Easy-to-use Setup Wizard
Strong security features, including a built-in firewall, Network Address Translation (NAT), and default 128-bit wireless security (WEP)
Universal Plug and Play for seamless UPnP applications, such as voice messaging, video messaging, and games
Broadband Network Utility for easy monitoring of your network status
Toll-free product support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
This review is from: Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Base Station Router MN-500I love gadgets and technology, but I am NOT a computer expert and wireless networking terms such as MAC numbers and Port Forwarding and DMZ are pretty foreign to me. I just wanted a wireless way to share my broadband internet connection between our home office desktop, my PDA (iPAQ 5455) and our kitchen/family room based laptop. The Microsoft MN 500 Wireless Base Station is the ticket to easy wireless networking. All you really need to read is the 4 page quick start guide and the device will be up and running. I read the very informative 100 page manual as well and learned a thing or two, but I really didn't need that informtion. The base station connected flawlessly -though I did reset my cable modem after connecting. That is not in the instructions but my ISP told me it would be a good idea. The base station has worked perfectly since and the signal is very strong throughout my house, upstairs and down- and in fact even in my driveway outside (so I was certain to leave the built-in encryption feature on to prevent drive-by theft of my signal.) My base station is tucked into a cubby hole in my computer desk next to the cable modem and has no problem sending its signal throughout the house. Those who have had problems with the signal probably just need to move the device. There is a lengthy discussion about placement of the base station in the manual (away from metal computer cases, for example). The MN-500 also comes with a hardware firewall. There is much debate as to whether software or hardware firewalls are best. I'm testing. The first two weeks I had my base station I disabled the hardware firewall and continued to use my Norton software based protection. Now, I've disabled that and am using the MN 500 alone. The ease of installation and the firewall and encryption features make this a great product for people who want to share the internet at home but don't want to learn the inner workings of wireless....
This review is from: Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Base Station Router MN-500I've always sworn by Microsoft hardware ever since I had an MS optical mouse that died and they replaced it no questions asked, didn't even ask for the old one, just mailed me the latest and greatest version by express mail after I just read a code off the bottom of the mouse.I have two computers running XP, a desktop and a laptop. Thought I would give Microsoft's wireless hardware a try after being downright confused by all the many different companies in the wireless hardware game. After being unable to get things up and running the first night I called technical support the next day. Had to wait about 30 minutes to get someone on the phone (in fairness I called at a peak time of the day) but the technical support person was extremely nice and VERY helpful. He spent about and hour with me walked me right through setting up the base station and then walked me through setting up the wireless card in my laptop and testing everything to make sure it was working OK which it was. I definitely would not have been able to do it on my own. He told me setting up the DSL PPPoE connection is sometimes a little tricky. After thinking it was a lost cause the night before he was able to walk me right through the entire process. He even help me set up my printers for sharing on network and testing it out and also gave me some tips on some things to look for if I ever did have a connection problem for some reason. I cannot say enough about how pleasant and knowledgable the support person was. All in all, I'm very happy with the Microsoft Broadband Networking products and I am getting a good signal all over my 2 story home. Toll free support and warranty for two years gives me great confidence in this purchase(by then I'm sure it will outdated anyway as technology marches on)....
This review is from: Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Base Station Router MN-500Even though I could find no reviews I bought a MN 500 base station and a MN 520 laptop card anyway, reasoning that Microsoft would make wireless netwoking equiptment simple to install on XP. I initially had trouble with the installation, but with the aid of some really great techs,( included is 2 years free support on an 800 number!) discovered that I only needed to reset the cable modem (Best Data CMX110). After doing this the installation worked like a charm including the laptop card. I am now sharing the internet, files and a printer between a Dell Demension 4400 (XP Home) and a...
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