These days, having access to the internet at all times is expected. For the most part, our cellphones provide us with connectivity while we’re out in the great outdoors, and we rely on WiFi while we’re inside. Unfortunately, cellphones are a pretty expensive way to get access to the internet. If there is WiFi available, most consumers would prefer to use that over their mobile network provider.

If you’re looking to get a network set up outdoors, your first instinct might be to purchase the biggest, baddest, most powerful router that money can buy. But this isn’t necessarily the case. The latest networking standard – 802.11ac – is considered to be a massive improvement over 802.11N. It can handle massive bandwidth, and has better signal penetration through walls.

Believe it or not, 802.11ac is actually worse for an outdoor network. Higher bandwidth for each client means that less clients can be connected at the same time. Better penetration through walls means that the range is shorter.

802.11N is older technology. And if you take a router from a few years ago and pit it against a modern router, the modern one will perform better. But if you get a specially designed outdoor range extender, you’ll be able to create a network that will blow away any indoor router.

In this guide, we’ll show you the three best WiFi range extenders for outdoor use. First, we’ll look at each individual model and show you what it has to offer. After, we’ll help you find the one that’s right for you.

EnGenius Long Range ENS202EXT

Although EnGenius makes a large number of routers and other networking appliances, they’re not a brand that everyone is going to be familiar with. EnGenius tends to go against the grain, creating specialty hardware designed for specific purposes. Though they aren’t a household name, there are very few brands we’d trust more to make an outdoor WiFi extender.

Installation

How a range extender is designed has a huge impact on your installation process. In some cases, the costs associated with installing a poorly designed extender can greatly outpace the cost of the extender itself. Fortunately, EnGenius made sure that this process was simple with the ENS202EXT. All you need is four screws and a plug. It runs off PoE – meaning it pulls it’s power from the Ethernet cable that feeds it’s signal.

As for the four screws? Put them in anywhere you like. With four anchor points, the router will be very sturdy wherever you choose to mount it. It’s IP55 rated, so it can handle even extreme weather conditions even without a separate enclosure.

The actual configuration process is a little more involved than your standard router. First, you’ll have to plug it into a separate computer and configure things like the IP address for DHCP, the name, and the network rules. There is a wizard that walks you through it, but a little tech know-how is required.

Networking Technology

This extender is capable of using 802.11 B, G, and N. For 90% of users, N will be the best option. B & G are very old standards, but they can be amplified a higher rates. If you’re using a special directional antenna to transmit long distances, you’ll have the ability to do so. But even by default, this is a pretty impressive piece of kit.

It’s antennas have 26 dbm of gain, allowing it to broadcast the network over a range of about 500 feet. In our tests, the connection speed was fantastic until the 300-foot mark, where things started to drop off a little.

These are MIMO antennas, meaning that you have to separate 802.11 networks. This allows twice the number of users on a single extender, something that is worth having with such a long range.

Features

The range on this unit is wide enough that it can be used in a professional setting, so EnGenius gave it plenty of professional features. The POE feature can be extended allowing you to run wired IPTV cameras through the extenders. This is a huge advantage for anyone who wants a security system, as it drastically reduces installation costs.

You’re also given tons of network security settings in the control panel. You can set up private VLANS, set private mac address filtering, install QoS systems that prevent one user from bogging the whole system down with a 4K Netflix binge. There is no doubt that this is an enterprise grade piece of hardware. Not everyone will take advantage of these features, but it does give you the option to manage a lot of users.

Ubiquiti UniFi AP Outdoor+

Ubiquiti’s name is based off a word meaning “to appear everywhere,” which happens to perfectly describe what we want from our wireless networks. This access point is designed to be universal. You can use a single model to extend over a small range, or pair an entire array of them for a larger coverage.

Installation

Although the installation process of the UniFi AP Outdoor+ is a little more involved with this access point, Uniquiti does give you many unique mounting options. The simplest choice would be to take the mounting plate and screw it directly onto a wall. It’s much easier to work with a single plate than it would be to try and make your screws line up with the holes on the access point, so you’re going to save yourself time and frustration with this design. If you’re trying to mount it up high to get a better signal, you’ve also got the ability to use the included hose clamp to strap it directly to a pole.

Getting connected is also very easy. You just plug in your Ethernet cable and everything works. There is a pass-through, so you can daisy chain one access point to another to cover a large area.

You don’t have to have an advanced technical skillset to set up a Ubiquiti access point. Just plug it in, and your network will be up and running. All settings are adopted from the host router, so there is no additional configuration required.

Networking Technology

This access point uses 802.11N as its primary communication protocol. It is backwards compatible with other standards, but there are no special features available for long-range transmission. The advantage of this design is that this access point is very compatible. It will work with virtually any device you connect it to, so you won’t have to provide tech support for your clients.

The omnidirectional antennas boost the signal at 23 dBm, which is just a tiny bit lower than the Engenius model. In our tests, the signal quality was good for about 250 feet, and the connection was extremely stable anywhere within this range. Although it’s not the highest range on the market, this access point does have a better system for handling high volume users.

You’ll be able to connect quite a few devices before the network gets congested, making this the perfect choice for a dense installation.

Features

One of the standout features of this extender is the built in hotspot management software. You’re able to limit use, so users don’t bog down your network with unwanted activity. You can display your terms of service before the connection is active, and even set up a billing system where clients can pay for network access. There are plenty of 3rd party programs that do this, but they come at a hefty price. Having this included with your networking hardware is a huge advantage.

TP-Link CPE510

Having been covered in many of our guides, TP-Link is a company that we are very familiar with. They made a name for themselves providing high performance networking hardware for the corporate and household market. This particular extender sets itself apart by combining long range and high performance technology, making this an ideal choice in situations where bandwidth is crucial.

Installation

Although it’s possible to mount this directly to a wall, the TP-Link CPE510 will work best when mounted on a pole. The idea is to mount it high, and point the flat face of the extender in the direction that you’d like coverage. It’s extremely well made, so you don’t have to worry about winds or weather damaging it – ideal when it’s going to be fully exposed to the elements.

Once it’s mounted, you’ll want to get it connected up to Ethernet. You can use the included power adapter, or TP-Links POE adapter. This is a little box that plugs into the wall next to your router. Your router plugs into the adapter, then the adapter to the extender. This adds POE to a non-POE network, allowing you to use any standard router. It’s worth noting that this isn’t standard POE, it’s TP-Link’s own design. The adapter is simple to configure, but it’s mandatory.

The next step is to log into the repeater by typing it’s IP address into your web browser. You’ll be brought to the interface for the Pharos network management software. This is the simplest, step-by-step way to configure your outdoor network. We’ll get into the features shortly, but Pharos is the simplest way to set up an advanced network without a lot of advanced knowledge.

Networking Technology

802.11ac uses both the 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency bands to work out a compromise between bandwidth and range. TP-Link does the same thing, with a catch. It runs on 802.11n/a, substituting the newer c standard for the classic N.

Typically, this would reduce the range. But TP-Link got around this by making the network directional. Instead of expanding out from the extender in a circular manner, it covers 180 degrees in front of it. The end result is a network that covers roughly the same area as other extenders – 300 feet. However, you get the added advantages of high bandwidth.

Features

The setup we described above is how the CPE510 comes standard. If you dive into the Pharos network management software, you can do more with this extender than you can with any other. Instead of setting it up as just an access point, you can set it up as a client. This means that it will receive a signal wirelessly, and rebroadcast it in another direction. This means that you don’t have to wire it into your router, although you do need to place it in an area where you already have a strong wireless signal. You can also use it as a router, creating a separate subnet for all of the clients of this access point.

Overall, this is much more than your standard wireless extender. It’s an all in one long-range outdoor router, so you can create configurations as advanced as you like.

Which Outdoor WiFi Range Extender is Right for You?

While these devices may all be sold under the same name, they are actually quite different in functionality. The choice boils down to two options: your current network, and the area you’d like to cover.

The EnGenius Long Range ENS202EXT is the best choice if you’re connecting to an existing commercial grade network. Although the setup is a little more complex, it adheres to all networking standards and supports the proper security systems. You don’t want your wireless network to be a security risk, and you don’t want to have to replace any of your existing hardware. For those reasons, this is an excellent choice.

If you’re looking for simplicity, the Ubiquiti UniFi AP Outdoor+ is the perfect option. This WiFi extender adopts network settings from the router it’s connected to, making setup a breeze. There are a few custom features available if you need them, such as a pay-to-use access point control software. But the entire platform is designed for simplicity, so you can set it up yourself.

Both of the above extenders broadcast your wireless network in 360 degrees around the antennas. But if you want higher bandwidth coverage in a specific direction, the TP-Link CPE510 is for you. This impressive piece of hardware offers a lot more than your typical extender, with one of the most customizable feature sets we’ve come across. If you’re really struggling to get your internet to work the way you want, this is the extender you need.

The post Reviews of the Best Outdoor WiFi Range Extenders appeared first on Nerd Techy.

Finding the right WiFi router for your home can be an extremely tricky business. There are hundreds of WiFi routers available, making it difficult to find which one you need when every router claims to provide lightning-fast Internet and perfect service. Furthermore, WiFi router connectivity and effective area can be hard to judge without trying out the router for yourself.

To make matters even more complicated, many routers are upgrading their software or hardware. This allows them to come with security features and other parental controls baked into the kit rather than relying on third-party services that you combine with the router after the fact. Additionally, many routers are using “beamforming” and “mesh” technologies; for the average consumer, it’s hard to know if these are actually beneficial or adjust buzzwords.

Today, let’s take a look at the Gryphon Guardian Advance Security and Parental Control Mesh WiFi Router. It appears to be both highly innovative and affordable for most. While it has several advanced security features, its focus on parental controls and coverage of a generous effective area seems to indicate that it will be a great pick for average homes. Let’s dive deeper into this router and see if it’s really worth your time and money.

Design and Installation

The Gryphon Guardian Router is extremely easy to set up. First and foremost, you need to download the Gryphon app and follow the step-by-step instructions. This will help you set up a secure network and show you how to work the various features and security suite that comes built into the hardware of the device. These include things like parental controls and hacking protection.

This does mean that you need an iPhone or Android mobile device with Bluetooth connectivity if you want to set up the router. It’s an interesting design choice and prevents you from getting WiFi coverage without one of these devices. It shouldn’t be much of a problem given that virtually everyone has a smartphone of one kind or another at this point, but it does exclude those who don’t.

It’s very easy to plug-in; you can place it anywhere that works for your computer set up, although ideally, you’ll want to install it in a location that is central for all the devices in the house. It only weighs a couple of pounds so you can place it on a variety of desks or other services without worrying about things breaking.

The Router is a dual-band variety, meaning there are two channels you can rely on for WiFi streaming and connectivity. They are 2.4 and 5 GHz, respectively, with the latter channel facilitating slightly faster response or streaming times. Both are very respectable compared to other WiFi routers on the market, however.

In terms of aesthetics, the router features a stark white color and a sleek, minimalist design with slightly sloped sides. It doesn’t take up much space on tables or shelves, enabling you to fit it with other devices or computer gadgets.

WiFi Features

The Router has a ton of features to warrant its asking price. The Gryphon app allows you to use all of these features, although you can also access them from a computer screen that is currently hooked up to the WiFi network.

The security features are second to none, especially when you have the advanced Internet protection subscription active for the first six months. This includes intrusion detection and malware filtering. But even without the advanced Internet protection, you get 24/7 defenses while you sleep, along with daily security updates to block out the latest threats.

It’s also adept at standing any devices for vulnerabilities. One of the more innovative aspects of this feature is that the router can scan Internet of Things devices, like smart home appliances. These are often vulnerabilities people don’t even think about, so the router taking care of this for you and alerting you if there’s a problem is an excellent bonus.

The parental controls are another huge selling point. You can manage the amount of screen time your kids enjoy on their devices or the family computer, as well as set up content filtering controls. You can block websites manually or rely on the router’s software to identify any potential harmful sites before your kids see the home screen.

Even better, kids can send a real-time request while you are away from home and ask to view a particular site. Upon checking it out yourself, you can then approve or deny the request and let them continue their Internet research with peace of mind.

Your personal data is also secured thanks to the excellent software within the router. Identity theft and password scooping are less likely, even if you live in an area where these cybercrimes are relatively common.

You’ll also be able to enjoy a six month trial of advanced Internet protection: a comprehensive security suite that can help keep you safe while you browse the web. It’s free for only six months before you’ll be billed at $79 per year.

The service comes with intelligent intrusion detection safeguards for every actively connected device in the WiFi network. The malware filtering aspect is powered by special ESET technology, fortifying your WiFi network from intruders. What difference does this make?

Without the advanced Internet protection, the router will still be an excellent mesh WiFi choice. It comes with free parental controls and network management tools. But you’ll be vulnerable to malware and other intrusions, as well as ransomware viruses. Whether this is a serious security risk depends on your antivirus set up and your location.

You’ll also get a three-month trial of Gryphon Homebound. This service allows you to use your security and parental controls while you are away from the main router interface on your computer. You can monitor web activity and alter your parental controls or security features from your mobile device. Parents will love this tool while they are away from home and want to make sure their kids don’t disable the security features while they are away. Homebound costs $4.99 per month after for up to five devices simultaneously.

Speed and WiFi Coverage

The Router has a lot to like when it comes to speed and WiFi coverage. The dual-band design allows you to stream content or play games online at the same time, even across multiple devices. It uses 2 x 2 MU-MIMO tech to facilitate smooth streaming throughout your entire home.
It also uses antenna beamforming technology: a newer form of WiFi streaming and data transfer that is quickly catching on in the market. Beamforming, in a nutshell, sends data directly to your device from the router rather than sending out data in all directions in a broad wave the same way a regular WiFi router does. This helps you get your content quickly and with a sturdier connection that is less likely to quit on you in the middle of your favorite TV episode.

Ultimately, everyone in the home should be able to count on 1.2 GB of data transfer throughout and regardless of service. The Gryphon covers about 1800 ft.² of wall-to-wall coverage thanks to its wireless mesh technology. This is great for small to medium-sized homes with one level.

When it comes to multiple levels, WiFi coverage is a little spottier, likely because of the beamforming tech that has trouble accounting for elevation in some circumstances. Still, it’s one of the best routers around in terms of solid WiFi connectivity and stable speed for single-floor homes and families who like to use about five devices simultaneously on the same network.

You can always combine this router with other Gryphon devices. It allows you to expand your high-speed WiFi coverage for multilevel homes or for spaces greater than 1800 ft.². The nice thing about this functionality is that you don’t need the same exact router; you can mix and match multiple routers and attain the exact square footage coverage you need for your security and convenience. They just all need to be Gryphon. We really like this feature, as it allows the router to work for small businesses that eventually expand just as much as it does for homes with multiple family members.

We’d be remiss not to mention the one-year hardware warranty and telephone technical support that comes with every purchase. The hardware warranty guarantees that you’ll get a replacement unit if it fails on you because of manufacturer defects: a great extra bit of value for money. You’ll also get a 90-day money back guarantee, so you can easily try this router without any risk to your wallet.

Final Verdict

Ultimately, the Gryphon Guardian Router is an excellent piece of equipment and a phenomenal choice if you want general WiFi coverage and connectivity for your home. It’s an especially good choice if you are a parent and want something you can rely on for both your own Internet use and the safety of your kids.

The only big downside to the Router is that several of the advanced security and parental control features are only included for free for a few months after purchase. You have to pay extra on top of the initial asking price in order to secure some of the best firewalls and parental controls on the market. These are definitely worthwhile overall, but many people will be put off by this pricing model.

But if you are interested, we’d recommend the router for just about anyone. It’s well-built and has great connectivity thanks to its beamforming technology and it has a connectable area of about 1800 ft.²: ideal for most modern homes and smaller to medium-sized families. It’s also great for multiple people trying to stream all at the same time, which is a modern challenge that families with gadget hungry teens are constantly facing. In the end, we doubt you’ll be able to find something so good for such an affordable initial asking price elsewhere.

The post GRYPHON Guardian Mesh WiFi Router Review & Analysis appeared first on Nerd Techy.

Temperature and humidity can affect your health. In fact, people who suffer from asthma are mostly suffering from problems related to dampness. In the interests of health, most homes are actually too humid, which can facilitate the growth of fungi, mites, and the like. Of course, dry air can be just as bad.

Viruses are capable of spreading easier when skin, mucous membranes, and eyes become dried out. And that’s just thinking about people. What about wood furniture? Instruments? Incubators? Art? Without monitoring, temperature and humidity can damage or destroy your possessions. And because of how easy it is to monitor humidity and temperature these days, that destruction is totally needless.

These are the Best WiFi Thermometers & Hygrometers

But who wants to constantly monitor the humidity in their cellar? Who wants to be permanently aware of the temperature in their attic? The best Wi-Fi thermometers and hygrometers ought to be able to take those concerns off your hand, without requiring you to be ignorant of the world, and while allowing you to micromanage the system only as you see fit.

Sensor Accuracy

With any type of measuring instrument, accuracy counts, even with a wireless grill thermometer. But the degree of accuracy you should seek depends entirely on you and your use case. When you’re taking a measurement because you’re trying to decide if you should wear a jacket, then the accuracy of your measurement really doesn’t matter that much. If you’re doing something more precise, then accuracy becomes more of a concern.

Size & Portability

The thermometer/hygrometer may be combined with a display unit which allows you to view temperature data. But these days, more and more of these instruments are being made without a display at all. Instead, they allow people to collect data entirely though the internet.

Whether or not you need a display really depends on how much interacting you plan on doing through the included control app. For people who want to do less interacting with the app, or people who are doing more hands-on management, having a display can be useful.

The size of a display unit isn’t something you have to worry much about. But the size of a sensor is important to keep in mind, especially if you plan on positioning the sensor in a small space. Most sensors will only be a couple inches in diameter, usually not much larger than the batteries which are inside them.

Powering the Instrument

Most digital instruments of this type will be powered by simple AA or AAA batteries. Rechargeable ones are even better. You want to look for a unit that can provide about one year of power before you need to swap the batteries. That’s because most well-designed sensors will report about once per minute.

Reporting more often requires more battery life, and is generally not necessary for most people in most circumstances. In fact, even a one-minute reporting is a little fast in most circumstances. Going beyond that is really only going to create unnecessary cost and inconvenience.

MINGER Govee WiFi Temperature Sensor

The MINGER Govee WiFi Temperature Sensor was built with an indoor-outdoor design. It’s compatible with both iOS and Android. It’s got wireless thermometer as well as a hygrometer, and it’s capable of delivering alerts which arrive based on the thresholds you’ve determined. But you don’t have to wait around for alerts, you can actually monitor the sensor data from anywhere that you’re able to use the mobile app.

Build & Design

The Govee display unit measures about 3.0 x 2.5 x 0.9-inches. The front side features a fairly basic looking, but highly visible display of all essential sensor data. Because this is an indoor and outdoor design, you’ll find this is a sealed and waterproof chassis. It even includes a small wall mount, which allows you to place or retrieve the data console from a mounted position.

There’s really nothing descriptive about the sensor. It’s roughly 3 x 2 x 0.5-inches, and isn’t easily identifiable as a weather sensor. In fact, apart from the Govee name across its front side, and the battery port on its backside, you really have nothing to go on.

Every 60 seconds, data syncs between the thermometer and the hygrometer, uploading the data through a Wi-Fi gateway. You can export your data to CSV format without having to pay fees or leap through hoops. If you’re not familiar, CSV is Excel format. That’s pretty good for being able to categorize different types of data.

You’re also able to view the battery level of the device through the app, and you’re able to calibrate the sensors. The app actually shows you some pretty cool interactive graphs, explaining how the temperature and relative humidity have moved across the course of a day. Using the app is pretty quick and simple, but there is room for one small complaint.

One of the main program buttons, right next to the button that lets you adjust your profile settings and the button that lets you switch between devices, you’ll find a button that’s trying to sell you products. It’s basically an advertisement button that’s permanently in the middle of the interface. It doesn’t really get in the way of anything, but it’s bound to agitate someone, so it’s worth pointing out.

Other Considerations

The SHT30 sensor is accurate within a fraction of a degree. Turning to humidity, it’s accurate within about 3%. That’s not bad for digital equipment. The Wi-Fi gateway of this device allows for a connection distance of about 260-feet. You’re able to plant the sensor terrifically far from your network and still end up receiving transmissions.

Its range of operation is 14°F – 140°F, which is pretty protective. But in extreme temperatures, you will have to help the sensors retreat to calmer ground. Higher than 140°F and the device is prone to overheating, lower than 14°F and you encounter problems with the battery.

The sensor is powered by a single AAA battery, which is included. You’ll need to replace the battery every four or five months, depending on environmental circumstances, and the batteries you’re using in the first place. This is actually a nice chance to use rechargeable batteries.

The Govee includes a 2-year replacement warranty. That does not include the battery, however. Over the course of two years, the battery will naturally degrade, and its maximum capacity might fall by as much as 20%.

Ideal Sciences Temp Stick

You could be off by 5°F and still easily make the right decision. But when you’re taking scientific measurements, you need different levels of accuracy, which means you need sensors built to higher standards. With the Ideal Sciences Temp Stick, you’re able to check your data at any time with the help of a tablet, PC, or mobile phone. That makes it ideal for monitoring temperature in your fridge, cooler, attic, or on the top of a mountain.

Build & Design

The Ideal Sciences Temp Stick measures 3.5 x 1.5 x 1.2-inches, and weighs about six ounces after you’ve got the batteries inside. The sensor comes in either black or white, and isn’t joined by a display unit. Rather, you’re expected to do all of your interaction through the app. This design is completely wireless because the sensor is powered by a pair of AA batteries.

Those batteries are included, but you’ll probably want to have your own batteries ready to replace the included batch. Because the included batteries are bound to give out after only a few weeks. With proper batteries, you should expect a full year of performance before they need to be replaced. Though that can literally increase or decrease depending on the weather.

Other Considerations

This device does not allow for recalibration. That puts a very soft limitation on how long you’ll be able to maintain accuracy over the course of years. But that kind of issue is really only a concern if you’re using the sensor in extreme environments, like an area where you expect the humidity to remain steadily above 85%.

The Temp Stick provides data logging with an unlimited storage history, and without subscription fees. Another thing working for the Temp Stick is its fantastic 5-year warranty. But in this case, any instrument with at least a one-year warranty should provide you with all the protection you need. Unfortunately, their tech support is only available six days a week.

SensorPush Wireless Thermometer/Hygrometer

Some Wi-Fi thermometers and hygrometers were made for people who want to be hands on with monitoring. The SensorPush Wireless Thermometer/Hygrometer was made for people who want to remain hands off. This sensor is the sort of thing you might shove inside a guitar case, in the back of a wine cellar, or near fresh produce storage.

However, the SensorPush Wireless Thermometer/Hygrometer is actually one part of a broader set. The G1 WiFi gateway lets you get data alerts through the internet, but the sensor and wireless gateway are sold separately.

Build & Design

The sensor measures 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.65-inches, making it exceptionally small, similar to an object you’d find dangling from a key ring. In normal conditions, excluding extreme heat and cold, you’ll find about one year of battery life from the sensor. The chassis isn’t waterproof, but if you position the sensor correctly, using it outdoors with minor protection would be possible. You just wouldn’t want to stick it anywhere you expect a puddle to form.

The Wi-Fi gateway is actually an impressive unit. Similar to the sensor, it’s quite small, measuring 5.6 x 4.2 x 0.8-inches. It’s not tough to tell them apart because the gateway has a Wi-Fi antenna on its side. Part of what makes this gateway impressive is that it’s capable of working with all SensorPush sensors, and places no limits on how many sensors can be connected.

Other Considerations

In spite of all that extra support, there’s still no monthly fee. You get cloud service included in the price of the router. But there’s room for complaint. Once you have to change the battery, it’s necessary to remove a single screw to get the battery door to open. That’s a mild inconvenience, but at least there’s no swinging hatch that can break off.

The sensor was built with Swiss-made components for higher accuracy and reliability. Its operating range is between -40°F – 140°F. It’s a tad unusual for these sensors for operate in such cold conditions. And with hysterically high accuracy, within about ±2.2°F. You’re able to switch over to Celsius, as well.

Data is transmitted once per minute, and the sensor carries data onboard for about 20 days. App data storage is unlimited, though you are technically limited by the storage capacity of your own mobile devices. It has a powerful range which extends to 325ft. Of course, that’s assuming there’s perfect line of sight between the sensor and the wireless gateway. The moment you start to add obstructions to the signal, the radius will drop accordingly.

The included app supports both Android and iOS. Whether you’re using a Samsung Galaxy smartphone or you’re using an iPhone, both apps work equally well, and make monitoring equally simple. There’s a set-and-forget nature to this device because of the Bluetooth 4.0 support which lets you transmit readings and alerts only when you need to know about them.

Choosing Between the Best WiFi Thermometers & Hygrometers

The Govee WiFi Temperature Sensor is a good choice for someone who’s looking for something simple, reliable, and quite affordable. The sensors can be used independently, or paired up with a humidity monitor that can be used as a display unit. Being able to port your data to Excel is a pretty cool feature, too.

The Ideal Sciences Temp Stick can operate in terrifically cold conditions, it’s got a grossly accurate sensor, and its ease of use could be described as perfect. The only fault to find is it cannot be paired with its own display unit. You need to incorporate a tablet, smartphone, PC, or something else to actually read your data. But it doesn’t require any additional parts because the Wi-Fi gateway is built into the sensor.

The SensorPush Wireless Thermometer/Hygrometer needs to be paired with a separate Wi-Fi gateway in order to operate. Of course, that means you can place the sensor at a different place than the gateway. It also means you’re able to operate several sensors and create a broader network of data collection. For people who are checking temperature and humidity in more than one small space, that makes the SensorPush G1 an excellent choice.

Looking for something capable of tracking a bit more than just temperature and humidity? A wireless home weather station is a smart choice. Not only do they assist you with figuring out the rise and fall of temperatures and humidty around your home, they’re often smart enough to help predict fluctuations.

The post These are the Best WiFi Thermometers & Hygrometers for 2020 appeared first on Nerd Techy.

We’re often reviewing networking technology from the wireless side of the industry. Wireless networking is changing every day. We’ll look at a router and determine that it’s the fastest on the market, then three months later something better has come along. When you’re sending data through the air, you’re constantly battling a number of different issues. Signal quality, clarity, obstructions, and interference are all major factors. Your results in one situation won’t always be comparable in another.

For this reason, hard-wired computer networks are still a very popular choice. Anytime you need reliability, they’re the obvious choice. Generally, a network adapter that connects at a certain speed will continue to provide consistent performance in almost any environment, as long as the conditions are controlled.

The problem is that the majority of Ethernet adapters are not getting better. They’re actually getting worse. As consumers move towards wireless solutions, many manufacturers are removing the hardware adapter and replacing it with a software emulator. This means that high volume applications, the very same ones that make wired networks appealing, now use plenty of unnecessary CPU cycles and degrade the performance of your machine.

If you’re using a wired network, you should take a look and find out what kind of card you have. Unless you’ve specifically purchased a system designed for your needs, there is a good chance that your hardware is under-performing. Fortunately, there is a solution. For a low price, you can get access to a high-performance Gigabit Ethernet card that will bring your network up to the standard you demand. Let’s look at the three best cards on the market. Then, we’ll help you understand what you need to look for.

Intel Gigabit CT PCI-E Network Adapter

It goes without saying that Intel is the top brand when it comes to enterprise hardware. A network card is a very low level device. It interacts with the chipset and bus on a very simple level, so simplicity is key. Because Intel designs the chipsets for almost every major motherboard, nobody is better equipped than them to create a bulletproof piece of hardware.

Hardware

At the heart of the Intel Gigabit CT PCI-E Network Adapter is the Intel 82574L Gigabit Ethernet Controller. This same controller is found in a lot of products. The top of the line server and gaming computers often have this chipset built right into their motherboard. What makes it so special? For starters, it uses very little power, making it highly efficient. Next, it has two queues for each Tx (transmit) and Rx (receive.) This allows the card to prioritize which data gets sent first. Large, intermittent packets will always be sent below compact, time sensitive ones. The end result is better performance, lower PING rates, and better handling of large loads.

It also supports all the advanced networking features that you might be interested in. Wake from LAN, network boot, (even directly off a server) and remote management are all included – something that is essential for businesses.

Compatibility

This chipset isn’t considered new technology, but it is widely accepted as standard. While many other cards have the same technologies, Intel wrote the laws they operate by. This means that the card is supported by virtually any operating system out there. Every version of Windows from 98 onwards, all flavors of Linux, BSD forks like Solaris and, yes, even OSX all work perfectly. You’d be hard pressed to find a modern system that isn’t compatible with this card.

Performance

Performance isn’t as easy to measure as it is with some products. For a single file transfer, this card approaches the theoretical limit of gigabit Ethernet just like any other. The performance improvements are a little hidden, but definitely present. Even though the CPU is no longer handling the networking, the card still needs to communicate with your processor. It does these through interrupts. Interrupts tell one core of your processor, “Hey! Stop what you’re doing. We’ve got work to do.” This NIC can group requests together, sending an interrupt only when necessary. This means that your CPU is free to do any other task you’ve assigned to it.

This card also has a higher signal to noise ration than any other on the market. This means less dropped packets, better ping speeds, and all around snappier performance.

StarTech Gigabit Ethernet Network Card

If you’ve ever shopped for an affordable cable or computer accessory, StarTech is likely one of the first brands that came to mind. Their focus is on affordable hardware that still uses high quality components. For this reason, they’ve become a first choice for businesses. Based on price alone, this Ethernet card might seem like a bargain basement model that is to be avoided. But once we saw the specs, we knew that it was going to be one serious piece of kit.

Hardware

The StarTech Gigabit Ethernet Network Card is available with either 1, 2, or 4 ports. They can also be purchased with 25W power over Ethernet (POE) hardware, something that is commonly used in industrial environments. Most users will just need the standard model. Regardless which one you choose; the power of this card comes from the Intel I210 controller.

The I210 is a popular choice because it takes many aspects of networking and offloads the responsibility from the CPU to its own dedicated piece of hardware. Tasks like VLAN management, traffic shaping, frame management, and filesystem interpretation (for PXE and iSCSI boot modes) are all handled right on this card.

Compatibility

Intel’s Gigabit CT card is popular because it’s completely standard, and therefore supported by almost every operating system. In some ways, the I210 platform is the opposite. It supports technologies and systems that cannot be found on any other card. Instead of two TX and RX buffers, this one has four.

They can even be used in conjunction. You can manage two VLANs at the same time. You can use the card to connect to port-mirrored audio / video streams and rebroadcast over a buffered on-demand system. The second set of TX and RX buffers are software definable, so there is a lot of custom equipment that requires this card. As for its compatibility with modern operating systems, it will work flawlessly on any windows system starting with Vista, and most Linux boxes.

If you’re looking to use enterprise grade software, you’ll have no problems with these cards. They’re plug and play on all versions of Windows Server from 2003 and up, ESXi 6.0, Hyper-V, and several other systems.

Performance

For standard users, the area where this card will excel is stability. It’s designed for incredibly high bandwidth uses, often with custom firmware running. This means that if you’re just using the standard network technology, you’ll notice excellent ping times, even when there is a lot going on in the background. It also supports jumbo frames up to 8K in size, making it perfect for high volume data transfer. In the right environment, this is one of the most reliable cards you can get your hands on.

Rosewill Gigabit PCIe Network Adapter

Rosewill is another manufacturer that targets the business sector, although they take a radically different approach to their devices. Rosewill solutions are along the lines of “everything but the kitchen sink.” If you’re looking for the best in features, you’ll be hard pressed to find something better than this option.

Hardware

With the Rosewill Gigabit PCIe Network Adapter, instead of going for brand name, they went for a programmable RC-411 standardized chipset. This chipset has been used in hundreds of different scenarios. The reason is that it’s very powerful. Perhaps a little overkill for most networking applications, but Rosewill made sure that it had the firmware it needed for almost any situation. One of the most important features of this chipset is that features can be enabled or disabled depending on the environment. This has implications in both performance and compatibility.

Compatibility

If you’re using a PC with a PCIe port, then you can use this card. There is no question about it. Thanks to the flexible firmware, you’re able to use it with every version of windows ever released except for early versions of NT. It even supports DOS, making it the first choice for those who need a card that is hardware addressable from within a legacy virtual machine.

But there is more to your network than the operating system, there are also dozens of communication protocols that may or may not be in place in your network. It supports all standards of IEEE 802.3 including u, ab, and x. You get 802.1q, CSMA/CD, and direct software addressable TCP/IP space. What does this mean? It means that no matter how your network is structured, this card will support it out of the box. It can use any type of Cat 5 cable, with an average maximum run of 100 meters. These are just the standards that are supported out of the box. There is more it can be used with, requiring only a little configuration. We’d list them here, but we’d just end up repeating the list of every Ethernet networking standard in place since the 90s.

Performance

One of the most stand-out features of this card is its ability to support full duplex mode. Essentially, this refers to the rate that data is transferred. Half duplex used to be more reliable, although this is less of a problem with professional grade networking equipment. Most of the 10/100/1000 cards you see run this way. Full duplex transfers data twice as fast. You now get 20/200/2000 Mbps. Great deal, right?

The issue is that a full duplex card running in half duplex mode will constantly ping the router before it’s ready. This puts a lot of extra traffic on your network. But this one has a feature called backpressure, allowing the timing to be synced with proper half-duplex networking equipment.

Alternately, you can run in half duplex mode and split the network in two. This is usually used in a VLAN, where the software sees two isolated networks over one cable. In this case, you’re able to set up VLAN tagging, a software trick that tags important data so it’s delivered first. This is great if you’re running a piece of software that needs local access, as it will always operate uninhibited.

Which Gigabit Ethernet Card is Right for Me?

If you’re unclear on what these specifications mean for your real-world performance, there is no reason to worry. Any one of these cards will likely outperform the onboard Ethernet that came with your motherboard.

The first thing you’re going to want to do is determine what exactly you’re looking to do. If you’re purchasing this card for gaming, grab yourself an Intel Gigabit CT PCIe Network Adapter. This card is the most reliable on the market, and you’re not going to be able to take advantage of the extra features in the other models on a home network.

If you’re replacing the card is a workstation or non-essential PC, you’ve got two options. The Intel card can give you reliability, but we’d prefer the StarTech Gigabit Ethernet Network Card. There are a few extra features that are helpful to have in a business environment, and will help you improve the speed.

Lastly, the Rosewill Gigabit PCIe Network Adapter is best in servers or testing environments. It can be put to use in any computer system that is connected to from multiple sub-networks or VLANs, and is designed to be able to open a secure connection with any of your internal systems, no matter how old they may be. In fact, this card is commonly used by system administrators to move legacy software into a virtualized environment.

Chances are, most people will be reading this only looking for one specific thing. There is no reason you need to worry if you’re missing out on features. At the end of the day, all of them provide a cheap and effective upgrade from the terrible software-based systems of today.

Looking For More?

Home users, if you’re looking to squeeze the most out of your network, remember that the network card is only one of the pieces in the Pipeline. Just because some routers have a Gigabit Ethernet port on the back, doesn’t mean they can handle the full volume. Make sure you take a look at a high-performance router such as the Netgear Nighthawk X10. You can also double check your cable modem and make sure it’s up to snuff. You’re not going to be transferring 1 Gbps data over the internet anytime soon, but a speed improvement is definitely noticeable with the right model.

The post Best PCIe Gigabit Ethernet Network Interface Cards (NIC) appeared first on Nerd Techy.

Moving a network connection across great distances can be tough. It’s a large part of the reason why people switch to fiber optic connections. After about 100ft, Ethernet cables and their copper construction just don’t cut it. Which makes fiber connections essential for people who are trying to connect to the internet from isolated portions of a complex, separate buildings, or another area that’s generally impervious to Wi-Fi.

Best Ethernet Fiber Media Converter

An Ethernet fiber media converter does an incredibly complicated job — but understanding what it’s doing is actually very simple. They receive an electronic signal from an Ethernet connection, and then translate that electrical signal into a series of light pulses. Those light pulses can then be sent across a fiber optic cable, which transmits your signal to its destination at the speed of light.

Picking the right Ethernet fiber media converter isn’t nearly as tough as all the stuff the converter has to manage. If you’re picking a converter to be used in an array, you should think about the form factor. Otherwise, you can focus primarily on data rate, compatibility, and connectivity concerns.

Form Factor

There are typically three common form factors for Ethernet fiber media converters. The first is a PC card fiber media converter, which is installed directly into a computer. The second are standalone converters, and converters that can be installed into a larger chassis of converters in a greater system. Managed fiber media converters tend to cost a bit more, but they include remote configuration and have network managing tools that can make your life a bit easier.

You generally don’t have to think about commercial vs industrial grade equipment, with one exception. Industrial grade media converters are filled in hot, humid, electrically busy environments. They can survive freezing temperatures, too. If you’re not thinking about operating the equipment in those kinds of extreme environments, then you can stick with commercial gear.

Communication Protocols

Most Ethernet networks will use 10/100Mbps, 10/100/1000Mbps, or the 1000Mbps network standard. This is one detail that actually does matter. Because if you’re not careful, it’s easy to end up picking an Ethernet fiber media converter which doesn’t support the type of network you’re running.

Basic compatibility concerns almost don’t need to be mentioned. However, you might want to stop and consider if you intend to use a single mode fiber optic cable, a dual strand cable, or a single strand cable.

Connection Options

How can you connect the fiber media converter? With the right gear, your potential options are almost limitless. That might include support for copper RJ-45 cables, UPT, coax cables, single or multimode fiber connections, and so on.

StarTech.com Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Media Converter

Though this brand isn’t exactly a household name, in the world of PC adapters, StarTech has a cult following. Partially because StarTech makes a huge number of quality adapters, and partially because those adapters often get fantastic reviews. Because you tend to get what you pay for with these adapters.

Their Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Media Converter is actually available in six different variants. Those variations primarily vary based on the distance you need to transmit your signal. This particular gigabit Ethernet fiber media converter is capable of carrying your signal as far as 1804ft. That’s just over one third of a mile.

Build & Design

The StarTech Gigabit Fiber Converter measures 6.2 x 3.6 x 1.8 inches, a reasonably compact design that vaguely resembles a smaller router. The converter itself was constructed inside a sturdy metal housing, which was engineered to provide years of lasting performance. True to form, it can also connect an Ethernet network alongside a fiber backbone to integrate all your remote devices into one system.

The topside is highlighted by the StarTech logo, and the sides have a couple of ventilation holes. Beyond that, the front face of the device consists of the mini-GBIC port, Ethernet port, on/off switch, and six indicator LEDs. The LEDs can provide you information about the status your network, ranging from connectivity to power. On the opposite sides of three ports, there’s a simple DC power plug.

The plug-and-play design of this converter ensures installation should be pretty smooth. Though as with any device where many wires are connecting in a single place, there is the tendency for things to feel a little cluttered unless you wall-mount the unit and manage its cabling. Speaking of wall mounting, this converter provides several flexible installation options, including plenty of options for wall mounting.

Other Considerations

StarTech is a pretty good way to go for cost effective solutions that are also dependable for shorter range networks. The multimode transceiver is actually removable, so you can swap the transceiver in the future if your networking needs happen to change or fluctuate. And StarTech was careful enough to support 10/100/1000Mbps networks, so you don’t have to concern yourself with compatibility issues.

If you were looking to send your signal further distances, you’d need to use one of their stronger converters, like the SM 20km. But for someone who can make due with a third of a mile, this converter is a terribly cost effective solution. It could easily save someone hundreds or thousands of dollars when trying to run shorter connections.

In addition to the gigabit Ethernet media converter, StarTech includes a universal power adapter which can be used internationally. It also includes a two-year warranty from StarTech alongside unlimited tech support. However, it doesn’t include any wall mounting brackets or rack brackets. Those wall mounting is possible; you have to bring your own hardware solutions to the table.

TP-Link Gigabit Ethernet Media Converter

Similar to the StarTech adapter, the TP-Link Gigabit Ethernet Media Converter can convert Gigabit Ethernet networks in full duplex mode. You’ll also find support for mid/mid-x, TX, and FX ports. Things run a little smoother thanks to auto or force transfer on all those FX ports, allowing you to extend the total distance of your connection out towards 1,600ft.

Build & Design

It’s strange how TP-Link is the biggest name on this list, yet their fiber media converter is arguably the ugliest looking. Its simple gray chassis measures 8 x 2.6 x 6.5 inches, and weighs about a pound. That weight is entirely due to the sturdy metallic construction, which is pretty hard to miss.

Similar to a router, a number of LED indicators on the front of the device make it simple to view the present status of your network. Those indicators also provide you details about the kinds of connections you have going on at the moment.

This converter was designed to be used with a multi-mode fiber cable and SC-connector. It also supports shortwave laser specifications for full wire speed forwarding. More than that, it can be used as a standalone unit, in combination with other converters, or even run without the chassis.

With respect to installation, many converters claim to be plug and play. But the TP-Link Gigabit Ethernet Media Converter gets pretty close to achieving perfect plug-and-play installation. There isn’t any configuration involved whatsoever. The only mess you have to sort out is cable management and the placement of the converter.

Other Considerations

If you’re looking to operate this converter in an array, it’s worth knowing TP-Link has a pretty impressive 19-system chassis that’s compatible with this unit. It has bottomless support for TX ports, and the front panel doesn’t block visibility of LED indicators. Pretty smart design.

You could use this for IP cameras, but not if your camera draws its electrical power from Power over Ethernet. Because this device converts Ethernet connections to fiber – PoE features gets swallowed in the process.

A couple more notes about compatibility. You can’t connect this converter straight into a 220V outlet, you would need an international adapter plug. And though this information is slightly implied by its name, this Gigabit Ethernet Media Converter is not compatible with 10/100 networks.

Networx Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Media Converter

Networx doesn’t have a fraction of the name recognition of a brand like TP-Link. But this converter performs every bit as respectably as anything TP-Link has ever made. Actually, the more accurate comparison would be with the StarTech converter.

Similar to StarTech, the Networx Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Media Converter converts your data signal from a 10/100/1000 Base-T connection to a fiber signal. Additionally, it supports flow control for full duplex ports, backpressure for half-duplex ports.

But unlike many similar converters, Networx manages to maintain high performance across distances as far away as 49 miles. At least, when paired with the right cables.

Build & Design

Networx’s converter measures 8.1 x 5.8 x 1.8 inches, making it slightly larger than the other equipment on this list. The build is still pretty slim and portable, though its nearly 1lb weight means you might need more than tape to mount the unit. Luckily, wall mounting options are available.

Fully equipped with a fiber optic connector, this converter is capable of transmitting TX and receiving RX. There’s also one RJ-45 jack and an external power supply receptacle for expansion possibilities. And six LEDs have been built into the front side of the unit, which are handy for diagnosing problems with the system, or otherwise continually monitor its performance and state of power.

But they’re not terribly well labeled, so you have to rely on the user manual to help become aquatinted with them. Once you do, they can be very useful. They include the UTP link, UTP activity indicator, fiber link indicator, fiber activity indicator, full duplex indicator, and data rate indicator. Additionally, you can configure the display to recognize either half duplex or full duplex operation.

The adapter looks a bit utilitarian. The outside has a few LEDs, connection ports, and heat grating. The topside of the unit provides clear identification for the unit, along with information about compatibility. That way, someone who’s just picking up the gear with no context can still immediately appraise its capabilities and limitations. The connection ports are equally well labeled.

Other Considerations

This converter comes with everything you need to get started, including the power supply. This converter actually doesn’t draw much power, which makes it uniquely useful running an underground fiber connection between different buildings. With so much data flowing through it, you would think it would run hot.

The included user guide is a little technical. But it provides separate figures and diagrams for different types of installations. It’s pretty handy for orienting yourself to the Networx Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Media Converter.

Choosing Between 3 of the Best Ethernet Fiber Media Converters

For someone who is using their fiber media converter as part of a collection of converters, the StarTech converter is worth careful consideration. It’s been made to ensure your network can expand and grow in the future. Its compatibility options leave little to be desired, though it’s unfortunate they don’t provide anything resembling mounting hardware along with this kit. If you can forgive that, it’s usually worth trusting StarTech equipment.

The TP-Link Gigabit adapter is a good choice for a person who’s trying to find a basic, cheap, and simple converter. Though this is one of the less expensive fiber media converters you’ll encounter, it’s made by TP-Link, which provides it some clout. If you end up needing tech support, you’re much better off turning to TP-Link than a smaller brand like Networx.

Finally, there’s the Networx converter. It’s almost identical to the StarTech converter. But StarTech provides slightly more support options while Networx provides a greater maximum transmission distance. For someone who intends to run their signal more than a mile, the Networx Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Media Converter will be worth careful consideration.

The post Guide to the Best Ethernet Fiber Media Converter for 2020 appeared first on Nerd Techy.

Digital picture frames have been around for several years. With these tools, you can easily display dozens of pictures in the same frame. Why pick and choose which photo to hang on your wall or set on your nightstand? With a digital frame, you can display them all. With earlier generations of frames, photos were stored on an SD card. This local storage was effective, but updating your photos was inconvenient. You had to remove the card, put it in your phone or PC, and rearrange the pictures. Moreover, if you were gifting the frame to a relative, you couldn’t update it with new pictures later.

With a WiFi connected picture frame, you can update the photos much more easily. In your own home, you can change the photos however often you like. And if you gifted the frame to a relative, you can surprise them with new pictures from time to time. Depending on the frame, you can also get other smart features, such as motion detection. Today, we’ll be looking at three of the best WiFi connected, smart digital photo frames.

First, we’ll look at the Aura Frames Sawyer, a heavy-duty frame with plenty of app features. Next, we’ll look at the Nixplay Smart digital Picture Frame, a more slimmed-down option. Finally, we’ll review the Meural Canvas II, which brings a more artistic touch to the equation. At the end, we’ll wrap up, and tell you which frames are best for what purposes. Let’s get started!

Aura Frames Sawyer

The Aura Frames Sawyer is designed to be tough and beefy. This isn’t your typical cheap plastic frame. It’s constructed from durable aluminum, and measures 12 inches wide, 7 inches high, and 3 inches deep. The diagonal measurement is 10 inches, which makes a good display size for most family photos. The frame comes in 7 different colors: ivory, mica, shale, slate, stardust, stone, and faux wood. At 3.5 pounds, it’s a bit heavy for the size. But considering how durable it is, the weight is understandable.

The screen resolution is 2048 x 1536 pixels. This rests comfortably between a 2K and 4K resolution, and honestly, it’s as good as you need. On this sized screen, you’re not going to be able to tell the difference between 2048 x 1536 and 4K. The pixels are simply too small to tell the difference. Your photos will display at pre-determined intervals, which you can set anywhere from 15 seconds to 5 minutes. As the pictures display, you can swipe on them to bring up a “like” button and other features. Liking a photo means it will show up more often on the screen.

The Sawyer has a built-in motion detector, which will automatically turn on the display when you enter the room. When the motion detector doesn’t see any activity for an extended period, it will automatically shut off. The brightness also adjusts automatically based on ambient lighting. In a brightly lit room, the screen will turn up the brightness. When you turn off the lights, the screen will reduce in brightness to compensate. As you can imagine, these features come with a substantial price tag. But considering what you’re getting, it’s a great value.

Connectivity & Extras

The Aura Frames Sawyer comes with a free companion app. Simply go to the Apple Store or Google Play, and search for the Aura app. While many picture frames charge a fee for storage, Aura does not. You get unlimited free cloud storage, with free, around-the-clock updates. Even better, you can link multiple smartphones and multiple frames on the same account. If you have family members across the country, it’s easy to stay in touch. You can send photos to grandma right from your phone, or get regular updates from your kids. Vacation photos, pictures of family events, or hiking photos are all easy to update.

One thing you should be aware of is that the app has a “Smart Suggestions” feature that’s enabled by default. With this option active, all photos on your phone will automatically update to the cloud. It’s not hard to imagine how this could cause embarrassment. Simply turn off smart suggestions, and you won’t have to worry about Aunt Tilly seeing your spicy photos.

In addition to easy cloud updates, you can print photos directly from the app without downloading them. Just saw a vacation photo from your aunt? You can send it directly to your photo printer. This makes it easy to get physical copies, and you’ll still see the photo in your digital frame as well. We’ve actually reviewed the Aura Sawyer in the past. If you want to learn more, read our full review to read about all the features.

Nixplay Smart Digital Picture Frame

The Nixplay Smart Digital Picture Frame is a more lightweight option than the Aura Frames Sawyer. It’s constructed from black ABS plastic, and it’s designed to sit on a table, not hang on a wall. It’s available in four different screen sizes: 9.7 inches, 10.1 inches, 13.3 inches, and 15 inches. This gives you plenty of options, whether you want a compact photo or a larger one. The front of the frame has an understated, angular appearance that should match most décor schemes. The back has a scalloped design, which makes it easy to carry without dropping it. It has a gooseneck-style support arm, which can be adjusted to just about any angle.

The screen itself has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, which isn’t bad, but also isn’t terribly impressive. For the 10.1-inch and smaller screens, the appearance is just fine. For the larger sizes, we would have liked to see a better resolution. Still, considering the price tag, this isn’t a serious complaint. The frame will also automatically orient to portrait or landscape based on its positioning.

There’s a motion sensor on the front of the Nixplay, much like the one on the Sawyer. It will automatically turn on the screen when there is activity, and shut off when the room is empty. If you prefer manual controls, there’s a small control panel on the back of the frame. From there, you can manually switch between photos, or even temporarily pause on a single picture.

Connectivity & Extras

Like any smart digital picture frame, the Nixplay Smart Digital Picture Frame has a companion app. The Nixplay App is available for free on both iOS and Android, and provides plenty of control options. There’s no cloud storage available directly from Nixplay. That said, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding other options. This is because the Nixplay is compatible with many existing cloud services. You can connect it to Google Photos, Dropbox, Instagram, and even Facebook.

If multiple family members have Nixplay frames, you can invite each-other to share to each-others’ frames. This is a great feature if you have relatives throughout the country. As a part of this feature, you can create different playlists for different purposes. Vacation photos and family photos, for example, can go in separate playlists. Create another one for your sister’s wedding, and so on. The options are truly endless. Perhaps the best part of this feature is that you can create different playlists for different relatives. This makes sorting as easy as dragging and dropping a photo. The playlist features also work at home. Using the app, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant, just ask to see the playlist you want. You can even use voice controls to freeze a particular photo for a period of time.

Meural Canvas II

If you’re looking for a premium picture frame, look no further than the Meural Canvas II. This frame comes in two different sizes: a 16 x 24 and a 19 x 29-inch option. This works out to a 21.5-inch and 27-inch diagonal measurement respectively. There are a few different color options. The smaller frame has a faux wood finish, which is available in both light and dark wood patterns. The larger frame, on the other hand, has a glossy black finish. All versions have an angular form-factor, which protrudes outward from the picture. The total weight ranges from 14 to 23 pounds, so make sure to hang it on a sturdy hook. As of the time of this writing, there’s no hardware available for setting the Canvas II on a table.

The Canvas II has a resolution of 1080p. This isn’t stunning 2K, but it’s more than good enough for most purposes. The 16:9 aspect ratio is ideal for most modern cell phone photos. If you have photos in other aspect ratios, you can choose whether to crop them or use a letterbox format. The Canvas II will automatically switch to portrait or landscape mode depending on its orientation. If you want to be able to switch between the two, Meural offers a separate swivel mount. This mount includes all the hardware you need to attach it to the wall. Once it’s installed, you can pivot the frame at will. The frame comes at a price that matches all of these features. But considering the overall quality and classic appearance, we’re not complaining.

Connectivity & Extras

Like the previous options on our list, the Meural Canvas II comes with a companion app. You can find the Meural App for free in both the Apple Store and Google Play. From there, you can create your own personal photo gallery. The Canvas II does not have any cloud storage. All of your photos are stored directly in the picture frame itself. On the one hand, this offers you better security than a cloud option. On the other hand, it means you’ll have a harder time sharing photos with your family. Through the app or the Canvas II’s touchscreen, you can adjust settings such as display time and brightness. You can also schedule specific photos to display at specific times. Alternatively, you can use your voice assistant to perform these same functions.

One unique feature of the Meural Canvas II is that it supports an online digital library. For an annual subscription fee, you get access to over 30,000 paintings. Many of these are familiar classics, while others are new paintings from up-and-coming artists. So not only can you enjoy your personal photos, you can have your own personal art gallery. The subscription fee is a bit steep, but it comes with an upside. 60 percent of the fee goes directly to support the artists.

Even with a digital picture frame, there’s still something to be said for physical photo prints. For our most treasured photos, there’s no replacement for holding an actual print in your hand. If you’re looking for an affordable option, consider the Instax Mini Link Smartphone Printer. As its name implies, it allows you to print off your photos via an app, directly from your smartphone.

Final Verdict

Now that we’ve looked at all three options, it’s time to render a verdict. Which one is the best? For a high-quality picture frame for family photos, the Aura Frames Sawyer is a great choice. The app and integration with multiple users helps families to keep in touch over long distances. The construction and image quality are excellent, the price tag is a bit steep.

If you want a more affordable option, the Nixplay Smart Digital Picture Frame has most of the same functions. It’s lighter weight, with a lower resolution than the Sawyer, but you can still share pictures with your family.

The Meural Canvas II, meanwhile, is in a class of its own. It’s a premium digital photo frame that looks like a work of art, with a price point to match. It’s not well-suited for family sharing, but if you want a home art gallery, you’ve found it.

The post 2020’s Best WiFi Connected, Smart Digital Photo Frames appeared first on Nerd Techy.

When you’re setting up your small or medium sized business network, you’re going to need a few different pieces of hardware. One of these devices is either going to be a switch, a hub, or a router. Often, these devices are talked about is if they are interchangeable. It’s true that they all perform similar functions, but each of these devices are quite different.

A hub is the simplest of the bunch. It simply takes any input it receives, and rebroadcasts it to every connected device. A router is on the opposite end of the spectrum, and much more advanced. A router acts as a middleman between all connected devices, isolating the local computers it’s connected to from the external network. But a hub fits somewhere in the middle. It can be used with an existing router, but it’s not completely passive like a hub is. Generally, switches are used to filter the packets that it’s transmitting.

For you, this means that a switch can control how your network is used, significantly improving performance. This is almost essential for any business with a lot of users. Seemingly harmless events, such as running windows update on one too many computers, can slow your network to a crawl. If used correctly, switches can also improve your network security, and prevent internal abuse.

The question is, what kind of switch should you buy? They might look the same on the outside, but they each perform quite differently. Today, we’re going to take a look at the three best web managed Ethernet switches on the market. After, we’ll help you find the one that’s right for your business.

Netgear ProSAFE

Of course, we couldn’t go through a review of the best networking equipment without mentioning Netgear. From their top of the line consumer routers to their bulletproof business grade hardware, Netgear is a company that has a solution for everything.

Connectivity

The first thing to determine is if your switch will be compatible with all of the devices on your network. The Netgear ProSAFE offers up to 24 gigabit Ethernet ports, each of which is duplexed. This means that, when connected to the right computer, they can actually deliver up to 2000 Mbps of throughput. Additionally, this means that the total bandwidth is an impressive 32 Gbps, provided all ports are in use. Duplexed gigabit Ethernet adapters are not particularly common, but as we’re already reaching the limit of standard gigabit Ethernet, it will be good to have on hand. The switch is available in 5, 8, 16 or 24 port rackmount devices, should your business require that many connections.

Performance Features

As a managed switch, this device gives you quite a bit of control over your networks performance. The important feature is QoS, which stands for quality of service. Imagine you’re in line at the grocery store. The person in front of you has a cart overflowing with merchandise, but you’re just there to buy a sandwich. He decides to let you go ahead. This is exactly how QoS works. The switch can prioritize user needs based on volume. This means that heavy network users won’t bog down your essential communication.

The switch can also automatically detect and prevent Denial of Service attacks – simple hacks that attempt burden your network with irrelevant or incorrect request in order to halt communication. With this switch, these attacks are just not possible.

Security Features

There are two services built into this switch that can be used to secure your network. The most important is VLAN compatibility. This works to break up devices on your network into two or more isolated areas. For example, you’ll definitely want your point of sale machines to be isolated from the free public Wi-Fi. This is an essential security system for any business. If a threat is identified, network monitoring can be useful. This mirrors traffic data across a specific port, allowing your technician to analyze it in real time. This is, in essence, a window into your network activity that can only be accessed from a specific administrative location. This is one of the few ways that flexibility and security can come together.

Maintenance Features

If your network is critical, you want your technicians to be able to fix errors as quickly as possible. To aid this process, the Netgear ProSAFE has built-in cable testing, so you can immediately rule out a faulty wire in the event of an outage. It also has features like loop prevention and broadcast storm identification that detect software issues before they cause problems on the network, stopping problems before they even start.

TP-Link Easy Smart Switch

While they might not be as well-known as Netgear, a major portion of worldwide networks rely on TP-Link. This company focuses on reliability above all, often sacrifices somewhat gimmicky features in favor of solutions that are virtually bulletproof. For essential business operations, they’re an excellent go-to.

Connectivity

The TP-Link Easy Smart Switch, like the previous, also offers up to 24 ports. But if needed, options with 5, 8, and 16 port versions are available. These switches are the standard Gigabit variety. Generally, if you’re worried about even performance across the network, you’re not going to have throughput-based QoS services. Both this and compatibility are good reasons why Gigabit Ethernet would make sense.

Performance Features

As is to be expected, this managed switch also has a form of QoS. But this one is a little different. It still prioritizes one connection over the other, but it uses a tagging system to determine which connection is more important. For this to work, it’s required that you have your network split up into separate VLAN. You can then identify one VLAN as always more important than ever. This is excellent for infrastructural QoS.

Perhaps you want your buildings automation system or server traffic to always take priority. But it’s not suitable for preventing interference between two devices on the same VLAN. The benefit is that this form of QoS has no additional overhead on the network, so it truly is the highest performance option.

There is one secondary option to this, although it’s not used quite as commonly. This is called Port based QoS, and it’s used to give email or other network services priority over another. This doesn’t allow for dynamic port allocation, so it’s only suitable in very specific circumstances.

Despite this switches 1 Gbps limitation, it’s actually capable of very high throughput with minimal lag. This is due in part to its massive 10K frame limit, allowing each cycle to transmit a huge amount of data.

Security Features

One of the few security flaws with modern switches comes from the use of multicast. Multicast is commonly used in video streaming applications, as well as several other content delivery solutions. In essence, multicast involves data coming in on a specific port which is then distributed to all users at a consistent rate. When the data is being transmitted at the same time, this can save a huge amount of bandwidth on your WAN.

IGMP snooping is the perfect solution for this problem. IGMP is a gating algorithm that allows the switch to determine who is using the stream and who is not. If a user is not accessing the stream, it can stop broadcasting the data to that interface. This saves a ton of CPU time, and prevents any network congestion that is common with multicast. In effect, this hardens the security of the switch as multicast DDOS attacks are commonly used to overload the switch, allowing an attacker to circumvent the security policies.

Maintenance Features

All of the basic maintenance features are included such as loop prevention and cable diagnostics. But the main feature of this switch is the Easy Smart configuration utility. This allows the configuration application to run anywhere on the network, or anywhere on a dedicated VLAN if security is a concern. It can also handle multiple instances, so multiple members of your tech team can have access. This makes management easier than any competing switch.

ZyXEL Smart Managed Switch

Chances are, many of the above switches are overkill for some customers. ZyXEL is a major player in the value segment of business networking equipment, offering no-frills solutions for budget minded businesses.

Connectivity

The ZyXEL Smart Managed Switch is available from a wide range of models from 8 to 48 ports, providing each wired connection with 10/100/1000 throughput depending on the network card configuration. They’ve sacrificed the classic case design to make it easier to add into any office. It can be mounted under or on top of a desk, stood on a shelf, or rack mounted with a special adapter.

Performance & Security Features

Where some switches have gone all out, using the latest technologies available, this one keeps it basic. Everything typically runs on a single VLAN, although a guest VLAN can be activated. QoS is only activated under heavy load, where the highest bandwidth users are throttled to make room for the lower bandwidth users. Where they did go above expectations is in the error protection systems. Loop prevention, dual images, storm control, and DoS prevention are all well above standard, making this option a good base level security solution for medium to small businesses.

Maintenance Features

Where this switch really excels is in setup. The browser based management application is unlike anything else on the market. You can go in and change settings directly if you like, but most users will use the wizard. This software takes you step-by-step through the network, helping you to choose the settings that are right for your business. This requires a much more basic level of technical skill than others, so it’s perfect for anyone that doesn’t have a dedicated tech department.

Which Web Managed Smart Gigabit Ethernet Switch is Right for Me?

If you’re a little lost, there is no need to worry. We’ve picked these three switches for a reason, each of which is better suited for a different purpose. The important thing to remember is that all of these devices will perform well as a basic switch. It’s going to be those small percentage of consumers with unique needs to make the difference.

We suggest the NETGEAR ProSAFE for medium to large businesses who have high bandwidth needs. This switch is best suited for large throughput, and the 2 Gbps ports mean that it’s future proof, and ready to last you for several years.

When security is the number one priority, the TP-Link Easy Smart Switch has got you covered. This switch uses tried and true technology, coming as close to guaranteeing a secure environment as any piece of networking equipment can come.

But for most consumers, the ZyXEL Smart Managed Switch will do just fine. There are a few options in there that are designed to manage the thing that your router won’t, making it a great way to expand your existing network. Plus, setup will be a breeze as the web-based configuration couldn’t be simpler. Coupled with the low price tag, this one really is a great buy.

The post Best Web-Managed, Smart Gigabit Ethernet Switch appeared first on Nerd Techy.

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.

The post Guide to 2020’s Best Smart WiFi Irrigation Sprinkler Controller appeared first on Nerd Techy.

These days, we use more connected devices than ever before. This is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, we have the ability to access our devices from anywhere. Do you have a security system at your home or business? You can just hop on your phone and see what’s going on. Do you have a WiFi-connected baby monitor? You can keep an eye on your little one from anywhere and maintain peace of mind. On the other hand, these devices can stretch your router to its limits. By the time you have ten, twelve, or more devices connected, you can start running out of bandwidth.

One solution to this problem is to use an Ethernet connection instead of a wireless connection. This will provide you with many more options, without clogging up the airwaves. But what if your router is out of Ethernet ports? In that case, it can be advisable to use an Ethernet switch.

Today, we’ll be reviewing the YuanLey 5-Port Gigabit PoE Switch. As its name implies, this is an Ethernet switch that also supplies Power over Ethernet (PoE). But how well does it perform? And can it be used for a variety of purposes? We’ll start by talking about what PoE is, and what it can be used for. Next, we’ll talk about the physical design of the unit. We’ll also discuss the power and data capacity, as well as how you control the unit. Once that’s done, we’ll go over what we’ve learned, and render a final verdict. Let’s get started!

What is PoE?

Before we go any further, it’s important to understand what PoE is, and what it’s capable of. To put it succinctly, PoE is simply an Ethernet standard that allows for power delivery. A non-PoE device will require an additional power cord for operation. By contrast, a PoE device allows you to deliver power and receive data with a single cable. Primarily, this feature makes cable management easier, since you won’t need as many cables. However, it also makes it easier to position your connected devices. If you don’t have to worry about finding a power outlet nearby, you have more options.

So, how does this work? It comes down to the way Ethernet cables work. Most Ethernet cables have four pairs of wires inside the outer insulation. The reason for this is that not all Ethernet operates at the same speed. For example, when your Ethernet operates at 500Mbps, only two pairs of wires are being used. The other two pairs are just sitting there, doing nothing. The one exception is when you have a Gigabit Ethernet connection, when all four pairs are in use. For other connection types, you have spare wiring capacity. PoE utilizes these extra wires to deliver power to your devices. This is true for any Ethernet cable from Cat 5 forward – so pretty much any cable on today’s market.

PoE is useful for delivering power to any number of devices, from security cameras to WiFi boosters. And because the separate pairs of wires are already isolated, you don’t have to worry about interference between the two. In addition to requiring an appropriate Ethernet cable, PoE also requires a compatible router or a powered switch. But once you’ve got the right equipment, installation is quick and painless. Better yet, because there’s only one cable, you have less risk of failure. Your equipment is safer than it would be with two separate cables.

Overall Design

The YuanLey 5-Port Gigabit PoE Switch is compact and lightweight, but it’s no shrinking violet. Constructed from durable anodized aluminum, it’s tougher than your run-of-the-mill plastic Ethernet switch. At 7.9 inches wide, 4.7 inches deep, and 1.7 inches thick, it’s fairly small. And at 1.89 pounds in weight, it’s easy to install above a hung ceiling or on top of other equipment. The finish is a slate grey, which is easy on the eyes. On both sides, you’ll see a set of vents that allow for plenty of air flow. Because of this bilateral ventilation, you don’t have to worry about overheating under most circumstances.

Also on the sides of the unit, you’ll see four #2 Philips screws. These make maintenance easy, since you don’t need any fancy screwdrivers to open the case. They also make it easy to attach mounting fins. Now, don’t get too excited. The YuanLey switch is too small to mount on a standard, 19-inch server rack. That said, it does come with a set of fins that can be used for different types of mounting. You can mount it in a narrow, half-width server rack by the front. You can mount it to the wall from the back. You can even mount it to a ceiling from the top of the unit. Alternatively, you can simply use it as a desktop unit. Regardless of your mounting choice, positioning and cable management will be a non-issue.

All five Ethernet ports are located on the front of the YuanLey switch. This further serves to improve the ease of cable management. As you’d expect from a pro-grade switch, each port features a pair of LED indicators to indicate its status. The yellow LED will let you know your device is powered, while the green LED will indicate that it’s connected. All of the ports are clearly labeled, which eliminates any confusion. On the same front panel, you’ll also see a small “Extend” switch, which we’ll explain later. Moreover, there’s no need for an external power supply. The YuanLey switch gets all its power from your PoE router or modem.

Power and Data Capacity

From its name, you might assume that the YuanLey 5-Port Gigabit PoE Switch offers five ports. This is technically true, but only technically. In fact, one of the ports is a Gigabit UpLink port that supplies power and data. As a result, you’ll only be able to connect four devices, not five. This is still enough capacity for many purposes, but we would have liked more clarity in the name. Each port is capable of data transmission at up to 1,000Mbps. Keep in mind that this is limited by the bandwidth on the UpLink port. If one device is using up all 1,000Mbps, the others will end up getting queued. Nonetheless, you’re looking at top-tier data delivery performance.

In terms of power delivery, the YuanLey switch can offer a total of 78 watts of power. Assuming you’re connecting four identical devices, this works out to 19.5 watts per device. That said, any individual device can draw up to 30 watts. This gives you some versatility for connecting a variety of devices. For example, you could connect a 30-watt security camera, a pair of 24-watt speakers, and an unpowered WiFi range extender. You can mix and match as needed to get whatever results you like. Regardless, the power delivery here is pretty good for a four-port powered switch.

That said, you might want a PoE Ethernet switch with more connectivity. In that case, check out our review of the OvoLink 8 PoE Port Smart Managed Gigabit Switch. It’s a bit pricier than the YuanLey switch, but it offers connectivity for eight devices. It also offers 120 watts of total power, with 30 watts maximum per port.

Controls and Bonus Features

When it comes to its control scheme, the YuanLey switch is a bit more basic than some other options. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. On the one hand, there’s no configuration. You simply install the switch, and you’re ready to go. The switch features automatic detection for different devices. Connect cameras, speakers, routers, and other devices and your switch will automatically recognize them. You can also connect to non-PoE devices without any issues. On the other hand, you don’t get to manually configure any settings. As a result, if you want more customizability, you’ll need a different option.

For more options, consider the EnGenius ECS1008P Cloud Managed 8-Port Gigabit 55W PoE Switch. You’ll have to spend a few extra bucks. But for that extra money, you get eight ports, along with customizability. You even get a full analytics suite to see how your devices are performing, and how much power they’re drawing.

That said, the YuanLey switch offers some helpful security features. Remember that switch on the front that toggles between “Extend” and “Default” mode? In Default mode, the switch will function as a basic switch. Your devices will be visible to any other machine on the network. However, in Extend mode, the switch creates a local VLAN. In effect, your devices will only be visible to a PC that’s connected to the same switch. Most importantly, it will prevent a hacker from connecting to your LAN via WiFi and accessing your devices. This might not be ideal for everybody. However, it’s a useful security feature for some businesses.

Final Verdict

So, should you invest in the YuanLey 5-Port Gigabit PoE Switch? As is often the case, it depends on what you need. To begin with, let’s acknowledge the obvious limitations. First off, you only get four Ethernet ports. For more large-scale applications, this is a non-starter. Secondly, you don’t get any customization options. If you’re an advanced, user, this might be disappointing. On the other hand, this same lack of customization makes for easy plug-and-play operation.

The YuanLey switch provides plenty of power for most PoE devices. With 78 watts of total power and 30 watts per port, you’re unlikely to have any issues. Moreover, the switch itself is compact and easy to install. For many people, this may not matter much. But if space is at a premium, you’ll appreciate the small size. Not only that, but cable management is very easy. There’s no external power supply, just a simple powered UpLink port. All the connections are on the front, so your cables are easy to keep neat and tidy.

The post In-Depth Review of the YuanLey 5-Port Gigabit PoE Switch appeared first on Nerd Techy.

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.

The post Guide to 2020’s Best Smart WiFi Irrigation Sprinkler Controller appeared first on Nerd Techy.

With the increasing number of “smart” and wireless devices in our homes, connectivity is more important than ever. Just a few years ago, you only needed a small number of connections. If you could connect a PC, a couple of smartphones, and a game console, you were good to go. But now, just about every home device can connect to the internet. From smart refrigerators to internet-connected smoke detectors, smart devices are everywhere. The problem is that older routers aren’t always able to handle this load. Connecting too many devices can lead to bottlenecks, and your Netflix connection can drop to near zero.

Needless to say, this can get frustrating. But if you want a solid replacement, you don’t want to buy a fly-by-night router. You want one that’s secure, and powerful enough to last you for several years. One way to find a great modem is to choose a reliable manufacturer, and Netgear is one of the best. We’ve reviewed several of their routers in the past, including the R6330, the RAX15, and the Nighthawk XR450.

Today, we’ll be reviewing the Netgear Nighthawk CAX80. This powerful modem can connect over 30 devices simultaneously. Not only that, but it doubles as a modem, which simplifies your WiFi network configuration. But is it worth your hard-earned money? Or is the advertising just a bunch of marketing hype? We’ll take a close look at the Nighthawk CAX80, from the physical construction to the connection quality. After that, we’ll sum up what we’ve learned. Let’s get started!

Overall Design

The Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 is a bigger beast than your typical wireless router. At 12.52 inches in height, 10.12 inches in depth, and almost 3 inches in width, it’s fairly beefy. However, keep in mind that it’s a two-in-one unit. As such, we’d expect it to be fairly large. It’s also a bit heavy, tipping the scales at 4.42 pounds. This means you’ll need to find an appropriately large area to locate it. Then again, you won’t have to worry about modem placement, since everything is built into the unit. As a result, placement isn’t as much of an issue as it might appear at first blush.

As with most of Netgear’s offerings, the Nighthawk CAX80 has a forward-looking, futuristic design. It’s shaped like an off-center arrow, with a longer slope on the top and a shorter slope on the bottom. The bulk of the unit is constructed from black ABS plastic, with a satin finish. This finish is attractive to look at, but still smooth enough that it’s easy to dust off as needed. Towards the back, a set of vertical vents provide plenty of air flow to keep the unit cool. Near the front, there’s a white Nighthawk logo, just in case you forgot where it came from. The base is a silver-gray, and extends out to both sides to provide plenty of support.

On the front, there’s a dizzying array of indicator lights that provide both modem and router alerts. At the top, you’ll find your standard modem lights. These include a power indicator, upstream and downstream indicators, and a light that indicates an active internet connection. Beneath this, you’ll see your router indicator lights. You’ll see lights that indicate Ethernet connections 1 through 4, as well as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless bands. Beneath that, there are two buttons for WPS connections and security functions.

On the back of the Nighthawk CAX80, you’ll see further controls at the top. There’s a simple on/off switch, as well as a pinhole reset button for emergencies. Beneath that, you have a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port that allows for use as a router only. For a faster connection, use the CAX80 as a combo unit by connecting to the cable plug at the bottom. In between, there’s a row of four Gigabit Ethernet ports that allow for wired connections to your devices. There’s also a USB 3.0 port which provides for additional functionality. You can connect a thumb drive or USB hard drive and use your router as a home media server. Finally, at the bottom, there’s a power port for connecting the AC/DC adapter.

All of this is protected by Netgear’s 12-month manufacturer’s warranty. This ensures that you’re protected from any defects in parts or workmanship. You also get 90 days of free technical support. If you’re having any issues during setup, Netgear can help walk you through the process.

Speed & Coverage

As we already mentioned, the Nighthawk CAX80 is a dual-purpose unit. It functions as both a modem and a router, simplifying your home network’s setup. However, your exact performance is going to depend on how you configure it. If you’re using it as both a modem and a router, you can get up to 6Gbps of speed. This will only work if you connect your service provider’s coaxial cable directly to the plug on the bottom. If you’re using the CAX80 as a router only, you’ll have to connect to your modem via Ethernet. In this case, you’ll be limited to a maximum of 2Gbps. That sounds fast. But if you’re using a lot of smart devices, it can end up being a bottleneck. To get the best performance, you’ll want to take advantage of the CAX80’s modem function.

Once your network is set up, you can get up to 2,500 square feet of wireless coverage. This is a broad rating, and it depends on your home’s configuration. For instance, you’ll get more coverage in a 2-story home than you will in a ranch. Regardless, you’re looking at some of the best coverage available. If you need more than 2,500 square feet, you should consider a wireless range extender. The CAX80 supports WiFi 6, the latest version of the WiFi protocol. As a matter of fact, it’s so new that smart home devices are only beginning to support it. That said, the CAX80 still supports older WiFi protocols, so older devices are still supported. Essentially, you’re looking at a future-proof router that will also support legacy devices.

In total, you can connect 32 wireless devices, as well as 4 wired devices. This allows you to connect just about any smart home device you like. Hook up your TV, your refrigerator, your security cameras, and you’ll still have bandwidth for your PC and smartphone. This is an impressive amount of capacity for a home network.

In addition, the CAX80 supports the DOCSIS 3.1 protocol. This is the latest and greatest connection protocol for cable internet. In total, it supports download speeds of up to 10Gbps and upload speeds of up to 1Gbps. This is even faster than the router itself is capable of, so blazing-fast connections are a given. No matter what you’re trying to do, you’re going to have enough bandwidth to get the job done.

Security & Extra Features

Setting up the Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 is easy, at least in theory. If it’s just a router, no complex setup is required. However, if you’re connecting it as a modem/router unit, your performance will depend on your service provider. In theory, the CAX80 is certified by all major service providers, including Comcast, Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox. It should be plug and play. However, with some service providers, such as Spectrum, you’ll still need to call in to get the modem activated. This should only take a few minutes on the phone with customer service. They’ll as you for the MAC address and some other information, and you’ll be ready to go.

The CAX80 supports both WEP and WPA/WPA2 wireless security protocols. Needless to say, you’ll want to secure your network as soon as possible. Otherwise, you’re leaving a back door open for hackers or opportunistic neighbors. Configuration simply requires you to create a password, so it takes just a minute. You also get parental controls. You can block specific websites or classes of websites across the board, or on a per-user basis. You can also set a “bedtime” for individual devices, so your kids can’t stay up all night on their phones.

To get even more out of your CAX80 router, you can install the Netgear Nighthawk app. This app works with Netgear’s entire Nighthawk like of routers, and allows for easy setup. Not only does it make the installation process quick and painless, it also allows for easy configuration. Instead of using the complex browser-based configurator, you can simply use the app. This means you can easily adjust parental controls and other features. You can also run internet speed tests and take advantage of other useful functions.

Final Verdict

As you can see, the Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 is an exceptionally powerful unit. Not to mention, it can actually save you money. Many service providers charge a monthly fee to rent a modem. If you’re getting that charge on your current bill, the CAX80 can actually pay for itself in a few years.

To begin with, let’s look at the obvious benefit: you’re getting a router and a modem in one. This is much easier than buying two standalone units. On the other hand, you can’t upgrade your modem or your router separately. This means that when it’s time to upgrade, you need to replace the entire unit. But given how future-proof the CAX80 is, this shouldn’t be a concern for several years.

The physical design is slick and attractive, and provides everything you need. In terms of speed, you shouldn’t have any issues. You get up to 6 Gbps of bandwidth, enough for 4K streaming with plenty of bandwidth to spare. You can also connect up to 32 devices. If you’re a smart home enthusiast, this is an excellent feature. Not only that, but you get plenty of security options. In addition to standard encryption, you also gain access to full-featured parental controls. Finally, you can use Netgear’s Nighthawk app. If you want to control your network directly from your smartphone, you’re good to go.

The post Review of the Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 Cable Modem WiFi 6 Router Combo appeared first on Nerd Techy.

If you need to pack a lot of computing power into a few square feet, a server rack is the way to go. You can also add other accessories, such as fiber-optic switches. The good news is that you’re getting a space-efficient design. The bad news is that you need to power all that equipment. Of course, you could just plug everything into a wall outlet. You could also go without health insurance, and stop wearing a seatbelt.

While you’re at it, you could even play Russian roulette with a real pistol. At least, you could do all of those things if you were an irresponsible fool. But most of us want to keep our expensive equipment safe, and that means using a surge protector.

Today, we’ll be looking at three different rackmount surge protector power strips. First, we’ll examine the StarTech 8 Outlet Horizontal 1U Rack Mount PDU Power Strip. This is an 8-outlet power strip, complete with surge protection and a six-foot cord. Next, we’ll look at the CyberPower CPS1215RMS Surge Protector. CyberPower is already well-known for their other accessories, such as USB hubs. So we were excited to see what their power strip had to offer! The last one we looked at was the Tripp Lite RS1215-RA Rackmount Network-Grade PDU Power Strip. By default, this is a simple power strip without any surge protection. But different variants offer different options for the safety-conscious consumer. Which one is the best? Let’s take a closer look, and find out!

Different Server Rack Standards

There are many types of server rack standards. For instance, manufacturers have come to an agreement on standard widths. For instance, if you order a 19 or 23-inch piece of equipment, it’s going to fit the respective rack. There are no tricks, unpleasant surprises, or other catches. Similarly, the height is standard. A 1U (“1 unit”) piece of equipment will always be 1.75 inches tall. A 2U piece of equipment will always be 3.5 inches tall, and so on. As a result, it’s easy to find equipment that fits your rack.

At least, it would be if manufacturers would stick to a standard type of hole. Unfortunately, there’s a bit more variety in this area than we’d typically like to see. Early server racks were built with pre-threaded holes. In theory, this was a sensible approach. The holes are for mounting, so why not just thread them and be done with it?

Unfortunately, manufacturers couldn’t agree on what type of screw to use. As a result, server racks came in 10-32, 12-24, and M6 threading instead of one standard. This meant you had to keep your own screws on hand for mounting anything. Oftentimes, it also meant that you had to install third-party rails to mount your server. Round threaded rack holes are still found on some audio racks, but they’re no longer used for server racks.

The next logical step was to use rounded, unthreaded holes. This allowed you to use cage nuts to install any kind of screw. You could also use clip nuts if you wanted a faster, drop-in option. IBM pioneered the use of round unthreaded holes, but other manufacturers like Dell and HP soon jumped on board. Dell even manufactured a special rail, called the “Versa Rail”, just for this style of rack.

But like so many things in tech, rounded, unthreaded holes soon fell by the wayside. Modern server racks are almost all manufactured with square, 3/8 x 3/8-inch holes. This is as close as the industry has ever come to a single standard, and allows for easy installation with cage nuts. Dell, HP, and IBM all use this design, with thicknesses varying from 0.085 to 0.11 inches. They also manufacture dedicated quick rails that allow for snap-in installation.

The surge protectors we’re looking at today are all newer, and are designed for square rack holes. That said, there’s no reason you won’t be able to mount them on an older server rack. Depending on your rack, you may need to buy some screws or nuts, but that’s about it. At most, you’ll end up spending an extra dollar or two.

StarTech 8 Outlet Horizontal 1U Rack Mount PDU Power Strip

StarTech is an established electronics manufacturer that mostly creates consumer parts. We’ve reviewed several of their offerings in the past, including some Ethernet extenders. Their horizontal 1U rack Mount PDU Power Strip is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It’s designed to mount in any 19-inch server rack that’s at least 4 inches deep. This makes it exceptionally versatile. Be aware, though, that there’s no mounting hardware included in the kit. You’ll need to provide your own mounting screws and cage nuts.

The design is fairly rugged, with black steel construction that can take a beating if need be. If you’re looking for a power strip that matches the rest of your black equipment, this is a great match. The front panel is relatively plain. On the left, there are a pair of indicator lights for surge and ground protection. On the right, there’s a simple power switch that also works as a circuit breaker switch. The eight outlets themselves are on the back. This location makes cable management easy, since you won’t have to route any cables around the front of your rack. Similarly, a six-foot power cable makes placement simple. You don’t have to be right on top of a power outlet to power your rack.

If you want more power outlets, StarTech does make a 16-outlet version of their rack mount power strip. This variant sports ten outlets on the back and six on the front, so you have more options. Of course, it also comes at a commensurately higher price. Regardless of which version of the power strip you buy, you’re protected by StarTech’s 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. If you experience any type of failure, simply contact customer support for a refund or replacement.

Surge Protection and Other Extras

All eight outlets on the StarTech surge protector are protected by a built-in circuit breaker. In the event of a power surge or other abnormality, the breaker will automatically trip. This will ensure that your equipment remains protected from excess voltage. The downside is that your equipment will temporarily shut down. But considering the alternative, a few minutes of inactivity is the least of your worries. When power has returned to normal, just flip the reset switch to turn your equipment back on. This type of circuit breaker is a simple design that’s been around for decades. It’s not complex, but it works, and it’s going to be around for decades to come.

CyberPower CPS1215RMS Surge Protector

To technology enthusiasts, CyberPower needs no introduction. They’re well known throughout the industry for their surge protectors, power supplies, and other accessories. So, does the CyberPower CPS1215RMS Surge Protector live up to their reputation?

This is a straightforward, no-nonsense 12-outlet surge protector. Six outlets are located on the front panel and six are located on the rear. This makes cable management fairly simple, since you can plug in wherever you like. We should mention that there are a few variants of this surge protector. We reviewed the 15-amp version with surge protection. Different variants come with different features, including different plug configurations.

Like the StarTech power strip, the CyberPower strip will mount in any 19-inch rack. As long as your rack is at least 4.75 inches deep, you’re good to go. Also like the StarTech power strip, there’s no mounting hardware included in the package. You’ll need to provide your own screws, cage nuts, and other mounting supplies. But you’re only looking at a few dollars in cost. Essentially, you’ve got everything you need.

The power cord on the CPS1215RMS is an impressive 15 feet in length. This allows for easy placement, so you don’t have to worry about putting your rack next to an outlet. It also has a flip-up cover over the power switch. This might seem like a minor feature, but it ensures you won’t actually power off your server. The surge protector comes protected by CyberPower’s 3-year warranty and lifetime customer support. This is one of the more robust warranties in the industry, and provides a lot of added value.

Surge Protection and Other Extras

All versions of the CyberPower CPS1215RMS Surge Protector come with a built-in circuit breaker. However, despite its name, surge protection is actually optional. There are two different variants: one with surge protection, and one without. To make things even more confusing, there are also 15 and 20-amp versions available. This makes for a total of four possible configurations. Just make sure you know which one you’re buying before you click the “buy” button.

The main benefit of the CyberPower surge protector is the quality of construction. The outlets, housing, and even the cord retention tray are all built to an industrial standard. This is a heavy-duty surge protector that’s built to last for years.

Tripp Lite RS1215-RA Rackmount Network-Grade PDU Power Strip

The Tripp Lite RS1215-RA Rackmount Network-Grade PDU Power Strip sports 12 three-prong outlets. Six of these are on the front, and six are on the back to simplify cable management. Moreover, all 12 outlets are angled vertically rather than horizontally. This makes it easy to plug in devices with bulky square AC adapters. Like the other power strips we looked at, the RS1215-RA is compatible with any 19-inch server rack. Also like the other power strips, you’ll need to provide your own mounting hardware.

The RS1215-RA has a long, 15-foot power cord. As a result, you don’t have to worry about where in the room your server rack is located. This makes installation simple, and “simple” is one of our favorite words. Tripp Lite puts a neat bow on this package with a lifetime warranty. This is truly outstanding, since you never have to worry about failure. If anything goes wrong with the power strip, ever, you’ll be covered.

Surge Protection and Other Extras

The Tripp Lite RS1215-RA Rackmount Network-Grade PDU Power Strip does not have any surge protection. It’s designed to be used on closed power systems that are supplied by a generator. It’s also an excellent choice for distributing alternate waveform UPS. However, if you’re just looking for vanilla surge protection for a vanilla server, you’re out of luck.

In terms of power delivery, the RS1215-RA is available in 15 and 20-amp variants. There are also options with surge protection, and even builds that include a server rack shelf. We reviewed the basic 15-amp power strip. But with this many options, the RS1215-RA could be used in just about any server rack builds.

Final Verdict

So, which one of these rackmount surge protectors is the best of the bunch? As is often the case with technology, it depends on what you need. But all three of them are perfectly viable options. To start with, we looked at the StarTech 8 Outlet Horizontal 1U Rack Mount PDU Power Strip. This is a relatively simple power strip, with only 8 outlets. That said, it does everything you need, and it’s easy to install. Considering that this is a straightforward piece of equipment, simple design is not a bad thing.

The CyberPower CPS1215RMS Surge Protector offers a few additional options. It’s available in both 15 and 20-amp versions, with or without surge protection. It also has outlets both on the front and on the back. Whether or not this is a good thing will depend on your build. The most important feature, though, is the 15-foot power cord. This makes placement quick and painless.

We ended up by looking at the Tripp Lite RS1215-RA Rackmount Network-Grade PDU Power Strip. The variant we reviewed boasts 90-degree outlets, so you can plug in even large power supplies. It also has a 15-foot cord, so placement is a non-issue. Tripp Lite even ups the ante with a lifetime warranty, so you’re looking at an excellent value.

The post Best 1U Rackmount Surge Protector Power Strip appeared first on Nerd Techy.

So-called “smart” Wi-Fi routers are starting to become more common across the market. They’re ostensibly better choices for those without the tech-savviness to set up clunkier devices, and they’re designed to be quick to start to facilitate fast connections and family connectivity in just minutes. But many smart Wi-Fi routers are expensive, overly slow, or don’t have the same extra features you might be used to from regular Wi-Fi devices.

Still, some smart Wi-Fi routers are very much worth your time and money. The Rock Space AC2100 Smart Wi-Fi Router is one such example. It’s very clearly a router designed to be used with larger groups or families with relatively large homes since it offers dual-band connectivity and relatively fast download speeds for both bands. Furthermore, it comes packed with additional features like security functions and an energy-saving mode.

But all of these features are only worthwhile if you’ll actually use them, and the Rock Space AC2100 isn’t as cheap as some of the $30 routers you can find online. Let’s take a much deeper dive into this router and see what it offers when you break down its specs and functions.

Overall Design

The Rock Space AC2100 is designed for tons of traffic, full stop. You can partially tell this just from the number of antennae lining the router’s back edge. The four antennae work together to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, and the entire router is small and stable enough to be placed on a counter, shelf, or anywhere else that’s convenient for your Wi-Fi needs.

It comes with dual bands for 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz networks – you can use both network types to run multiple simultaneous devices without “clogging” any one band. Thus, it’s perfect for using high-bandwidth devices, like streaming consoles or TVs, and low-bandwidth activities, like general browsing on your smartphone, without experiencing lag or interruption.

Both bands are managed by a single SSID, so running maintenance or setting up a network will also be quick and easy. Both bands benefit from fast download speeds, too.

The router even supports Bluetooth connectivity as well, so synching up different devices to the various bands and your greater network doesn’t require hardwire cables in any form. Even better, the router will automatically and intelligently connect your devices to the faster of the two bands available unless the faster band (the 5 GHz band) is so full that it would compromise the other devices on the network.

Should you want the security and stability of a wired connection, you’ll also benefit from four wired Ethernet ports, all of which are lined up on the back of the router. An additional USB 2.0 port is available for downloading content, adding updates, or facilitating another USB connection for another purpose.

All in all, the major aspects of the Rock Space AC2100 highlight the fact that it was designed for very heavy traffic and busy families that like to stream, download content, and surf the web all at the same time.

Transmission and Download Speeds

To really understand who the Rock Space AC2100 is good for, you have to look at the maximum download speeds and the technology that facilitates such fast connections.

The Rock Space AC2100 uses a relatively new technology called beamforming. In a nutshell, regular Wi-Fi routers (those that don’t use beamforming) send out wide but relatively weak signals in broad waves. The waves eventually interact with a Wi-Fi receiver on your device, which allows you to maintain a connection to the Wi-Fi router. But this signal is vulnerable to being thinned out such that you experience interruptions or lag.

Beamforming is much more focused. Wireless signals are dispersed into a single direction to provide strong signal transmissions and a more stable Wi-Fi connection. This beamforming technology applies to both the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands, and it allows the router to cover over 1300 ft.² in a house or property.

The result? You’ll be able to enjoy superfast Wi-Fi speeds anywhere in your home, and even on multiple levels. Both bands should have very stable connections – the 5 GHz band can allow for up to 1733 MB per second download speeds while the 2.4 GHz band will offer 300 MB per second download speeds.

Thus, the 5 GHz band is much better for enjoying streaming or video content, while the 2.4 GHz band is better for general Internet browsing and basic connections. The Rock Space AC2100 is not unique with its beamforming technology, but it is on the more advanced side of things and it can be purchased for an affordable price – many other routers with beamforming tech will run you well over $100.

Control and Setup

The Rock Space AC2100 is also pretty easy to control, which is good news for families or heads of households that aren’t the most tech-savvy or who don’t like doing lots of troubleshooting. The router can be controlled using the proprietary Rock Space app, which can be downloaded for free with iPhones or Android devices as soon as you purchase your router.

All you have to do is register, then log into the app to access all of the remote controls. You’ll pair your router with your mobile device and be able to control all of its major functions from afar. The majority of the functions you need to adequately control or monitor the router (and any traffic that goes through it) can all be handled through the Wi-Fi application. For instance, you’ll be able to shut down Wi-Fi access, change or examine the password, and alter aspects of network security (more on that below).

Furthermore, you can remotely track any devices connected to the Wi-Fi network at any time from the app. Families may appreciate this feature in particular since it will allow them to monitor their kids’ browsing habits or social media activities. This is also a good way to ensure that your data isn’t being hogged by one person.

Extra Features

The Rock Space AC2100 has plenty of other extra features that really push its full value much higher than you might anticipate. For starters, it comes with a robust network security suite that can help prevent hackers from entering your network. These are largely facilitated by WPA and WPA2-PSK wireless security protocols, essentially making it harder for hackers to get your password and brute force their way into your network.

An additional firewall, which can be controlled from the aforementioned mobile app, is also in place right out of the box. This, in turn, will help secure your Wi-Fi network in case someone downloads something risky or potentially harmful to the other devices connected. This may be a good feature for families with kids that don’t have good digital hygiene or who might visit sites with potentially malicious bugs.

You can even set up black or white lists using the security features. Again, these are all controlled using the mobile app, and they essentially allow you to mark certain websites or domains as “off-limits” to everyone on the network. You can also make other, parent-vetted websites easy to access for everyone.

Beyond security features, the Rock Space AC2100 also impresses thanks to its power-saving features. The router comes with an energy-saving function that you can initiate either right on the box or using the proprietary mobile app. Once initiated, the energy-saving mode (which is switched on by default) will go into a sleeping mode when no one is using the Wi-Fi router or when traffic levels can permit. This may be a good thing since you don’t have to worry about switching the router off when you and your family go on a vacation.

An additional timer switch is included – this is essentially the same thing as the energy-saving sleep mode, but with the added ability to pre-set a sleeping schedule (say, at night when no one is supposed to be using the router). This can also be used to prevent kids from browsing on the Wi-Fi too much when they should be sleeping. The sleeping mode should automatically occur when traffic is less than 3 kB per second for a half-hour.

One last feature – the blue lights on the top of the router are quite vibrant and are even a little annoying when viewed in a dark room. Thankfully, the Rock Space AC2100 allows you to shut these blue lights off using the mobile app if they might keep you up and if you set up your router in your bedroom.

Final Verdict

Ultimately, the Rock Space AC2100 has a lot to impress, even when compared against other smart Wi-Fi routers on the market. It offers dual-band connectivity, with 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz networks, which both offer good download speeds (presuming you can reach their maximum limits), plus smart connectivity and set up procedures that make it easy to plug in and install in your home.

The plethora of additional features, including the security stuff and the energy-saving mode, make it a solid choice for families that want to keep an eye on their kids’ browsing habits or otherwise install Wi-Fi usage limits to make sure that everyone doesn’t spend too much time plugged in. The security features, too, are excellent if you keep sensitive data on your home network, like private photos or financial information. This can also make it a great choice for those with home businesses.

All of these features – fast speed, good security, and a few extra bonuses – can be acquired for a really reasonable asking price when all is said and done. This router can be purchased for less than $100 at the time of this writing, making it both one of the best and one of the most affordable smart Wi-Fi routers available now.

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Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you’re probably familiar with the term “smart home devices”. Everything from refrigerators to smoke detectors to light switches is getting its own internet connection. This will make our homes and our lives more efficient than ever before. For example, there are already refrigerators that can create a grocery list for you. A camera monitors the inside of the fridge, keeps track of what you remove, and puts it on the list.

In order to achieve this, a whole new generation of routers is needed. The reason is that older routers aren’t designed to support this many devices. A fast router from five years ago might have been impressive if it could support 24 simultaneous connections. Soon, you’ll need hundreds of connections.

Today, we’ll be looking at the TaoTronics AC3000 Mesh WiFi Router. TaoTronics is mostly known for their audio technology, such as their ANC headphones. But in producing that technology, they’ve learned a thing or two about connectivity. So we were excited to see how the AC3000 performs. Let’s take a closer look, and see what we’ve uncovered!

Design and Installation

The TaoTronics AC3000 is a mesh router. This means that it’s designed to be used in sets of two or more, and it comes in a two pack. You can add a third router if you need to cover even more area, but those are sold separately. Regardless of whether you’re using two or three routers, installation is the same. One of the routers gets plugged into your home’s Ethernet connection. This becomes the “main” router, while the other router becomes a node. Next, you place the node towards the other end of your home. As long as the two routers are in range of each other, the node will extend your home’s network. Additional routers work in a similar fashion, creating an overlapping “mesh” of wireless coverage.

The routers themselves are attractive to look at. They’re constructed from white ABS plastic, with a beautiful, high-gloss finish. The only decoration is a discreet TaoTronics logo on the front. The legs are constructed from stainless steel, and make the router look like a small sculpture. There’s also a blue LED light ring on the top that illuminates when the AC3000 is powered on. If you prefer to keep the light off, it’s easy to do from the companion app.

All the input and output ports are located in a small cutout in the back of the AC3000. There are four Gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting your wired devices. There’s a USB 3.0 port for connecting a thumb drive or external hard drive. There’s also a simple, barrel-style DC input. The AC adapters are included in the box, as is a single Ethernet cord. Next to the power input, there’s a small black reset button.

Once you’ve gotten your routers plugged in, setup takes only about 10 minute. To set up your network, you’ll have to download the “TT Router” app, which is free on Android and iOS. This app will guide you through the process of setting up the network. It will also allow you to manage your network, with a whole bunch of useful tools we’ll talk about shortly.

About the only thing we didn’t like about the AC3000 is the price. This is not unusual for mesh routers, which tend to run on the more expensive side. That said, there are more affordable options available. The GRYPHON Guardian is very reasonably-priced, comes in a one-pack, and will cover a small house or apartment. And because it’s a mesh router, you can cover a larger home simply by adding more units.

Speed and Coverage

The AC3000 utilizes tri-band technology to achieve high transfer speeds with multiple devices. The 2.4GHz band provides long-range stability at a speed of 400Mbps. The 5.0GHz band provides a shorter-range signal with a higher 866Mbps speed. Finally, the 5.8GHz band offers speeds of up to 1,733Mbps. Not only is this enough for streaming 4K video, but the third band helps keep the 5GHz band uncluttered. The total bandwidth of the system is 3Gbps over all three wireless bands.

The way the tri-band system works is that your phone or other device will automatically choose the best band. It will also switch between bands as needed to adjust for conditions. For example, if you’re sitting right next to your router, you’ll probably be on the 5GHz band. Let’s say you go outside to check the mail. While you’re walking, at some point, the 5GHz signal won’t be strong enough. Your phone will then switch to the 2.4GHz band. Switching bands takes only 40ms, so you won’t even notice it happen. When you come back inside and you’re closer to the router, your phone will reconnect to the faster 5GHz band.

In addition to all this, you still have the four gigabit Ethernet ports on each router. These allow for very fast, very stable wired connections. If you have a 4K TV or game console, you’ll usually want to put your main router near that device. That way, you can take advantage of the Ethernet connection. That said, the 5 and 5.8GHz bands are both pretty fast in their own right. If an Ethernet connection isn’t practical, you’ll still have a good enough signal for gaming or streaming.

Each router will support up to 200 devices. So for the two-pack we’re looking at, you get support for up to 400 devices. If you were to add a third router, you’d be able to connect a total of 600 devices. Unless you’re running a showroom full of smart home devices, you’ll probably never need that many connections. But that’s the point. By allowing for a ridiculous number of connections, TaoTronics has ensured that you’ll never run out.

The AC3000 utilizes beamforming technology to get the longest possible range. This means that internal antennas will point towards your devices while you’re using a lot of bandwidth. The result is approximately 3,000 square feet of coverage per router. With two routers, you’re looking at 5,000 square feet. With three routers, TaoTronics says you can cover 6,000 square feet of space. Like any such rating, these are really just ballpark numbers. There are any number of factors, such as metal furniture or internal brick walls, that can affect range. Suffice it to say that the AC3000 can cover even the largest of homes.

As you can see, the AC3000 is one of the fastest routers on the consumer market. But if you want even more speed, it’s achievable. The Arris SURFboard Max Plus W30 offers up to 4Gbps on three wireless bands. It will also cover 6,000 square feet with only two units, but it costs almost twice as much as the AC3000.

App and Extras

As we briefly mentioned, the TT Router app offers a number of configuration options for your network. To begin with, you can create a private guest WiFi network. This is a separate network that you can share with friends and family. That way, guests can still use their phones, but only you will have access to your smart home devices. For added security, there are additional network protection features built into the routers themselves. This makes it virtually impossible for anyone to access your network without the password.

Smart parental controls allow you to regulate who can get online, when they can do it, and what they can access. This can be done on a per-device basis, so you can create custom settings for each device. For instance, you probably don’t want to put restrictions on your smart smoke detector or light switch. On the other hand, if you have kids, you can shut off their internet at bedtime. You can even create a 7-day schedule so your kids can stay up late on weekends.

Similarly, you can block particular types of content. If you don’t want your kids to see violent or sexually explicit material, it’s easy enough to block. This can also be done on a per-device basis, leaving your personal devices unrestricted. It can be done by category, or you can even block specific sites. You can also track the browsing history of each device. This gives you peace of mind if you’re worried about your kids getting into trouble online. You can even set bandwidth limits for specific devices. This is incredibly useful if you have metered internet, since your kids won’t be able to run up the bill.

In addition, the AC3000 router supports external DNS servers. Admittedly, this is an advanced option that most people aren’t going to use. But if you’re a networking guru, you’ll appreciate this feature. Finally, the USB port on the back allows you to easily set up a network drive. That’s great news if you’re trying to set up a home media server.

Final Verdict

So, is the TaoTronics AC3000 Mesh WiFi Router a good investment? If you don’t mind paying top dollar for a beast of a router, then yes. To begin with, it provides wide mesh coverage. With the ability to cover over 5,000 square feet, it’s suitable for even very large homes. Not only that, but the speeds are very fast. The 2.4GHz band is fast enough for most tasks. The 5.0GHz and 5.8GHz bands allow for even higher speeds for gaming and 4K streaming.

The security and management suite is full featured. You get more parental control options than you’ll know what to do with. You get a private guest network, intrusion protection, and bandwidth budgeting. All in all, you’ll have more control over your home network than you will with most routers.

To top it all off, the AC3000 is beautiful to look at. It’s obvious that TaoTronics put a lot of thought into the gorgeous design. This makes placement easy, since you don’t have to worry about hiding an ugly router. If you want to keep the AC3000 out in the open, it will look just fine.

The post Review of the TaoTronics AC3000 Mesh WiFi Router appeared first on Nerd Techy.

If you’re setting up a home internet connection, there are two main components required: a router and a modem. Well, that and an active internet connection! But what’s the difference between the two? And can you ever get away with using just one or the other? We’re going to talk about how the technology works, starting with the internet signal itself. From there, we’ll be able to work through everything else with relative ease. Let’s get going!

How Does a Cable Modem Work?

When we say “modem” today, we’re almost always talking about a cable modem. But this wasn’t always the case. “Modem” wasn’t originally a word; it was an abbreviation for “modulator-demodulator.” “Modulation” in this case means converting digital signals to audio. “Demodulation,” on the other hand, means converting audio signals back to digital again. This allowed you to send data signals over the phone line. At the time, it was mind-blowing technology! However, phone lines have a fairly limited capacity. If you’re old enough to remember 90s internet, you remember taking half an hour for a song to download. We should point out that there are faster versions of “phone” technology like T1 and ADSL lines. But even they aren’t as fast as modern high-speed internet.

To get faster speeds, you need a bigger wire, which is why providers started switching to cable internet. Even newer, fiber-optic internet services use a cable connection from the curb to the house. For such a short run, there’s really no need for anything faster. And that’s why almost every modern modem is a cable modem.

At this point, cable TV subscribers will have an obvious question. How in the world do you get hundreds of channels across a single cable? How do you still have room for an internet signal? The answer is that a single cable channel only occupies a frequency range of 6MHz. A coaxial cable, meanwhile, has hundreds of MHz of signal to play with. Even so, it actually doesn’t take that wide of a frequency range to provide a strong internet signal. As a matter of fact, incoming internet data can be transmitted over a 6MHz band, just like a TV channel. This way, you can get Gigabit internet in your home, with no more strain on your cable than a TV channel. Outgoing data only requires a 2MHz band, since you don’t often need to upload as much as you download.

Keep in mind that your internet provider’s maximum speeds are called “maximum” for a reason. The reason for this is that entire neighborhoods can be served by a single coaxial line. If it’s three in the morning and there’s nobody else online, you’ll get the maximum speed. If there are only a few people online, you’ll still get the maximum. There will be more than one outgoing and one incoming channel available. But if many people are online, they’ll eventually need to start sharing channels. This is why residential internet speeds are typically slowest at the busiest time of day.

The incoming signal from your internet provider is called “downstream” data, while the outgoing signal is “upstream” data. Much like with an old-school modem, this data needs to be converted between a TV signal and digital data. On your end, this is done with a cable modem. On the service provider’s end, this is done with an industrial cable modem termination system (CMTS). A CMTS is basically a fancy modem, which is designed to connect to many users simultaneously.

Cable modems vary in design and quality, but they all have some of the same basic components. These include:

• A modulator
• A demodulator
• A microprocessor
• A tuner
• A media access control (MAC) device

These days, most modems are compact devices, about the size of a paperback book. Typically, there’s a single coaxial input on the back, along with an Ethernet output. Some modems also have a second coaxial output port for connecting to a TV or other device. That said, you’ll actually find small modems inside of some other devices. The most common example of this is the humble TV set top box. If you have digital cable, your set top box uses its own internet connection for the menu and other features. So if you have digital cable but not home internet, there’s still a small modem in your home!

How Does a Router Work?

So, a modem connects your house to the internet. What in the world does a router do? The answer is that a modem is simply delivering data. This data is transmitted in chunks called “packets.” If there’s only one device connected to your modem, that’s no problem. But what if you have a smartphone, a game console, and a network printer all connected at once? The modem has no way to know which packets are supposed to go to which device. A router does.

When a device is connected to your router, the router assigns it a unique identifier, called an IP address. This IP address then gets attached to any incoming or outgoing packet. As a result, when your router receives a packet, it knows which device the packet is supposed to go to. Sometimes, there are multiple paths a packet can take through the network to get to its destination. The router keeps track of all possible paths, and stores them in a file called a routing table. Whenever there’s more than one path to a destination, the router consults the routing table. Then, it chooses the most efficient pathway to send the data. Routing tables are often used by network engineers to troubleshoot problems. However, they’re not something an ordinary home user should need to worry about.

That said, most routers do have internal software that allows you to make basic changes. From here, you can set your network name and password and make other changes. Some advanced routers even have built-in parental control features. For instance, you can set limits on certain content, or even set a “bedtime” for individual devices. Keep in mind that all of these options vary depending on the manufacturer and model. If you want to know about a specific router’s capabilities, you’ll need to look at the specifications.

Early cable modems were only designed for wired connections. However, WiFi routers have been the standard for well over a decade. Typically, you’ll still find four Ethernet ports on the back for connecting wired devices. However, you’ll also often find antennas. These don’t do much more than an internal antenna. But in a marginal situation, they can stretch your signal a few more feet.

For most people, even a mid-priced WiFi router will be more than powerful enough to cover the whole house. But in some cases, you might need to stretch your signal a little bit more. In that case, consider using a mesh WiFi router. These routers come in sets of two or more, and extend your signal throughout the house. More frequently, you’re going to want to look at the maximum number of devices. This way, you can set up as many smart home devices as you like.

So, What’s the Difference?

As you can see, the difference between a modem and a router is fairly straightforward. A modem connects your home to the internet. It translates the coaxial signal to something your devices can use. However, it’s only designed to connect to a single device, which is very limiting. A router, on the other hand, eliminates this limitation. A router sorts out which data packets are meant for each device on the network. This way, you can connect all your smart home devices without needing a separate modem for each one. Without a router, you won’t be able to do a whole lot with your internet connection.

The good news is that most internet providers nowadays include a modem with your service. This may or may not cost a small monthly fee, depending on your provider. Regardless, in most cases, you’ll only need to provide a router. That said, if you want to replace your modem, there are options. In particular, you might want to consider a space-saving combination unit. The ARRIS Surfboard (SBG8300) Cable Modem Router Combo is one popular option. It combines high-performance modem and router components to build a powerful, all in one unit.

Finally, let’s answer the second part of our original question. Can you ever use just a modem or just a router? Yes, but the applications are fairly limited. A standalone modem can be used if you’re only connecting a single device to the internet. For most people, this just isn’t going to be enough. But if you really only want to plug in a single computer, you can save a few bucks. Conversely, a router is useful if you want to set up a network with no internet connection. This has more applications. For instance, if you want to set up a home security system and don’t want it exposed to security risks. Still, for almost any other purpose, you need both a router and a modem.

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If you’re trying to set up a new home network, there are two cable choices: Category 5 and Category 6. These are commonly abbreviated as Cat5 and Cat6. So, why are there only these two? And what’s the difference between the two? We’re about to take a close look at Ethernet cable technology, and what separates Cat5 from Cat6. Then, it will be up to you to decide. Let’s get started!

Ethernet Basics

If this is your first time buying Ethernet cable, it may surprise you to know that there are two types of cable. Isn’t Ethernet all the same? In fact, Ethernet is an evolving standard that’s been around since the late 1970s. However, it first saw practical use in 1980, and was standardized in 1983. Back in those rates, an Ethernet signal ran over a coaxial cable, like your cable line. These early Ethernet cables had a maximum transfer rate of 2.94Mbps. That’s less than one percent the transfer rate of even older USB 2.0 cables. Modern Ethernet cables, however, are much faster. At the very high end, they can transfer as much as 40Gbps. These ultra-fast cables, though, are only found in commercial applications. Most home Ethernet cables now offer 1Gbps (“gigabit”) speeds.

Coaxial cable is notorious for rapid signal degradation. This means that the signal will get weaker quickly over long distances. The first step to getting better speeds was to add signal boosters into the network. These signal boosters were called “repeaters,” and allowed for virtually unlimited wire runs. However, early repeaters still had a significant disadvantage. They only had two ports! This was useless for networking, since you could only connect two devices to each-other. Shortly thereafter, repeaters with multiple ports became available. This made it possible to connect multiple devices into a single local network.

In 1987, a company called SynOptics produced the next major advance. Instead of coaxial cable, their new Ethernet cable used a twisted-pair design. Twisted-pair wiring was nothing new. It had been used for telephones for years. The twisted pair of wires reinforced each-others signal, so much longer runs were possible. This stronger signal also reduced the need for shielding, resulting in a slimmer, more lightweight cable. But it wasn’t suitable for the types of speeds people were getting from Ethernet. SynOptics had fixed that problem, and produced a twisted-pair Ethernet cable capable of 10Mbps transfer rates.

Along with this new cabling, SynOptics also introduced hub technology. These hubs were similar to the multi-port repeaters used on coaxial Ethernet. They weren’t required for signal-boosting, but they made it easy to network multiple devices. Later improvements by Motorola and others allowed for more advanced hubs called switches. It’s not a far leap from these switches to the slick wireless routers we use today.

What do Cat5 and Cat6 Mean?

Strictly speaking, Category 5 and Category 6 aren’t only Ethernet cables. They’re also a standard for twisted-wire cable, which, as we mentioned, has been around for a while. The earliest standard, called Category 1, was the standard in residential phone wiring for years. It’s ordinary, thin, landline phone wire with two pairs of twisted wires inside. In the early days of the internet, it was used for home access when necessary. However, it was never used for any sort of serious networking infrastructure. As a result, Category 1 is just a type of twisted-wire cable, not a type of Ethernet.

Category 2 cable is a beefier type of cable that uses four pairs of wires instead of two pairs. As a result, it can handle twice as much data. It was never an Ethernet standard. However, it’s worth mentioning because it was used in some early networks that did not use Ethernet. It was also used in larger telephone networks. But with the development of newer, more advanced standards, Category 2 is now rarely used.

Category 3 cable is the first twisted wire cable standard that’s also a type of Ethernet cable. It’s the cable SynOptics Developed, with the transfer rate of 10Mbps. At the time, this was considered blazing fast, and Cat 3 became the standard from 1987 until the late 90s. However, technology eventually advanced to the point where 10Mbps was no longer fast enough. High-speed internet had arrived, and people needed more speed.

Category 4 is a bit of an oddball. First released in 1996, it used four wire pairs to provide speeds of up to 16Mbps. This was 60 percent faster than Category 3, and seemed like a surefire hit. However, by the time it was starting to catch on, it was already being superseded by Category 5.

What is Cat5e?

Category 5 cable was first released in 1999. However, most people use the modern variant, Category 5 Enhanced, released in 2001. Category 5 Enhanced cable, usually called Cat5e, is a significantly more powerful standard than Category 3 or 4. Instead of 10 or 16Mbps, it offers transfer rates of up to 1,000Mbps, or 1Gbps. For this reason, it’s often called “Gigabit” Ethernet. Built with 24-gauge wires, it can support runs of up to 330 feet without a switch or a booster. These heavier wires are also what allows it to offer higher speeds without adding more contacts to the tip. As a result, Cat5e cables are compatible with older, Category 3 architecture.

Needless to say, Cat5e took the technology world by storm, and quickly became the new standard. In fact, many institutional maintenance plans require all old Category 3 cable to be replaced with Cat5e. Cat5e has allowed us to enjoy the modern, high-speed internet we know and love. For instance, it can be used to transmit HD video. Gigabit Ethernet has given us streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, among other major benefits.

What is Cat6e?

Category 6 (Cat6e) was released just a few years after Cat5e. Like Cat5e, it uses the same tips as Category 3, so it’s backwards-compatible with older hardware. Also like Cat5e, it supports 330-foot runs at Gigabit speeds. The difference is that it’s a beefier cable, with significantly improved shielding and insulation. It’s traditionally been used for lines in the backbone of a facility, where lots of cables are bundled together. In that situation, the better shielding provides a better signal. Furthermore, Cat6e cable can be used for shorter runs at 10Gbps speeds. This isn’t much use in your home, but it’s essential for commercial applications.

That said, Cat6e can be useful for homeowners and small businesses for one application. Because of its insulated design, it’s better-suited for transmitting power. For many people, that’s not going to do much. But if you want to use a PoE device like a security system, you’ll want to use Cat6e cable. Keep in mind, though, that most routers and switches don’t provide power. To make your system work, you’ll need power injectors and PoE injection adapters.

Are There Other Options?

Before we conclude, you might be wondering whether there are even more categories of Ethernet cable. In fact, there are two. Category 7 exists, and offers an even better transfer rate than Cat6. That said, it’s only useful for very short runs. For this reasons, it’s used mostly for commercial patch cables. There’s also a Category 8, which is only just starting to get produced. It’s a shielded version of Category 7, which allows for even higher transfer rates. Similar to Category 7, it’s only really used for very short runs in commercial applications. There’s no (current) practical use for these types of Ethernet in your home network.

What’s the Difference?

As you can see, Ethernet cables have been upgraded several times over the years. Knowing which version is right for you is ideal. Category 3 had an admirable run, but it’s just not suitable for today’s networks. Similarly, Categories 7 and 8 are way more than you’d ever need at home, and too pricey. For 99 percent of people, Cat5e and Cat6e are going to be your best choice.

In terms of speed, there are very few practical differences for home use. If you live under a set of power lines, you might want to use Cat6e for the added shielding. But most people aren’t going to notice any significant difference in a home application. For businesses, Cat6e can be more useful. For example, if your business uses a faster-than-Gigabit connection, it can run from the modem to the router. Moreover, it can also be safely used in environments like a recording studio, where shielding is essential. For similar reasons, Cat6e is safer to use around sensitive medical equipment. Basically, any time there are very sensitive electronics nearby, Cat6e is a good idea.

Another good reason to use Cat6e is if you have PoE devices around your house. PoE technology has only recently started becoming popular with the general public. However, if you think you might use PoE devices in the future, wire your house with Cat6e. That way, you won’t have to worry about re-wiring the whole house later.

The post What’s the Difference Between Cat5 vs. Cat6 Ethernet? appeared first on Nerd Techy.

This year, we’re seeing the rollout of a new WiFi technology: WiFi 6. Now, regular readers will probably be aware that WiFi 6 has actually been around since last year. But up until now, almost all WiFi 6 devices have been routers. After all, you can’t take advantage of WiFi 6 devices if your router doesn’t support WiFi 6. For this reason, manufacturers chose to start by releasing compatible routers. But with the holiday season right around the corner, we’re about to see a surge of WiFi 6 devices. In other words, if you haven’t bought a WiFi 6 router yet, now is the time.

But while you’re shopping around, you might be thinking about rejiggering your home network. Is now the time to switch your PC or game console to a WiFi connection? What about your streaming devices? As with so many things, it really depends on what you need to get out of your wireless connection. We’re about to compare the latest wireless protocol with a wired, Ethernet connection. Then we’ll be able to tell you what works, and what doesn’t. Let’s begin!

How Fast is Ethernet?

Before we make any kind of comparison, it’s important to establish a baseline. How fast is ordinary Ethernet? Most home Ethernet cards offer speeds of up to 1,000Mbps (1Gbps), known as Gigabit Ethernet. Gigabit Ethernet has been the standard for over two decades, and superseded older “Fast Ethernet.” While originally developed for backbone wiring in large networks, Gigabit Ethernet has long been a home standard. Unless your home network hardware is literally decades old, you’re already using Gigabit Ethernet.

Gigabit Ethernet runs primarily over Category 5 (Cat5e) Ethernet cords. This is the familiar cord that runs from your modem to your router. Some home networks use Cat6e instead, but the cable looks the same at a casual glance. Cat6e cable is similar to Cat5e in most cases. Cat6e can handle faster-than-Gigabit speeds, but this typically is not needed for home use. Similarly, Ethernet signals can also be carried over fiber optic cable. This allows for longer runs without the need for a repeater or booster. With fiber optic, you can make up to a 5,000-meter (3.1-mile) connection using a single cable. Needless to say, fiber optic is almost exclusively used for commercial applications.

Some Ethernet systems run at 10-Gigabit (10,000Mbps) speeds. This is the newest and fastest standards, enough to stream dozens of 4K movies simultaneously. 10-Gigabit Ethernet requires a more advanced Cat6a or Cat7 cable in order to work. These are heavier-duty cables that are a bit beefier than Cat5 or Cat6. However, they still use the same tip. Because these speeds are well beyond anything you’d ever need at home, 10-Gigabit Ethernet is exclusively commercial. Just as Gigabit Ethernet used to be the standard for network backbones, 10-Gigabit Ethernet is now used. Cat6a and Cat7 cables are used for running this signal over short runs, such as between switches in a rack. For longer runs, fiber-optic cable is generally used.

How Fast is Current-Gen WiFi?

Okay, so your home Ethernet connection offers speeds of 1Gbps. That’s pretty fast. As a matter of fact, in most cases, it’s the maximum speed of your home’s entire connection. After all, it connects your router to your modem. If you want any more bandwidth at home, you’ll need a modem-router combo. Otherwise, 1Gb is effectively your limit for the whole network.

Normally, you think of wireless as slower than Ethernet. So, how fast is the current 802.11ac wireless standard? 500Mbps? 200Mbps? 100? In fact, it’s 3.5Gbps. Why so fast? For one thing, this is a theoretical maximum. For example, if you’re right at the edge of your router’s wireless range, you’ll get slower speeds. Similarly, if you have 50 devices connected and sharing that bandwidth, you’ll get slower speeds. As a result, your real-world performance will generally be slower than Ethernet. Even so, for most people, speed isn’t a problem on today’s wireless networks. In fact, the average US home has a download speed of less than 75Mbps. That’s less than 10% of what Ethernet even offers!

So, why do gamers still prefer Ethernet? The answer is latency. An Ethernet connection might not be any faster than WiFi, but WiFi can introduce over 100ms of latency. If you’re streaming a movie, this isn’t a problem. As a matter of fact, it isn’t a problem for almost any other application. But when every millisecond counts, a WiFi connection can cause you to lose a game. Obviously, this is only relevant for online gaming. If you’re just tooling around in Skyrim, your connection type isn’t going to matter.

How Fast is WiFi 6?

Before the development of WiFi 6, WiFi networks used something called a half-duplex connection. In a half-duplex connection, data can only move in one direction at the same time. Let’s say you’re streaming a movie, and you send a Facebook message to your friend. To send the message, the incoming signal must stop temporarily. For our example here, you wouldn’t even notice. The video has buffered, after all, and you could watch for over a minute without an incoming signal. Nonetheless, a half-duplex signal effectively limits you to half your signal’s capacity; hence the name.

WiFi 6 creates a full-duplex connection between your devices. This means that they can send and receive data simultaneously. The result is a more efficient connection with a maximum bandwidth of 9.6Gbps. Of course, this is a theoretical maximum, but it’s significantly higher than existing WiFi. Even so, as we mentioned, speed should never really be a concern on a home network. So why is WiFi 6 so groundbreaking? Let’s take a closer look!

Built For Smart Home Devices

WiFi 6 is built for the internet of things. Rather than increasing speed for any one device, it’s meant for connecting as many devices as possible. This is a timely invention. When the current 802.11ac format was released, the average US home had five WiFi-connected devices. Today, that number is up to nine, and the explosion of IoT devices is only beginning. Within a few years, even an average home could have dozens of connected devices.

This is a problem for current wireless routers, because there’s a limit to how many devices they can connect to. As more devices are added, the router spends more time switching between them than it does doing anything useful. Connect a dozen or more devices, and your network will slow to a crawl.

WiFi 6 comes with a host of new technologies that are built with large, complex networks in mind. It allows routers to communicate simultaneously with several different devices. This is thanks to a new technology called 4X4 MU-MIMO. Without getting too far off into the weeds, 4X4 MU-MIMO is engineered to make device switching more efficient. As a result, a WiFi 6 router can communicate seamlessly with more devices. Some models can even support over a hundred simultaneous connections. It’s going to be a long time before you need more connections than that.

So, let’s say you have 50 devices connected. How fast is the connection for each device? The easy way to figure this out would be to divide 9.6Gbps by 50, which gives us about 192Mbps. Of course, that’s a theoretical maximum, and your actual results would be significantly slower. What if you’re trying to watch a movie on your favorite streaming service, or download a large file? You’d be watching a grainy picture, or waiting forever for a download. Thankfully, WiFi 6 can easily manage large amounts of demand from a single device. In that case, each device receives a maximum bandwidth of 1.2Gbps. This maximum is actual, not theoretical.

This works because a WiFi 6 router will intelligently adjust how much bandwidth it offers to each device. For instance, if you have a smart smoke detector, it rarely uses any bandwidth. It will let you know if there’s a fire or a low battery. Other than that, it’s just idling. So instead of allocating 192Mbps to your smoke detector, a WiFi 6 router might allocate 1Mbps. That way, if the smoke detector needs to send a signal, it can. Otherwise, it’s not taking up a whole bunch of wasted bandwidth.

Can my Current Modem Use WiFi 6?

In most cases, yes. If you just bought a new modem in the last year, it probably supports WiFi 6. Check your manual to be sure, but you should be fine. Other than that, you’re going to need to buy a new modem. Older modems won’t be able to interface with your WiFi 6 devices. For other devices, you can more or less take your time. Your current smartphone, laptop, and game console will connect just fine to a WiFi 6 router. They just won’t be able to take advantage of any advanced WiFi 6 features. Over time, your newer devices will naturally have WiFi 6 as you replace them.

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Not long ago, wireless router coverage was not a major concern. If you were a particularly demanding user, you might have had two or three devices online. So as long as you were smart about placement, even a cheap router could get you the coverage you need. But that was before streaming services and mainstream online gaming. Now, every TV, smartphone, and game console in the house is online. With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), the number of connected devices is growing exponentially. Refrigerators, light switches, smoke detectors, and other household devices are all going online.

This means that your old WiFi router isn’t going to do the job — at least, not by itself. You need a wider system that covers the entire house, so all your devices will have a signal. That’s where a mesh router system comes in. A mesh router uses two or more devices to spread the wireless signal around your house. It’s similar to a range extender, but each node is a fully functional router, not just an extender.

Today, we’re going to review the Meshforce Whole Home Mesh WiFi System M3s Suite. This is a three-piece WiFi mesh system that can cover up to 6,000 square feet. But coverage isn’t everything. How good is the connection speed? How reliable is it? And what type of security features does it offer? Once we’ve looked at all of those aspects, we’ll know everything we need to know to render our verdict. Let’s dig deeper, and see what the M3s has to offer!

Design & Installation

The Meshforce M3s is the complete version of their M3 router system. While the M3 is a single router, the M3s includes three units, so you have everything you need. Nothing else is required to set up a mesh WiFi network. Each of the units is sleek and white, with a trapezoid-shaped design. The case is constructed from white ABS plastic, which has a satin finish. This low-gloss look is easy to clean, and doesn’t attract a lot of attention on your shelf or desk.

Similarly, you won’t see a whole bunch of lights like you will on most routers. There’s just a single LED indicator that lets you know whether or not you’re connected. This is great if the router is in your bedroom, since the lights won’t keep you awake. On the other hand, it could be problematic for advanced users who want to do troubleshooting.

Each M3 router unit measures about five inches on each side of the base, and just over six inches tall. This blocky size and the contemporary profile make it an attractive feature on any desk. That said, if you want to hide your router away, you might want one with a slimmer profile. In that case, consider the GRYPHON Guardian. It’s a mesh WiFi router with a 2-inch profile, although it doesn’t come in a kit. You’ll have to buy each unit individually.

On the back of each unit, there’s a row of five Gigabit Ethernet ports. As with most routers, one of these is for connecting to your home’s cable modem. An Ethernet cable is included in the kit for this purpose. The other four ports can be used for connecting PCs, game consoles, and other Ethernet-capable devices.

To set up the system, choose one of the M3 routers to act as your “main” unit. This is the one you’ll connect to your cable modem. Next, download the My Mesh mobile app, which is free on Android and iOS, and follow the install instructions. The guide says it takes about 10 minutes to install, but consider this a minimum. In reality, it depends on how long it takes you to figure out where to put the other router units. This can require some trial and error if you’re trying to maximize your coverage area. If less than the maximum will still cover the whole house, it will take less time to position everything.

All three routers in the M3s kit are covered by Meshforce’s 12-month warranty. If there are any defects, you’ll receive a replacement or a full refund.

Speed & WiFi Coverage

Like most modern routers, the M3s Suite is a dual-band system. This means that it supports both 5GHz and 2.4GHz WiFi signals. The 5GHz channel provides up to 867Mbps of bandwidth, or just shy of full Gigabit speeds. The 2.4GHz channel adds an additional 300Mbps, pushing you over a Gigabit when you’re on both bands. The 5GHz channel has a shorter range, because of the shorter wavelength. The longer-wavelength 2.4GHz channel might be slower, but has a longer range and better penetration.

The maximum bandwidth of over 1,100Mbps should be plenty for most home users. That said, hardcore gamers and people with lots of devices will want even more bandwidth. In that case, check out our review of the TaoTronics AC3000 Mesh WiFi Router. This is a three-band system, with a whopping 3GHz of total bandwidth. That kind of performance doesn’t come cheap, but it’s well worth the investment if it’s what you need.

Each M3 router can cover just over 2,000 square feet on its own. Allowing for some inevitable overlap, the complete M3s Suite can cover about 6,000 square feet. We should be clear that this is a rough approximation. Brick walls and other masonry, for instance, can limit your signal’s range. Conversely, you’ll get better range in a house with an open floor plan. Your total coverage will also depend on how close together your routers are. If they’re all packed in the same area, you won’t get the benefit of multiple overlapping routers. Try to spread them out as much as you can, in order to cover the widest possible area.

Another way to get better range is to add more units. The M3s system can be expanded by adding additional M3 routers, which are sold separately. You can expand up to six routers in total, for a maximum coverage of 12,000 square feet. Forget about your average suburban house, or even your larger-than-average house. 12,000 square feet is enough to cover retail stores and other large indoor spaces. Similarly, it’s sufficient for a mid-sized corporate office.

The M3s Suite is rated to support up to 60 devices. In theory, this makes it compatible with IoT devices, since you can connect so many of them. However, its performance is hampered by the fact that it doesn’t support WiFi 6. WiFi 6 is the latest WiFi protocol, designed to allow seamless connections from dozens of devices. Without this, the router eventually ends up throttling your bandwidth unless it gets reset. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s something you should be aware of with any non-WiFi 6-enabled router. The more devices you have connected, the more often you’ll have to reset it.

If you want a more advanced mesh WiFi router, the ARRIS SURFboard mAX Plus W30 is an excellent choice. It’s a bit spendy, but it’s exceptionally fast, and it supports WiFi 6 for your smart home devices.

WiFi Features

After you’ve set up the M3s system, you can use the My Mesh mobile app to adjust a variety of settings. Perhaps the most commonly-used feature is the parental control option. There, you can set specific permissions for specific devices. This way, you can ensure that each of your kids has an age-appropriate online experience. Not only that, but you can also set bedtimes for individual devices. You can watch Netflix all night, while your third grader’s internet can get cut off at eight o’clock. With all of the concern these days about kids getting too much screen time, it’s nice to be able to limit it.

You can also use remote management to view your WiFi network’s status when you’re not at home. Admittedly, this is a niche application. But if you’re running a home server, you might need remote monitoring from time to time.

The M3s system also creates a separate guest network alongside your regular network. The guest network is totally isolated from your regular network, for your protection. So even if a hacker were to access your guest network, they’d only be able to get online. They wouldn’t be able to see or access any of your other devices. This makes your network considerably more secure. It’s especially useful for businesses that offer free WiFi to their customers. Your point of sale system and confidential business computers won’t be on the public network. You can give your public network password out freely, and even post it in your window. Your business systems aren’t going to be exposed.

Final Verdict

So, is the Meshforce M3s Suite worth your time and money? For most purposes, yes. Let’s start with the most obvious downside: the lack of WiFi 6 support. This can be limiting if you want to connect a lot of IoT devices. Even under the best of circumstances, you’ll have to reset the router from time to time. That said, if you’re not trying to connect a bunch of IoT devices, there’s a lot to like here.

To begin with, you get a truly impressive 6,000-square foot coverage area, expandable to 12,000 square feet. That’s sufficient for all but the largest commercial spaces. You also get the benefit of a secondary guest network. This is only somewhat useful for home users, but can be critical for businesses. After all, you don’t want to give out the password for your primary network.

Along with that, you get all the parental control options you could want. You can limit what type of content your kids can access, as well as what time they can get online. Keeping tabs on your kids screen time has never been easier. With its easy-to-use app and ten-minute setup, the M3s Suite is one of the more comprehensive mesh routers out there.

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If you’re running a small business, an office, or even a home business, networking is no joke. We rely on our connected devices to work as they’re needed, when they’re needed. If your internet connection slows to a crawl or your printer goes on the fritz, it can ruin your day. Instead of working on important tasks, you’re troubleshooting a printer connection or rebooting your router. It’s no exaggeration to say that every dollar spent on better networking equipment can save hours of work later on.

But not all networks require the same equipment. For example, a simple home network can be fine with just a router. With more devices, though, you might need to install some switches and wireless access points. You might also need to deliver Power over Ethernet (PoE) to run certain devices.

Today, we’re going to review the EnGenius Cloud ECS1112FP 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Switch. This is a networking switch that also provides PoE through all eight ports. It’s also designed to be rack-mounted for larger installations. But how well does it perform in the real world? And how are the configuration and the security options? To find out, we’ll need to take a deeper dive into its features and benefits. We’ll talk about how it installs, how it works, and how you make adjustments. Once we’ve given it a thorough examination, we’ll be able to render a verdict on the ECS1112FP. Let’s get started!

What’s the Difference Between a Switch and a Router?

Before we go any further, let’s talk about what a switch is — and isn’t — designed to do. Most people are already familiar with routers, and assume that switches are the same thing. After all, both of them are designed to facilitate traffic between multiple devices. But if you’re trying to build a home or business network, the differences are fundamental.

A router is designed to form as a point of contact between a local network (LAN) and the wider internet. It assigns an IP address to each device on the LAN, and stores those values in a routing table. When data flows in and out of the router, the router consults the table to determine where the data is sent. For a small home network, a router can be sufficient to manage the entire network’s needs. However, if you’re running a larger LAN, your router can eventually slow to a crawl.

The reason for this is that a router will need to manage two types of traffic. It has to handle traffic both inside the LAN and between the LAN and the web. As a result, connections can be slow for no apparent reason. Your PC can be sitting right next to a network printer, and it can take ages to print a document. If this is happening, your router has become bottlenecked.

A switch is designed to take some of the workload off of your router. Much like a router, it will move data between devices within your network. However, it does this by using MAC addresses instead of IP addresses. MAC addresses are unique numbers assigned to individual devices when they roll off the production line. Similarly to a router, the switch stores these addresses in a table for future reference. By handling traffic between devices on the same LAN, a switch frees your router up to do what it does best. Your router can focus solely on managing traffic between your LAN and the web.

That said, a switch won’t work on its own. It doesn’t assign IP addresses, and can’t communicate with the web without the aid of a router. All devices on a switch share the same IP address, so a router is still integral to the process. Moreover, switches are used for Ethernet connections only. If you want to connect to a switch using a wireless connection, you’ll need a wireless access point.

What is PoE Used For?

Another potential point of confusion is PoE. Simply put, PoE is a technology for sending an electrical current along an Ethernet cable. But why would you want to do this? Don’t connected devices already have their own supply of power? In most cases, yes. However, there are some types of lower-voltage equipment that use PoE. For instance, many home security camera systems rely on PoE.

PoE offers several distinct advantages, beginning with ease of installation. For remote wired devices, you only have to run one cable instead of two. Similarly, you don’t have to find a power outlet that’s close enough, or install one if there isn’t. This doesn’t just translate into easier installation. It also means fewer materials to purchase, and fewer things to troubleshoot if something goes wrong. Finally, PoE is a set standard. You don’t need to worry about voltage variations or any related safety issues.

Overall Design

The EnGenius Cloud ECS1112FP is a standard, flat, rack-mounted unit that’s already tapped for mounting. Of course, there’s no reason it has to be used on a rack. It’s slim enough to store on a shelf, or to keep under a store counter. And at only 4.4 pounds, it’s not a beast to move around or mount.

The housing is constructed from rugged anodized aluminum, with a matte black finish. The sides are vented in a diamond pattern, which allows for plenty of airflow for cooling. On the back, you’ll find an input for the AC cord, which is detachable. All of the other ports and indicators are on the front. This makes it easy to connect all your devices without having to go around behind a rack.

To the right, you’ll see the dual-speed uplink ports, complete with LED indicators. In the center, you’ll find a row of eight Gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting your devices. They all have built-in LED lights, along with numbered labels above them. As a result, it’s easy to keep track of what’s plugged into each port, and to diagnose connection issues. At the left, you’ll find your controls. These consist of a reset button, as well as an on/off button for the LEDs. Other than that, all controls will be performed remotely. There’s also a controller port. This can be used to connect a dedicated controller, such as the EnGenius SkyKey On-Premises Network Controller.

Data and Power Delivery

All eight of the ECS1112FP’s Ethernet ports are standard 10/100/1000 Base-T ports. This is normal Gigabit Ethernet, and should work with any connected device on the market. For a switch, the more important consideration is the overall capacity. The ECS1112FP has a total maximum switching capacity of 24Gbps. That’s enough for duplex connections on all eight Ethernet ports, the controller, both uplinks, and one other device. In other words, even if every individual device is maxing out its own Ethernet port, you’ll have capacity to spare.

In terms of PoE, you once again get plenty of capacity. The total power budget is 130 watts. Split across eight channels, that works out to 16.25 watts per Ethernet port. PoE wattage, meanwhile, has a maximum wattage of 15.4 watts per device. Once again, you’re literally looking at more capacity than you could possibly use.

That said, the ECS1112FP is a hair on the pricey side. And under most circumstances, you’re not going to be maxing out eight devices simultaneously. If you want to save a few dollars, consider the EnGenius ECS1008p. It has the same cloud features and design as the ECS1112FP, but it’s more affordable. On the other hand, it’s also more limited. The switching capacity is only 16Gbps, and the PoE budget is only 55 watts.

Security and Extra Features

The EnGenius Cloud ECS1112FP is designed to work in tandem with EnGenius Cloud management software. This software is license-free, so anyone can use it without paying a subscription or other fee. EnGenius guarantees 99.99 percent uptime, and will support up to 100,000 devices for each account. This means connected devices, not just your switch. So if you have 100 switches with 1,000 connected devices each, you’ll hit the limit. Unless you’re a major corporation, you’re never going to need this much capacity. The downside is obvious. With cloud-based management, you need to install an aftermarket controller for local management.

That said, the EnGenius Cloud platform offers several benefits that we appreciated. For one thing, it uses two-factor authentication, so it’s virtually unhackable. Next, it allows you to see a visual, top-down view of your LAN. This shows you the paths between all connected devices, and can help you troubleshoot issues. You can track roaming access across wireless access points in this fashion. This gives you to know when you’re leaving one access point’s range and into another’s. Moreover, you can view the apps that are being used to connect to the web. This gives you a view of how your network’s traffic is being allocated. It also lets you pinpoint any apps that are hogging bandwidth.

Final Verdict

As you can see, the EnGenius Cloud ECS1112FP is the complete package. It’s not cheap, but it offers more power and data capacity than you’ll ever need. That’s not an exaggeration. You couldn’t hit a bottleneck with the ECS1112FP, even if you tried. That’s a huge benefit for any network manager, since it’s one less potential headache to worry about down the line. Furthermore, the high maximum wattage allows you to use any kind of PoE device you want. You won’t have to limit what kind of security camera or access point you use.

Our only real gripe was a minor one; the only controls are online. If you want local, offline control, you need to buy a third-party controller. That said, this is more or less standard for Ethernet switches. Not only that, but EnGenius provides their cloud platform free of charge. That’s a huge added value even if it isn’t a tangible, physical product.

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In today’s world, you can’t really do anything without WiFi. Whether its work, entertainment, or gaming, you practically need a WiFi system to operate in today’s technologically dominated world. In the past, WiFi coverage was not really an issue. Devices used to take up very little bandwidth so you could have 2 or 3 devices hooked up to your network and they would operate without much trouble.

However, modern devices are capable of so much more. In the days of live streaming, uploading, and downloading large files, a lot of people run into problems with their WiFi coverage. Pretty much every device requires some kind of internet connectivity these days so your WiFi bandwidth can easily become overloaded. Even things like smoke detectors, light switches, fridges, and other things are connected to the ever growing Internet of Things (IoT).

So for many, a standard, run-of-the-mill WiFi router won’t cut it anymore. You need a WiFi system that can reach every point of your home without losing signal strength. That is what mesh WiFi routers do. Mesh WiFi routers let you extend your WiFi signal reach across your entire home. The principle behind mesh routers is basically the same as a WiFi extender, but in the case of mesh routers, each node is a fully functional and enclosed WiFi router.

Today we are going to cover the Meshforce M7 Tri-Band. This WiFi system contains 3 distinct nodes that let you carry more devices and ensure that you have a clear signal all around your house. We will cover the Meshforce’s specs, performance, pros, and cons. We will then give our final verdict on whether or not it’s worth buying.

Design & Setup

The Meshforce M7 Tri-Band is a three-node mesh WiFi system. It’s designed to expand Wifi dead zones up to a range of 2000 square feet. The system itself comes with three nodes but can be fitted with up to 6 nodes to extend signal reach to over 6,000 square feet. Each unit has a sleek, functional design that is white, with a studded base on the bottom. The units are small and discreet, so they can be placed wherever you want and not take up too much space. The white satin finish is easy to clean and will mesh well with the other tech in your room.

You do not need any other special things to set up your network. All you need is the routers and a working internet plan. Each router node has an LED light on the top that lights up to let you know that it’s connected and communicating with the other nodes in the network. Of course, this simplified notification interface could be a downside for tech savvy users who would like a bit more information on the face of each router. You can still do a thorough look at each router status by checking on your computer but it would be nice if they had a few more lights to indicate certain statuses.

Each unit is circular and measures about 4-5 inches tall. The circular design is small, but makes it so you cannot place them flush against the wall or the corner of a shelf. The units are fairly stout too and not very slim. If you are looking for a mesh WiFi router set that is a bit skinnier and has a narrower profile then we would recommend checking out the GRYPHON Guardian. This mesh WiFi router system has an extremely slight 2 inch profile so it’s very space-conscious.

Each router unit has 3 ethernet ports on the back and a DC power input. Two of the ethernet inputs are for LAN and the other is for WAN/LAN connections. Each unit just needs to be plugged in but only one needs to be connected to the modem. The other two can be placed wherever in your house as long as they have a power supply nearby. The individual units each have a Dual Core 900Mhz CPU so they are fast and efficient. On the bottom of the units is a reset button which can be used to reset the system if the connection gets hung up.

Setup is one of the best features about the Meshforce M7. All you have to do is pick which router you want to be your “main” node and plug it into the modem with an ethernet cable. Then, plug in the other routers wherever you want to place then and then you set up the network with the smartphone app. From the app you can check the status of each router and text connection speeds. You can also change your network name and passwords from the app. Keep in mind that if you change any router credentials such as the name or password, all connected devices will be signed out and you will have to reconnect them to the network.

The app is very intuitive to use and you can set up the network with just a few selections and button presses. One important note though is that you need iOS 9.0 or later of Android 4.4 to download the app and use it to set up the network. The app has a simple interface and displays the status of each connected node in the center of the screen, with upload and download speeds on the top-left and top-right parts of the screen, respectively. Using the app, you can manage connections for up to 75 devices simultaneously.

Network Specs & Features

Let’s talk a bit about network specs and features. The Meshforce M7 is capable of running dual-band channels, so 5GHz and 2.4GHz. For those who do not know, 5GHz channels are more powerful and provide stronger bandwidth, but they have lower range and are impeded by walls more. 2.4GHz channels, in contrast, have lower bandwidth connection but a longer range.

The good thing about the Meshforce is that the way it extends your WiFi reach means that you can use the faster 5GHz channel anywhere in your house. If you have a 5GHz channel you probably have noticed how the signal will drop when you leave the immediate vicinity of the router. The M7 fixes that problem by spreading the network to your entire house.

As far as features go, the Meshforce M7 offers some good functions for a WiFi network router. First off, there is a parental control function. From the setup app, you can block certain websites and IP addresses so your children don’t run into any unsavory content on the web, or you could use these parental controls to set limits on your kids’ internet time.

The Tri-Band actually has two 5Ghz channels (hence the name “Tri-Band”) so you can take even more advantage of the higher bandwidth. The two 5G channels can have a rate of 867Mbps, which is fairly high. Keep in mind that your internet plan needs to have the bandwidth to make use of these rates. Fortunately, most modern internet plans allow for up to a gig of upload speeds. The 2,4Ghz channel has a rate of 300Mbps, which is not a lot but decent for a 2.4Ghz channel. As you might expect, security is defaulted to WPA2-PSK so it requires a password.

The Meshforce also has a built in firewall program to protect your data and privacy. The security protocols are state of the art and will protect your data, can be used to encrypt data, and protect you from threats on the internet, such as downloading a virus. The Meshforce 7 also lets you set up a guest network for people that you do not want on your private network. This function is not mandatory and can be disabled from the companion setup app.

The real cool part of the network is the “tri-band” aspect. The tri-band connection automatically searches for the router that has the least traffic and will switch your signal to that router if one is overwhelmed. In that sense, the Meshforce M7 works a lot like a cloud computing network. Each unit can work entirely on its own but they can also work with each other to route and transfer information to optimize bandwidth, upload, and download speeds. This is a similar feature that is found in a lot of smart routers, such as the Rock Space AC2100.

The Meshforce M7 also has what is called Smart QoS which can automatically reroute high bandwidth signals like online gaming and video streaming so you can get the optimum connection. Those who play a lot of online games or stream a lot will really appreciate this feature as it prevents stuttering, lag, and lost connections. In fact, the Meshforce M7 is particularly well-suited for gaming due to its high bandwidth and multi-channel switching features. One problem a lot of gamers run into is being disconnected from the server when hosting because their internet can’t handle it.

Final Word

Overall, the Meshforce M7 Tri-Band WiFi System is an excellent choice if you eat up a lot of internet and need something that can maintain high performance. It’s particularly well-suited if you do a lot of online gaming or stream video. The tri-band channel is very effective and has useful protocols that can redirect signals in case one of the nodes is being taxed too much. The security protocols are top-notch and the companion app for installing and setting up the network is intuitive and simple to manage.

The only real “criticisms” we have of the system is the shape and profile of the individual nodes. Otherwise, there are very few negatives. We would highly recommend the Meshforce M7 to anyone who has internet problems and notices there are a lot of dead spots in their home’s WiFi coverage.

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