WPS-enabled routers for secure and simple networking
Matthew Elliott, Section Editor August 4, 2008
Performance and design certainly factor into any router purchase, but the two most important elements to any home network device are high levels of both security and ease of use. The Wi-Fi alliance answered this clarion call for secure yet simple networking last year when introduced Wi-Fi Protected Setup. WPS lets you securely add devices to your network with WPA/WPA2 encryption by simply pressing a button. Instead of entering an encrypted passkey each time you want to add a device to your wireless network, WPS lets you simply press a button--actual or virtual--on your router and network device. Future versions of WPS will support Near-Field Communication (NFC), which means you'll not even need to press a button but just get your device near your router.
We've seen several routers this year that support WPS. You can read about them below.
| Product name | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
As shown: $359.99
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As shown: $239.99
| $46.99 to $129.95 | $219.95 | $95.00 |
| CNET editors' rating | |||||
| Average user rating | |||||
| Review date | July 18, 2008 | February 26, 2008 | May 28, 2008 | July 16, 2008 | March 13, 2008 |
| The Bottom Line | The D-Link Xtreme N Duo Media Router DIR-855 is a stable performer with excellent Web interface. But because it comes in a bulky, old-school design, has a relatively short range, and carries a hefty price tag, consider waiting for the price to drop before investing in this router. | The D-Link DGL-4500 GamerLounge Xtreme N Gaming Router almost succeeds for home networking and hardcore gamers. It bears a few flaws, among which is a random reset during heavy load that might be the deal breaker. | Aside from its potentially worrisome heat output, the Linksys WRT310N Wireless-N Gigabit Router is a networking dynamo with chart-topping performance and a sleek (maybe too sleek) design. | The WRT610N can satisfy both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wireless clients with its solid performance, great design, ease of use, and its ability to work as a network storage device when coupled with an external hard drive. | With a fair price, decent performance, and dead-simple setup, the SMC SMCWGBR14-N Barricade N router is about as well-rounded a Draft N router as you'll find. It also boasts impressive range and a smart design. We strongly recommend it for general home use. |
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| Features | |||||
| Product Description | D-Link Xtreme N Duo Media Router DIR-855 - Wireless router - None - 802.11 a/b/g/n (draft 2.0) - Desktop | D-Link GamerLounge Xtreme N Gaming Router DGL-4500 - Wireless router - None - 802.11 a/b/g/n (draft 2.0) - Desktop | Linksys Wireless-N Gigabit Router WRT310N - Wireless router - None - 802.11b/g/n (draft 2.0) - Desktop | Linksys Simultaneous Dual-N Band Wireless Router WRT610N - Wireless router - None - 802.11 a/b/g/n (draft) - Desktop | SMC Barricade N Draft 11n Wireless 4-port Gigabit Broadband Router SMCWGBR14-N - Wireless router - None - 802.11b/g/n (draft 2.0) - Desktop |
| Device Type | Wireless router - None - 4-port switch (integrated) | Wireless router - None - 4-port switch (integrated) | Wireless router - None - 4-port switch (integrated) | Wireless router - None - 4-port switch (integrated) | Wireless router - None - 4-port switch (integrated) |
| Enclosure Type | Desktop | Desktop | Desktop | Desktop | Desktop |
| Data Link Protocol | Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0) Fast Ethernet | Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0) Fast Ethernet | Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0) Fast Ethernet | Ethernet IEEE 802.11n (draft) Gigabit Ethernet IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11g Fast Ethernet | Fast Ethernet Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0) |
| Network / Transport Protocol | L2TP PPTP IPSec | L2TP PPTP IPSec | Info unavailable | L2TP PPTP PPPoE | PPTP IPSec L2TP |
| Remote Management Protocol | HTTP | HTTP | HTTP | HTTPS HTTP | HTTP |
| Features | Firewall protection VPN passthrough Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) NAT support | Firewall protection VPN passthrough Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) NAT support | MIMO technology DHCP server Firewall protection Auto-sensing per device 256-bit encryption VPN passthrough Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) Auto-negotiation Auto-uplink (auto MDI/MDI-X) Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) | MIMO technology DHCP server Firewall protection Quality of Service (QoS) VPN passthrough Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) Auto-uplink (auto MDI/MDI-X) Firmware upgradable Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) support Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) NAT support | DoS attack prevention Firewall protection Print server Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) NAT support MIMO technology Intrusion Detection System (IDS) DMZ port Auto-sensing per device VPN passthrough Wireless Distribution System (WDS) support Syslog support Auto-negotiation Auto-uplink (auto MDI/MDI-X) MAC address filtering |
| Compliant Standards | IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0) IEEE 802.11b Wi-Fi CERTIFIED IEEE 802.3u IEEE 802.3 | IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0) IEEE 802.11b Wi-Fi CERTIFIED IEEE 802.3u IEEE 802.3 | IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0) IEEE 802.11b UPnP IEEE 802.3u IEEE 802.3 | IEEE 802.3x IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.3ab IEEE 802.11n IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.3u IEEE 802.3 | IEEE 802.11g Wi-Fi CERTIFIED IEEE 802.3 IEEE 802.1x Wi-Fi Protected Setup IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0) IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.3u |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 4.6 in x 7.6 in x 1.2 in | 4.6 in x 7.6 in x 1.2 in | 8 in x 6.3 in x 1.3 in | 8.9 in x 7.1 in x 1.4 in | 6.5 in x 5.9 in x 1 in |
| Weight | 11.2 oz | 11.2 oz | 12 oz | 15.9 oz | 12.3 oz |
| Microsoft Certification | Compatible with Windows 7 | Compatible with Windows 7 | Compatible with Windows 7 | Certified for Windows Vista | Works with Windows Vista |
| CNET Labs long-range tests (in Mbps) | 85.72 | 49.7 | 28.83 | 47.73 | 24.3 |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices | Pricing not available | Pricing not available | | | |
