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Netgear WPN824
4 Port 802.11g MIMO Wireless Router (OBSOLETE)
Comments: Netgear's RangeMax Series featuring 7 internal printed circuit type antennas based on the Video54 chipset (Some great background info on the printed circuit antennas at Tom's Networking. ). These antennas feature a smart wireless technology which detects where wireless devices exist and automatically adjusts output in those directions to provide the best possible signal strength. This equates to a truly impressive wireless range compared to other wireless products. (I'm not sure about Netgear's claim of "Up to 1000% more wireless coverage" but it definitely runs rings around standard 802.11G gear.)
The first thing that jumps out after plugging it in is the bright blue LEDs in the top of the unit which show the internal antennas scanning for wireless devices. I thought these were extremely cool but wonder if they might possibly be a bit distracting after the novelty wears off.
Next there's a couple of traps for the over-experienced in that logging into the Router in the standard Netgear style (http://192.168.1.1 [note: different IP range to other Netgear products]) brings up a setup wizard which demands to detect the Internet connection type or it won't proceed. I didn't have a modem plugged into it at this point so I thought I was up the creek, but then had a read of the instruction sheet which tells you how to bypass the wizard (always helps to read the instructions first...). Another bugbear is that Wireless is turned off by default (since changed in later firmware versions) so if you've only got a Wireless PC to connect to it you've got a problem. Once I picked up on these minor problems it really started showing off what it could do. The range was fantastic and easily comparable to the much more expensive Belkin F5D8230au4, and it has a great set of features including a stateful firewall and content filtering (parental control), all set out in an uncomplicated, easy to follow format.
While you will get a performance (range) boost using plain 802.11G or Super G adapters, to get the best possible performance there's also a new series of Rangemax wireless Adapters to suit; the WPN311for Desktop PCs, WPN511 PCMCIA adapter for Laptops and the WPN111 if you prefer to attach by USB. These adapters are also an improvement over other 802.11G adapters and show stronger signal strength at similar distances connecting to standard 802.11G WAPs & Routers.
Very hard to go wrong with this one especially with the price. Warning: The WPN824 comes with Wireless Distribution System (WDS) which is used to bridge two or more of these together. However, WPA is not available as a security option in this mode. Only WEP.
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