Hardware Reviews
Compex Wireless-G Broadband Internet Gateway and Wireless LAN Card Based on our positive experience with Compex network equipment -- including Compex wireless gear and a Compex wireless Internet gateway -- we had great expectations for this latest 54g wireless router and card. We weren't disappointed. The Wireless-G Broadband
Internet Gateway (Compex model "NetPassage 26G") provides the standard
features of a wireless router using the new, faster 54g standard, but also
includes some unique features including a printer server and webcam server. Typical of Compex, these additional features --
the webcam is the first like it in the industry that we know of -- come at little
price impact since we found the router for $79 (with free shipping) at
Buy.com We also found the router to be well built, easy to install and extremely fast. A great combination, even for Compex. The matching wireless-G PC Card provides wireless network access to any laptop with a PC Card slot and did an outstanding job in our tests. It also was easy to install and, like the router, had some unique features. Once again, Compex creates a great value, as we found the card for as little as $46 (with free shipping) at Buy.com, comparing favorably to other manufacturers' 54g cards. Overall, the Compex gear was well built, stacked with features, installed with ease and performed extremely well in our tests. With that combination, it was easy to recognize the Compex NetPassage 26G and the wireless-G PC Card with our homePCnetwork.com Editor's Choice award. Read on for more. Overview Wireless-G Broadband Internet Gateway
(NetPassage 26) --
provides a
number of standard features, and similar to other Compex gear we've
tested, throws in a few additional features you're unlikely to find
elsewhere. The 26G is a wireless router, providing shared Internet access
to any computers on a local network equipped with wireless adapters,
including those using the new, faster 54g standard (the theoretical limit
is 54Mbps, or about 5x faster than 11Mbps of the wireless 802.11b
standard). The router also provides access to computers with wired
Ethernet access through LAN p The router comes in a colorful, foot-long box crammed with graphics and text about the router in four languages. Inside, you'll find the router, a power adapter ("brick"), an installation CD, a coupon for a tracking (movable) webcam and a 12-page quick installation guide...again in four languages. The quick start guides provides adequate but far from extensive information. Compex makes up for it by including a 70+ page manual on the CD. The gateway itself is smallish for a router, just 6x4 inches and 1 inch high. A two-inch gray antenna extends from and rotates on the right side. On the front is a dark plastic faceplate that covers a series of LEDs for the LAN ports, the WAN (Internet port), the wireless LAN port, the two USB ports and a power indicator. On the back are the jacks for the power cable, the cable/DSL modem, four wired Ethernet LAN ports and two USB cable ports (for a printer and a webcam). There's also a small reset switch. Overall, the NetPassage 26 seems well built in an interesting and small package. Wireless LAN Card (WL54G) --
This PC Card is similar to the other wireless cards we've reviewed.
It's credit-card sized except for the inch-long black antenna on
one end. The
PC Card
fits the card
slot available on most notebook and laptop computers. The antenna sticks out of the
computer when the
card is inserted. There are two small LEDs visible when the card is
inserted. One indicates a positive link with a wireless network and the
other flashes when data is being sent or received. The card comes in a small box. Inside you'll find the card, a 16-panel quick install guide and a CD. Strangely, the install guide covers software installation for Windows 98 rather than the new Windows XP. The CD includes a 30-page online manual that covers installation of XP, Windows 2000 and other operating systems. Like the Compex router, the PC Card includes some special features, including performance-enhancing technology. Compex calls it "PRISM Nitro Technology" and claims it can increase data throughput by up to 50% in a pure 802.11g network; and up to 300% in a mixed 802.11b (11Mbps) + 802.11g mixed network environment. The card also has a small jack on the edge that can connect to an external antenna. Go To Page 2 - Installation, Performance, Support and Summary
All content © 1998-2007 by homePCnetwork, inc.
|
orts
and thus acts as a wireless access point, providing a link between the
wired section of a network and the wireless section. Those are all fairly
standard features. Compex tops it off by providing a couple of USB ports
that can be connected to printers or webcams. The router thus acts as a
print server or webcam server for other computers on the network. You can
print or share a webcam across your local network. Similar to
other Compex routers, this one also includes Compex's
"wireless pseudo VLAN"
capability. Wireless networks have encryption to protect against people
outside the wireless LAN getting access to the network. The idea of the
pseudo VLAN is for each user on the network to be protected from other
users on the network. This could be important, for example, when using
this router in a public place such as a Internet cafe or library.
Interesting feature, but probably not for wide use in home networks. You
can read all about it at the
