The device that is almost a necessity when it comes to having a wireless network is an Access Point. An Access Point allows your wireless clients to communicate with clients on your wired network, extending your existing network's capability. Another popular device in today's home network is the broadband gateway router, an efficient and useful device for the many people who have Cable or DSL connections and wish to safely share this connection with more than one computer. Recently, Belkin has combined both of these devices into one, as many manufacturers have done, to produce their Wireless Cable/DSL Gateway Router. For many people this device seems to be of much use, but let's see if Belkin's implementation worked out well.

Specifications and Features

• Offers 802.11b Compliance - Interoperable with any 802.11b-compliant wireless device
• Data and network security with 64-bit or 128-bit WEP data encryption
• Integrated 10/100 3-port switch for wired access.
• Wireless Data Rate: Up to 11Mbps
• Web-Based User Interface
• Built-in DHCP server
• MAC Address Filtering Security
• NAT Firewall Security
• Weight: 672g

   This Access Point/Gateway Router, as you can tell from the specs, supports access from both wired and wireless clients. The 3-port switch allows access from your existing wired network and integration with wireless clients. As most manufacturers are including switches with their home gateway products, this is not an outstanding feature, but it nonetheless is a good one, as a switch will cut down on collisions, improving the speed of your network should have you have multiple (more than two) computers on it. The Router can be used with both normal Cable/DSL connections and also the PPPoE variants of each. There is no integrated print server, a feature that would have been appreciated, but would not be necessary. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is supported by this unit in both 64-bit and 128-bit key strengths, as should be expected from a wireless device nowadays. The data rate of "up to 11Mbps" means that the rate may be scaled down from that maximum depending on conditions such as range or interference. This scaling-down of transmission rates under less-than-ideal conditions is meant to help preserve data integrity. Lastly, the unit draws its power from a regular AC receptacle through a DC adapter at 5 volts.

The unit with antennae extended.

Top-down view.

3-port switch. One of the RJ-45 jacks goes to your Cable/DSL modem.

   The first thing you will want to know is that this router came very will packed, with several inches of foam surrounding it, ensuring the antennae weren't damaged during transit. In fact, my first impression of this gateway router was how small it was, especially compared to the big box it came in. Compared to my older Netgear RT314, this unit looks far smaller (and is quite a bit thinner) and takes up less room, even with the antennae extended. The router is nice shade of purple that doesn't seem unattractive or obtrusive. All of the LED's are upfront, and they provide the user with all the needed knowledge, I.E., Power, Internet Connection Status, Wireless LAN Status and Transmit/Receive Lights for the Wired Clients. Included with the Router is a nice setup guide/manual, and a CD-ROM that contains software to help the new/inexperienced user setup their computers for a networked environment. The manual was well done and contained all the information needed to properly install and setup this device, however left out a few details concerning some configuration options. This did not impede functioning of the router though. In addition, Belkin included a nice glossary at the back explaining several wireless-specific acronyms, as they have done with previous product manuals I've seen. One thing I would like to see included is a CAT-5 cable, to connect the broadband modem to the wireless router. A little thing like that would save time for the end user, who may have a need for one.

Indicator LED's.

Each antenna can be lowered and swivelled.

The bottom has four gripping feet.

   Unlike some other Routers out there, there is no serial interface that can be used to configure the router. All configuration is done through a client computer by accessing the Router's interface through a web browser. The configuration options from the browser are fairly detailed, and I will get into them later on during installation/testing. A reset button is provided for those times when the router may stop responding at all, and it is visible in the above middle picture near the left of the back. Like most home gateways, this router supports DHCP and NAT functions. Because it functions as an Access Point, it will be at the centre of an infrastructure-based wireless network. Here's a quick re-cap of what that's about:

Here are a few ghetto diagrams I drew in an attempt to visually explain Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure modes:
(In both diagrams, the dotted/dashed lines are the wireless signals.)
 

Ad-Hoc - Peer-to-Peer type network.

Infrastructure - The Access Point is physically wired to the network.

   In the infrastructure mode, wireless clients do not directly communicate with one another. Rather, they send their frames to the Access Point, which then sends the frame to the proper recipient. This mode can be more secure because access from wireless clients can then be controlled via configuration of the Access Point.

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