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Introduction:::...
I
suppose when it comes down to it, we can thank the ever-falling
price of the PC for the sudden interest in home networking.
I mean you can't really network a single machine, and until
a couple of years ago only the most robust-of-wallet could
manage to fund a second PC in the home.
These
days it's increasingly common to find at least a main family
machine and a minimum of another one somewhere, in the kids'
room perhaps.
The
problems tend to arise when it comes to sharing resources,
not least the Internet connection which today is increasingly
likely to be broadband.
There's
no doubt about it, the best way to network your home PCs
and allow all to share an Internet connection is wirelessly,
something that can now be quite easily achieved for around
£100. That doesn't however mean that wireless is the
answer for everyone.
Convenient
though wireless is, there's a growing number of people who
would sooner stick with good old fashioned cables when it
comes to networking. Some are concerned about keeping their
network data secure, others may be in a building that due
to its size or construction doesn't allow for an effective
wireless propagation, then there's those who are concerned
about possible health risks, not that there's any evidence
to suggest there's a risk. Cost may also be an issue. Every
additional PC on a wireless network must be equipped with
a wireless networking card, while almost all modern motherboards
come pre-equipped with an onboard ethernet ports.
Speed
s rarely an issue as wireless setups offer ample bandwidth
for just about anything you might want to do, but the fact
remains that a wired gigabit network is over 85 times faster
than even an 802.11g connection!
What
ever the reasons, for some people there's simply no substitute
for cables and lots of them, and for that reason we decided
to look at the AR-6024A from
networking know-alls EDIMAX.
++
The
name may not be too familiar, certainly not compared to
the likes of Belkin or Dlink, but that's not because they
appeared overnight. In fact EDIMAX have been on the scene
since way back in 1986. The rest of their history is best
spelled out in their own words:
In 1998, EDIMAX was ISO 9001 certified,
further ensuring our OEM / ODM customers and distributors
receive the highest quality products and services. We have
the industry's broadest and deepest product portfolios,
EDIMAX has been committed to satisfy the evolving needs
of IT businesses. Our solutions not only cater to the needs
of SOHO and enterprise users, but also enable service providers
to fully exploit business opportunities with other communications
technologies.
In 2001, EDIMAX was list on the Taiwan Stock Exchange;
its revenue was US$53 million in 2002, putting EDIMAX Technology
at the forefront of the competition. Adopting the never-ending
concept of coming up with various new products, EDIMAX Technology
has been awarded the Taiwan "Symbol of Excellence Winner"
for the years of 1999 through 2002.
Our mission is simple and clear: networking people together.
By leveraging core networking technologies and strategic
partnerships, we will create success for our global customers
and partners
Anyway,
time to look at the router itself, but first the specs.
- Comply
with ANSI T1.413 Issue 2, ITU G.dmt (G.992.1) and ITU
G.lite (G.992.2) ADSL standards
- Maximum
downstream/upstream transfer rate of 8Mbps/1Mbps for G.dmt
and 1Mbps/512kbps for G.lit
- Support
IP routing-RIPv2, static routing, DHCP, NAT, NAPT, ICMP,
IGMP and Ethernet operation
- Provide
4-port 10/100BaseTx, IEEE802.3 compliant
- Quick
Installation Wizard and web-based management
Key
Features:
- Best
solution and cost-effectively for SOHO Internet access
with ADSL Modem and sharinglocal network to broadband
Internet
- Full
Rate ADSL Connection
The
ADSL Router can directly connect with ADSL telephone line
to all leading ISPs and with full data rate. The Maximum
downstream and upstream transfer rate up to 8Mbps and
1Mbps.
ADSL Standards Compliant
- The
ADSL Router comply with ANSI T1.413 Issue 2, ITU G.dmt
(G.992.1) and ITU G.lite (G.992.2) ADSL standards
Supports Full WAN Function
- The
ADSL Router supports PPPOA, PPPOE, Routing, Bridge, and
classical IP Mode.
lP Sharing
- The
ADSL Router supports multiple users using one IP address
sharing Internet access with network address translation.
Multi-Physical Port
- The
ADSL Router offers 1 WAN (RJ-11 ADSL port) and four auto-sensing
10/100BaseTx and one USB ports for local network. LAN
clients can connect directly with broadband internet without
hub or switch.
Q-Start and Web Configuration
- Providing
Q-Start Installation Wizard for quick installation and
web-based browser management for Win 98SE/Me/2000/XP
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