Actiontec Wireless G Router and Network Cards

Reviews: Networking

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Richard Poelling
Brian
Actiontec
Oct. 3, 2005

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Dynamic Routing

This panel has three simple choices; Off, Version 1 or Version 2. For most people, leaving this to the default off setting will be the best choice. If other routers are present then you might want to consider changing this. These settings will be dependant on your particular network topology.

Static Routing

If you need to input your own IP routes, this is the place to do it. As with Dynamic Routing above, the average person typically wouldn't ever need to mess with this setting, but again it is a handy addition. The interface is simple and has boxes for Subnet IP, Subnet mask, and gateway IP. You can also view the existing routing table from this menu. This is the same routing table which is also visible from the status page.

UPnP

UPnP is disabled by default. This window even contains the following warning "UPnP is disabled by default. If you enable it, it may allow applications to configure the box and allow unexpected traffic to access local devices." UPnP is supposed to make network setups easier, but a possible rogue device or mis-configuration can wreak havoc on your network if you are not careful.

MAC Address Cloning

This feature is designed primarily for those ISP's who insist on authentication by MAC address. If your computer was set up initially as the first thing the internet connection saw, then that MAC address will be the one the ISP allows on its network. Throwing in a router between the two will kill your connection. By copying that MAC address and using it as the WAN adapter address, your ISP would then see the authenticated address and think it is seeing the original computer. Again, this is one of those features that not a lot of people use, but if you need it you'll be happy it is there.

Status Screen

The status screen gives you a general look at your overall configuration. From here you can tell what your various IP settings are including stats for the WAN and LAN interfaces. The most important functionality on this screen is the Active User List selection. This can be handy by showing who is accessing your internet. If you were running the wireless without encryption, this would be where you might see people "borrowing" your high speed connection.

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Page 5 of 6

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Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: First Looks
Page 3: Setup
Page 4: Router Features
Page 5: Router Features Continued
Page 6: Testing & Conclusion

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7 User Comments

1 - Posted by blackjet on October 4, 2005 - 10:34 am

what does the 802.11 and the letter following it ie b or g stand for?

2 - Posted by handrail on October 4, 2005 - 12:37 pm

in short....

b = 11Mbps transfer rate

g = 54 Mbps transfer rate

3 - Posted by Rich on October 4, 2005 - 12:41 pm

Check out this article for more info.

http://www.thetechlounge.com/article.php?directory...

4 - Posted by blackjet on October 5, 2005 - 4:21 am

good article, u just cant beat a GB wired connection for gaming with mates tho! when u think wireless will ever get that fast? if ever?

5 - Posted by Rich on October 5, 2005 - 8:18 am

Some of the new "pre-N" routers are much faster, but it is still a wireless link. I personally would rather run the wires, but then again, I have so many wires now whats a few more. The thing I hate the most is that there is so much overhead and other stuff that is involved with the transmission of wireless signals that it may say 54 Mbps but it is really 25 Mbps. The "speed boosted" options that are advertised as 108 Mbps are actually sitting at the 50-60 Mbps range of the previous standard.

6 - Posted by blackjet on October 5, 2005 - 8:59 am

yea i perfer the wires too...

7 - Posted by Rich on October 5, 2005 - 6:13 pm

Wireless is good if you can't run wires, but a Gigabit connection can reach speeds of 300-500Mbps. Show me a wireless that runs that well and then I will think about it.

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