Wireless-N router offers an easy way to set up a fast network with wired and wireless connections
Delivers up to 300 Mbps of wireless throughput
Four RJ-45 Ethernet ports allow for wired connections to the network
Enhanced security includes a double firewall, and WPA and 128-bit WEP encryption
Device measures 8.9 x 1.5 x 6.8 inches (WxHxD)
This review is from: NETGEAR WNR834B-100NAS Wireless N RouterI doubt I have ever had as much indecision in arriving at what I consider to be the most appropriate star rating for any item I've reviewed. I do not claim to be a networking savant however I do have enough of a background that I felt confident that I could create a security-enabled network with only a moderate degree of frustration. And, if I thought through the process, I could have, but that blurb on the box about easy setup lured me in. Step one to achieving that objective would have been to dispense with any attempt to find documentation and then setting aside the resource CD. Even if you are acquainted with networking, just call technical support from the outset, endure the requisite hold time and allow the support personnel to walk you through the installation. Yes, telephone support is outsourced to India however my impression is in this instance they are quite helpful, probably from plenty of practice.The 834B employs 802.11n draft standards and is backwards compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g as well as Ethernet connectivity. My installation utilizes "g" and Ethernet. Marketing documents claims include transmission speeds of up to 270Mbps and accommodation of security protocols WEP, WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK. For some devices, security may be constrained to the base standard of WEP due to connectivity and wish I had known that before I started. In any event, with the protocol I finally ended up with, a passphrase of between 8-63 characters is required and clear definition of with security key to be used must be designated at Netgear's router configuration site. Obviously, one also has to select a network name, define a channel and hope for the best. And then do it all over again when that channel fails to be recognized and you are locked into local connectivity only. It's likely that you will have to go through search and seek scenario three times before success in realized, assuming the chosen security option is valid, the passphrase is correctly constructed and all of your devices are supported. The "Smart Wizard" interface from the CD will get you the site but from there you're pretty much on your own and the site itself is not very intuitive. So, as mentioned above, unless you are familiar with all of the nuances, sublimate the ego and just make the call. For me, the time I would have saved outweighs the satisfaction of completing the installation without assistance. My ambiguity on the rating is predicated my experience in getting the network up and running. Thus far (3 months), I couldn't be more pleased with the hardware. I rate it 5 stars. I do not encounter any significant episodes of signal loss, line drops or disconnects. I have two PCs communicating via 3rd party wireless adapters and another linked by Ethernet to a Netgear access point/Bridge. For the same reason, I can't accurately estimate the broadcast range of the router exclusively, but for those who might be interested, the NETGEAR HD/Gaming 5 GHz Wireless-N Networking Kit (WNHDEB111) is impressive AND, easy to install on an existing network. The documentation and support material resident on the CD is near to worthless, I rate it "1" star because "0" is not an option. Customer Technical support rates "3" stars as the technicians seem to know their stuff but you will spend more than a few minutes on hold. So, I end up with an overall rating of "4" since in my view, the reliability of the hardware is the primary concern....
This review is from: NETGEAR WNR834B-100NAS Wireless N RouterI am using this router for three computers. Desktop Vista Home Premium with integrated wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g, laptop #1 with Vista Home Premium with integrated wireless LAN 802.11n-draft and laptop #2 an ANCIENT Dell running XP with NO built in wireless connection (this one is running with the Rangemax Next Wireless-n USB 2.0 Adapter)First I will start with the installation, I had to do this 3 times before I got it to run perfect. It came down to during set-up when you enter your IP addresses, if you check these on your system while you are running through a router you will be given "generic" addresses. You need to hook up directly to your servers module to get your addresses first.After calling tech support (of my server...not Netgear) to get my IP addresses figured out, installation was a breeze! My router is in the basement and my desktop is on the main floor, 4/5 bars with the 802.11 a/b/g wireless LAN.My new laptop with the 802.11n-draft...nothing but 5+ stars on that connection and signal! Simple and no need to enter IP a...
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