out of your internet service, you need a good router. This is especially true in today’s world of ubiquitous smart home devices. Between your security cameras, smart switches, smart appliances, and even door locks, you need a router with plenty of bandwidth. Add in a few people watching Netflix or online gaming, and an old router just won’t be enough.

That said, not all routers are created equal. Some are designed for maximum bandwidth, to support even the most demanding 4K streaming. Others are designed for businesses, with maximum range and lots of extra security features. And some are designed for today’s smart home, with the ability to support a lot of devices.

Today, we’ll be reviewing one of this last variety, the Netgear R6330. It’s designed specifically to support a large number of smart appliances and devices. But what else does it have to offer? We decided to take a close look, and consider all of its features. We’ll talk about bandwidth, range, setup, and security. But first, let’s get started by discussing the physical design.

Overall Design

The Netgear R6330 is 12 inches wide, 9.8 inches deep, and 5 inches tall. The height includes the three adjustable antennas, so it can be considerably shorter depending on the angle of the antennas. It weighs 1.9 pounds, which is fairly lightweight considering the size. This large, bold design is typical of Netgear, which likes to make a statement with their routers. When your friends see your router, they’ll know it’s a Netgear. It’s almost a form of advertising for them.

The bold design continues when we look at the shape. It has a sloped design, with the back significantly thicker than the front. The edges are sharp and clean, so the R6330 is sure to stand out on any desk or shelf. The case is constructed from a flat black ABS plastic, with a NETGEAR logotype on the top panel. Beneath the logo, you’ll find a set of four green LED lights. The leftmost button indicates the router’s power status, and the next one indicates an active internet connection. The third light lets you know when you have an active WiFi connection to any devices. The fourth and final light indicates that devices are actively connected via Ethernet. There are no separate lights for individual Ethernet ports, though.

One thing we loved about the design is just how sleek it is. All the vents are located along the back, so the overall look is very smooth. Three antennas stick up from the back, and can be pivoted to any angle to get the best signal.

Along the back of the unit, you’ll find all of the R6330’s ports. On the far left, there’s a single USB 2.0 port. Following that, you’ll find a row of 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, conveniently labeled with individual LAN numbers. On the other side of the central antenna, you’ll find the R6330’s outbound Ethernet port. This is bright yellow, the only part of the router that uses any kind of color. To the left of that, there’s a WPS button, which can be used to easily pair modern smart devices. There’s also a reset button. This has the usual annoying, recessed design that requires a paperclip to operate. Thankfully, there’s also a power button. If you need to reset your router, the easiest way to do it is just to power it off and then on again. Finally, there’s the DC power port, used to power the device.

The WPS button makes setup easy. Just plug the R6330 into your modem, power it up, and connect your devices. Download Netgear’s Nighthawk app to your smartphone, and use the wizard to set up your network. This is a significant improvement over older routers, which required complex setup for passwords and other security features.

Speed & Coverage

The R6330 offers approximately 1,200 square feet of coverage. This is just a ballpark figure. It depends on many variables, including whether there are any masonry walls or lots of copper piping. That said, we would most accurately describe this router’s coverage as about average. For homes that are larger than average, you’re likely to need a WiFi range extender to get complete coverage. This isn’t necessarily a big deal, since it’s a common issue with home routers. That said, it does mean that most businesses are going to need a more powerful router.

The overall bandwidth is 1,600 Mbps. This is broken up over two bands, a nearly ubiquitous feature on modern routers. The 2.4 GHz band offers a paltry 300 Mbps of bandwidth. However, it has a longer range that can exceed the 1,200 square foot stated range. If you’ve got a few smart home devices that are just outside the R6330’s “bubble”, this will get them covered. The workhorse of the R6330 is the 1,300 Mbps 5.0 GHz band. This provides enough bandwidth for HD streaming on multiple devices. That said, it’s truly limited to the 1,200 square foot range. Outside of that area, your internet speeds will drop precipitously.

If you need exceptionally fast speeds for 4K streaming or other demanding applications, you’ll need a faster router. In that case, consider the Netgear Nighthawk AX4. It offers a mind-blowing 3,000 Mbps of bandwidth, albeit at a significantly higher price point.

The Netgear R6330 supports the 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11b, and 802.11ac protocols. It does not, however, support 802.11ax (WiFi 6). At the moment, this won’t cause any serious issues. However, it does mean that the R6330 isn’t future-proofed for next generation smart home devices. Four or five years down the road, you might find yourself running into some issues. If you want a more future-proof router, consider the Netgear RAX15 AX1800. It supports WiFi 6, and should be useful for at least the next decade.

One thing the R6330 does handle very well is connecting a large number of devices. It’s rated for up to 20, which should be sufficient for most homes. This is due to its MU-MIMO technology. MU-MIMO stands for “multi-user multiple-input multiple-output”. This technology supports a large number of simultaneous connections from numerous devices. It’s partially supported by the three antennas, each of which provides a separate input-output channel. As a result, you can stream and game on multiple machines, while still supporting plenty of smart home devices.

Another feature we appreciated was the USB port on the back of the R6330. This allows for a few different options. The first is that you can easily set up a network drive. Plug a USB hard drive into the back of the router, make a few changes inside the app, and you’re set up. This is a great option for setting up a home media server. It’s also a good way to set up a shared hard drive in a small business environment. Alternatively, you can connect a USB-enabled printer directly to the router. Through the app, you can set it up as a network printer. This is a more office-oriented feature, but it can also be a useful feature inside your home.

Security & Extra Features

An important consideration for any router is how secure it keeps your network. There are a few ways that the R6330 does this. First off, it supports the latest WPA2 security protocol. This is more or less a given on more or less any router. However, it’s still nice to see. Netgear has also included a DoS (denial of service) firewall. This is important for small businesses, but it’s also helpful for home networks. It blocks out easy methods of intrusion, and prevents glitches from crashing your home network. In addition, the R6330 also supports VPN use. This ensures that you can use the VPN of your choice for added security.

The R6330 also supports a separate guest network. This Guest WiFi Access allows guests, contractors, and other non-family members to use your network. Simultaneously, because it’s separate from your main network, they won’t have access to your devices. This is also a useful feature for small businesses, so you can offer free WiFi to your customers.

The Nighthawk App allows you to configure a variety of settings, including parental controls. You can block access to specific websites or groups of websites. You can enable web filtering to block unsafe sites based on Netgear’s algorithms. You can do this for the entire network, or set different permissions for different devices and family members. You can even pause WiFi altogether at certain times of day. This feature is also available both for the whole network or for individual devices.

If you need lower latency, consider buying yourself a quality gaming router. The Netgear Nighthawk XR450 is an excellent choice, which we’ve recently reviewed. In addition to low latency, it allows geo-filtering to ensure that you’re only connected with gamers near you.

Final Verdict

So, how well does the Netgear R6330 to other routers in its class? To begin with, the bandwidth is fairly middling. It’s not bad by any means, but you’ll need a more powerful router if you want 4K streaming. Same for the range. It’s not bad, but there are more powerful options on the market.

That said, it does maintain Netgear’s tradition of style and quality. The security features are among the best in its class, with WPS support and a dedicated guest network. You also get plenty of filtering options, which makes the R6330 a great choice for families. The smart home support is particularly good, thanks to the MU-MIMO support.

At the end of the day, the R6330 is designed for families and small businesses. It allows you to operate a variety of devices without any significant lag or latency. And the guest network is great for small businesses in particular. Larger offices and buildings are going to require a more powerful router or a mesh router system. Ultimately, it depends on what kind of network you’re trying to build.

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