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Corinex Powerline router
Reviewed by
Stephanie Bruzzese
on 11/10/2004
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See all Corinex Communications products

This product is available through the vendor's Web site.
  • Quick specs
  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 4.1 in x 5.8 in x 1.8 in
  • Connectivity technology: Cable
  • Data link protocol: Ethernet
  • See full specifications

Add to my list Product summary

The good: NAT firewall; VPN pass-through support; compact size.

The bad: Shoddy setup guide; toll-based, international support number; weak Web support.

The bottom line: Power-line technology can help you in situations where wireless doesn't work, but most will be better served by a range-enhanced Wi-Fi network.

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CNET editors' review

  • CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
    Detailed editors' rating
      Setup and ease of use : 6.0
      Features and security : 7.0
      Performance : 6.0
      Service and support : 4.0
      Overall score: 6.1 (3.0 stars)
  • Reviewed by:
    Stephanie Bruzzese
  • Edited by:
    Allen Fear
  • Reviewed on: 11/10/2004
  • Released on: 08/01/2004
Most wireless networks are so easy to set up that installing a power-line network, which merely requires plugging the networking equipment into your home's or office's existing power lines, might seem unnecessary. But products like the Corinex Powerline Router still help in tough times, such as when your computers reside inside buildings made from materials that wireless signals can't penetrate. The compact Corinex acts both as a power-line adapter and, with its three RJ-45 jacks, an Ethernet router. It offers power-line throughput speeds on a par with other power-line products such as the Netgear XE102. Its throughput and features make the Corinex a solid solution for environments that just can't make a go of Wi-Fi. But beware: Its setup guide is poorly written, and getting tech support means paying for an international phone call.

If you're new to computers, installing the Corinex Powerline Router will be a chore. The quick-start guide lacks helpful images that map out which cords to plug in where, relying mostly on text descriptions that have words missing here and there. Old computer pros familiar with the lingo will find setup a snap: just plug your broadband device into the router's WAN jack, plug the router directly into an AC outlet, then connect your computer to one of the router's LAN jacks. After you've outfitted other systems throughout the building with power-line adapters, you can run the router's setup tool to ensure that each computer is recognized by the network.

The Corinex Powerline Router offers some security features found in the typical Wi-Fi router, including NAT firewall protection, DHCP, and IP filtering. Like the Linksys WRV54G Wireless-G VPN Broadband Router, the Corinex also provides VPN pass-through support to help you telecommute to the office. Finally, the Powerline router includes a wired version of Wi-Fi's WEP: 56-bit DES encryption that protects packets transmitted over the HomePlug network.

The Corinex Powerline router's maximum bandwidth is 14Mbps, but real-world throughput in CNET Labs tests yielded an acceptable 5.1Mbps, a hair slower than the Netgear XE102's. To put these speeds in perspective, they're faster than broadband but much slower than the fastest Wi-Fi throughput with mixed 802.11b and 802.11g connections, which can top 18Mbps or faster.

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