Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is definitely a lot of router for the price.
The feature list for this router reads like a dream.
# Dual band networks (2.4GHz and 5GHz)? Check!
# Guest network for visiting friends? Check!
# Support for standard features like port forwarding, MAC-based security, MAC address cloning, wireless security, etc.? Check!
# Support for advanced features such as Dynamic DNS services (dyndns.org), or Quality of Service (QoS) manipulation? Check!
# Ability to exercise parental control by tailoring access schedules and allowed URLs, giving me super-Dad powers? Check!
# Support an external USB drive? Check! Serve as an DLNA-compliant server? Double check!
# Ability to turn off all its router functionality and function as a barebones Wireless Access Point? Check!
# Unique aesthetics with lots of power saving options? Check! (unless you prefer your router lit up like a Christmas tree).
# A generous 2-year warranty? Check!
So what bothered me?
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[This section was updated substantially on 04/19 based on the response from Belkin Support - see comment and my response below. I also revised my rating for this router up from 3-stars to 4-stars.]
[1] The implementation of administrator security takes a bit of getting used to. The router authenticates a user based on the IP address of the computer you are using to log in, and the admin password you configure. This has a few unfortunate side effects.
[a] Once logged in, you will retain your authentication status even if you exit your browser and restart it. Or even if you open a different browser (say, log in using Chrome, and then access the console using Firefox).
[b] Once logged in, you will retain your authentication status even if you reboot your computer.
[c] If you turn off your computer without explicitly logging out, you will be unable to access the admin console from a different computer. You will get the "Duplicate Administrator" error and your only options are to turn on the first computer and to explicitly log out from the console; or to restart the router.
[2] Changing the SSID/password is a two step process.
The router comes factory configured with a SSID and WPA/WPA2 password. The problem is that on the admin console, the SSID and password are on two separate pages, and each change needs to be committed before going on to the next. A commit requires a reboot of the router, which takes an inordinately long time, and kicks you off of the wireless network.
[3] Any change to the router settings takes 40 seconds to apply. This is borderline ridiculous and is perilously close to Windows reboot times!
[4] The default IP address for this router is 192.168.2.1. This is not clearly mentioned anywhere (except, I did find it in the PDF manual later).
[5] The router setup software is a bit flaky (see additional notes below for an easier way to setup this router). I ran it on two computers and on one I was never able to get it to establish the wireless connection, even after repeated prompts from it to restart my modem.
Conclusion
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In conclusion, this seems to be a good value-for-money bundle. The router is built well, and is fairly stable, requiring no reboots over almost 3 weeks of testing. In addition, I have been successfully streaming MPEG2 video from my WDTV Live Hub and from Netflix to my PS3. Furthermore, I was able to connect with very decent range on both the 2.4 and 5 GHz network bands.
Even better is that you don't need to install the software to use an external USB drive or to have the router act as a DLNA server; though you do need it to schedule backups to an attached drive.
For a very long while now, I have sung the praises of the Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router WNDR3700 to everyone who would listen.
However, given that this router costs about a third of what the WNDR3700 retailed for when it was first released, and that it costs about half as the WNDR3700 today, I am very impressed by the value that this router represents. If its reliability matches what I've found with the WNDR3700, then this would truly be a top notch product.
While I have listed a number of cons above - please do note that in my opinion these are minor compared to the value proposition here.
Additional notes:
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If you have owned a router before, I would strongly recommend that you avoid using the router setup software and follow the standard way of setting up this router. In my experience this was a much more sure way of getting the router setup in the manner that I like, with the least aggravation.
In other words:
1. Power down your cable modem, router, and computer
2. Connect an Ethernet cable between the WAN port of the router and the cable modem
3. Connect an Ethernet cable between a LAN port of the router and your computer.
3. Power on the cable modem and wait for the lights to settle.
4. Power on the router and wait for the power light to steady.
5. Power on the computer, and navigate to the router (http://192.168.2.1)
6. Set up an administration password.
7. Set up the wireless SSID and security.
8. On the computer, check available wireless networks, and establish a connection to the known SSID, providing the appropriate passphrase.
9. Your computer is now connected on both your wired and wireless networks. Before you are done, explicitly logout of the router's admin console. Else the dreaded "Duplicate Administrator" error is likely to raise its ugly head.
That's it! Happy Networking!
~Damodar
Click Here to see more reviews about: Belkin N600 DB Wireless Dual Band N+ Router
The Belkin N600 DB Wireless Dual-Band N+ Router gives you advanced performance for video streaming and gaming. Featuring exclusive MultiBeam technology and dual-band speeds of up to 300Mbps + 300Mbps*, the Belkin N600 DB gives you maximum throughput and multi-device coverage throughout your home. This router also includes a USB port for wireless printing or media-sharing and a suite of integrated applications for wirelessly playing videos from your library on your TV, backing up files, and automatically detecting and resolving potential network problems to keep your connection hassle-free.*The standard transmission rates—300Mbps (for 2.4GHz), 300Mbps (for 5GHz), 54Mbps, and 11Mbps—are the physical data rates. Actual data throughput will be lower and may depend on the mix of wireless products used.
Click here for more information about Belkin N600 DB Wireless Dual Band N+ Router
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